barcelona or Bust? Maybe it should be Paris. A trip report take 2
Apr 9th, 2008, 09:03 AM
#47
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idealista is good but watch out for loquo, lots of fake posts.
this one is excellent:
http://www.enalquiler.com/alquiler-p...ona-9-2-0.html
hot tip: don't ignore apartment ads that don't have a picture. we got our apartment before it was finished or properly advertised and its an absolute beauty..
this one is excellent:
http://www.enalquiler.com/alquiler-p...ona-9-2-0.html
hot tip: don't ignore apartment ads that don't have a picture. we got our apartment before it was finished or properly advertised and its an absolute beauty..
Apr 9th, 2008, 09:31 AM
#48
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thanks so much! which area do live in ? I do tend to ignore the non photo ads, I'll have to take better attention. Also how many months up front were you asked to pay, what's normal?
Apr 9th, 2008, 04:46 PM
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Thanks rkk
So we leave Starbucks and take our first ride on the BCN subway, twice around the tower until realize it's across the street. BcN subway amazingly easy to use, can't remember how much but cheap. We get off at Arc D' Triomphe, take a few wrong turns, swing by the Chocolate museum for a peek and make a quick stop at the hotel for Robins insulin shot. The hotel was nice enough every night to store it in their kitchen fridge since we didn't have one in the room.
Plan now to walk thru the gothic are between the water and the cathedral. We were looking for astreet called Aviyno which was to have galleries, it was a nice street and made our way to Escudellers and Ferran. There is agreat store, kinda touristy but some cool stuff called ART EScudellers www.escudellers-art.com
They have 2 stores across the street from each other.
We weaved up and down those small narrow streets when we came to La Fonda where we would have dinner. Located on Escudellers this place was mobbed inside with a line of 15-2o outside. And here's why. Super Duper inexpensive menu with a nice ambiance. Filled with locals and tourists alike we sat upstairs. Ordered a pitcher of sangria, an app, 2 entrees, couple bottles of water, and 2 desserts, I think it was a about 40 E. That'll get ya about 3 1/2 martinis in NYC, so a bargain in my book.
We walked for a while after dinner before haeding back to the hotel to hit the internet to check emails and a response from blowing off Diego. Did not hear back from him.
Tues. Final Day, Day 5
Today was my Birthday!!!!!! Not as great as sleeping in a camel hair tent in the Sahara desert last year but better than being home. since it was my special day I thought I owed it to myself to sleep til 11 and I did. Robin had no problem with that we were exhausted. A quick stop to the coffee shop on Borne Passage that we went to every morning or ion this case afternoon and we were on our way.
This last day we had no plan except to at some point head back to raval to see what it was like aon a day other than Sunday. We decided to go to the port area for lunch. We ate at one of the out door places in Port olimpic, had a great seafood mix platter, it was huge, split a salad, some wine.It was 2 months ago, so I'm getting fuzzy on details. Gonna call Robin and ask her will be back
So we leave Starbucks and take our first ride on the BCN subway, twice around the tower until realize it's across the street. BcN subway amazingly easy to use, can't remember how much but cheap. We get off at Arc D' Triomphe, take a few wrong turns, swing by the Chocolate museum for a peek and make a quick stop at the hotel for Robins insulin shot. The hotel was nice enough every night to store it in their kitchen fridge since we didn't have one in the room.
Plan now to walk thru the gothic are between the water and the cathedral. We were looking for astreet called Aviyno which was to have galleries, it was a nice street and made our way to Escudellers and Ferran. There is agreat store, kinda touristy but some cool stuff called ART EScudellers www.escudellers-art.com
They have 2 stores across the street from each other.
We weaved up and down those small narrow streets when we came to La Fonda where we would have dinner. Located on Escudellers this place was mobbed inside with a line of 15-2o outside. And here's why. Super Duper inexpensive menu with a nice ambiance. Filled with locals and tourists alike we sat upstairs. Ordered a pitcher of sangria, an app, 2 entrees, couple bottles of water, and 2 desserts, I think it was a about 40 E. That'll get ya about 3 1/2 martinis in NYC, so a bargain in my book.
