The Ultra Famous Corte Ingles

Aha! Now I remember what I was going to write about: El Corte Inglés

El Corte Inglés was once described to me as ”every American department store rolled into one” and it’s so true. Let me give you a tour of my neighborhood. Off of the main street is a smaller but still busy street called Maisonnave. On that corner you will find the 5 story Corte Ingles that has on the first floor a small cafeteria, books, school supplies, movies, etc. The second through fifth floors are each dedicated to men, women, children, and youth, respectively.

Passing that on the left is another El Corte Inglés. This one is about 4 floors. The basement has an entire supermarket, the first floor sells perfume, make-up, watches, and jewelry, and the next couple of floors have furniture and home décor.

That’s not all, folks. Rounding the corner to my street, Arquitecto Morrell, you’ll find yet another El Corte Inglés. This one is a pharmacy with all the creams and ointments a Spaniard could ever dream of. Further inside, there’s a selection of electronics, complete with ipods, stereos, and a cell phone store (This one is only one story, though).

The journey continues on. Passing my apartment but still on the same street, we pass El Corte Inglés travel agency. Yes, that’s right. You can book your flight through your neighborhood department store. We end our voyage right next store, at Oportunidades, the branch of El Corte Inglés that sells discount clothing. It’s for old ladies, though, so I don’t shop there. And that, my friends, is my neighborhood. Although, in between all the Corte Ingleses, there are tons and tons and tons of clothing and shoe stores that have ”SALE!” posted in the window.

On another note, my traveler’s checks are way more trouble than they’re worth. When I first got here I went to a bazillion banks that told me I needed an account to exchange them. A week later, Paco, the head director of the program, went with me because he has an account and helped me out. When I actually got an account, I went to the bank just now, and they told me I can’t change it there, either, but I don’t know why. They might not be certified. So now I have to go to Paco and ask for help again, but I’m uneasy about carrying so much money around. But if I do it in small chunks, poor Paco will be too busy helping me to do anything else!

Note to travelers: Traveler’s Checks STINK! Just suffer the fee of withdrawing money from your home bank.