Little mishap

Hey there!

When I told my siblings I was going to live in Palermo for a year, they were so happy for me, but also worried. Really worried! There so many stereotype and prejudices about Palermo, some of them are true and others are exaggerated, like, really exaggerated.

However, as my experience could be useful for you readers out there, and maybe a lot more people, I will tell you about a little mishap that happened to me.

During my 11 months as a Sicilian, I only had one problem!

One day, I lost my wallet. Panic! I really hope this never happens to you. But, if so, you have to go to the nearest police station as soon as possible. Filing a complaint was my priority. I posted a a slightly humorous message saying I lost my wallet, credit card, checkbook, loyalty cards and also my ID.

Palermo police station is exactly like the movie, down to every detail! I was welcomed by a couple of policemen with 2 cups of coffee. A man took my statement. He wasn't the kindest man, but not too bad either. It was really funny trying to explain as best as I could that I lost my wallet around Vucciria (I will show you where Vucciria is in another article, I promise! ). It was very challenging! After he told me that it was illegal to be without my ID, he gave me a document which worked as proof that I'd lost my ID on such a date and under such circumstances. It’s useful if someone stole my identity and committed crimes or illegal acts. Therefore, it’s really important to file a complaint!

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When it comes to my credit card, that was a different kettle of fish! You are going to spend several months in Palermo. Citizens there are open-minded and really accommodating. When you go back to France, let me know how you find it because suddenly, everything seems more complicated! France is a little bit litigious. But, it’s a good thing!

But it’s one of the countries where finding accommodation is the most complicated when you don’t have a French guarantor, because it’s an essential condition, but it doesn't exist anywhere else! For opening a bank, it’s pretty much the same. Choose your bank carefully, because they can block access to your new credit card, after having reported the stolen one previously (ideally as fast as possible) because you are not physically there to pick it up. If you are in Palermo, it will be hard for you to go to your bank. But don’t worry, just explain your situation and I’m pretty sure you will find some sort of arrangement. Maybe you will have to make a few calls to be sure there is no problem. I was lucky enough to have good interactions with my bank by email. Having no way to get cash, I became really thrifty until I got my new credit card. And about postal services, just read my article about it. Just forewarning you!

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Palermo is a big city, and you will probably notice it’s economically hard to live in for local citizens due to high unemployment rate. But it doesn’t affect the Sicilian desire to party. There are well-off people that live there too, and that's why they please themselves with little things. Like all big cities, the crime rate is important as there are a lot of thieves. Beware! I saw bikes being stolen in front of everyone without any difficulty! Friends of mine have been assaulted for their purse, others have seen their clothes stolen – even their glasses – when going to the beach.

Palermo is a big city, but these event are more visible with people not trying to hide about that compared to others cities. That could have happened in Paris or in every other big city. Palermo is not more dangerous than another one. All these mishaps happened by negligence. Sure, if you show to everybody that you are a tourist coming here for several months, you will be focused. If you think there is nothing to worry about putting your bag in a bar, you have a high risk to have it stolen.

My advice: don’t act like a tourist. Be as aware as you are at home. I only went out one at 2:00, 3:00 or 4:00am to meet friend and nothing happened to me.

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This stolen-wallet experience was a really good adventure for me. I went in a police station, had an Italian loss declaration – so styled – and my best-of-the-world (I’m pretty sure about that) roommates offered me a new wallet, more beautiful than the previous one.

Share your mishaps if you had one. Even if it make your experience a little spicier, I hope you will never have one!

Buonasera!

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