Hello lovely readers! I apologize for my lack of blogging lately…but I’ve had a rather stressful life crisis. So instead of my regular Where in Spain Wednesday, I’ll explain to you Where is Jessica this Wednesday.
OK, I’ll call it a mini-life crisis. It basically involves nearly getting evicted (on illegal grounds, as it turns out), and consequently desperately seeking a place to sleep amid shrieks of agony when I discovered just how much stuff I’ve managed to lug across the pond. Oh, and then I got a friend visiting on top of that.
Today, I am finally settling in to my lovely new apartment. Life will be getting back to normal.
That means things will be getting back to normal around here shortly too. If you’ve been waiting for me to answer your emails, comments, tweets, or whatever (and I know I have some business-y things to attend to), I’ll be back online properly within the next few days.
Oh, and to appease you slightly, here is one of my favorite spots in my new neighborhood (although it’s a photo from the middle of winter). Anyone know where I’ve moved to? 🙂
Oh, and P.S. – did you know Spain gives you a whole free day off work to move? It doesn’t even count as a vacation day! I may have to hit the beach between rounds of unpacking to de-stress tomorrow.
Besos!
-Jess
is it near the cathedral? that’s my best guess. sorry you’ve had such struggles!
It’s actually in Gracia neighborhood, which looks like all the lovely spots in the center but without as much tourist traffic. Next time you’re in Barcelona, you should have a wander around!
we actually stayed in that neighborhood when we were there 🙂 loved it!!
Ahh good choice! 🙂 I love it too, I’m so happy I found a flat here.
Very sorry to hear about your apartment incident, that’s really not good. Where’s Jessica?? That I’m not sure, but where ever you are I hope your safe and sound.
Benjamin
Thanks Benjamin! I’ve moved up to a lovely neighborhood called Gracia. Everything is back to normal now. 🙂
aaah sorry you got evicted! That sounds so stressful. Reminds me of my first few months in Madrid when I switched apartments after living for a month in an awful place. I hope your new apartment is nice! 🙂
Thanks! It is very nice, I am so happy I moved. 🙂
Glad you found a new place. I think its great that in Spain you get a free day off to move. How civilized.
Very civilized indeed! I was thrilled.
Evicted?? Really? I’m so sorry, Jessica! Your story reminds me of my previous casero, who told me lies about how I had un-empadronarme from his piso because he was bringing his mother to live there…He demanded that I darme de baja within the week, and when I went to the oficina de atencion al ciudadano they told me it was completely irrational, that as many people could be empadronada in one place as they wanted. Eeek! Obviously, my story wasn’t as dramatic as this one–hope things will be smooth sailing from now on!
Haha nearly evicted! It was a close call. Your story sounds awful too. I mean, it’s no surprise that some landlords take advantage of foreigners and I’m sure it happens everywhere…but it sucks.
One of my favorite things about Gràcia is definitely the plazas. Good luck with the move. Happy August!
Mine too, and I ended up right next to Plaza del Sol! Happy August too. 🙂
We’re neighbors. I’m right around the corner from Plaza Vila de Gràcia. Definitely go eat at Gasterea (Verdi, 39). Right across from the cinema.
Oh wow, we’re super close neighbors then! I’ll definitely have to check out Gasterea sometime, thanks for the suggestion.
oh my goodness! At least you have a friend to help you move? 😉
Yep, I’m all moved in (finally!). August is the worst month to move – it’s so hot!
Ooh and yes, I did get a friend (or three) to help me move!
That’s so true! haha yay! Hopefully the drinks + sense of accomplishment afterward made up for all the blood, sweat and tears! 🙂
Suerte con todo chica! Enjoy settling into a nice new apartment 🙂 Nothing like a mini crisis to make settling in feel that much better!
Gracias! You’re right, everything does feel so much better because of the mini-crisis. The change in my stress level is incredible. 🙂
Say what? I remember you had frustrations with the landlords a while back. Sounds like you got a blog post or two about what happened!
Really? Spain gives you a day to move??? Of course they do!
It’s in the works! My landlord was absolutely terrible, but my new situation is so, so much better, so all’s well that ends well.
I was thrilled about the day to move haha. Even though I only had a tiny move, it made things a lot smoother. I can imagine it’s amazing if you’ve got to do a big move with lots of stuff or to a new city.
I *didn’t* know about this unpacking day….BRILLIANT!!! 🙂 Enjoy the new place…
It’s an excellent idea! I was only doing a small move and all my stuff was already in the flat, but I was so happy to have a whole day to get settled in and put everything into place.
I live in Gracia too! I think it’s one of the best neighborhood, love the feeling of being in Barcelona far from touristic routes and still having every place within reach 🙂
Yeah, it’s got such a great mix between being central but having a local feel. I’m loving it so far!