55. Barcelona: the apartment in Barceloneta

In 2006 when I was in Barcelona with Colette, my friend from England, we stayed in Barceloneta, in Carrer Sant Miquel. The location was great - it met the criteria I prefer - a slice of "real life", not far from the tourist beat. So I looked for an apartment in the same area again, and came up with one in the same street. It's only a stone's throw from the beach, with plenty of local shopping, and a short walk away from transport of all kinds.

Below: Carrer Sant Miquel - the beach is at the end of the street. We were on the third floor (no lift).
Below: Carrer Sant Miquel looking in the opposite direction

Below: The traditional houses of Barceloneta are four to five stories high (added on to over the years) and similar in plan. They are one room deep, so each room has a light source, and all but the ground floor apts have a tiny balcony. All sorts of things happen on those balconies, including drying clothes, and eating!
Below: All the ingredients for my yummy salad were gathered in local shops. In the immediate neighbourhood there were no large supermarkets, but plenty of small grocery shops, fruit & veg shop and a covered neighbourhood market.
Below: Sheet washing day opposite.

Below: A good sleep after a long day touristing and a long night reading.

Below: Chef at work. Ben cooked a few times. His specialty: spaghetti carbonara.

Below: The front door opened on to the kitchen...the tiny bathroom to the right.

Below: The bedroom

Below: From kitchen to bedroom, bathroom on the left, balcony on the right.


Below: The stairs we climbed several times a day. My leg and foot on the left...