1. Across all of Europe, if you take in infrastructure, dynamics, and culture....Barcelona has to rank in the top ten cities of Europe. In terms of thriving? You get the look and feel of a city that is progressing and 'hungry'. It's got charm and character.
2. The subway system. When some local guy says it's buried a 'foot' just above hell, he's not joking. To reach some of the depth involved, you need six escalator trips to reach the absolute bottom of these subway tunnels. You can start at the surface and figure you are wasting at least four minutes in getting through the ticket-sensor, the escalators, and the tunnels....to reach the ramp where the car will pick you up. If you had to flip over to a second route to reach your final destination? It adds on another minute or two.
3. No matter where you go in Barcelona, you will find abandoned buildings. Industries simply come, and go. This picture is from about a minute's walk from my west-side hotel.4. Party-time. Just in general, folks in Barcelona like to drink. Maybe not excessively, but hardly anyone will turn down a wine or beer.
5. Crime? Well, the city does have a reputation with pick-pockets. But after five days of walking around, I just didn't find any part of the city that I'd consider 'dangerous'. Yes, I do admit that some drug-use areas exist (heroin does thrive in the city).
6. This 'window' picture? Well, it's my hotel room window. Yes, it's made to look like some cave window. This took me at least two days to get used to. 7. Sangria is the national drink of Spain. The best description? Basically, a fruity wine with three pieces of fruit (minimum) tossed in, with ice. Yes, there is cheap and bad Sangria....and yes, there is premium and great Sangria. Tourists usually get the cheap stuff, sold at premium prices.
8. Religious folks? Well, yeah, you tend to notice a lot of churches, symbology, and such.
9. Tapas restaurants. There are various ways you can describe tapas menus, but I'd tend to go with the idea that it's a ultra-small plate with one single item. So you'd walk up and look at the 40 plates, and you'd order two or three of them. About fifty-percent of the plates will involve some type of seafood. So you could go real light, and just have one single plate (probably getting 200 calories).
10. Africans in Barcelona. I would take a guess that there are at least 20,000 Africans in Barcelona....most of them however without papers or visas. Legal work? No. Most end up selling items off the street, and it'd be a honest situation to say that they can't get ahead or progress in life because of the lack of work-papers or a visa.
12. Down in the central part of town is a open market, Mercado de La Boqueria. It's one of the ten things that you have to see/visit while in Barcelona. Basically, you can wine and dine for an entire day. Anything from ice cream, to cheese, and onto various liquids.
13. The subway system? For 28 Euro ($33), you can get a Tourist-Card for four days, and travel anywhere within the city limits. I will admit that map system is confusing, and it's best to use some type of handy-app to plan out a trip. It is ultra-modern, and covers the entire city.
14. Tourism harming the city? Well, yes. I probably met at least 300 Americans over the five-day period, and would imagine on a weekly basis....probably over 3,000 Americans are enjoying the hospitality of the region. Toss in Brits, Australians, Germans, French, etc. Tons of money is rolling in and it does produce jobs. But it also creates two sides to Barcelona....one for the locals, and one for tourists.15. Just about everywhere you go, there are signs of a emphasis on bikes and scooters. Without a lot of parking situations, folks in the local area make heavy use of scooters, e-bikes, e-rollers, and bicycle. Some streets are designed now strictly for non-car situations.
16. Stone mason work. I probably saw well over 2,000 stone mason products n the city in that five day period.
17. Beggars. Most all cities in Europe now have them, but there just seems to be more in Barcelona for some odd reason.
18. The airport. It is probably one of the most modern in Europe today. You can hope on a subway car and be at the front door of your hotel in 25 minutes.
19. Friendly character. No matter who you have to deal with....the locals are extremely friendly. On English communication, that might not reach the level that you'd see in Amsterdam, or Germany. But if you think you might be lost, you can always get a bit of help on your map situation.
20. Finally, I won't say it's dirt cheap, but if you compare against Paris, Berlin or Amsterdam.....yes, it's more than reasonable.
2 comments:
I'd say your description is quite accurate, except for point 11. Catalans have been manufacturing a victimist discourse, especially abroad, much like Goebbels'. Just change "the Jews" for "the Spanish". First, there's no "Madrid versus Catalonia", but 17 equally autonomous regions. Second, Madrid is the richest region and contributes much more (and receives much less) than Catalonia in proportion after tax money is used, but this story is never told. Following this logic it's Madrid who should claim independence, as also should maybe the richest citizens in Spain.
It's amazing how all foreigners are fooled by the Catalan discourse, but no wonder as they have spent most of their money not only in corruption but spreading lies worldwide.
Most Spanish not only support their independence but think they should actually be expelled from Spain for having spread lies, rumours, and hurting the economy and international image and reputation of Spain so badly.
Ah, I forgot, as a Spanish I don't know of a single Spanish who drinks sangría, except maybe in Summer at the beach as an exception. Me and my friends have had maybe one sangría a year on average. Normal restaurants of non-tourist areas don't even offer it, cause it's more "a beach cocktail" than a drink. Sangría is mainly a drink to rip off tourists :)
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