Posted by: steve robinson
Puerta del Sol, Madrid - 11/01/08 05:52 AM
I'm sure it's not my imagination but I have been shocked at the increase in Gypsies around Sol and especially a the bottom end of Calle Montera .. whole families . It might be nothing but I would warn visitors just to be on their guard . I , and many others , have had wallets and bags stolen in that area and I count myself as pretty street wise ( working in London for many years ) . I didn't even know the wallet had gone until I got back home .
Take care crossing the road if you find gypsies on either side of you ... They are clever .. Even worse in Moscow where I've been often .
Also , outside the gates of Retiro Park ( especially near Puerta de Alcala ) ... Young girls will approach you pretending to be mute ( not able to speak ) .. They are very gypsy by their look . They try to ask you to sign a petition / sponsorship form and give them money . It's illegal AND most of them can speak of course !!
This all sounds very anti-gypsy but my mother's family ( and , by association , me ! ) are descended from East European gypsies that settled in England . And I'm very very proud of that heritage .
A lot of Gypsies here in Spain live in appaling conditions . The area of Madrid called Canada Real ( an enye in Canada - I don't have accents ) is the biggest slum in western Europe . Las Chabolas ( shanty town ) are infested with rats , constantly flooded during rain , and the children are often dirty and subject to disease . It's a really shocking place to see . Indeed , the police sometimes will not even go there if called .
All major cities of course have crime .. Madrid is no different . Just be aware .
Oh , and you'll see lot's of young , guys ( mainly East European ) sitting around in Sol .. They're what we in England call Rent Boys ( Hustlers ) .. Chaperos in Spanish . I have nothing against them at all .. It's just work . The same as the prositutes in Calle Montera . I've been approached a few times by both chaperos and prostitutes . Normally , a polite "no" is all that's needed ( Unless you WANT their services of course hahaha ! ) .
Steve
Take care crossing the road if you find gypsies on either side of you ... They are clever .. Even worse in Moscow where I've been often .
Also , outside the gates of Retiro Park ( especially near Puerta de Alcala ) ... Young girls will approach you pretending to be mute ( not able to speak ) .. They are very gypsy by their look . They try to ask you to sign a petition / sponsorship form and give them money . It's illegal AND most of them can speak of course !!
This all sounds very anti-gypsy but my mother's family ( and , by association , me ! ) are descended from East European gypsies that settled in England . And I'm very very proud of that heritage .
A lot of Gypsies here in Spain live in appaling conditions . The area of Madrid called Canada Real ( an enye in Canada - I don't have accents ) is the biggest slum in western Europe . Las Chabolas ( shanty town ) are infested with rats , constantly flooded during rain , and the children are often dirty and subject to disease . It's a really shocking place to see . Indeed , the police sometimes will not even go there if called .
All major cities of course have crime .. Madrid is no different . Just be aware .
Oh , and you'll see lot's of young , guys ( mainly East European ) sitting around in Sol .. They're what we in England call Rent Boys ( Hustlers ) .. Chaperos in Spanish . I have nothing against them at all .. It's just work . The same as the prositutes in Calle Montera . I've been approached a few times by both chaperos and prostitutes . Normally , a polite "no" is all that's needed ( Unless you WANT their services of course hahaha ! ) .
Steve