We walked for a while after dinner before haeding back to the hotel to hit the internet to check emails and a response from blowing off Diego. Did not hear back from him.
Tues. Final Day, Day 5
Today was my Birthday!!!!!! Not as great as sleeping in a camel hair tent in the Sahara desert last year but better than being home. since it was my special day I thought I owed it to myself to sleep til 11 and I did. Robin had no problem with that we were exhausted. A quick stop to the coffee shop on Borne Passage that we went to every morning or ion this case afternoon and we were on our way.
This last day we had no plan except to at some point head back to raval to see what it was like aon a day other than Sunday. We decided to go to the port area for lunch. We ate at one of the out door places in Port olimpic, had a great seafood mix platter, it was huge, split a salad, some wine.It was 2 months ago, so I'm getting fuzzy on details. Gonna call Robin and ask her will be back
Apr 10th, 2008, 07:26 AM
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ok we were asked for up to 6 months deposit by various folks.
but finally, signing, on the last possible day of the month, we only had to pay a month's deposit, month's rent and month's agency fees.
it differs by company. just dont break under the pressure when some tyke asks you for a months security upfront to hold the apartment.
we went thru vm3 fincas if you want to have a look on their website.
so far, we have been looked after and they take care of their building, our naggy enquiries etc.
We were looking in various places and the absolute last area we could imagine ourselves living in, was were we ended up (smack in the centre of Gotico!!).
It gets noisy at night on occasion but the flat is really beautiful.
but finally, signing, on the last possible day of the month, we only had to pay a month's deposit, month's rent and month's agency fees.
it differs by company. just dont break under the pressure when some tyke asks you for a months security upfront to hold the apartment.
we went thru vm3 fincas if you want to have a look on their website.
so far, we have been looked after and they take care of their building, our naggy enquiries etc.
We were looking in various places and the absolute last area we could imagine ourselves living in, was were we ended up (smack in the centre of Gotico!!).
It gets noisy at night on occasion but the flat is really beautiful.
Apr 10th, 2008, 05:42 PM
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Thanks for the info buzz. I can't decide between Gracia or Gotico. I also need studio space.
OK talked to Robin we are both drawing a blank from lunch to early evening so I'll say we walked around, obviously nothing memorable. We did head over to Raval starting by the MACBA at around 5ish. We wanted to see the area when it was buzzing. The Raval is a funny neighborhood. The upper part from Hospital to around the Macba reminded me of SoHo more than the Borne area did. A lot of upcoming artists, small galleries and shops, a bit edgy but not too much so. I really liked it and would be more than happy to find studio space there. We read in one of the guides that you can pick up in BCN called What's On about a big cat statue in the area so we set off to find it. No gatto but did pass by a building with an enclosed yard with a ton of cats in it. All along the perimeter were little cat houses for the cats, seemed an animal rescue kind of place, it was cool because the animals were free to run around.
While on our search for gatto statue we walked behind La Boqueria ( huge market and ended up at the end of Rambla Raval nearest to the water. Not a good area, scary actually. Looking down the streets toward the port it was like a seedy film set complete with hookers, druggies, totally freaked us out, we immediately turn ourselves around and start walking back toward the Macba. We pop into a bar on Rambla Raval to use the restroom and decide to stay for a cup o joe. Good call because the bartender, a gal from San Paolo and was a wealth of info.
She had been living in BCN for about a year and gave us the rundown. Talked about petty crime in general and the Raval area. We kept asking if she thought BCN was safe. She was like compared to San Paolo, YEAH! She told us we had to be careful though and then when she asked where we were from and we said New York, She laughed. New York? Please, you'll be fine.
