After the cooker desaster we calmed down a bit, when we arrived in Barcelona. I was very scared that the guesthouse/hostel would turn out to be the next catastrophe as the directions on the booking were a bit confusing. The lady at the tourist office had circled the street on the map....but the bitch had circled the wrong end....it was a long street.....and we therefore made a long loop way. How lucky that it was only 29°C....
Finally we reached the address and were standing in front of a house. Normal residential house. No sign saying guesthouse or hostel or anything. Ringing the bell of the flat no. 2-1 nobody answered. Clueless we stood there, wondering what to do when a Spanish guy came up ansking "Are you looking for the apartments?" I showed him our booking with the address and he was like "No, that is a street further. Come I show you". We followed him - what else to do? He left
us in front of a HOTEL, fancy hotel. We were like "Nice try, but do we look like we can afford that??" We walked in anyway to ask where to go. She didn't know, so I used their phone to call the number on the booking. A man answered and told us he would be there in 10 min and we should wait in front of the house. We were getting worried that we would get robbed by a gang the second we got in there, but than this small, young, nice-faced Indian guy walked up to us. A handshake for him. Two kisses for me (he likes the Spanish way of greeting).
Upstairs we were surprised to find a big apartment with 5 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living room and the most amazing OPEN laundry room. Open to the inner courtyard. Very funny. So we had a spacious double bedroom in a shared flat for three nights. Very cool!!!
Our housmates were Ben and Irene from London (you rock guys!!!), two american girls for the first night, a Hungarian couple, two more London Girls and two Australians for the last two nights. Very very cool!!!
Everybody who arrived there was as confused as we were. And our Indian friend had more apartments, like 5 altogether, but everybody arrived at the one we were - totally confused! Everytime the doorbell rang we opened and had to explain to people that we are not the receptionists, but just living there and that they have to call the landlord to be brought to their room. That became particularly difficult when people did not speak good English, as our Indian guy spoke with a strong Indian accent. Was big fun anyway as we met cool people everyday, who had to leave us again after 10-30min., which sometimes was a pity.
The first afternoon we walked through the city and had a look a Gaudí's buildings, which I find very amazing and beautiful. Then we walked down Las Ramblas and to the food market there where you can see "all the colours in the world" (Hobbelman, 2008) and all the smells in the world probably. I almost had to throw up when walking by the sheep heads and the fish stands.
We saw a guy on the street who offered to write lover letters, first for 2€ but that was crossed out and free now. He was American and said he likes to form peoples feelings into words.Then we walked to the harbour and the beach. Afterwards our feet were hurting so much we took the metro back home.
On the second day we walked around the palace and Olympic area. Afterwards we went to the Internet Café to write for you guys and then to the station to book our tickets to Lyon. We had to pick a number, which was more than 100 ahead of the current number. So we went to McDo and had proper Spanish burger ;-).
After more then an hour we made it to the counter, where the lady told us in almost non-existent English that she can only book trains until the French border and nothing afterwards. We were like "WHAT? We booked Dutch and French trains in Germany, Spanish trains in France, Why the fuck can't you book a French train for us???" We just couldn't believe it. Don't Spanish people ever travel abroad with a train. Does everybody get out at the border to book a new train???? We found out later that even a travel agency in Spain can't book foreign trains. Unbelievable. We were so angry we waited for nothing, that we just left - still hoping to find an international counter. There was one which had a big "Eurail" Sign in front, so we thought "they must be able to help us". Waiting there for another 15min. the guy, who did not speak English, told us he is only for information not for reservations. WHAT??? Ok, my temper reached an end and we left the station to go to park Güell.
In the evening we cooked nice pasta and played Blackjack with Irene and Ben, which was incredible fun!
The next day we went to the MACBA – the Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona. There were some very interesting exhibitions with paintings, installations and photographs. Then we went to the Sagrada Familia. First we were very hungry and went looking for some food. Although we were not very hopeful to find budget food close to Barcelona’s main attraction, we passed by a Snack Bar which looked very dodgy with litter on the floor and interior design from the 70’s. We were sure hardly any tourist ever enters this place. Accordingly people looked at us with mistrust. But we got nice bocadillos with meat for 2 euros. For dessert we had traditional Spanish Churros (very good, try it if you can).
As Tim had been inside the Sagrada before and said it was worth going inside at least once, I paid the ticket price of 10 € and went inside alone, while he was waiting outside in the shadow. A very impressive building, though mainly a big construction site. I really hope I live long enough to see it when it is finished. So hurry up dear construction workers!! GoGoGo!!
