the art of travel

If you have been reading this site for at least the past month, you will realize that I travel very regularly. Many times within the States, to NYC and Ohio to see family, but I am also an avid traveler abroad, mostly Europe. This trip to Spain has been amazing, providing us the most beautiful weather and eye opening experience. I always knew that many large European tourist cities have a plethora of tourist traps, but Barcelona and Madrid have seemed to show a little more this trip. I absolutely love both cities for different reasons. The art of Gaudi in Barcelona is absolutely stunning, the Madrid Royal Palace is breathtaking, but the cities are infested with those who can easily pick a tourist out of the crowd and lure them in. I am by no means calling myself perfect, but I have not been sucked in. Since Vlad and I are in Europe regularly, he has taught me the ropes of many of the different countries and cities and I am more ‘street smart’. Even better is that most people think I am German rather than American. I can not tell you how many times someone asks me in German where I am from in Germany, it always makes me laugh. I suppose Vlad’s growing up in Germany has rubbed off on me! The fact of the matter is in the big cities many people are looking for an easy rob; most of these people are not looking to hurt you, rather grab your wallet and run. Even better, grab your entire purse. I brought two bags on this trip, my Rebecca Minkoff Wine Matinee and my Bird Handbags Ostrich Lil Lady. Both have perks in navigating the crowded streets where people are looking to grab and go with your belongings. For the Rebecca Minkoff Matinee if someone wanted to unzip and steal something, that proves to be near impossible. I love every single extra added pocket, some even hidden! Becky has said that she would like to re-vamp the Matinee and remove some pockets, but having all of these hidden compartments has been nothing but a savior for me. Either way I still must carry this bag close to my body and hold tight. This way, if anyone is going to try to take it they will have to pull it out of my lifeless arms. The perk of the Bird Handbags Lil Lady is that it is worn across my shoulder, but I can hold it in front of my body very easily. The long strap allows the bag to have a large shoulder drop, making it simple to pull it forward and carry it close. A downside of this bag is the open top, which can be reached into, but when I hold it close to my body it is not an issue. So both of these bags are fairing well right now, as I interchange them. But the trend I see here, even with the locals, is that they all carry their bags in front of their bodies. This makes it more of a confrontation if someone is to try to steal the bag or the contents. I am by no means scared walking through the streets of Spain, but I am a tad more cautious. Then again, this could happen in any city in the US.

So my question is: what is the perfect travel bag for you? Do you take into account the area you are in?

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