Hola,

Hopefully I will be coming to Madrid on the 29th of September to study at a language school. But recently my friend in Spain has said that the American embassy has issued a warning to American students saying to keep a low profile due to the recent tragic events in New York City. My friend also said that she was harassed because she was American and felt unsafe because there seems to be an Anti-American sentiment growing in Spain. Is there any truth to this? Should I be worried about this? Thank you for any responses

Saludos,
Marcel

P.S. I would like to say that I very impressed by this message board and all those who partake in it. The recent posts on the recent New York incident have been deeply touching and my heart goes out to all the victims involved and all those everywhere who have been affected by this horrible tragedy. But we must stay strong and pray for those in need.

Dear Marcel,
I have been living and working in Spain since August 2001. Not very long but let me tell you what happened to me durning the terrorsit attacks and the days following. Spaniards bought me breakfast, free drinks and gave me their address incase I or my family needed a place to stay. They would pull me aside and tell me how sorry they are that this happened and ask me if there was anything I needed or anything that they could do for me. I have been overwhelmed by the support and warmth of the spanish people. I am an obvious non-spanish person and during this whole terrible attack, I was made to feel welcomed and safe. Don't be an ugly american, treat the spanish people with respect and warmth and you will have the same in return.

Hello Marcel,

we have been here since sept. 4 and the spanish folks have been lo siento.. very sorry and very nice, those must be rumors... You will have a great time here, remember the spanish supports the US during this horrible time... Every spanish person we met has been very sympathetic.... please enjoy,, we have not encountered any anti sentiment at all.

enjoy,

One of the first emails I got after the tragedy was from the young student who was our hostess/interpreter for the Palencia Cup international soccer tournement that I attended this summer with a group of girls. She told of the genuine sorrow she and her young friends felt.Just as we cannot stop flying or going into tall buildings, we cannot stop going out into the world..we just need to be the best example of humanity we can.Caution is always prudent for many reasons in life but sometimes I think "warnings" are the sparks that create the demons in our minds.

On Thursday I received a call from an US friend who was in Madrid unable to leave the country. He is
a theworldparty.net guide and was stuck with a 8 people group. He had booked on the hotel until thursday thinking that they would be able to be back on Friday. Fearing they wouldn´t he called me to help him finding another hotel for the friday night. I had to call more than 20 hotels until I found two
that would do. He called on Friday heartily appreciating my help but telling me that he had explained to the hotel manager their problem and that the man (I suppose moved by all that has happened) changed this american group to bigger rooms and a 10%
discount into the bargain.
I would like to express from here my gratitude to Hotel Suecia for making me feel proud of Spain by accommodating my american friends when city center Madrid hotels were totally packed.

Andrés

[ 09-17-2001: Message edited by: Andrés ]

You are welcome here, now more than never.

It is true that there exists an anti-american sentiment in some ultra-leftist parts of our society. It is not true that the general feelings here are anti-american, and any anti-americanism it could be, it has been erased in the past days.

The spaniards are people who are not used to express their feelings in public, you must know that. Thus, you won't see many public expressions (as in other countries). But make no mistake, that doesn't mean we don't feel and share the pain with you, the everyday chatter between us (as I have seen) is filled with feelings of disgust about the terrorist attacks, and any time you meet a spaniard he/she will tell you how deep he/she feels what the USA have suffered.

Fernando

As an ex-New Yorker who has spent the past several months on vacation in Spain, I would like to say that I agree with Fernando.
I have watched the televised address of the President of the Spanish government, Jose Maria Aznar, wherein he couldn't have been more clear in his expression of full support to the US, including offering the unconditional use of military bases in Spain if so needed. His straightforward remarks against terrorism & willingness to stand shoulder to shoulder with us were in the same vein as those offers made by the British PM Tony Blair.
We americans have just lost over 5000 men, women, & children to terrorism. To date, the Spaniards have lost about 1000 men, women, and children to terrorism in their country. So in a sense we are all in the same boat!

