I've been bouncing back and forth between the US and Barcelona for about eight years now. My friends kindly refer to me as the 'Yo-Yo'. In all that time I have had my share of flat renting in different Barcelona hoods. I did a stint in Eixample, Born, Gracia and then Poble Sec, where life kinda stuck.

I've always wondered why this part of the city had such an unattractive name, bringing up visions of cracks in the streets, dust, desert and well, all-around dehydration frankly. Turns out the place got its name from the lack of fountains and natural water resources and boomed at the start of the 19th century as people sought more affordable housing, than the hefty prices in the center --nothing new there.

Right now Poble Sec is a buzz, drummers out yesterday and today for, what I think is Sant Ponc, not sure if it is just a random Saint celebration, part of the Fiesta Mayor or what, as even in Poble Sec, the residences are well aware of the neighborhood's faint blip on the city radar. After all, everyone seems to know when Gracia will erupt with their Fiesta Mayor celebrations.

If you happen to make a wander into this part of town, you will see people from all walks, that tend to get along pretty well, minus when you ask them what fruit or vegetable person they are loyal to -a divide between those that are devoted to Rosita's on C/Blai between Creu de Molers and Blasco de Garay and Habib, just two doors away- or the bakery they frequent. There are some great drink spots to check out on the pedestrian walkway that is C/Blai, including an excellent tea spot with cushiony seating at C/Blai with Blasco de Garay and of course the Sec Bar (Bar Seco) up Nou de la Rambla, next to the CAP near the mountains. For extremely cheap, and good tapas and cava, try Rincon de Cava on Blasco de Garay, on the walk up the street towards Plaza Surtidor on the left hand side. If you can look past the interiors of exposed piping, that try and hide behind a wall of colorful international flags and bizarre kid's Halloween masks on the walls, you will be rewarded. It is possible to get four glasses of wine and three tapas (nice sized helpings) for €10.

There are many other great gems in Poble Sec, like Sifo Xico restaurant on C/Roser with Magalhaes and well, many more. Just the other day I ran into neighbors I didn't know I had who were rattling off other great finds.

Even though, according to the Facebook "What Barcelona Barrio Should You Live In?" test said I should inhabit the Born -not that I should listen, FB also told me I will be having 8 kids, and I am 30- wouldn't trade the Sec for anything. By the way, anyone know how to even get Poble Sec on the FB quiz?