We had decided the night before when passing this restaurant in Borne on Banyes Vell which by the way has a bunch of cool bar and eats places that we would go there for dinner. Cannot recall the name but behind a large wooden door was a dark red hip and happenin place. It was crowded but managed to snag 2 seats at the bar. It was about 7:30 and they didn't start serving dinner til 8 so we gave our name and settled in for a cocktail. I had a mojito the size of a super size beverage at Micky D's and Robin ordered a kir royale. That drink was unbelievably strong and knocked me on my ass. I have about a 2 drink limit these days.
So now, shitfaced , well me at least, we make our way to the table. The menu although beautiful for some reason was not appealing to either of us. In between laughing and each saying " know what you want? we decided we did not want anything there. So we snuck out. Terrible I know. We walked down the street to a brightly lit place called I think Tapas. We were sat a 2 top and minutes later an older British couple were seated next to us. We ordered some Sangria and maybe 6 different tapas.And I got a birthday crepe complete with candle and and song from the kitchen staff. It was all really good, maybe because it was good food OR maybe because I was drunk, either way I was happy. We made fast friends w/ the Brits and sat and chit chatted for about 2 hours before hugging them and saying goodbye.
As we are walking back, and I can't believe I'm gonna say this, I was still hungry! lol SO, we pop into the BCN equivalent of college diner for some fried stuff on a plate. Whether it was good or not at that point didn't matter, I was trying to fill the hole in my stomach that the alcohol caused.Robin was on the phone with her boyfriend during this whole diner escapade ( imagine the phone bill she got) the poor guy had to listen to us silly drunken girls miles and miles away.
OK talked to Robin we are both drawing a blank from lunch to early evening so I'll say we walked around, obviously nothing memorable. We did head over to Raval starting by the MACBA at around 5ish. We wanted to see the area when it was buzzing. The Raval is a funny neighborhood. The upper part from Hospital to around the Macba reminded me of SoHo more than the Borne area did. A lot of upcoming artists, small galleries and shops, a bit edgy but not too much so. I really liked it and would be more than happy to find studio space there. We read in one of the guides that you can pick up in BCN called What's On about a big cat statue in the area so we set off to find it. No gatto but did pass by a building with an enclosed yard with a ton of cats in it. All along the perimeter were little cat houses for the cats, seemed an animal rescue kind of place, it was cool because the animals were free to run around.
While on our search for gatto statue we walked behind La Boqueria ( huge market and ended up at the end of Rambla Raval nearest to the water. Not a good area, scary actually. Looking down the streets toward the port it was like a seedy film set complete with hookers, druggies, totally freaked us out, we immediately turn ourselves around and start walking back toward the Macba. We pop into a bar on Rambla Raval to use the restroom and decide to stay for a cup o joe. Good call because the bartender, a gal from San Paolo and was a wealth of info.
She had been living in BCN for about a year and gave us the rundown. Talked about petty crime in general and the Raval area. We kept asking if she thought BCN was safe. She was like compared to San Paolo, YEAH! She told us we had to be careful though and then when she asked where we were from and we said New York, She laughed. New York? Please, you'll be fine.
We had decided the night before when passing this restaurant in Borne on Banyes Vell which by the way has a bunch of cool bar and eats places that we would go there for dinner. Cannot recall the name but behind a large wooden door was a dark red hip and happenin place. It was crowded but managed to snag 2 seats at the bar. It was about 7:30 and they didn't start serving dinner til 8 so we gave our name and settled in for a cocktail. I had a mojito the size of a super size beverage at Micky D's and Robin ordered a kir royale. That drink was unbelievably strong and knocked me on my ass. I have about a 2 drink limit these days.
So now, shitfaced , well me at least, we make our way to the table. The menu although beautiful for some reason was not appealing to either of us. In between laughing and each saying " know what you want? we decided we did not want anything there. So we snuck out. Terrible I know. We walked down the street to a brightly lit place called I think Tapas. We were sat a 2 top and minutes later an older British couple were seated next to us. We ordered some Sangria and maybe 6 different tapas.And I got a birthday crepe complete with candle and and song from the kitchen staff. It was all really good, maybe because it was good food OR maybe because I was drunk, either way I was happy. We made fast friends w/ the Brits and sat and chit chatted for about 2 hours before hugging them and saying goodbye.
