The Raval Neighborhood in Barcelona, Spain

It´s stinky, there´s lots of prostitutes, and you might get ripped-off for a few extra euros at a local eatery, but the Barri Raval is one of Barcelona´s funkier neighborhoods.

Oh, yeah. And there are the occassional suspected terrorists. Let us get those damn fools out of the way first. The New York Times reported that a Spanish judge released four of 14 arrested Pakistanis suspected of plans to backpack bomb the city´s public transit. He said they had planned to do it last weekend.

But, apparently, the citizens and illegals of Barcelona do not watch the news, or read the paper, or they are just not scared, or they are not going to let a bunch of nutjobs with criminal tendencies who then had said tendencies focused towards Jihad ruin their night out.

And a few more things you might want to know.

Before you enter this neighborhood there are a few things to remember. First, watch your step. As with all of Barcelona´s neighborhoods, the streets are decorated with plenty of doggy droppings. Some people clean up after their pets; most do not.

Second, watch you bags, especially if you are alone, drunk, and it´s four o´clock in the evening. This can occur much more easily than one would think. While alcohol sales at the numorous corner stores end at 11 p.m., the city´s bars stay open to four in the morning. Many locals won´t even step foot in this ´hood because of its reputation for purse snatching and prostitutes. The latter of which attracts some of the city´s native population.

Currently it is being gentrified by boutique owners who run shops that do not look like they can support themselves. Since it is normal for your kids to live at your house as late as their thirties, you cannot help but wonder if some rich parents bought their little Barcelonan prince or princess their own little shop and apartment to give their reluctant offspring the facade of financial independence. They all seem very friendly though. Nice people.

Some of the shops are cool though, like a Low-Rider bicycle shop on Carrer de Tigre. Check it out. Or the sown buton store on Carrer de Lluna. Very cute.