Settling into Barcelona

My first few days into a new place were definitely an experience. My first hotel was a complete shamble’s and for what I was going to pay I was negotiating to get my money back after 2 days of travel, jet lag and humidity that made my jeans almost cling to me. My salvation was Matt and Niki’s assistance, so I got to a hotel around the corner from where Matt and Niki were staying and we then got changed and went to a Birthday party. It was a great night and I meet really amazing people.

The next day – or my official day one we ventured out into the city to se the sights – and wow was I taken back by it all. My favourite was the 360 degree hotel, seeing all the way around Barcelona city from the top of a building while sipping Gin and tonic was not hard to do at all. The food, wine, music and people on every corner and any little street that existed, I will probably keep mentioning as each day I experience another. We sat and ate Tapa’s drank wine and got a little pissy talking away all the problems of the world – and solved nothing. Thanks guys it was so great.

Matt went to meet Josh(his brother) in London so Niki and I had a few days to hang out together, we shopped, beached, saw more sights, shopped a little more (clothes here are oh my god WOW I wish I had more money type of fashions)

Barcelona has so much culture it is quite overwhelming and saddening in some ways I wish we had the kind of history that exists over here.  But then we have so many things in Australia are are a very lucky country. Economy is better, health care is better, our resources are better utilised ect.. Plusses to anywhere hey.

Started my internship and am still finding my feet there – plenty to do and for only 4 hours a day which is perfect. Like any new job take a bit before you get settled so will keep you posted there.

Changes happen in the form of many experiences both good and sometimes really something you never want to do or see again and I definitely know now I am a much stronger person than I ever thought myself to be, I have always thought I relied on others for my inner strength and now maybe I know that I am the person I want to be. Just Me! Lets just say here that I will never be the same again…

I have moved into my new home and am living with a really great Canadian couple that are based here for 18 Months while Stephen completes his MBA at on of the best schools Barcelona has, Danielle is an exceptional person and together they have done so much, ridden around South America on a motor bike was definitely my favourite adventure of theirs.

The apartment is a top floor place in the heart of Gracia – which is riddled with Catalan culture and nothing but locals we live right next door to a huge market and in the centre of all these little market squares that at night just liven up with again more music and locals, drinking wine eating food and telling the stories of their day, in what I feel is 100 miles an hour of what I am finding a beautiful language wether you understand any of it or not.

Arrival into Barcelona

Upon arriving into Barcelona – I had a little surprise Niki and Matt had waited at the Airport to meet me and I have to say that was amazing to see a friendly face.

Having their 2 Months of local knowledge has definitely helped me get started here and see some amazing sights.

Barcelona is much different to London – it is really world of it’s own.  (well one I have never seen and only dreamed of)

There is amazing art, music, theatre, the streets and lined with tall apartment buildings that you can tell house many many people, it is nice to see all the washing on balcony’s, it just feels homely here.

I am getting used to walking around the streets and keeping an eye out on my belongings. It feels safe but you definitely have to be aware, we have been followed a few times.

The entire place is riddled with art and taste. Pictures tell it all.

I have had trouble finding my way around, accommodation and communicating but feel I am finding my feet here now. The more you do on your own the more you learn and get confident.

The London Leg

The first leg of my journey away lead me to London for 2 days to see some of the sights and catch up with a great friend I went to school with, I haven’t seen in 8 years Jodie.

Upon recovering from my first experience of jet lag I ventured out into what felt like a game of Monopoly – Trafalgar Square, Strand Avenue, Piccadilly, Waterloo and more.. However I couldn’t seem to find the GO square to collect my $200 dollars. LOL

London has amazing architecture it felt like walking through Melbourne I was at home in some way, the difference was the buildings were so much older and much more beautiful. Breathtaking in their own right.

I had to go and have my picture in front of Westminster – where Kate and Wills got hitched it looked smaller than I thought it would be. So many tourists but I loved walking through St James park with the squirrels, pigeons and people – for some reason when I got to Buckingham palace there was what seemed to be a parade, I think it was the changing of the guards but I love it – perfect timing.

 

Catching up with Jodie was so great – I had my first Pimms and I think I am on to something now. Jodie took me around where she lived in Hampton and through the bushy gardens where I saw my first deer, I thought they looked like dead trees when in the long grass. I found a house I could have made my own but I expect that it is not in my price range.

Stay tuned for arrival to Barcelona.

The Journey

For a long time I thought life was going to begin. Real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This prospective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness, happiness is the way so treasure every moment you have, and remember time waits for no one.

“happiness is a journey not a destination”