Where to start?
My vacation in Madrid is about to end (I'm staying in a hostal). And I can not help but compare my overall experience in Barcelona (where I stayed in Silvia's place) with my vacation in Madrid. Both cities are amazing - - but somehow Barcelona felt warmer and more meaningful to me. And the reason was the experience and interaction for a few days with Silvia.
The Place can be described as 4Cs: Charming, clean, cozy and commuter-friendly. With shared kitchen, dining room, toilet and bathroom. When Silvia welcomed me and she said "this is your home now" I was already hooked.
True, amenities and privacy may be limited compared to a hotel. There is no elevator. I had to haul my heavy suitcase all the way up to the third floor. The neighborhood noise may also wake you up in the early morning (some drunk guy shouting in Spanish or blaring car alarm). But this is precisely what gave that personal touch and immersion for someone like me traveling alone and from another continent. Silvia is not a super host for nothing. The insider tips she gave were valuable and can not be found in any travel books. The insights based on our few but long conversations on the Barcelona way of life (from work to music to food) will be truly remembered.
Silvia has few specific house rules ( ex. How to properly close the doors so it will not bang ) but all are reasonable and based on mutual respect. She would be open to share her personal journey from Argentina to Spain - a and from there you would get a glimpse of what living in Europe is like for an ordinary working citizen like her.
In case you'll check in at Silvia's don't forget to ask her how to cure a hiccup. Ü