As we are walking back, and I can't believe I'm gonna say this, I was still hungry! lol SO, we pop into the BCN equivalent of college diner for some fried stuff on a plate. Whether it was good or not at that point didn't matter, I was trying to fill the hole in my stomach that the alcohol caused.Robin was on the phone with her boyfriend during this whole diner escapade ( imagine the phone bill she got) the poor guy had to listen to us silly drunken girls miles and miles away.
Apr 11th, 2008, 07:32 AM
#53
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laatista,
Loving your writings! Thank you. I stumbled across this thread yesterday at work, so I have not been able to completely read it but looking forward to it this weekend.
Was looking for all things BCN as we are going to Barcelona in Feb.09! Just booked the flight with miles and booked the apartment in the Eixample area (left side) through Habitat.
I will have a many questions, but in the meantime, I am so enjoying your on the spot reporting!
Eileen
Loving your writings! Thank you. I stumbled across this thread yesterday at work, so I have not been able to completely read it but looking forward to it this weekend.
Was looking for all things BCN as we are going to Barcelona in Feb.09! Just booked the flight with miles and booked the apartment in the Eixample area (left side) through Habitat.
I will have a many questions, but in the meantime, I am so enjoying your on the spot reporting!
Eileen
Apr 12th, 2008, 05:11 PM
#54
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Thanks e.
So we flew back to NY the next morning, with more questions it seemed than answers to how we were going to pull this move off. We felt even though we missed a lot of areas, there's only so much one can cover in 5 days, we had a grip on which parts of the city we wanted to live. We decided that pouring a ton of money into a store front especially when the dollar sucks would not be fiscally responsible in other words stupid. The plan is to get a studio space, do the Maison-Objet show in September in Paris, along with an ad blitz in BCN and try to drum up some business over there. That's the plan, the logistics a nightmare which is why I've been so slow on updating here.
From here on, what it takes, how we do it and hopefully getting there.
When I first returned home I called mom to Fed-ex me her papers. When she immigrated to the US in 48 from Hungary after the war she lost her Hungarian citizenship. Last year when I decided to do this I asked her to get it back, which was quite the pain in the ass. Parents live in Vegas. Mom went to LA to the Hungarian Consulate and applied to get her dual citizenship w/ Hungary. In December after hiring translators, she speaks Hungarian but cannot write or read it, providing marriage and birth certificates she received her citizenship papers. She is STILL waiting on her passport.
She Fed-Exed me copies of her birth and marriage certificates, in English and the translated ones, plus copy of her newly acquired Hungarian citizenship papers. My cousin , who lives in NYC, defected her in mid 70's is the physician to the consulate in NYC. He said to go there, drop his name they would help me. So this was objective #1 GET DUAL CITIZENSHIP. With dual citizenship from any EU country I can live and work in Spain without a visa and am entitled to health insurance. That said I still keeping my Blue Cross.
The consulate is only open M,W,F from 9am-12pm.
So I got some passport photos, my birth certificate and mom's papers and head down there located on 52nd between 2nd and 3rd. NO ONE speaks English, except for this one woman and hers is not good.She tells me I need to go to a translator and then come back and blah blah blah. I was getting a migraine. I get my mom on the cell and hand the phone thru the glass window to the woman. Next you know they are translating AND filling the forms out for me. And THAT is the magic of my mother! BUT, not before I give them 280 $$$ IN CASH! I run to the ATM on the corner and when I get back they bring me to a small room where a woman enters. We sit at a table and she is filling out the paper work and asking me questions and then she needs dates and locations and maiden names of grandparents and the migraine is returning, get mom back on phone. I conference call it by hitting the speaker button and setting my cell phone in the middle of the table.
