…or, the story of how I definitely got followed home.
My friends and I wanted to go to the biggest Monday night party (yeah, Barcelona parties hard on Monday), but only some people got tickets.So we went to a bar anyway, with hopes of convincing the bouncers that they wanted to let us in. Around 2 a.m., we headed over to the club.
One guy tried to convince security that everyone without tickets had just forgotten to print them. It nearly worked…until four huge bouncers came over and started saying “this is the guy causing problems, yeah?”
I really didn’t want to start anything with the bouncers at my favorite club, so I figured that was about time to make my way home .
Walking from this club to my flat only takes about 20 minutes. It’d always been okay in the past, so I assumed this night would be the same. Plus, I didn’t want to pay for a taxi or wait for the bus.
But this time was different. As I walked past two guys, they definitely started following me. One of them wearing distinctive light jeans that almost glowed under the streetlights.
I started walking a bit faster, and headed for a bar where I knew some of the employees – but it had already closed for the night. So I looked for taxis. They were all taken.
I kept on going, hugging the walls of the buildings, walking quickly, sticking to lighted areas, checking over my shoulder, and fiercely gripping my bag. Thankfully I was by a few well-lit clubs, so there were tons of happy clubbers taking cigarette breaks…but out of the corner of my eye I could still see someone.
I crossed the street carefully and quickly, staying close to the edges of the buildings.
Just as I thought I’d lost the guy, I took a chance and walked across a plaza. As I was almost done, I looked over my shoulder. Somebody in light-wash jeans was not too far behind me.
I sprinted across the street in between cars, then ducked under a construction site to hide. When I spotted a couple going home from a club, I stuck close to them – they were too entranced in their amorous encounter to notice me, but near enough to ask for help.
Then I was just two streets away from home. I was afraid of everybody who was around. When I got to the main street, there were two guys again, and I freaked out. I nearly cried when I saw somebody emerging from a construction site on my street. Luckily, he was harmless.
When I finally turned onto my street, I glanced over my shoulder one last time. Walking up my street was a guy in light-wash jeans.
Full-on panic set in.
I sprinted to my apartment, tore open the door and slammed it shut. As I waited for the elevator, I couldn’t help watching to see if anybody came up to the door. Nobody did…but still. It was a pretty scary encounter, and it was definitely the first time I’ve felt unsafe in Barcelona.
What was different this time? First off, I took a different route home to avoid the super touristy Ramblas. The Ramblas are full of thieves….but also lots of taxis and police.
Then, I’d dressed up to go clubbing, and I’m willing to bet that drew the wrong kind of attention. And it was pretty late – 2:30 a.m.
These guys probably would’ve only taken my stuff, but I was totally alone and it was a really scary experience. Next time, I’m definitely going to take the bus or head for the nearest taxi.
Oh, I’m sorry you had to experience that! When I was in Barcelona I also got the sense that it wasn’t the safest to walk around alone late at night. I am glad you shared your story. I live in Boston and when I first moved here I was much more careful about taking a taxi or making sure to walk home with a friend, now that I’m more comfortable here I’ve been slacking with safety precautions. Your story was a good reminder…no matter how comfortable you may feel– always be safe.
Yeah, I did the same thing and got lazy! I always feel very safe, and this was the first time something scary has happened. It was a good wake-up call.
Oh my gosh, I’m so glad you’re ok! I luckily live on a main street and near plenty of taxis, so if I want to go home after a night out in Madrid, it’s easy for me to get home. However last year I lived in a very quiet residential neighborhood and always made sure to walk fast when walking home late at night.
I did get followed in Toulouse once. My friend and I were walking home (in a pretty crowded area) and some guy in a parked car asked us something (I think he might have been asking for directions, I can’t remember). My friend was already freaked out as it was, she had been having panic attacks, so we kind of ignored him and kept walking. I guess he got mad because he got out of the car and started following us. This majorly freaked me out and I started running. We managed to lose him but I also lost my friend who had to pick that exact moment to have another panic attack. She was fine but pissed at me for running away (oops!).
Me too – phew! I live on a main street too, but all the taxis were taken that night. Not a fun coincidence.
I’m glad you’re okay after your Toulouse story – that’s pretty scary that somebody got out of the car to follow you. I would’ve freaked out too!
I’m glad that you got home ok. This is a good reminder for you and others to be careful going out. Sometimes when we get too comfortable we forget about safety. The only thing that I worry about for you is that these guys know where you live. Be careful in the next few weeks and make sure you are with friends a lot. I would ask some of your Barcelona friends if anything like this has happened to them before. Make sure you take precautions . Thanks for sharing this story, it needs to be told to remind a lot of others out there. Stay safe. I had a situation in Czech Republic. I ran up to a random family and just walked with them. Luckily it wasn’t too dark outside at the time. It did freak me out and remind me to be careful.
Exactly, I just relaxed too much. I’m not sure if it was the same guy or not who was on my street because it was so dark, but for now I’ll definitely be walking home with friends or taking taxis. We’re lucky we both got reminders to stay safe with no big consequences.
Yikes. That’s so scary. 🙁 I’m glad you’re okay, and hopefully next time you’ll follow your own advice to take a taxi/bus.
Me too! It’s taxis and buses for me for the foreseeable future for sure.
Eeek, that’s frightening! I’m glad you’re okay… but what the heck with this guy?! He followed you all the way home??? So sketchy… I don’t know what I would have done – probably the same thing you did, or perhaps I would’ve caused a scene at first opportunity (with plenty of people around) to try and scare him away. Agh, my heart is lurching in my stomach just thinking about it. Good thing you were observant.