Afterwards we decided to go back to the station to reserve the train to Montpellier, so that we get at least to France and can continue from there. We took another number, waited another hour during which we watched the Skaters in front of the station. Finally at the counter, the lady (who did hardly speak English) told us that the train to Montpellier was booked out – both the next day and the day after. NICE!!! As an alternative she offered to take regional trains to Cebère and then change to a train to Montpellier.
On the way back we decided that we were not really in the mood to hop onto a regional train the next morning and that Barcelona was too good to leave. So we wanted to ask our landlord if we can stay a night longer. On the way back we saw that the fountains of the palace were lit up and there was a fountain show with music, so we stood there and watched it for a while.
In the hostel we had Pasta for the third time and then went into town with Irene and Ben to find the Harlem Jazz Club. Walking through the Gothic quarter we were offered all kind of drugs and cheap beer. When we arrived in the club and bought beer and coke for a ridiculously high price the live band stopped playing. Was worth it….maybe not ;-). Then we decided to buy some of the beers for 1€ on the street and sat down on a square to watch the local alcoholics posse. Very funny! Then we decided to go back to play more Blackjack. On the Plaza Cataluna we were offered Hash again and Tim said I have a tenner. Then the guy went to a bush, took out a rather big chunk of “Chocolate”. Very dodgy, but was good stuff.
In the hostel we called our Indian friend to ask whether we can stay longer and he said that is alright.
The next day we chilled out and went to the beach again, were Tim went for a swim while I read a little more Bukowski. The constant sound on the beach was “Cervezacocacolaaguabeercolalightcervezafantaagua” or “Massage” or “HennaTattoo”. Which was pretty annoying after a while so we walked through town a little bit and returned early to have some nice frozen pizza.
In the evening we played Blackjack again, drank, had a smoke. Our Indian landlord arrived and when Tim asked whether he wants us to pay the room or not, he just smiled. So we were hopeful, that he liked us enough to let us stay for free (he got beer and a smoke from us). But then he stayed and stayed while we played cards, so Tim asked again and he nodded. Damn it! I reckon it is not an Indian habit to ask people for money.
We left Barcelona in the early morning, a bit sad to leave our nice English friends behind. Barcelona was certainly a highlight!
Finally we reached the address and were standing in front of a house. Normal residential house. No sign saying guesthouse or hostel or anything. Ringing the bell of the flat no. 2-1 nobody answered. Clueless we stood there, wondering what to do when a Spanish guy came up ansking "Are you looking for the apartments?" I showed him our booking with the address and he was like "No, that is a street further. Come I show you". We followed him - what else to do? He left
us in front of a HOTEL, fancy hotel. We were like "Nice try, but do we look like we can afford that??" We walked in anyway to ask where to go. She didn't know, so I used their phone to call the number on the booking. A man answered and told us he would be there in 10 min and we should wait in front of the house. We were getting worried that we would get robbed by a gang the second we got in there, but than this small, young, nice-faced Indian guy walked up to us. A handshake for him. Two kisses for me (he likes the Spanish way of greeting).
Upstairs we were surprised to find a big apartment with 5 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living room and the most amazing OPEN laundry room. Open to the inner courtyard. Very funny. So we had a spacious double bedroom in a shared flat for three nights. Very cool!!!
Our housmates were Ben and Irene from London (you rock guys!!!), two american girls for the first night, a Hungarian couple, two more London Girls and two Australians for the last two nights. Very very cool!!!Everybody who arrived there was as confused as we were. And our Indian friend had more apartments, like 5 altogether, but everybody arrived at the one we were - totally confused! Everytime the doorbell rang we opened and had to explain to people that we are not the receptionists, but just living there and that they have to call the landlord to be brought to their room. That became particularly difficult when people did not speak good English, as our Indian guy spoke with a strong Indian accent. Was big fun anyway as we met cool people everyday, who had to leave us again after 10-30min., which sometimes was a pity.
The first afternoon we walked through the city and had a look a Gaudí's buildings, which I find very amazing and beautiful. Then we walked down Las Ramblas and to the food market there where you can see "all the colours in the world" (Hobbelman, 2008) and all the smells in the world probably. I almost had to throw up when walking by the sheep heads and the fish stands.We saw a guy on the street who offered to write lover letters, first for 2€ but that was crossed out and free now. He was American and said he likes to form peoples feelings into words.Then we walked to the harbour and the beach. Afterwards our feet were hurting so much we took the metro back home.
On the second day we walked around the palace and Olympic area. Afterwards we went to the Internet Café to write for you guys and then to the station to book our tickets to Lyon. We had to pick a number, which was more than 100 ahead of the current number. So we went to McDo and had proper Spanish burger ;-).
