Barcelona
It was the first time that we met

Barcelona
How can I forget

The moment that you stepped into the room
You took my breath away

Barcelona
La musica vibro y e Ilanos unio

And if God is willing
we will meet again some day


Mijn eigen handige tips / My own tips & tricks

***************** MUST READ **************

1) Klik hier voor mijn eigen bedrijvenlijst waar je geen Spaans nodig hebt om bij te werken, ideaal om te starten!/ My own list of companies where Spanish is not required, ideal to start!

2) Klik hier voor veelgestelde vragen over werken, wonen en leven in Barcelona / FAQ - in English as well

** Ook super handig **

1) Hier algemene tips / General Tips & Tricks

2) Baan? Belangrijk advies bij het zoeken: lees dit eerst voordat je begint!

3) Woning? Belangrijk advies bij het zoeken: lees dit eerst voordat je begint!

4) Kamer? Belangrijk advies bij het zoeken: lees dit eerst voordat je begint!

5) Zoek hier meteen een baan door "Dutch" OF "Holandes" OF "Nederlands" in het eerste vak in te vullen en "Barcelona" in de tweede!





Direct looking for jobs on biggest job site in Spain

6) Grootste huizenaanbod/ Biggest offer of houses in Barcelona

7) Loquo, van kamer via banen tot meubels / Loquo: from rooms via jobs to furniture in Barcelona

8) Stage in Barcelona lopen? Klik hier voor een up to date lijst!

en natuurlijk....

9) Spaans leren! Echte aanrader is Versión Original *: goed, betrokken, kleine klasjes en heel erg betaalbaar! En midden in het centrum (om de hoek bij Placa Catalunya)! Learn Spanish here at the best language school in Barcelona! (*mail me voordat je een cursus gaat volgen voor eventuele kortingsacties!/send me a mail before you start a course for a possible discount!)

10) Zit je na het lezen van mijn blog (gebruik eerst de zoekfunctie a.u.b.) nog met een vraag over wonen/werken/leven in Barcelona? Dan mag je me mailen via e_mabel AT yahoo.com. Ik help je graag op weg.... maar mails met hele algemene vragen (daar kan ik niet zo veel mee) en mails met CV's (ik ben geen arbeidsbureau) worden niet beantwoord.

© Mabel at BCN, 2004.

Niets van deze website mag worden vermenigvuldigd of openbaar gemaakt door middel van druk, microfilm, fotocopie, plaatsing van teksten en/of afbeeldingen op andere websites of op welke wijze dan ook, zonder voorafgaande schriftelijke toestemming van de auteur/maker.

Sunday 22 June 2008

Algemene Tips & Tricks / General Tips & Tricks

A few days ago I received an e-mail concerning general tips about Barcelona. Although I have some at the right side of my blog, I´ll give you here some more:

* Make sure you never leave anything of value on the table at a restaurant/bar/terrace cause they´ll rob you by putting a paper over the table, talking or asking you something stupid and when the robbers leave, they´ll take everything that was lying underneath!

* Barcelona is a noisy city. If you need a good night’s sleep then make sure you´ll book a room at the back of the building or take ear plugs with you!

* Only eat or drink something at The Ramblas, when you don´t mind paying high prices for lousy food and/or drinks. * You wanna eat/drink something at a typical Catalan place? Then ask a local or just take a side street of choose another, less famous, area!

* The fountains at Placa Espanya are really great, especially when you take some wine&tapas with you. Make sure you are on time to get a good place (at the stairs) and don´t forget a little blanket to keep your butt warm&soft.

* Are you looking for a flat? Don´t expect double windows and heating in most apartments. And be prepared that most are already furnished! And I think I don´t need to tell you never to pay just to see a flat...

* Short on money? Around midnight you´ll find half way The Ramblas (close to Placa Real) people handing out flyers with free entrance for most big discotheques. On www.loquo.com there´s also a section “one-off jobs” with jobs just for a few hours or days.

* Be prepared that Barcelona is a walking city, so either take extra slippers with you and/or plasters. And some toilet paper for the road, cause most toilets in bars are quite dirty! Tired of walking? Taxi´s are quite cheap, but make sure you ask more or less what the price will be or ask a local. During the week it´s difficult to get a taxi after midnight (and on Fridays after 02.00; save money by taking the metro on Saturdays - all night long - or the night bus). This is because the metro doesn´t work between 24 – 05 during the week.

* Looking for a job? Make sure you have your NIE-number, a bank account number and a Social Security number. And no knowledge of Spanish? Then type at www.infojobs.net “english” (or “Dutch” or “German”) at “Palabra clave” and choose at “Provincia” “Barcelona”. Good luck!

* Don´t be surprised when you have an appointment with some one and you need to wait minimum half an hour. The Spanish mentality isn´t that strict with time, so when you´re late, they also don´t mind that much. Doctors and hospitals are the worst: be prepared by bringing something to read.

* No hablas castellano? Start a conversation with a smile and a few Spanish/Catalan words and then it´s much easier to get someone talking English to you.

Want to learn Spanish for a very good price? Go to Versión Original. I took classes there for a few years: there are committed, have small groups and are very affordable!

* What´s going on in the city?
Check www.bcn.es, also in english. And how to get around in the city? Check www.tmb.es, in english as well!

* Barcelona is getting a bicycle city, it is already the perfect way to transport and it is getting even better, more and better roads and more parkings. Rent or buy a bike but don´t forget to lock the bike and seat really good with strong locks they can´t cut trough. (Thanks Maurice!) Or get a contract @ bicing.

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