The 2 of them are back and forth in Hungarian and then the woman asks me MARRIED? I hear my mother, in the tone that makes Jewish mothers famous, the tone of heartbreak that her 42 year old daughter is not married say NO. I pipe in, MOM! , I got this one! Then the dreaded follow up, Do you have children? And again from the speaker phone, the mother says with a sigh NO.
So we flew back to NY the next morning, with more questions it seemed than answers to how we were going to pull this move off. We felt even though we missed a lot of areas, there's only so much one can cover in 5 days, we had a grip on which parts of the city we wanted to live. We decided that pouring a ton of money into a store front especially when the dollar sucks would not be fiscally responsible in other words stupid. The plan is to get a studio space, do the Maison-Objet show in September in Paris, along with an ad blitz in BCN and try to drum up some business over there. That's the plan, the logistics a nightmare which is why I've been so slow on updating here.
From here on, what it takes, how we do it and hopefully getting there.
When I first returned home I called mom to Fed-ex me her papers. When she immigrated to the US in 48 from Hungary after the war she lost her Hungarian citizenship. Last year when I decided to do this I asked her to get it back, which was quite the pain in the ass. Parents live in Vegas. Mom went to LA to the Hungarian Consulate and applied to get her dual citizenship w/ Hungary. In December after hiring translators, she speaks Hungarian but cannot write or read it, providing marriage and birth certificates she received her citizenship papers. She is STILL waiting on her passport.
She Fed-Exed me copies of her birth and marriage certificates, in English and the translated ones, plus copy of her newly acquired Hungarian citizenship papers. My cousin , who lives in NYC, defected her in mid 70's is the physician to the consulate in NYC. He said to go there, drop his name they would help me. So this was objective #1 GET DUAL CITIZENSHIP. With dual citizenship from any EU country I can live and work in Spain without a visa and am entitled to health insurance. That said I still keeping my Blue Cross.
The consulate is only open M,W,F from 9am-12pm.
So I got some passport photos, my birth certificate and mom's papers and head down there located on 52nd between 2nd and 3rd. NO ONE speaks English, except for this one woman and hers is not good.She tells me I need to go to a translator and then come back and blah blah blah. I was getting a migraine. I get my mom on the cell and hand the phone thru the glass window to the woman. Next you know they are translating AND filling the forms out for me. And THAT is the magic of my mother! BUT, not before I give them 280 $$$ IN CASH! I run to the ATM on the corner and when I get back they bring me to a small room where a woman enters. We sit at a table and she is filling out the paper work and asking me questions and then she needs dates and locations and maiden names of grandparents and the migraine is returning, get mom back on phone. I conference call it by hitting the speaker button and setting my cell phone in the middle of the table.
The 2 of them are back and forth in Hungarian and then the woman asks me MARRIED? I hear my mother, in the tone that makes Jewish mothers famous, the tone of heartbreak that her 42 year old daughter is not married say NO. I pipe in, MOM! , I got this one! Then the dreaded follow up, Do you have children? And again from the speaker phone, the mother says with a sigh NO.
Apr 13th, 2008, 12:43 PM
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Hi laartista
I'm so glad you are finishing your report. I can hear your Mom sighing... Good luck with your move, I hope everything goes smoothly.
Ecat,
Glad to see you back on the boards! I'm going back to Italy in two weeks. This time Northern Italy; Milan, Lake Como, and Venice. Wish I could fit in a side trip to Rome while I'm over there, but there won't be time.
Have fun when you go to Barcelona. I was there two years ago, and really enjoyed the city. Congrats on getting the Frequent Flyer miles for your ticket.
Johanna
I'm so glad you are finishing your report. I can hear your Mom sighing... Good luck with your move, I hope everything goes smoothly.
Ecat,
Glad to see you back on the boards! I'm going back to Italy in two weeks. This time Northern Italy; Milan, Lake Como, and Venice. Wish I could fit in a side trip to Rome while I'm over there, but there won't be time.
Have fun when you go to Barcelona. I was there two years ago, and really enjoyed the city. Congrats on getting the Frequent Flyer miles for your ticket.
