Throughout my time here in Barcelona I have seen different types of people inhabiting the streets. There are the usual tourists, shopkeepers, and hostesses lining the sidewalks, but those are not the people I'm interested in. It's the performers, survivors, and odd that are fascinatinig!
Some of the first people you'll notice along La Rambla will be the Indian/Middle Eastern men selling various things along the street. They sell water, beer, food, squeaky mouthpieces, and whatever they can think of to get a few euros from you, even after you tell them you only have "tarjeta" (tar-het-ah) or your card. They're in the touristic areas by the port, by the shops, and by the clubs. It's advisable to not buy from them because they are not as sanitary with their products. We even received a pamphlet from a Barcelona advocacy group! Just don't.
Speaking of being clean, there are certain areas where you can buy companionship with a prostitute. I have seen the local women (sometimes guys but they're hard to find) and I find them to be rather nice. The lady I can clearly remember is a slender caucasion blonde with short hair that curls behind her ears. Her red lipstick accented her heavy eye makeup and cigarette. She would wear a nice dress and would wave occassionally to me. She seemed like she was from eastern Europe. Of course, La Rambla is another place that has these "ladies of the night". The African women like to keep to that street. They've even called out to Miguel and I. The first one we met, who was rather short, muttered something to us. We thought she spoke French, but were surprised when we heard through a thick accent, "Do you want to fook?" I quickly responded, "Nope. Gay." I grabbed Miguel's hand and dashed home. Oh, Barcelona. The women really like Miguel, though. The ladies of the night have on numerous occassions when Miguel was on his own grab his crotch and call him "guapo" (handsome) or "tio" (literally, uncle). Not funny, ladies.
Not all the African women are prostitutes. By Burger King Park, a small playground behind a BK, there is a business of African ladies that sell their services to braid tourists hair. I have seen many of the light skinned Europeans sit to have their hair braided.
The African men are interesting. We see them have a large blanket stretched onto the street to sell things like sunglasses, clothing, purses, and fans. A lot of people sell them. The difference is that these men have tied their blankets at the corners to become a large satchel when they lift it. Like the stereotypical hobo bag on a stick in the older cartoons. They just lift and move whereever the people are.
There have been promoters for clubs, stores, and restaurants on the streets. There have been artists creating their work in corners. I've seen guys creating giant bubbles with big nets for the kids. There have even been sand sculptors on the beach. I saw a sand dragon that had flames in his mouth once. There have been several performers of several kinds.
Let's talk about them. You will find throughout Barcelona performers. There are the living statues on La Rambla. I've seen a golden man, a silver woman, an Alien (the movie), a dragon, deathknight, cowboy, golden angel, and a strange green alien. They surprise me each time I pass and I wonder how long they sit/stand there waiting for someone to drop a euro into their box in the bright sun in full costume and makeup.
There are dance groups. We've witnessed a group of Brazilian men do acrobatics and dance to songs with cheers from the crowd. There was a dance crew near Plaça Espanya and MNAC that interacted with the growing crowd near the plaza's fountain. They timed it well right before the fountain's show after sunset. People were waiting. Why not entertain them?
The most notable performers are the street musicians/groups. I've heard the usual singer with a guitar, mariachi bands, solo violinists, jazz groups, rock groups, folk, accordions, and even digiridoo groups. You can probably find any kind of a group here on the streets. They can make or break an atmosphere, too. They can be in parks, subways, trains, streets, etc.
Oh, I almost forgot about the beggars! There are scammers, lazy individuals, handicap people, and the people who are in true need that will sit along the streets with their cups, hats, or containers for your spare euro. That crowd will always be in larger cities. It's sad and you wish you could help them, even the ones who seem fine but have a pathetic dog beside them. You can donate, but most are scammers. Course, they are not as numerous or maybe as dangerous as the homeless in LA. They can be scary sometimes.
Added note: I was told by one of my roommates that there are plenty of servicemen that walk the streets, like the gas man and water man. There's even a knife sharpener that sits at a corner playing a fife letting you know he's around! Most of these guys just yell down the street what they're carrying, especially the gas man, "Butano!!!!"
