Given that Malaga is managing to rebrand itself very successfully on it's art reputation, they don't really like artists here. Battling with Policia Local for trying to complete commissioned work, and today I get this...



There is more if you want to see it. Pedestrian precinct. Plenty of other options for the bin truck driver, but he chose to drive over my work. Three days down the drain. I was so close to new passport

I do not like Malaga.

***** basically.

I go to the papers tomorrow with photos. Over the past Five years I have raised over €300,000 for different charities and NPO's in Spain. I expect nothing for that other than a bit of respect.

Wankers.

*****.

thats really sad some people have no respect

You obviously look as if you managed to pull them over ..... what did they say???? Thats just ridiculous, complete lack of thought / respect

I got a little vociferous TBH. They called the police. The police were cool as (in so much as they saw my POV and respected what I was doing).

I have tried to contact the company who have the contract here, but their website email/contact form doesn't work, and the phone number is just a waste of time.

The only thing that really annoys me is that they wouldn't try any such thing if they thought I had money. Cowardly little ****wits basically. I am not going to let it go.

who says you dont have money just caus you draw dont mean your not rich takes all sorts in this world hope you get it sorted

What nobbers. I fear you have little chance of getting anywhere with them, it will be the normal shoulder shrug thing. Unless you can do a denuncia against them of course ;-)

I was thinking about your predicament (for reasons I won't go into) and wondering what people do when they lose everything. My immediate thought was Western Union but you need your passport or ID card to collect it. Seriously what do people do in those circumstances?

Hola,

Contact the British Consulate?

Davexf

Coincidentally I was in the consulate this morning (though I'm not in quite such dire straits) and asked this - the lady said they try to contact friends/family - but the problem remains - if you lose your ID how can you receive any money that's sent?

Let's hope I never have to find out

Maybe via someone who is known to you and that you trust?

British Consulate will receive money on your behalf and (probably) charge for it.

Here is a list of things you cannot do without a passport, or ID in Spain.

1. You cannot travel across port borders (this includes Ibiza where work awaits).
2. You cannot access your own money from your own bank.
3. You cannot receive money transfers from friends to your own name.
4. You cannot book into many hotels, or pensions etc even if you have the cash.
5. You cannot apply for a permit to work in public spaces (specific to my own occupation).
6. You cannot get medical treatment even in extreme circumstances.

The list goes on.


Cash in pocket now. Just have to find someone with bank cards to pay for the online application. Then find someone suitably qualified to countersign my appilcation and photographs. Then wait the 8 weeks they speak of before I can get all the other paperwork renewed, and new bank cards etc.

It is an absolute f****** nightmare.

I have replaced cameras, clothes, material things etc. Possibly a sign of the times; last time this happened I managed to get all sorted in a couple of weeks. This time... 3 months later... mission and a half.

Anyway, getting there!

Emergency travel documents from the Consulate cost more than a full 10 year passport BTW.

Are you applying for the replacement passport rather than the emergency one?

I ask because I was able to get an emergency one without countersignatures on the photos (maybe they compared it with the original which they can access digitally somehow) and they accept payment in cash. It was done in an hour.

It was the receiving money which came to my mind and I didn't know the consulate would do that. I suppose you could get a friend to accept it for you though maybe that's not an option if you're in a strange place.

I never thought about the checking in to a hotel bit.

Applying for a full 10 year passport. The emergency travel document thing is only really for the rich. I was originally booked to fly to LA a couple of months ago, but didn't fancy landing in the USA without a full passport and bank cards etc etc etc. The Consulate in Madrid were more than willing to take my cash and point me downstairs to the US embassy for emergency visa and more cash.

Total effin' farce basically.

I am warming to Malaga mind. Friend is due to arrive tonight/tomorrow. She will almost certainly bail me out if needed, but I think I am there financially. Just have to wait for passport to be delivered.

I am also thinking F*** it - surely I can get to Ibiza on a photocopy?

I was in the opposite situation, waiting for a full one would have cost me more money in the end.

Good luck with it anyway.