My self-proclaimed nickname, paired with my invincible mindset, worried many people (including myself) about how I would handle nightlife abroad. To make it worse, I was going to Barcelona—one of the biggest party cities in the world, a frightening yet fitting choice. European clubs boast live animals in cages, people on stilts, and renowned DJs, all making Rochester bars look even more lame and trashy than they already are in my mind. The party scene is certainly more appealing and fun in Europe, which poses problems for naïve Americans like myself who like to live life to its limits. Being a girl makes me even more vulnerable when going out… European men love American girls as much as American girls love European men. And the fact that I can understand and speak Spanish poses more harm than good at night. What is even more worrisome is the fact that I did not come to Barcelona with anyone that I know from Rochester or from home that I can depend on to do some adult babysitting, free of charge.
Also, since Europeans are more easy-going and honest, I have developed a more trusting attitude. This, on top of everything already mentioned, is the icing on top of the worry sundae that is Pardy. For instance, I would not hesitate to join locals who my friends and I met at dinner for drinks afterwards. Of course, I would never do this alone but I forget sometimes that I should not always let my guard down so easily—even when I am within a group. This carefree mentality has gotten a lot of people in trouble and most are surprised that I have yet to be one of these people. However, countless warnings from my parents and friends constantly ring in the back of my head reminding me to be aware of my surroundings and myself. Through observing what can happen here, I have learned that when going out anywhere, particularly in a foreign place, I cannot be completely carefree.
While getting ready to go out one night, my friends and I were discussing the ridiculous number of people who have lost or gotten their phones stolen since we have been here. All of these people have lost their phones while under the influence so when they claim their phones were “stolen,” I take it with a grain of salt. I am not one to judge, in my three years at the University of Rochester I have gone through a number of phones. But I am proud of myself that I haveyet to lose mine here….I can attribute to this heightened attentiveness that I have formed abroad.
While we cheers to not losing our phones, I innovatively came up an acronym that reminds us all of what to avoid to lessen our chances of losing any of our belongings, along with our dignity. The DDD’s (easily remembered because of the enormous breast size) are Diversions, Dirty Men (and/or women) and “Druinks” (a combination of drinks and drugs, duh). There is much more exposure and accessibility to drugs in Europe than in the states; rules are generally more lax here. People often do drugs that they bring into clubs or they can easily stumble outside to the beach and find an eagerly awaiting dealer. Obviously avoiding mixing the two is ideal for having a safe night. Lots of Europeans at clubs are fun and great to talk to but there is also a lot of what I like to call “Dirty Men” (more PC than “Euro Trash”) who have all the wrong intentions and do not like taking no for an answer. As long as you avoid interacting with these easily spotted people, you should be fine. Anything can be a diversion when out—who knows what goes on my head that distracts me from reality. It is important to “be aware” at all times, as my dad likes to say.
Bringing my cell phone out with me risks losing it, but this is a risk that I am willing to take to be safe. I’d rather have to get a new phone than be stranded somewhere without a friend or cab to call. If someone does lose their phone and cannot find the group, I suggested we have a meeting point—something my Dad loves to do “just in case.” Since everyone always wanders, it is a good idea to have somewhere to go (usually the entrance/exit of the club) at a specific time (usually when the club closes). Communication at the end of the night is crucial because you never want to take a cab home alone—for obvious reasons. My overall consensus is that European nightlife brings new excitement but also new concerns. I have learned to subdue these concerns with the right kind of precaution and preparation. My experience going out abroad has discredited the theory that wild, American girls cannot survive in Europe—I’m still alive, still pardying and, weirdly, maturing?