I have no idea if it was actually the same guy or not, but it seriously freaked me out. Next time, taxis for me!
Ah! The last time I was in Barcelona I made a 3 a.m. walk to the airport bus and made the fevered mistake of taking smaller roads that are less scary …. in daylight. I still can’t believe I didn’t die. I hope you’ve seen the last of them!
Yeah, those little streets can look completely different at night, especially around 3 a.m. We’re lucky nothing happened!
omg!! very scary indeed! you were very smart to wait and walk w/others. thank goodness nothing happened too. yikes. I too was followed once but in my car, headed up the NJ turnpike to visit a friend in CT. some guy started following me and I decided to try and lose him at the rest stop. I hovered in the bathroom until I saw him come in, then I raced to my car and high-tailed it out of there. I was scared sh*tless!! to say the least…
Wow, that sounds terrifying! Thank goodness nothing happened to you either.
Scary! I’d definitely suggest not going straight home if you think they are watching you- otherwise you’re giving away the location of your house. I’m glad you’re ok!
The only time I was followed home in Tokyo was when I was wearing a yukata (summer kimono) so the use of my legs was pretty restricted. I think the scariest thing, though, was that I didn’t realize that he was following me until I happened to turn around, right before putting the key in the gate and saw a man about a foot behind me. I’m usually really good at knowing if people are walking behind me, but he didn’t make a sound… like a ninja.
That’s definitely a good idea. I’m glad I’m ok too!
And wow, your Tokyo story is scary too – I can’t believe you didn’t hear him!
I was confronted by thieves in Parc de Ciutadella during my stay in Barcelona. They were working as a team, and as I set my camera up for a self portrait, one distracted me by asking a question about a map while the other tried to take off with my camera. I was able to scare them away with a lot of shouting and a willingness to fight over the camera, but I don’t suggest that approach to most people. Be mindful of your surroundings all the time.
You’re lucky you scared them off successfully! I had a friend who shouted at thieves here too, which worked for her. It seems like everyone has a getting robbed (or nearly robbed) story in Barcelona…
Sorry you experienced that but am glad you are ok. Unfortunately, I’ve heard similar stories from a few friends that have visited Barcelona. It can be an intriguing place to visit if done in a large group of people who all watch out for each other. Not many people can travel that way though. Thanks for sharing your story.
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Yes, tons of my friends have similar stories too. The thing is, Barcelona does have a lot of robbery going on, but fortunately almost none of it is violent. And they often give you your things back they’re not interested in (like ID cards or driver’s licenses) by posting them to the police.
Still, it’s never fun to get robbed.
They post them to the police? Really? Those are some nice robbers.
Yes! Haha that’s the only good thing I can say about them.
It really happens though. My friend got her wallet stolen at a concert and everything showed up except her credit cards and cash. I think some of it was at the police station and the rest in her mailbox.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I’ll know to be careful about walking home alone when I move to Barcelona. I am used to just going anywhere alone anytime in Manhattan and not having anyone mess with me. I’m fearful that he followed you all the way home and now knows where you live. I’d be extra careful when you leave your apartment for a while. In case he were to reappear. Hopefully a onetime incident! Be safe!
Yeah, definitely be careful. It’s not violent, but lots of people get robbed. Just be smart and figure out a well-lit route home, as well as backup plans. And you’ll learn which areas are sketchier than others pretty quickly.
I’m not 100% sure it was the same guy, but it’s definitely made me nervous. I’m not walking home alone anytime soon!
Yikes-That’s terrifying! I live in Chicago, and I have some similar experiences when it’s late at night…I think we need our own bodyguards 🙂 !
Cheers to being safe!
Agreed, personal bodyguards are a great idea!
Scary stuff, Jessica. I’ve been followed here too, not to mention the constant harrassment from guys on the streets in broad daylight. Feeling a bit freaked myself over the last couple of weeks – keep hearing stories from friends about burglaries, pickpockets, people being held up with knives, etc. Barcelona is not a particulary safe city, it has to be said. I get taxis everywhere when it’s dark – just don’t chance it at all. Let me know if you fancy a night out together and we can share one home:)
Oh weird, I’ve been hearing lots of scary stuff recently too! I hope it’s just a coincidence and it’s not really getting worse. :/
And yes, a night out sometime sounds great! Let me know when you’re free.
wow! Definitely a scary experience. I didn’t find Barcelona that dangerous but then again I was only there for a few weeks. beware the light wash jeans!
It’s usually not that dangerous. I was just stupid haha. Though pickpocketing is a serious issue – just about everyone has a “I got robbed in Barcelona” story after they’ve spent a few months here.
Sounds similar to what happened to me! Only it was 7am and the sun was almost up and I felt completely safe. Once off La Rambla and round the corner from my flat I saw a guy out of the corner of my eye but didn’t feel threatened. Next I heard his footsteps quicken and next thing his arm was strangling me. Eventually my scream made him run away without doing me any serious harm or taking anything.
I always felt so safe walking home alone at night, now I always take taxis or ask a guy to walk me home. I always feel cheeky asking people to walk me home but they always understand once I tell them what happened!
Oh my gosh, that’s terrifying! What an awful thing to happen. And at 7 in the morning too! That’s so scary.
I’m definitely still nervous about walking home at night after my encounter – yay for taxis and nice amigos!