I lost my passport, US visa, and all my cash… in Spain. Let me walk you through the worst 48 hours of my travel life and how I got out of it. We had just landed in Barcelona after a heavy week at ETHCC Cannes. It was a chill morning for us. Our team was at Starbucks, editing content for a couple of clients. I stepped outside for a quick call, left my small black bag under the table, something I’d done a hundred times on trips like these. But this time, those few seconds changed everything. When I came back, the bag was gone. Inside it? > My passport > My US visa > My credit cards > A good chunk of cash Panic hit me. I’d heard all the travel warnings: “Be extra careful in Spain, especially Barcelona.” But hearing isn’t the same as experiencing. I ran to the Starbucks staff, begged them to show me the CCTV. They couldn’t, said the police had to get involved first. So I rushed to the nearest station, filed a report, explained everything in detail. And then came the real shock: Police said: “It’ll take 15 to 20 days for us to even review the CCTV footage,” I was flying back to India on Monday. It was Saturday. The Indian embassy was shut. So I waited, helpless, until Monday morning. Walked in as soon as they opened. And I cannot thank them enough, they issued me an emergency certificate (a temporary passport) in just 4 to 5 hours. That same evening, I was back on a flight to India. Now I’m in the middle of applying for a new passport, redoing my visas from scratch, and dealing with everything that comes after such a loss. But here’s why I’m sharing this: Not to rant. Not for sympathy. But to inform. If you travel often, especially around Europe, this can happen to anyone. Even if you’re cautious. Even if you’re “experienced.” And in that moment, the confusion is real. You don’t know who to call, what to do, or whether you’ll make it home. So here’s what actually helps: > Don’t panic. > Immediately go to the nearest police station. File a report. > Walk into your embassy in person. Don’t just email or call. Explain everything clearly. Ask for an emergency certificate. If your flight is close, they can issue one in hours. I’ve never had my passport stolen before. But now I’ve seen firsthand how quickly things can flip. And also, how supportive the Indian embassy and the Web3 community around me can be in tough times. Now I am back home. Safe. Grateful. Grounded. This post is just my way of paying it forward, so if it ever happens to you, you’ll know exactly what to do.