Johanna
Apr 14th, 2008, 05:46 AM
#58
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Laartista, those sighs of your mom are the same of most Spaniard moms in her situation 
Mine is quite happy, though....
But aunts (and other kinds of acquitances) are worse..these ones directly ask..."When are you getting married ?? You're growing older.." LOL
Mine is quite happy, though....But aunts (and other kinds of acquitances) are worse..these ones directly ask..."When are you getting married ?? You're growing older.." LOL
Apr 14th, 2008, 06:58 AM
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Helllooo laartista,
On your 4/10 post: "did pass by a building with an enclosed yard with a ton of cats in it. All along the perimeter were little cat houses for the cats, seemed an animal rescue kind of place, it was cool because the animals were free to run around."
Can you tell me where this is? When I'm away from my own two cats, I will need many cat fixes. When we go to Rome we always spend lots of time at the Area Sacra Largo Argentina - or as I like to call it the Famous Roman Kitty Zoo.
Thanks again for all your information and crack me up writings. You guys remind me of my and friend Marine and me when we are traveling - good memories.
Johanna! Good to see you here too. I'll try and find your e-mail address and write you soon.
E
On your 4/10 post: "did pass by a building with an enclosed yard with a ton of cats in it. All along the perimeter were little cat houses for the cats, seemed an animal rescue kind of place, it was cool because the animals were free to run around."
Can you tell me where this is? When I'm away from my own two cats, I will need many cat fixes. When we go to Rome we always spend lots of time at the Area Sacra Largo Argentina - or as I like to call it the Famous Roman Kitty Zoo.
Thanks again for all your information and crack me up writings. You guys remind me of my and friend Marine and me when we are traveling - good memories.
Johanna! Good to see you here too. I'll try and find your e-mail address and write you soon.
E
Jul 23rd, 2008, 10:29 AM
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OK in case anyone is interested Change of Plans, major change.
In a nutshell, 10 years of mosaic work has physically caught up with me. About end April got a few very painful pinched nerves due to head positioning when I mosaic and on the advice of my neurologist have decided to shelf my mosaic business that I have had since 98.Been in Physical Therapy for 2 months now. That said I needed a new plan and BCN did not fit into my ideas.
So after much thought and research I AM relocating to Europe, to Florence Italy to start a new venture, high end silver jewelry,(incorporating my mosaic designs and handbags. Going back to school to learn silver smithing and enameling for a few months so I may teach the artists I have found in Bali ( Fair trade wages only) to make my designs.I will travel there in December. Have also a factory in Italy for the leather work. I leave August 6th. In process of finishing work and packing up my apartment at the same time, it's been crazy. Friend Robin is still in ( part time , boyfriend lives her so she'll be back and forth) and kitty Bear has his Euro micro chip and a health dossier an inch thick. Will post back when I land in Italia. Wish me luck, I think I am for sure having a mid-life crisis!!!!
In a nutshell, 10 years of mosaic work has physically caught up with me. About end April got a few very painful pinched nerves due to head positioning when I mosaic and on the advice of my neurologist have decided to shelf my mosaic business that I have had since 98.Been in Physical Therapy for 2 months now. That said I needed a new plan and BCN did not fit into my ideas.
So after much thought and research I AM relocating to Europe, to Florence Italy to start a new venture, high end silver jewelry,(incorporating my mosaic designs and handbags. Going back to school to learn silver smithing and enameling for a few months so I may teach the artists I have found in Bali ( Fair trade wages only) to make my designs.I will travel there in December. Have also a factory in Italy for the leather work. I leave August 6th. In process of finishing work and packing up my apartment at the same time, it's been crazy. Friend Robin is still in ( part time , boyfriend lives her so she'll be back and forth) and kitty Bear has his Euro micro chip and a health dossier an inch thick. Will post back when I land in Italia. Wish me luck, I think I am for sure having a mid-life crisis!!!!
