Only-apartments' blog

ONLY BE AMSTERDAMMER

ONLY BE BUDAPESTER

ONLY BE VENETIAN

ONLY BE BARCELONIAN

ONLY BE BERLINER

ONLY BE VALENCIAN

ONLY BE ISTANBULITE

ONLY BE FLORENTINE

ONLY BE LISBOETA

ONLY BE LONDONER

ONLY BE NEW YORKER

ONLY BE MADRILENIAN

ONLY BE MALAGUEÑO

ONLY BE MILANESE

ONLY BE PARISIAN

ONLY BE PORTUENSE

ONLY BE PRAGUER

ONLY BE ROMAN

ONLY BE SEVILLIAN

ONLY BE PROXIMAMENTE

ONLY BE ATHENIAN

ONLY BE COMING SOON

Last posts

3 sports that will never be olympic sports

Mónica Boixeda Budapester, Only-Be

We all know that for many years, many sportsmen have strived, even made a huge effort, so that their favourite sport becomes an olympic sport. Some have achieved it, others haven´t. Actually, it´s surprising that some of them haven´t made it (Kick boxing, for example, taking into account that judo is and, the way I see it, there´s not that much difference between them) and others haven´t made it yet, such as golf, which isn´t in London this summer but will be in Rio in 2016. Others have actually managed it but have later been eliminated and the IOC have told them to go and play it somewhere else, such as baseball, and others… well, the truth is that they will never make it because if they are considered sports, so should watching the Olympics from the sofa or eating paellas on a Sunday. Let´s see: It´s called bog snorkeling, something like snorkeling in a lake full of crap. You may think that I´m joking but this sport is practiced in Wales, where they have been organizing world championships every summer since 1985, with people from all over the world taking part, including your country. It has rules, like every sport, although in this sport they aren´t to swim like you swim in normal swimming. Hashing is the official name, but if it was a Spanish film it would be called ´run while you get drunk´. This ´sport´ has its origins in Kuala Lumpur and, you won´t believe this, began due to boredom and people wanting to have fun. Of course, there´s always the killjoy who makes a big deal out... read more

Free open-air pools in New York

Mónica Boixeda New Yorker, Only-Be

Summer is here and despite the marine breeze that sneaks around the skyscrapers, it´s incredibly hot in New York during this time of year. Although the air conditioning makes it a bit easier, it´s not great to stay at home, so going to a public pool and taking a dip is a great idea. Since there´s not a lot of space there, here´s a list of the best pools and their address. These are not all the free open-air pools in the city but some of the best ones. They are in all the districts in the Big Apple and most of them aren´t suitable for those with agoraphobia, such is their size. Asser Levy Sports Center. Behind the facade of this impressive neoclassic building and the advertisement of ´Free Public Baths´ are two open-air swimming pools that are completely free to enter, as the advert says. There´s another one that´s covered and great to swim in, but you have to pay for it. They´re open every day and the complex is located on #23 West St. Dry Dock Sports Field. Located on #408 East St, this is a clean swimming pool without a tree or shadow in sight, with a small game park annexed for the young kids. It´s totally free. Hamilton Fish Center. Also adequate for kids because it has two open-air pools, one of them exclusively for the children. Located on #128 Pitt St, it also has a gym, table tennis tables, weights area and swimming lessons for free. The pools are enormous, proportionately to the size of the Big Apple, and they also have lifeguards.... read more

The Festa del Gamper at Camp Nou

Mónica Boixeda Barcelonian, Only-Be

The preparations are underway for the new edition, number 47, of the Festa del Gamper, which is held each year atCampNouinBarcelona. It’s a great party, where football, of course, is the main focus. This year, as has been customary in previous editions, there will be another Italian team, the UC Sampdoria, who faces the extraordinary Barça on 20 August. Maybe it´s coincidence, maybe it´s fate, or possibly neither, but this edition will coincide with the 20th anniversary of the grand finale of the 1992 European Cup between FC Barcelona and UC Sampdoria. To remind the forgetful, that famous match was won by Barça in the 111th minute, during the last moments of the second overtime, by the indirect free-kick from defender Ronald Koeman. It was an exciting and memorable final at Wembley Stadium inLondon, where Barça first received the trophy they had been wanting for years.May 20, 1992 will forever remain in the memory of all fans since on that date the legendary team, the Dream Team, was confirmed. Now, after two decades, the emotions that accompanied that indelible match and the extraordinary victory of Barça will possibly re-emerge. But the Joan Gamper Trophy also means friendship and fellowship. It will be a party for all Barça fans not only because they will be presenting the new team of Tito Vilanova for the 2012/13 season, but also because there will be many fun activities for families and children. Thanks to Estrella Damm, the official sponsor of FC Barcelona and collaborator in the organization of the Festa del Gamper, families can take part in different activities throughout the stadium facilities... read more