OK, a little obvious on the titles, right? Hey, at least I didn't go with "London Calling" or "Our House." Anyway, as the title suggests, this is a dual themed post, partly about my new apartment ("piso" ie; "flat" in Spanish parlance) as well as the recent trip I took to London. However, I don't feel like writing very much, so it will be more of a photo essay. I know, very disappointing.
The new apartment is two bedrooms, each of them very spacious and with double beds. Andrea is a little miffed that the kitchen doesn't have an oven, and it will probably get hot in the summer since it's located in the interior. Otherwise, I can't really imagine how it could be any better. I get a balcony(!) connected to my room (the photo up top is my view of the street) which means I finally can wake up with a general sense of what time it is. This may not seem like much to those of you living in decent conditions, but keep in mind that I've previously lived in what was essentially a closet for seven months.
The location might be a slightly trickier issue. It's within walking distance of my university, but it's also smack dab in the middle of El Raval, whose legend as Barcelona's "slum neighborhood" has grown to mythical heights over the years in correlation with a huge influx of Pakistani immigrants who now dominate its local culture. Cristina is frightened of even venturing there in midday, but since she never goes there I think her attitude is more the result of all the horror stories she's heard than personal experience. To me, so far, all this talk about how dangerous it is amounts to little more than xenophobia and a little mystification for the tourists, but I guess I could get robbed tomorrow and have a different point of view. For now, I feel quite relaxed in my neighborhood, and if children and (pictured below) the elderly find it safe enough to stroll through during the day, then I think I can as well.
El Raval also features some of the city's coolest graffiti. Here you have a picture characterizing the Hindu God Ganesh wielding the twin weapons of Barcelona's counterculture: Marijuana and Che Guevara:
As for London, I had a really good time there, it's a beautiful city ect. all, but seriously, what the Hell is going on with the extreme sense of social control there? You're constantly being told to do something, whether it's "mind the gap" in the subway (a voice literally repeats this to you ten times whenever you enter or exit) or the constant display of security cameras everywhere. I don't know about the rest of the UK, but London is basically 1984 brought to life, especially because they're so obvious about telling you that you're being watched. Like in Michel Foucault's panopticon, the actual surveillance is secondary to the effect that surveillance causes.
This sign illustrates what I'm talking about rather poetically.
Some people may like this sense of security, I guess, but I find extremely uncomfortable. What's more, the English seem to be masters of a studied "fake nice" demeanor where they try to smile and be "friendly" while saying mean or unkind things to you instead of just telling it like it is like the Spanish do. Combined with the abysmal whether, I can't imagine ever living there, but it definitely was nice to see another culture, especially one that pretty much produced the one I come from (that's America, in case you're having trouble following me).
Plus, I got to see the legendary Rough Trade record shop. Rough Trade was the first truly independent record company to support punk and indy rock groups in the late seventies and early eighties, and the store itself is kind of a bohemian hangout with a cafe in the back. They sell all kinds of hard-to-find records and shirts, so it's like a little hidden oasis for someone like me.
