Dangerous Madrid?

Slightly off topic, how are European airports regarding hand checking film? We're going to London (both Heathrow and Stansted)/Salzburg/Bangkok/phuket over Christmas, anyone have experience with airports there?

Gert
 
gertf said:
Slightly off topic, how are European airports regarding hand checking film? We're going to London (both Heathrow and Stansted)/Salzburg/Bangkok/phuket over Christmas, anyone have experience with airports there?

Gert
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They don't! At least Bremen <-> London, Bremen <-> Paris and Hamburg <-> Viena, that's where I travel often.

I haven't used anything over ISO400 in a long time, but 4 years ago my Delta 3200 went through X-Ray scanners in Bremen, Frankfurt, Varadero and back trough Varadero and Munich without any problems.
 
Thanks Socke, I'll probably just bring ISO400 film in that case. I can always push it if necessary.

Cheers,
Gert
 
Hi!!Another "madrileño" here!!!

Do not worry too much about safety during your holidays. Madrid is as dangerous/safe as any other european city. Just use your common sense and take care of your wallet/belongings in the subway, bus, bars and other crowded places. Even at night you should not worry... even more, enjoy the active night-life in the city centre!!

I 100% subscribe previous positive comments and especially that from ClaremontPhoto about inmigrants.

As for developing your film, there are several places all around downtown (C41, 1hr/24hr minilabs). Fnac, El Corte Ingles and some small photography shops near the Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Callao areas could do the job fine.

Enjoy your holidays and feel free to contact me if you want to share some beer/coffee or need some indications.

Zé
 
Rayt said:
...and the asylum seekers have to swim.
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How did your 'illegal immigrants' morph into 'asylum seekers'?

Are the people who cross the Rio Grande from Mexico into the USA 'asylum seekers' too?

The vast majority in both cases are economic migrants. People from poorer countries who come to look for work, and send money back to their families.

Recently I went to pick up money from a local Western Union office, and the clerk could not understand that I was collecting money instead of sending money. That's all he ever does, send money.
 
ClaremontPhoto said:
Recently I went to pick up money from a local Western Union office, and the clerk could not understand that I was collecting money instead of sending money. That's all he ever does, send money.
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Going a bit off topic but interesting discussion nonetheless.

My wife is half Tongan, and most of her Tongan family sends money home to their parents, sisters, brothers, cousins, or whomever else they may choose to support. These remittances make up 27% of the country's GDP!

I find it interesting that countries that were 'founded' by immigrants, such as Australia and the US, now keep others out that are coming in search of a job that will help them support their families back home. And they're automatically labelled illegal immigrants or illegal asylum seekers.. tsk tsk

My favourite label is still 'illegal refugee'. Behold the irony..

Some remittance statistics:

The World Bank reported that inward remittances totaled $276 billion in 2006, double the $131 billion in 2000 and the $102 billion in 1995. Some $206 billion in remittances flowed to developing countries.

India received the most remittances in 2006, $26.9 billion; followed by Mexico, $24.7 billion; China, $22.5 billion; Philippines, $14.9 billion; and France, $12.6 billion. As a share of GDP, remittances were 32 percent of Moldova's GDP in 2005; 27 percent of Tonga's GDP; 26 percent of Guyana's GDP; and 23 percent of Haiti's GDP.

Gert
 
We still have politicians that want to restrict migration from non-white countries. One in particular is very concerned over 'diseases brought to Australia by African migrants'.

It's nice to see the world has moved on from the racist attitudes of the past..

To the OP, all the best for your trip to Madrid! I'm sure you'll be fine and you won't have any problems. I'd be more worried of drunk Pommies on booze tours than pickpockets 😛
 
ZeMane said:
As for developing your film, there are several places all around downtown (C41, 1hr/24hr minilabs). Fnac, El Corte Ingles and some small photography shops near the Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Callao areas could do the job fine.
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I've never had film developed in Madrid, but can vouch for Fnac and El Corte Ingles from going to other cities. They are both high quality stores which you'll find in the shopping districts and they will do good work.

Fnac is into media. As well as developing your film there will likely be a photo exhibition, DVD's for sale, televisions, books, and a juice bar.

El Corte Ingles is a chain of Spanish department stores.

Whichever, just tell 'em Zé and Jon sent you.
 
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Sparrow/Stewart:


A good friend of mine, Antonio, is a skilled artisan. A year ago he told me he was about to retire. Later, we chatted about the 2012 Olympics and he changed his mind and has gone there to work, not only for the build but also for the remodeling after the games.

He'll work 50 weeks a year, and spend two weeks a year with his family in Portugal.

I know he's living in a room in a boarding house shared with another worker, and he's saving every single penny he makes to buy his daughter a house in about 2014.

There are not enough skilled and motivated workers in Britain to do what Antonio is doing.

It's a win win situation.
 
