I live in a place called Onix Residencia with students from around the world and some from Spain. It is a very nice place. Each room has a kitchen and bathroom and study area. There is also a pool on the roof with a great view of the city. One nice thing about this place is that if you have guests come visit they can pay for a room and stay in the same building as you. Every Friday our room gets cleaned and we get new sheets and towels. The only bad thing about this place is the price of laundry. To wash and dry a load of clothes it is 5 euros. For the most part the staff is very kind and helpful.
Attached to my building is the community library, market, grocery store and elementary school. From what I have noticed the library is a great place for older people and very young children. During the colder months, the seats and couches will be filled with elderly people reading their papers and chatting to eachother. There is also a childrens room where they read and play educational games. My favorite part about our library is the terrace on the second floor. Here you can take a book or do your homework on a balcony and get fresh air.
The Mercat de Fort Pienc is also attached to our residencia and is a great place to get fresh food. It is one of the newest markets in all of Barcelona. It was built in 2003 because before people had to go very far to get to the nearest market. There are fifteen stands selling fresh fish, vegetables, fruits, meats etc. There is also a little cafe where you can get a sandwhich, soup and a drink. I don't go to our market often, except to get fresh vegetables. One of the unique things about this market is it has a delivery service for people who cannot go out and buy their own groceries.
The supermarket called "Mercadona" is located under the market. Here they have a great selection of beer and liqour. This is also where I have spent the most money in Barcelona. I pretty much buy all of my groceries here. I have probably bought over 300 euros worth of chicken, pasta, tuna and cheese.
There are two very famous places in my neighborhood. The first is the Arc de Triumf. This is a huge arc built in the middle of the neighborhood by Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas. He built it for the Universal Exhibition in 1888. It served as the exhibition's main access gate. The arc is a moorish style and features art by Torquat Tasso and Antoni Vilanova. On the front of this monument it reads in Catalan "Barcelona Welcomes Nations". Today, the arc serves as a meeting point for people. Many young people will bike or skateboard around the monument.
Another place in Fort Pienc that is very famous is Parc de la Ciutadella. This is at located at the bottom street of the Arc de Triumf. This park was the designated site of the 1888 Universal Exhibition. It was converted to a park in 1872. Now adays, this park is Barcelona's most central park and includes a zoo, lake, large fountain and several museums. The Catalan Parliament is also located in the center of the park.
The hospital for our neighborhood is Hospital Sant Pau. It is also one of the most famous buildings in the city. This amazing building was constructed between 1901 and 1930. It was designed by Lluis Domenech Montaner. This was the largest project built in the Catalan modernism period. It is located up the street from Sagrada Familia. Thankfully I have not had to visit this place as a patient yet.
Across the street from our residencia also contains a sporting complex with basketball courts and soccer fields. At all hours of the day there are games going on. Leagues for all ages are available. It really accomodates everyone in the neighborhood who are looking to get good excercise.
This neighborhood is ideal for someone who is studying abroad. It is a 10 minute walk to the beach and also a 10 minute walk to school. This saves a lot of time and money from taking the metro or taxis. Being able to walk downstairs to get your groceries and beer is one of the most convenient things ever.
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