hm1912 Posted November 8, 2007 Share #1 Posted November 8, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi everybody, I'm going to be moving to Barcelona shortly and will be there for 3 years. I don't speak any Spanish or Catalan and could use some friendly advice on moving there. First, I've got my R9 insured in the UK, but not in Spain and I was wondering if anybody out there can point me in the direction of a reasonably priced insurance company I could use. In the UK I've been using photoguard. Second, are there any photography clubs with dark rooms? I assume that there are, and the university there might have something, but if there is anything out there that comes recommended I'd be interested to hear about it. Those are my Leica related questions. I've been to Barcelona once before, but only for a few days. I don't know much about living in Barcelona (such as finding a place to live, etc.). Any advice in this regard or other thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch! Let me also take a moment to thank everybody out there for their friendship on this forum. I've been away for a quite a bit due to my PhD work, but it is submitted now and I'll be defending it soon. Wish me luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 8, 2007 Posted November 8, 2007 Hi hm1912, Take a look here Barcelona. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stunsworth Posted November 8, 2007 Share #2 Posted November 8, 2007 Hi Ilan I can't answer any of your specific questions other than to suggest you contact your insurer to clarify the position regarding your insurance. On a more general level I lived in Paris from 2001 to 2003 and some suggestions I would make are, expect it to be different, very different to what you were expecting. There's a world of difference between visiting somewhere on holiday and living there. If things don't seem to be going well at first, give it time. Also, the great thing about living somewhere is that you don't have to try to do everything in a few days <grin>. When I was in Paris, if I woke up on a Saturday and felt like staying in the flat all day I could. No need to rush around, no need to think I was 'wasting' time. Also, though I'm sure you have thought of this already, try to to learn some of the language - you have two to chose from <grin>. Although you may not end up totally fluent, it's a great help not to have to rely on others speaking English. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosuna Posted November 8, 2007 Share #3 Posted November 8, 2007 Ilan, I live in Madrid. Madrid is a very big city (near 4 million people, more than 6 millions in the surrounding area), and it is now very open and cosmopolitan. Barcelona is a smaller city (more than 1,5 million people). It is as expensive as Madrid in terms of housing. This is the biggest problem for living in Spain. The price is housing is too high, but prices have stopped their crazy sky rocket increase. Another problem can be the language. Most people use the Spanish (also known as Castellano), but the "official" life is all in Catalan (Public Administration, etc.). However, the attitude towards foreiners is different and you will be able to speak Spanish and express yourself freely without problems (I hope). Barcelona is the head of the Cataluña region. It used to be the richest and more open and modern region in Spain, but now things have changed for worse. Economic growth is now concentrated on Madrid, Zaragoza and Valencia. Catalan society has closed upon itself, and the same goes for Barcelona, which is however a beautiful city, and Cataluña is a incredible region. You will enjoy it. Casanova Foto maybe is the best photo shop in Barcelona. Disefoto is the importer of Leica products, and they are in Vilassar de Mar, near of Barcelona. You can contact them directly. Good luck !!!! R. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted November 8, 2007 Share #4 Posted November 8, 2007 Why don't you register on the leica users group (LUG). Luis Ripoli lives in Barcelona and would, I'm sure, be very happy to help. Charlie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted November 8, 2007 Share #5 Posted November 8, 2007 I nearly mentioned Luis. I've met him a couple of times - over the French border at Perpignan - and he's a really pleasant, friendly person. I'm sure if you asked the same questions over on the LUG he'd be able to give you some practical advice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 8, 2007 Share #6 Posted November 8, 2007 Barcelona is currently leading the poll for next years One Challenge, so we may see you then!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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