La Rambla

La Rambla may have its detractors, but the vast majority of tourists (the ones that don't fall prey to the pickpockets), will enjoy a stroll down this colourful boulevard which is brimming with activity, nefarious or otherwise, day and night. Winged demons terrify old ladies, silver cyclists freeze in mid-motion and flamenco dancers clap their castanets... and that's just the street performers. Hawkers ply their trade, be it tacky souvenirs or supermarket priced beers, party-goers wend in and out of the numerous bars and cafes and ladies of the night catcall at groups of lads who lap up the attention. Undoubtedly La Rambla (commonly referred to in plural form, as Las Ramblas) has a sleazy element to it, but sometimes its fun to walk on the wild side.

Ever since El Pais published that story about the prostitutes in La Boqueria things have got much better. It's a lot less sleazy now than in 2009 when I got here. The most irritating thing about La Rambla now is those guys who make the really irritating bird sounds with that stupid toy which they sell. Please Mr. Mayor pass a new law and make it illegal!

Say what you like about Las Ramblas but its never dull. People talk about it going downhill, and blame tourism, but the fact is that there have been prostitutes and petty thieves here for hundreds of years - Barcelona is a port city after all. If anything the area is cleaner and safer than five or ten years ago, and I think most people who visit will see all the good things about Las ramblas without having to focus on the bad