So, while you're dodging scattered dog excrement, trash, and maybe an occassional needle (Yep, Miguel almost stepped on one), don't forget to look up. You'll never know when you might miss a one time sight.
Some of the first people you'll notice along La Rambla will be the Indian/Middle Eastern men selling various things along the street. They sell water, beer, food, squeaky mouthpieces, and whatever they can think of to get a few euros from you, even after you tell them you only have "tarjeta" (tar-het-ah) or your card. They're in the touristic areas by the port, by the shops, and by the clubs. It's advisable to not buy from them because they are not as sanitary with their products. We even received a pamphlet from a Barcelona advocacy group! Just don't.
Speaking of being clean, there are certain areas where you can buy companionship with a prostitute. I have seen the local women (sometimes guys but they're hard to find) and I find them to be rather nice. The lady I can clearly remember is a slender caucasion blonde with short hair that curls behind her ears. Her red lipstick accented her heavy eye makeup and cigarette. She would wear a nice dress and would wave occassionally to me. She seemed like she was from eastern Europe. Of course, La Rambla is another place that has these "ladies of the night". The African women like to keep to that street. They've even called out to Miguel and I. The first one we met, who was rather short, muttered something to us. We thought she spoke French, but were surprised when we heard through a thick accent, "Do you want to fook?" I quickly responded, "Nope. Gay." I grabbed Miguel's hand and dashed home. Oh, Barcelona. The women really like Miguel, though. The ladies of the night have on numerous occassions when Miguel was on his own grab his crotch and call him "guapo" (handsome) or "tio" (literally, uncle). Not funny, ladies.
Not all the African women are prostitutes. By Burger King Park, a small playground behind a BK, there is a business of African ladies that sell their services to braid tourists hair. I have seen many of the light skinned Europeans sit to have their hair braided.
The African men are interesting. We see them have a large blanket stretched onto the street to sell things like sunglasses, clothing, purses, and fans. A lot of people sell them. The difference is that these men have tied their blankets at the corners to become a large satchel when they lift it. Like the stereotypical hobo bag on a stick in the older cartoons. They just lift and move whereever the people are.
There have been promoters for clubs, stores, and restaurants on the streets. There have been artists creating their work in corners. I've seen guys creating giant bubbles with big nets for the kids. There have even been sand sculptors on the beach. I saw a sand dragon that had flames in his mouth once. There have been several performers of several kinds.
Let's talk about them. You will find throughout Barcelona performers. There are the living statues on La Rambla. I've seen a golden man, a silver woman, an Alien (the movie), a dragon, deathknight, cowboy, golden angel, and a strange green alien. They surprise me each time I pass and I wonder how long they sit/stand there waiting for someone to drop a euro into their box in the bright sun in full costume and makeup.
There are dance groups. We've witnessed a group of Brazilian men do acrobatics and dance to songs with cheers from the crowd. There was a dance crew near Plaça Espanya and MNAC that interacted with the growing crowd near the plaza's fountain. They timed it well right before the fountain's show after sunset. People were waiting. Why not entertain them?
The most notable performers are the street musicians/groups. I've heard the usual singer with a guitar, mariachi bands, solo violinists, jazz groups, rock groups, folk, accordions, and even digiridoo groups. You can probably find any kind of a group here on the streets. They can make or break an atmosphere, too. They can be in parks, subways, trains, streets, etc.
Oh, I almost forgot about the beggars! There are scammers, lazy individuals, handicap people, and the people who are in true need that will sit along the streets with their cups, hats, or containers for your spare euro. That crowd will always be in larger cities. It's sad and you wish you could help them, even the ones who seem fine but have a pathetic dog beside them. You can donate, but most are scammers. Course, they are not as numerous or maybe as dangerous as the homeless in LA. They can be scary sometimes.
Added note: I was told by one of my roommates that there are plenty of servicemen that walk the streets, like the gas man and water man. There's even a knife sharpener that sits at a corner playing a fife letting you know he's around! Most of these guys just yell down the street what they're carrying, especially the gas man, "Butano!!!!"
So, while you're dodging scattered dog excrement, trash, and maybe an occassional needle (Yep, Miguel almost stepped on one), don't forget to look up. You'll never know when you might miss a one time sight.