Fourteen years ago, I flew to Spain—and into total chaos.
A general strike occurred the day I arrived in Barcelona, which meant no public transportation was available for getting in from the airport. Happily, airport operations weren't affected, though they often are in these situations.
There was no public transportation within the city either. The museum I'd planned to see my first day was closed. And I stumbled into a massive protest that got hairy when a battalion of police showed up, plastic shields in front of them and gas masks on their faces.
A few moments after the police appeared, they let loose tear gas and the entire crowd started running. I kept up and wasn't hurt, but it counts as one of the scariest moments of my life.
That was the last time a general strike took over Spain—until now. The U.S. Embassy has announced that a general strike will take place Wednesday, Nov. 11.
According to the State Department, the strike is expected to involve all workers in Spain, including those in the hospitality industry. "Museums, shops, [and] restaurants may be closed," per an alert from embassy officials.
Workers on Spain's national rail system, Renfe, are expected to be on strike as well, from Nov. 10 through 12.
Here's our advice should you be traveling to Spain this week—or if you ever encounter a general strike in any other destination.
If you're a U.S. citizen, register your trip with the State Department.
General strikes are meant to be peaceful political protests, but sometimes, as we've seen recently in France, bad actors infiltrate the crowds and violence occurs.
Knowing where the problem spots are in a destination can be very important, and that's when enrollment in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) can help.
This free service from the State Department alerts travelers to "health, weather, safety, and security" issues in the destination. If things get really dire, consulate staffers can use STEP to locate travelers in affected areas in order to offer safety advice and information.
Avoid large squares and other places traditionally associated with protests.
Knowing where not to go is common sense, but can be tricky for tourists unfamiliar with the topography or history of the destination they're visiting.
I reached out to Peter Barron, a former BBC editor and a Spain-based co-author of the latest Frommer's Spain guidebook, for his advice.
"I wouldn't say widespread violence is expected," Barron told me, "but there has already been rioting in Madrid around the Maricarmen eviction, and we've seen what has happened recently in France and Germany, so I'd say that there is certainly a risk of trouble in the bigger cities."
"In Madrid, for example, I wouldn't recommend going to Puerta del Sol or Plaza de Cibeles on Nov. 11, as there are likely to be large, angry crowds and it could turn violent," Barron continued.
"The housing issue is also closely bound up with tourism—Airbnb, etc.—so ire could easily be turned towards tourists if they find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time, especially in Barcelona," he added.
If you're in a non-Spanish destination when a general strike is announced, having a guidebook could be especially helpful. It will tell you the history of the city you're in, and do so in a geographic way, pointing out the areas that have been flashpoints for political gatherings in the past.
Connect with locals before you arrive.
Before I travel anywhere, I log on to social media and ask my circle if they have a friend to connect me with in the destination I'm going. I then offer to take that person out to dinner because, as a travel journalist, it's invaluable to get a local's point of view.
But I'd do this as a civilian, too. Communing with someone who knows the destination and enjoys meeting travelers is just a really fun thing to do. I've met wonderful folks around the world simply by offering to buy them a meal. It's more than worth the expense.
In the case of my Barcelona trip 14 years ago, reaching out to my buddy David's pal Jorge turned out to be a lifesaver. He contacted me several days before my flight to tell me about the general strike and, unprompted, offered to pick me up at the airport so I'd have a way to get into the city easily.
Because there was no public transit and many cab drivers were also striking, Jorge's kind gesture likely saved me from several hours on the taxi line at the airport. Indeed, the taxi line we passed on the way to the garage was dauntingly long.
Rethink your plans for the day of the general strike.
"My main advice," Barron says, "is if you are in a pleasant place with access to food and drink, stay put, don't try anything ambitious in terms of travel and bookings, and have a relaxing day."
I agree. The fact is, all workers are called on to strike during these events, but it's never clear in advance just how many will heed that call. So the museum or attraction you're planning to visit will likely not have enough information about workers' plans to post a closing notice several days—or even one day—in advance.
"If I was in Madrid on Nov. 11 I think I'd go for a long stroll in El Retiro Park," Barron told me. "In Barcelona I'd do an architectural walk admiring the Modernista buildings from the outside".
Either of those options sounds like a pretty lovely way to spend a day, strike or no strike.