Bellvitge Hotel Stay
On Friday Kirsten left me for the United States – a sad day for me. I wanted to fly home with her since the program was canceled but couldn’t find a reasonable price on a ticket; peak vacation time creates the lack of coach seats immediately available. So prices are better for Monday or Tuesday of next week. If I flew out earlier, I would have paid nearly $1,650 one way.
So, I decided to stay in Barcelona for 4 nights at the cheapest, reasonable hotel I could find: The Heperia Fira Suites which was $64/night located near the second to the last stop on the L1 metro. This is about a 15-minute ride into the heart of the tourist district (The Ramblas). In short, the place is like a little one room apartment in Manhattan, with a separate bedroom and bathroom and one larger room containing the kitchen and living room. The shower is super fancy with multiple sprayers coming out of the wall. The hotel's location is strange, though; it's located in a working-class neighborhood.
The living room
Bathroom - wow. I dig the multiple shower heads
Balcony - Pretty cool... but it does look over the front walking space of a large
electronics store (like Best Buy).
I am staying right under the Large "M" in the "Media" sign on the roof.
The neighborhood - boring but quaint, practical and safe
And a boring but practical dinner - Ravioli with veggies and meatballs.
Wasn't I eating out last week? What the $%&* happened here?
What's that above the fruit shop?
Staying on the edge of town, which has allowed me to see what life is like outside of the rich, tourist-infested center of Barcelona. Here are some observations (some of which parallel those I have noticed between different socioeconomic areas in Manhattan):
First: gone are the small apartment buildings with cute balconies and windows. Apartment buildings here have an industrial look and feel to them that suggests utility is the number one concern.
typical residences in this area. Reminds me of the projects in Manhattan but this area feels safe
Second: In the city center there are many fit, young men and women walking around in stylish clothes. Here, there are mainly older people and families. Lots of children fill the open park spaces on the weekend and men frequent the “real” tapas bars at night. Also, over-weight people are more prevalent here.
Third: No clubs, fancy restaurants, or neat shops. Grocery stores, bakeries, odds and ends shops, working class tapas bars, and schools make up what is around here. This place is really community focused, not tourist-focused.
Friday Morning: retired men playing in the park
Saturday fun: A family picnic in the park - roped off to create sense of cozy party space?
One other family did this roping off thing as well; wish I were invited
The community feel, makes this place feel safer. I heard families outside of my apartment with small children playing until 12:30am. Otherwise, it’s quiet.
