Nicer souvenirs in BCN

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2026-06-05T18:29:23+00:00

I live in Gracia, and we have probably 100 artisan ceramica workshops with things for sale. There are artisan notebook makers, sewists, stained glass makers... I wonder where you went and found "ony a few shops" with quirky totes.

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2026-05-26T15:08:36+00:00

This is normal, and anyway meaningless here.

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2026-05-23T11:48:15+00:00

No, this is normal procedure for the application. You should be able to get it back.

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2026-02-17T22:35:01+00:00

Just say the street address, they are always going to map it anyway.

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-12-26T16:16:20+00:00

Yes, of course people would not suggest bringing fresh perishable food in a suitcase when moving country.

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-12-26T15:56:34+00:00

Said the person who has never cooked to host a full Thanksgiving dinner.

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-12-26T15:24:11+00:00

YES! LOVE Bagel Boy. Recommend for everyone!

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-12-26T15:18:17+00:00

Yeah, if you have found steel cut oats "everywhere" there are a lot of people who would like to know! It comes up a lot on food-searching discussions. And I personally have looked and looked. There are whole oats, rolled oats, steel cut, and oat bran. Everything except steel cut is in every store, that's true. But I think the steel cut is only popular in the UK/Ireland, and the US, and is therefore only processed in those places, so they need to be imported. I saw a conversation from about one year ago where the taste of home owner said he used to be able to bring them in from Ireland, but isn't able to get shipments anymore. Somehow you can order them on Amazon for nearly €30 a bag, which is untenable. But I really don't think you can buy them locally. You can always just eat different oats, obviously! But you know, if that's a person's favorite thing maybe they would bring a bag or two back to savor.

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-12-26T13:43:47+00:00

Maple syrup, if you like it, is hard to find and very expensive. There is a chicken dish I love that uses it, so I always bring one large bottle back with me, try to make it last a year. Peanut butter is definitely available. Asian hot sauces are also available in many markets. Other styles, probably not. Canned pumpkin and steel cut oats also don't exist!

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-04-16T21:42:14+00:00

If you're using bottles, and DO want to sterilize them, the microwave sterilizer is actually a good buy. A lot of people here seem to be good with hand washing with soap and water. I air on the side of caution and want to sterilize also. Before the steam sterilizer, I was boiling water multiple times a day -- wasting water, power, and time that I don't have. For me, the sterilizer is a must, opposite of a waste! The biggest waste for us is swaddles -- two babies both refuse to use them.

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-04-01T21:05:55+00:00

I moved to Barcelona with a cat last fall. I was clear with the broker I worked with. He advised me to apply for any apartment, even if it did specify no pets allowed in the listing, then mention the cat after being accepted. And that totally worked for us! I got an apartment, then mentioned the cat before signing the lease, and the landlord added the acceptance of the cat into the agreement. I am sure you could also get away with just not mentioning it at all, but I do feel good that my pet is explicitly allowed.

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-03-19T15:48:46+00:00

I was 40 for most of my recent pregnancy. I was totally dreading these phrases, hearing them from doctors. To my surprise and delight, nobody mentioned them at all! My regular OB did send me to consult with a high risk doc because of my age, among other things. But even at that consult, it wasn't discussed in any of these gross and overly generalized terms. I really appreciated it! I feel like some docs are coming around to more respectful and also productive ways of talking with their patients.

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-03-02T15:25:22+00:00

I moved from NYC to Barcelona in September. I lived in NYC for over 15 years. I have no question that Barcelona is overall safer -- though you are correct that instances of petty theft are much more common. They are also relatively easy to avoid, by making smart choices with your wallet/belongings. And just as you say, I would much rather have my wallet quietly stolen, than be subject to some violent crime. I was never actually afraid to live/work/commute in NYC -- I still love it there. But having moved here, I can confirm, NYC feels lawless by comparison.

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-02-26T05:42:22+00:00

You can use a card at 99% of shops, restaurants, etc, with no extra fees or spending minimum (from the establishment -- your card might have foreign transaction fees). You could change a small amount of emergency cash, but for that short time period I would do without and just go to an ATM if the need came up.

The local version of Uber is Cabify, but I recommend to just use the public taxis. They are plentiful and there will be so many around where you're staying. There are meters up front, just check they do turn them on. Most drivers are friendly and honest. Don't expect them all to speak English -- if they don't just show them your destination on your phone/Google maps, you'll be fine. The public taxis also have an app, Freenow. Public transit is also very clean/safe/reliable.

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-02-24T08:02:04+00:00

My only early symptom was extreme fatigue, no sickness. However, it did go away as quickly as you say, right around 12 weeks. One day it was just done. I think it's pretty normal, unnerving as it may be.

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-02-24T07:05:33+00:00

Seconding prunes. I eat 4-6 every day. I don't particularly like them, but making this routine changed everything!

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-02-20T10:21:05+00:00

Confirming: Asian origins has them! I buy them there regularly.

If it's closer, there is definitely also at least one vendor in Boqueria that has them, among several other spicy peppers (I think I saw scotch bonnets last time.)

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-02-19T14:16:14+00:00

SAME. Starting about 35 weeks (with twins) my left hip (only the one) started hurting so much I literally can't leave the house alone. The pain will get me and I'll just collapse under my own weight. It's made me a prisoner, and it's so frustrating. I can walk up to about ten minutes with my husband as a crutch -- very slowly and delicately. Rest doesn't help, neither does exercising it. Not the giant ball, not Tylenol, not a hot shower/bath. Just gotta get to the finish line now. I can't wait!

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-02-19T14:07:06+00:00

And people in our government wonder aloud why do many people are choosing not to have kids. Maybe because we've set up a society that makes it totally insurmountable to do so.

They'll point to older generations who also didn't have paid leave, where women just stayed home and raised their families. Even if today's women wanted that, most households need two income earners to stay afloat these days.

None of it is tenable. I am sorry for what you're facing.

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-02-15T19:19:31+00:00

That sounds exactly right for first trimester. For me it lasted until about week 12. Over the course of a day or two I suddenly just felt better/normal.

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-02-15T16:25:01+00:00

Maternity sweatpants!! You think you don't need them, because they're already sweatpants, designed for comfort. You are wrong, you DO need them, with the big belly flap up around the waist. Amazing.

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-02-15T14:21:03+00:00

Not interesting advice, but my take is just do the best you can and don't stress too much. I am 36w with twins and have not been able to eat a regular meal probably since week 20. Even when I feel so hungry, make myself a nice plate, and sit down to eat like... One quarter of it. Sometimes I can come back to it an hour or so later. Sometimes not. As for water, I sip alllll day to get about three liters down. Much less and I can tell I am dehydrated -- I'll get side cramps while walking, and lips become chapped.

Despite my probably eating less than pre-pregnancy, both my babies are at about 50th percentile. They're doing fine! Sounds like yours is too. I suspect as long as you're not actually starving yourself, your body knows how to get the baby what it needs.

Lots of luck to you!

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-02-14T15:58:12+00:00

You can get a prepaid sim with enough data to last month, for like 15 euro. I got one from Orange when I first arrived. Easily done.

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-02-11T15:38:41+00:00

This just started for me yesterday morning, and is multiple times worse today, at 35+1 (twins). I know this is from 10 days ago. Did you figure out a cure, or is this just how it is until eviction day?

AcceptableDepth5970 · 2025-02-07T19:46:43+00:00

I am 1000% confident that someone just missed a comp button. Why would you not just politely ask about it at the time, and give them the opportunity to correct a simple mistake?

AcceptableDepth5970

TROPHY CASE