Prostitutes doesn't equal poor, far from it! I won't deny that they can be found in run down places but the reason they can be seen in Barcelona is to accommodate those, among it's very many visitors, that seek their services. You may not realise it but there are many men that visit major cities in other countries for that very reason and not to study the architecture. Amsterdam, Prague, Berlin are just a few such cities.
For "guiri" - Muli bwanji? I wonder if your part of Africa was "darker" than mine?
Not at all, it's a wealthy city, capital of Catalonia, one of the industrial powers of Europe. But of course there are some areas with prostitutes and drugs.
Hamburg or Amsterdam are for example richer than Barcelona and have also red-light districts.
No. It is a wealthy city.
But, strangely it allows a level of open sordidness, petty theft, prostitution and general dirtiness, in areas such as the Raval, that would not be allowed near tourist areas in many third world towns and cities.
Never have understood it. Never will.
The country in general is having economic problems, but barcelona is doing ok because of tourist.
Not by my standards. I visited this summer and it had beautiful architecture, friendly people, lively shops, and was clean. I love it there and I would move there in a heartbeat, but unfortunately I am too young :(
Uhhhhhh, no.
No..
