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Published: November 11th 2008
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The Roman defensive wall
In former times, Barcelona was only a small Roman village called Barcino, surrounded by a massive defensive wall I started today at the crack of dawn, determined to get to the
lavandaría to get my clothes washed. It had been a few days and although my clothes weren’t beginning to smell, I was down to my second string apparel. The brochure for Wash n Dry stated that they were open from 7.00 am so I charged down to beat the rush (I still didn’t think that there would be many there at 7.30am when I left Hostal Goya.)
On arrival the place was completely shut up. 7am- 11pm 365 days a year the brochure claimed, it was near 745am when I was outside. I waited and waited, went for a coffee and waited some more. At 8.15am I dragged myself back to the hotel, with my pile of clothes to plan my next attack. Surely by 9am for a place that promised 7am -11pm every day of the year?
I returned just after 9am to find Wash n Dry was open. I was going to leave my clothes to get them washed, dryed and folded. Sadly there was no sign of anyone. The laundry was open and there were people doing their own wash but
Night Time in Barcelona
One of the many small streets in The Ciutat Vella -the historical centre of Barcelona no sign of Wash n Dry staff. "...muy extraño...” (vary strange) the lady next to me said when I asked where the staff were.
With great reluctance I decided to do the wash myself. I jostled with an old lady and her two dogs to get one of the two remaining machines - chain smoking and hunched over like she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders, with the cigarette ash falling onto her two unfortunate canines; she looked at me as if she knew I was a tourist. "De donde eres?” (From where are you from)? I said Australia and she replied "ah el pais de schnitzel" (the country of schnitzel) -obviously my pronunciation of "AUSTRALIA" was somewhat difficult for her to understand. I agreed with her (rather than extend the conversation) that Australia truly was the home of schnitzel and continued to load up my machine.
Just as the machines cycle commenced the lady opened up the counter inside the laundromat - the
servicio completo was now available!
I wanted to leave my clothes but couldn’t now that I had started the wash myself. I calculated that it would take
Cava and olives
I enjoyed some cava and olives pre-dinner at Cuines Santa Caterina this restaurant offers fusion food at its best. After the olives I had a great chicken and langostine curry and rice. Delicious! at least an hour to wash and dry my stuff so I negotiated with the lady for a reduced cost if she dried and folded them for me. She agreed and so I was free to head off for the morning in Barcelona.
I left the old lady and her two dogs behind, she continued to chain smoke and the ash continued to float and fall onto her dogs below. I am not a fan of Laundromats but they are a necessary part of travel. I just hope my clothes will be ready when I return this evening.
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Christopher
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Poor dogs
Hilarious encounter you had there. Australia truly is the land of schnitzel. Where was this place located? I'm looking for a wash n dry myself (full service) and I can't seem to find one anywhere. Gracias!