I personally have received many offers of sympathy from my Spanish friends since the WTC tragedy.
Of course there are always some people in every country (even our own!) who hate "the american way". I have seen a handfull in Spain & read anti-american comments in some newspapers, but have never seen any violence here directed against americans.
Come to Spain & enjoy the Spanish hospitality!
Seeing how my countrymen have responded to the terrorist inflicted tragedy makes me proud to be an american. The patriotism of the american people perhaps is not really understood here (and I don't mean this to be a criticism, just an observation!)

It seems that there is a lot of support in Spain for America. I think everyone is right that there are anti-American sentiments anywhere at any time, just like everything. But from the posts it seems that Americans have been treated with the utmost respect. As I do not intend to act like an "UGLY AMERICAN" hopefully everything will be O.K. I am extremely excited about going. These posts have been very helpful and I appreciate all the responses.

Saludos,
Marcel

I have spent a lot of time and never have I faced anti-American sentiments directed towards me. As others have said, there will always exist a small number of anti-Americans in any society (even here in the USA!), but that in NO WAY indicates the feelings of the general Spanish public.

I believe the warning was posted for any American outside of the states, not just located in Spain. Due to the horrific circumstances of last week, they are just asking that everyone be careful where ever you are. I checked the travelers advisories posted by the Dept of State (I got there thru the embassy webpage at www.embusa.es ), and this warning is listed as a 'general warning' to all.

Best of luck in your travels and have a great trip to Espana!!

GranadaGirl (Still heartbroken by the destruction, but determined that life will go on)

[ 09-17-2001: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

One of the students we hosted last summer from Madrid has emailed me to say they are all crying in Spain for the Americans who were killed. They watch it on their news all day and are behind our country 100%.

The thumbs up sign is one he used to indicate his approval.

This doesn't surprise me at all, Zylphia. Spaniards are no strangers to terrorism with ETA and they mourn when people are killed/murdered no matter if they're Spaniards or others in the world. I've always found Spaniards to be very sensitive with regards to humanity. I think they would have felt the same if a similar terrorist attack had happened in Japan, Russia, or Argentina.

[ 09-18-2001: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

I am finding MM's and everyone else's comments to be very true.

I have been canceling all of our reservations for the trip we WERE going to take in October, and each and every hostal, hotel etc. has responded back adding very warm comments expressing their sorrow over the happenings in NY. This is without me even mentioning it in my cancellation request!

And, just as an aside to those who may want to comment that we shouldn't cancel or trip....We are looking at it as a mere postponement. We aren't AFRAID to take the trip. We simply have chosen to spend the time traveling within the US visiting those friends and family we don't see as often as we like and spending our dollars to support the US economy. It is a very, very small sacrafice we can make to contribute to the healing of this great country.

We WILL be going to Spain - just not when had originally planned.

Pookita (who anxiously awaits NEXT October...or maybe Spring?)

I posted this in another part of the forum but felt it relevant here too. After all, what I read here is what helped to make up our minds ....We had a group of 40 people leaving for Spain in a few days. Since the tragedy that has dropped to 10. We have been struggling with whether or not to go on with the trip. After having reviewed here and in another section of the forum, we are more determined than ever to go. These ten Americans will not let the terrorists intimidate us. We will not be cowered into submission. All I have read says the people of Spain have anguished with us over this tragedy and I am going to thank them personally. Thanks to all from Spain who have posted the wonderful notes. We will see you in a week!
Kelly B

I totally agree with Kelly B. I am leaving for Madrid on the 29th for three weeks of Spanish language study. I am excited about meeting the people of that wonderful city.

I want to thank Kelly B and arthurg for your posts and for coming here in such difficult times for you.

I really understand the reasons and problems that could keep you for coming. So coming here has a special value (in my point of view).

You will be very welcome to Spain ;-)

I hope you enjoy your visit here.

Fernando

With such nice people in Madrid like you, Fernando, how could we not have a good time?

When I read Aznar saying, " America was there to help us with terrorism and now its our time to help them," a bitter sweet chill covered me.
From keeping up with Spanish news in the past couple of years, I know all Spaniards know the horror of terrorism.
I know they feel our pain in the US.
I, from the bottom of my heart, thank them for mourning with us and standing up with us.
Spain's extension of friendship at this crucial time WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!
God Bless Spain and America.
true lifelong friends