reflections

      Two days ago my sister sent me a link to a New York Time’s article, 36 Hours in Barcelona. It was a guide on how to maximize your time spent in Barcelona to ensure that you visit the best attractions if you have a limited amount of time.  I certainly wouldn’t call my four months here “a limited amount of time”, however while reading the article, I realized that even after nearly four months in Barcelona, I still have many more things that I would have liked to do here.  

      When I first arrived and began visiting all the tourist attractions such as la Boqueria, the Battlo house, the Palau Musica Catalana, etc., I was still adjusting to life in Barcelona and these sights did not fully resonate with me.  Now, having been here long enough to adapt and to appreciate all the wonders of Barcelona, I wish I had a chance to return to some of the places that I first visited.  Also, now that the weather is becoming so warm and sunny, I wish I would be here a few weeks longer to go and sit out at the port and enjoy the beaches of Barcelona.  And of course there are several restaurants, bars, and clubs that have been recommended to me along the way and that I just never had the chance to visit.  

      Although I am anxiously anticipating my return to America and to my family, I know that after the excitement of my first week back , I will definitely miss Europe and my experiences abroad.  After exploring the city throughout my time spent here, I feel well versed in the different areas of Barcelona.  And I have come to like all of them for their uniqueness.  For example, I love wandering through the winding streets of the Barri Gotic and el Borne, just as much as I enjoy strolling up the elegant Passeig de Gracia and peering into the windows of all the storefronts.   

      I don’t think that I will undergo a “culture shock” upon returning to America because I haven’t been gone for long enough to forget the American customs and cultures.  However,  I am definitely going home with a new perspective on life.  All of my travels throughout Europe have instilled in me a new appreciation for art and history (and even museums, which I often found boring in the past…).  Additionally, the Barcelona lifestyle has made more aware of my surroundings.  Now when I leave my apartment, I walk everywhere and soak in the culture.  At home in America I am usually so busy jumping into a car, rushing from place to place, and worrying about whatever task I am doing, that I forget to take a moment to breath and enjoy myself.  Also, in America I am much more dependent on technology (such as my cell phone and my computer) whereas in Spain I rarely use a cell phone and I would rather be outside exploring than sitting at a computer.  And although it took me quite a while to adapt to the Spanish custom of most businesses being closed on Sundays, I have eventually embraced that cultural norm and it has made me prepare in advance so that I can have a leisurely and relaxing Sunday, without having to run a million errands.

      Overall, my study abroad experience was an amazing one, which I will always remember.  All the photographs I have taken and random trinkets I have bought along the way will keep a clear vision of Barcelona and of Europe in my mind until I can return again…

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