Not far from L'Exaimple was Claudia's neighborhood, Ciutat Vella (See-you-tat vee-ya). Claudia was waiting for us outside with her car because we didn't want to carry our luggage. They laughed when they saw our backpacks. They were expecting more bags or suitcases. Oh, I say "they" because it was Claudia and her son Aldo picking us up.
We all hugged and we could feel that we had friends in Barcelona. We were especially happy that she was from Mexican City. We already missed our Latino family from LA!
They took us everywhere in their neighborhood! She showed us the ropes of where the general things were. Claudia showed us where she bought her fruit, meat, and a cute little bakery (with the little Indian treats!) She wanted to show us the best options that she has discovered. She said they were fresh and easy on the pocket.
She showed us museums, La Rambla (a big tourist area), the port, and libraries. Right beside her apartment is one of the largest language schools in the world called Escuela Oficial de Idiomas, or EOI. We even saw a city driven bicycle transport system. If you have a card, you can borrow a bike for an hour for free. Whoa!
Claudia, also, took us out for a meal. We told her that it was our first meal of the day and she wanted us to have a great breakfast. We all walked to her favorite American type breakfast joint, but she exclaimed in disappointment that it was closed. She then took us to Meitzer, another favorite. They made their own beer, too! She was mostly excited to share their bathrooms. You go down stairs to an old, very old, brick-laid factory where they initially made their beer. The meal was just as good and we enjoed a treat from their bakery. (I just love a chance to go to a bakery.)
Claudia shared so much information with us and made us feel so welcome. We were already in debt with her when she offered us a room to rent. That room is great! We have our own terrace, full bed, desk, large closet, and a pink marble bathroom. we love our room!
After the day with Claudia, we needed to buy groceries. It took an entire day to find what we needed in several smaller stores and a larger convenient store called Carrefour. We could not remember where the little places she showed us were. We kept getting lost!
We even tried this one tourist farmer's market called La Boqueria (Bo-kuh-ree-uh). Everything was fresh. Plenty of fruits, vegetables, spices, candies, fish, and meat you could find. The market was what you would expect for a European farmer's market. Plus, the entrance was pretty with it's sign in stained glass. It was a little disturbing to see a skinned rabbit carcuss and a goat head in ice but it's just as disturbing as all of the jamón (ha-moan) we see. Jamón are essentially pig legs hanging from strings. The Spanish love them. A LOT.
Their prices weren't the best, though. I wish I could have remembered where those little stores were.
Walking through what a typical Spanish store has is interesting comparing it to America. It is so convenient for the USA because they have most items in one place, but the advantage here is that they are fresh. Literally, the meat is cut from the leg. The eggplants still have dirt on them. The cherries are in their prime. I love that.
Ciutat Vella is an interesting neighborhood. It's inbetween the old and the new of Barcelona. It's close to the most touristic areas. It's also a neighborhood with both the new and older buildings. There's plenty of activity, which sometimes is a bother at night when you're trying to sleep. So far, we're loving Europe and our place that we have for three months! We feel like we're living life.
I do apologize, guys. I know I haven't posted many photos, but I will have them up with their related blogs soon. Don't you worry! Your imaginations won't have to fill in the gaps for too long! ;-)
Lastly, thank you for reading! More posts soon.
We all hugged and we could feel that we had friends in Barcelona. We were especially happy that she was from Mexican City. We already missed our Latino family from LA!
They took us everywhere in their neighborhood! She showed us the ropes of where the general things were. Claudia showed us where she bought her fruit, meat, and a cute little bakery (with the little Indian treats!) She wanted to show us the best options that she has discovered. She said they were fresh and easy on the pocket.
She showed us museums, La Rambla (a big tourist area), the port, and libraries. Right beside her apartment is one of the largest language schools in the world called Escuela Oficial de Idiomas, or EOI. We even saw a city driven bicycle transport system. If you have a card, you can borrow a bike for an hour for free. Whoa!
Claudia, also, took us out for a meal. We told her that it was our first meal of the day and she wanted us to have a great breakfast. We all walked to her favorite American type breakfast joint, but she exclaimed in disappointment that it was closed. She then took us to Meitzer, another favorite. They made their own beer, too! She was mostly excited to share their bathrooms. You go down stairs to an old, very old, brick-laid factory where they initially made their beer. The meal was just as good and we enjoed a treat from their bakery. (I just love a chance to go to a bakery.)
Claudia shared so much information with us and made us feel so welcome. We were already in debt with her when she offered us a room to rent. That room is great! We have our own terrace, full bed, desk, large closet, and a pink marble bathroom. we love our room!
After the day with Claudia, we needed to buy groceries. It took an entire day to find what we needed in several smaller stores and a larger convenient store called Carrefour. We could not remember where the little places she showed us were. We kept getting lost!
We even tried this one tourist farmer's market called La Boqueria (Bo-kuh-ree-uh). Everything was fresh. Plenty of fruits, vegetables, spices, candies, fish, and meat you could find. The market was what you would expect for a European farmer's market. Plus, the entrance was pretty with it's sign in stained glass. It was a little disturbing to see a skinned rabbit carcuss and a goat head in ice but it's just as disturbing as all of the jamón (ha-moan) we see. Jamón are essentially pig legs hanging from strings. The Spanish love them. A LOT.
Their prices weren't the best, though. I wish I could have remembered where those little stores were.
Walking through what a typical Spanish store has is interesting comparing it to America. It is so convenient for the USA because they have most items in one place, but the advantage here is that they are fresh. Literally, the meat is cut from the leg. The eggplants still have dirt on them. The cherries are in their prime. I love that.
Ciutat Vella is an interesting neighborhood. It's inbetween the old and the new of Barcelona. It's close to the most touristic areas. It's also a neighborhood with both the new and older buildings. There's plenty of activity, which sometimes is a bother at night when you're trying to sleep. So far, we're loving Europe and our place that we have for three months! We feel like we're living life.
I do apologize, guys. I know I haven't posted many photos, but I will have them up with their related blogs soon. Don't you worry! Your imaginations won't have to fill in the gaps for too long! ;-)
Lastly, thank you for reading! More posts soon.