With no phone, with no money – Found in Palma: How a landlady helped a lost German tourist

Found in Palma: Guest without a phone or money thanks an attentive landlady

On Monday morning the streets around Sant Miquel Street seemed a bit more hectic than usual. At around 10:45 a.m., a woman reported to a patrol that her brother had not been reachable for over an hour. He spoke little Spanish, had a cognitive impairment, and carried neither a phone nor cash.

The local police started a search immediately — descriptions and clothing were relayed to all units. Before the first patrols searched the Old Town, came the hopeful news from a nearby small restaurant: an employee had seen a confused man come in, calmed him, and given him something to eat.

A simple gesture with a big impact

The restaurant's operator, who has worked in the Old Town for years, quickly recognized that here was more than just a somewhat disoriented tourist. She seated him at a table, brought warm tea and a sandwich, and insisted on not charging him. "He was very frightened, hardly spoke," she later told those present. For the family, it brought immediate calm and later great relief.

Shortly after, the officers identified the man as the missing person. A brief conversation, a piece of identification—and the tourist could be safely returned to his sister. The family thanked the landlady and the police several times. For everyone involved, the morning ended with a small, private happy ending.

Why such situations happen and what to do

Travel can quickly overwhelm people with cognitive impairments: unfamiliar surroundings, language barriers, lack of orientation. Without a phone or money one is particularly vulnerable in these moments. Therefore attentive neighbors, restaurateurs and passersby are so important. Calm, a glass of water, an offer to call the police or — if possible — to contact an emergency number, can already help.

If you ever see someone in a similar situation: speak softly, offer seating and something to drink. If the person cannot respond or is in danger, call the police or emergency services immediately. Small everyday helpers sometimes save more than you think.

The Palma story reminds us that civil courage often begins unobtrusively: an open ear, a bowl of soup, a phone call. Sometimes all it takes to turn a troubling situation into a good ending is this.