Oh yes, that lovely time of day. Empty streets, full restaurants. Don’t expect shops to be open between 2pm and 5pm (some only close between 2pm and 4pm). However, we do feel the urge to demistify this urban legend: not everyone goes have a 3 hour nap in the middle of the afternoon. Long lunches accompanied by wine and followed by neverending cafe solos are usually taken place during this mid-afternoon break. If you travel through discount international airfare, you know what it means. We love it.
Travelling About Town
Taxis are cheap. Flabbergastingly cheap. If you don’t realize what “flabbergastingly” means… look it up. But understand that taxis are very cheap. Especially when shared with 3 other people. But don’t expect to discover available taxis on a Friday or Saturday night – they are impossible! Queues in Pl. Catalunya can range from 15 minutes to 2 hours on a Friday or Saturday night..
Buses are easy to use and get around. Nightbuses don’t run that frequently though. Getting the bus from the airport to Pl. Catalunya costs 3.65 euros and the average journey time is about 25 minutes.
The metro stations are HOT! In the summer, they are boiling hot. Girls should walk around in their bikini tops – that should be made a rule. But the metro itself has air conditioning and is usually on time. And everything is pretty much within half an hour reach. A 3 month pass for under-21 year olds costs 100 euros, which is excellent. And the pass works for bus and metro. For over 21 year olds it is 112 euros, so there is not much of a difference. Overall, if you travel through discount travel deal, it is cheap, reliable and hot. Boiling hot. And that’s all I have to say about that.
The Prostitutes
They are out there! In the heart of Barcelona, flooding the Ramblas (and not only) after 2am, totally transforming Barcelona from day to night. If you are a group of guys walking through the Ramblas, it is guaranteed that at least one of them will grab you and ask, very blatantly, if you want sex. Our advice: Run. The most likely thing is that they will go for your pocket to try and steal your wallet or mobile. Or they will take you somewhere dodgy and steal from you there. Either way, don’t do it. You will look like nothing but a traveler of a discount vacation package, and people will make fun of you. I understand I will!!
The Street Beer Sellers
There are dozens of Pakistani/Indian beer sellers around Bairro Gotico, Raval and the Ramblas. Remember: They are your friends, not your enemies. There is no reason to be afraid of the,. I have yet to hear a story of anyone getting robbed by a beer seller. They sell beers for 1 euro each and 5 euros for a pack of 6. If you realize how to talk to them, youll be able to bargain it down to 70cents a beer. They swear they are not part of a mafia. Yet they share beers and change constantly. The truth is out there…
Cigarettes And Tobacco
Since the first day of 2006, an “anti-smoking law” has been put in place by the Government. However, it doesn’t obligate any establishment to ban smoking. Instead, it gives them the option to select whether they want to ban smoking or not and notify the public with a banner outside the establishment. Needless to say, you can smoke pretty much everywhere. Cigarettes are cheaper in specialised tobacco shops (”Tabacs”). The only other place to buy cigarettes are from machines in bars and certain kiosks.