Questions about my visit to Spain?

Question

I am going to spain in 16 days.

I will be going to school while i am there.

1. What kind of bag should i get to keep things in? (I know that theft is a problem on crowded streets. people zoom by in scooters and grab your bag. so what kind should i get to protect my money and belongings?

2. How should i charge my ipod, phone, and camara? Is there a certain adapter i should get? I am staying in a home with a host family. if i use an adapter will i blow a fuse?

3. Is it safe to walk late at night?

4. If i take my camera out for a picture, will somebody grab it?

5. can i drink the water there? or should i drink from water bottles?

6. I'll be staying in Granada. Anything specific i should know about Granada?

anything else you can think of?

Answer 1

1. keep valuables close to your body.  only carry simple things like lip gloss and a comb in your purse.  Use a money belt or something inside your clothing for large quantities of money, but you shouldn't even need that, because you won't be needing to carry too much money.  Use an ATM card (not a credit card) with a 4 digit PIN for getting cash, and a credit card, if you can, for larger purchases.

2. you need a converter for your chargers, expect them to NOT stay charged for as long as you think they should.  Your phone may not work there...check with your service and the phone itself.  That should NOT cause problems for the electricity in the house.  In fact, American products won't cause their electricity problems, it's the other way around...their electricity is hotter than ours, and without the converter, will blow up your appliances.  either way, you could start a fire withouth the converter.

3.  It's safe to walk at night, with care, and common sense.  a young woman alone should probably take a cab if you have any doubts.

4.  No.  No one is going to snatch your camera while you are taking a photo.  They might take a big one off your shoulder (slice the straps) if you aren't paying attention, but you shouldn't have too much trouble in Granada.  Just don't stop and talk to the gypsies...tell them no firmly, no gracias, and walk away.  

5.  YES you can drink the water there.  Not only that, but much of the bottled water sold in Spain is actually, Granada's tap water.  Some of the best in the country.

6.  YOU WILL LOVE IT!!! Granada is one of the most beautiful places in the world!  Be sure to take the hike up to the Montaña del Sol (I think that's what it's called...you go up through Albaicín and keep on going...you go through picnic grounds and such...It was almost 30 years ago since I did it, but I imagine it's still gorgeous!)

Oh, and make sure, if you go to buy any of the inlaid wood, that you actually SEE someone in the shop doing the work, or you're likely to be buying Chinese goods.  Don't buy the work with mother-of-pearl in it, that's from India and Morrocco.

Answer 2

Wow, let's see if I can help.

1. I carry a small bag that I put over my head and across in front of me so I can see the bag all the time, as it is known for pickpockets to be busy here and if you just sling your bag across your shoulder and have it at the back of you it could get picked.

2.You can buy a small plug adaptor that u fit an English plug into then plug it in the wall. DONT buy it in the UK as it's much cheaper to buy here. No you wont blow a fuse either so dont worry

3.Safe to walk at night  - really depends where you are staying, better to ask your host when you get there as they know the area better than me.

4. No, absolutely not, unless you are staying in a deprived area. I'm not saying itwill never happen, but the chances are very slim. Again ask your host regarding their area.

5.You can drink the water here no problem. I personally dont as where I live the water is very hard and has alot of limescale, so I drink bottled water. Try it though, it won´t kill you, long are the days gone by when you couldn't drink the water in Spain.

6.Go to the Alhambra it's a must and there I WOULD be vigilant as thieves always make for tourist spots all over the world, not only Spain.

The best thing is to enjoy the opportunity to be here, learn the language, mix with the locals and experience life. Take plenty of photos and make alot of friends. I have been here 17 years and would never go back to the UK. Good luck, y buena suerte!!

Answer 3

Ok, that is a lot of questions, I will answer using your numbers:

1. I have lived in Madrid and now Valencia and I have never seen theft from scooters happen.  I always heard it was Italy to worry about that but haven't seen it there either.  Most people carry a normal handbag or a satchel to wear over your shoulder and across your body.

2.  You need a european 2 prong adapter for your electrical things, pick one up in the airport or when you arrive.  The electricity supply in Spain is 220-230 volts.

3.  Granada and most popular parts of Spain are safe to walk around at night because there are a lot of people around and is well lit.  Use your common sense as you would at home and don't walk where you don't feel safe or walk with someone else.

4.  This is very unlikely.  I would say there is a 99% chance that this will not happen.

5.  The water in Spain is perfectly safe to drink.  Taste it see if you like and if you prefer bottled water then drink that.  Water always tastes different to what it does at home so it may take a couple of days to get used to the taste.  Bottled water is very cheap from supermarkets.

6.  Granada is a beautiful city.  You must visit the Alhambra.  Granada is known as a city of gigantic tapas.  You can save money by drinking at places that serve gigantic tapas, some places serve a hamburger and fries as tapas or large plates of hot foods so you can have dinner for the price of a few drinks.

The only other thing I can think of is for you to relax, enjoy the experience and don't be scared.  Try to get to the coast for part of the summer to enjoy the beach.

Answer 4

Other people have covered most of it -- BUT there are some areas that are not as safe as others in Granada and there are a fair amount of Gypsies in Granada, especially  at the entrance to the Alhambra -- there are dozens of women trying to sell you the plants that are growing everywhere.

Also, if you are female it is not the greatest idea to walk around alone a night.