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Vent: lost my wallet in a Madrid hostel and had to make it work with 5 euros
I was in Madrid last month, 3 days into a 2 week trip, and I realized my wallet was gone right after checking out of a hostel. Panic mode hit hard. I had 5 euros in my pocket, my phone, and no way to get cash. The hostel front desk couldn't find it, so I cancelled my cards on the spot. I ended up walking to a local market and buying a bag of oranges and some bread for 2 euros. Ate that for two days while sleeping on a park bench near Retiro Park. Finally borrowed a charger from a tourist and got my mom to wire money through Western Union at a pharmacy. Took 3 days total to get back on track, but I learned to always hide a backup card in my sock. Has anyone else dealt with losing everything and having to rebuild your trip on the fly?
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wesley_thompson2mo ago
Man that “3 days into a 2 week trip” hit hard. Same thing happened to me in Barcelona. I had to sleep at a 24 hour McDonald’s for two nights with just a croissant and tap water. My trick now is I keep a 20 euro bill folded inside the tongue of my shoe. Also always take a photo of your passport and cards on your phone before you leave the hostel in the morning. Saved my ass later.
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terrywilson2mo ago
Oh man, I feel this one deep in my soul. Same thing happened to me in a train station hostel in Rome. I had 7 euros and a half-eaten sandwich, spent two nights on a bench near Termini station just watching my stuff like a hawk. The worst part was I had a backup card but it was in my jacket pocket that I left on the bus. Now I always hide money in three separate places, like a little survival kit in my bag. That park bench life is no joke though, you really learn who you are when you're hungry and broke in a foreign city.
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knight.taylor2mo ago
Right, because nothing says "life changing vacation" like turning a park bench into your personal Airbnb. At least you got a character development story out of it, I guess?
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