After more then an hour we made it to the counter, where the lady told us in almost non-existent English that she can only book trains until the French border and nothing afterwards. We were like "WHAT? We booked Dutch and French trains in Germany, Spanish trains in France, Why the fuck can't you book a French train for us???" We just couldn't believe it. Don't Spanish people ever travel abroad with a train. Does everybody get out at the border to book a new train???? We found out later that even a travel agency in Spain can't book foreign trains. Unbelievable. We were so angry we waited for nothing, that we just left - still hoping to find an international counter. There was one which had a big "Eurail" Sign in front, so we thought "they must be able to help us". Waiting there for another 15min. the guy, who did not speak English, told us he is only for information not for reservations. WHAT??? Ok, my temper reached an end and we left the station to go to park Güell.
In the evening we cooked nice pasta and played Blackjack with Irene and Ben, which was incredible fun!The next day we went to the MACBA – the Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona. There were some very interesting exhibitions with paintings, installations and photographs. Then we went to the Sagrada Familia. First we were very hungry and went looking for some food. Although we were not very hopeful to find budget food close to Barcelona’s main attraction, we passed by a Snack Bar which looked very dodgy with litter on the floor and interior design from the 70’s. We were sure hardly any tourist ever enters this place. Accordingly people looked at us with mistrust. But we got nice bocadillos with meat for 2 euros. For dessert we had traditional Spanish Churros (very good, try it if you can).
As Tim had been inside the Sagrada before and said it was worth going inside at least once, I paid the ticket price of 10 € and went inside alone, while he was waiting outside in the shadow. A very impressive building, though mainly a big construction site. I really hope I live long enough to see it when it is finished. So hurry up dear construction workers!! GoGoGo!!
Afterwards we decided to go back to the station to reserve the train to Montpellier, so that we get at least to France and can continue from there. We took another number, waited another hour during which we watched the Skaters in front of the station. Finally at the counter, the lady (who did hardly speak English) told us that the train to Montpellier was booked out – both the next day and the day after. NICE!!! As an alternative she offered to take regional trains to Cebère and then change to a train to Montpellier.
On the way back we decided that we were not really in the mood to hop onto a regional train the next morning and that Barcelona was too good to leave. So we wanted to ask our landlord if we can stay a night longer. On the way back we saw that the fountains of the palace were lit up and there was a fountain show with music, so we stood there and watched it for a while.In the hostel we had Pasta for the third time and then went into town with Irene and Ben to find the Harlem Jazz Club. Walking through the Gothic quarter we were offered all kind of drugs and cheap beer. When we arrived in the club and bought beer and coke for a ridiculously high price the live band stopped playing. Was worth it….maybe not ;-). Then we decided to buy some of the beers for 1€ on the street and sat down on a square to watch the local alcoholics posse. Very funny! Then we decided to go back to play more Blackjack. On the Plaza Cataluna we were offered Hash again and Tim said I have a tenner. Then the guy went to a bush, took out a rather big chunk of “Chocolate”. Very dodgy, but was good stuff.
In the hostel we called our Indian friend to ask whether we can stay longer and he said that is alright.
The next day we chilled out and went to the beach again, were Tim went for a swim while I read a little more Bukowski. The constant sound on the beach was “Cervezacocacolaaguabeercolalightcervezafantaagua” or “Massage” or “HennaTattoo”. Which was pretty annoying after a while so we walked through town a little bit and returned early to have some nice frozen pizza.
In the evening we played Blackjack again, drank, had a smoke. Our Indian landlord arrived and when Tim asked whether he wants us to pay the room or not, he just smiled. So we were hopeful, that he liked us enough to let us stay for free (he got beer and a smoke from us). But then he stayed and stayed while we played cards, so Tim asked again and he nodded. Damn it! I reckon it is not an Indian habit to ask people for money.We left Barcelona in the early morning, a bit sad to leave our nice English friends behind. Barcelona was certainly a highlight!
2 comments:
Hey guys, cool blog, sounds like you're having a blast! you've doe some great things in Barcelona, and seems like you saw all the major sights to see, too.
The room rental thing sounds bizarre but great at te same time with your funny indian guy - what was the company/how did you book? I have family coming ver soon (I'm based in BCN) and would love a good contact for a big place!
Thanks!
Wow. Good blog. Tonnes of info and I can relate to a lot of what you wrote as lived in Barcelona for 1 year. Sounds like you had a good time there. Good blog!
-----
Bristol freight company UK
Post a Comment