Regarding hand checking of film at european airports:

I have taken my medium format rig to Spain and Italy recently a few times. If you dont speak the language you have NO chance. I put my film in a lead lined bag and it goes through in my cary on luggage. At Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and Stanstead I have requested hand checking. Once, was fine, they gave it a cursory look. Once they unwrapped 100 rolls of 120 film and swabbed the lot for traces of explosive. Once they flatly refused and xrayed it out of the bag. Once I didnt say anything, it went through the xray in the bag and was un-noticed. Once I tried the same thing, but they noticed the bag, then hand searched the contents briefly.

At all non english speaking airports I dont say a thing, and let the bag pass through with its contents intact. Its been spotted twice and hand checked.

In summary. If you are taking iso 400 or slower film then you can happily pass through a few machines, just get it processed asap. If you have anything fast.. buy a lead lined bag. NEVER declare it for hand checking especially if you dont speak the local language. Just let it get scanned in the bag. Chances are they wont spot it.

Put 1 roll of 3200 in the bag. If picked up, you can plug this out first and say "look, fast film, not xray safe" and hope you have a knowledgabe security officer. Of course all the above depends on the day, the world threat at the time, what the guard had for breakfast, when their next break is, if you look like a muslim terrorist or drug traffiker etc


As for camera safety in Spain. I have never had a problem. To most casual criminals a film camera is an antiquated worthless piece of junk. You wallet will be of far more interest. I would recomend some black electrical tape over the Leica red dot to make it look a bit bland. Keep your bag to your side, not behind you and zipped etc. Put the camera at the bottom of the bag and some junk ie rolls of film, maps, guide book etc on top. If you are really evil.. get a ball of blue tack about 2" in diameter. Put some pins in the blue tack, head first sot make a ball of needles. Put this in your camera bag.. Prying hands may be distracted by this.. you, knowing its there can be more careful removing your gear.
 
ClaremontPhoto said:
Sparrow/Stewart:


A good friend of mine, Antonio, is a skilled artisan. A year ago he told me he was about to retire. Later, we chatted about the 2012 Olympics and he changed his mind and has gone there to work, not only for the build but also for the remodeling after the games.

He'll work 50 weeks a year, and spend two weeks a year with his family in Portugal.

I know he's living in a room in a boarding house shared with another worker, and he's saving every single penny he makes to buy his daughter a house in about 2014.

There are not enough skilled and motivated workers in Britain to do what Antonio is doing.

It's a win win situation.
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Jon; the Olympics is about the only thing that’s certain to be built over here at the moment, I agree about the work thing, an Albanian friend of mine has gone from refugee to home owning farther of two by dint of hard work.

But then I suppose Balkan politics could focus someone’s mind on life’s priorities
 
Living in a really dangerous city, and nevertheless always carrying expensive cameras all around, these threads leave me a little dizzy. Madrid is a heaven of safety compared to where I live... but only common sense and awareness of your surroundings will make you and your cameras safe. A bag left in the floor, no matter for how little time, is asking for it to be taken, be it in New York, Buenos Aires, London or Prague. BTW, as someone mentioned, your camera is of very little interest, and the thief will propably be very dissapointed when he opens the bag.
 
Rayt said:
I was standing next to my friend when he got his wallet snatched in the Paris subway a few years ago and lost 2000 Euros. There were 6 of them and they put of a "show" to distract him. It was impressive.
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Yeah, I witnessed this several times in France and Italy. The "entertainment" was provided by people who I thought were native European. The little shows got annoying after seeing it a few times.

Those africans who swam over just seemed to mind their business selling stuff.
 
I just won an 'iPod' from a slot machine.

Except it's only a replica iPod. It's really a taser with the stun sent through the ear pods.

Now that would scare a thief if s/he found it first near the top of your bag...


BUT you don't need such measures. I live here and I can spot tourists from way off. Dress local, move local, eat and drink local. Blend in. Like said upthread wearing shorts and sandals is a giveaway, so is going into a cheap back street bar and asking for a Campari.
 
Hand checking or developing film in country is completely unnecessary. I've traveled extensively with high speed (Neopan 1600, Delta 3200 etc) film and pushed film, and I've never had a roll fogged by any airport machine.

As for holding onto your valuables, the easiest way to avoid trouble is just don't carry very much stuff. A camera in hand, a lens in a pocket, passport and credit card in the money belt, and you'll be fine in places much more dangerous than Madrid. If you are really worried, just keep the number of your consulate handy; they can get you home again no matter what you've lost.

Have fun!
 
I sometimes use a non-descript shoulder bag I picked up in a thrift store. It looks slightly worn. Camera & lenses stored in pouches. It looks like a bag with maps and sandwiches. I carry a climbing carabiner & when the bag is not attached to my shoulder I can clip it to a table or chair that I am sitting on. The carabiner is excellent on handbags & computer bags, etc. With a little work you can rig something up to attach to your belt. Carabiners & small lengths of rop are available at climbing stores & they last forever. (You will not need a locking carabiner.)
 
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