barcelonaforbeginners-blog

[barcelonaforbeginners-blog]

Week X: I abandoned my blog, stopped my Spanish lessons and decided to enjoy Catalonia!

Moving to another country is stressful. But If you are like me, it gets even worse. My last few months in Barcelona thought me a big lesson. You can either try to do everything you planned or you can actually enjoy what you do. In my early days, I picked the first option but Barcelona changed my plans so quickly. So, I stopped stressing myself. I noticed that loving Catalonia is more important than learning Spanish, visiting sites, understanding the local culture, food etc. So, I ditched all my plans and just started to live in Barcelona. Repeating, not trying to discover, just live. 

These days, if I don't have to, I do not go to central Barcelona even it is 10 mins walk from my apartment. On the other hand, some days I walk around without checking my Apple maps, CityMapper etc until I end up somewhere that really represents real Barcelona. Where there is no Prada, overpriced tapas bars and souvenir shops. And I seriously like it. I saw that few streets away from Passeig de Gracia's high-end stores, real people, with real struggles, with real traditions, sometimes with no jobs suffering from our Barcelona hunger. Yes, we help this city, to this country. (I mean The Republic of Catalonia) But we also take a lot from them. Of course, I am not saying that tourism should stop but people like me, are a big thread for these nice, open-minded, proud people's life. 

Years ago when I moved to London my intention was being part of that city. And after years, now, I do consider myself a true Londoner. I did contribute to that city's economy, learned a lot there and tried being part of it. But, this is not the case here. Not only me, almost every foreigner I met here, we all just want to get the best of what this city offer. We are not trying to be the part of it. In the next few months, I will try to decide that, can I make Barcelona home? Can I stop thinking that my home is in London? Can I go to the streets with them, when the Spanish government shamefully ignores their opinions, or move my business here and contribute to Catalonia's economy? And of course, respecting and learning the language of this country.(Catalan not Spanish) - Little info: I often get criticised by my Spanish friends. Let's make it clear. The first country I visited in continental Europe was Spain. I do love Spain. It is an amazing country with lots to offer. Spain is a unique example that a country can rise from its ashes and build something amazing. After the ridiculous Franco days, this country became a great example to the rest of the world. I hope it will remain the same way. An open, democratic, diverse country. -- #FREEDOMTOALLCATALANPOLITICALPRISONERS

[barcelonaforbeginners-blog]

WEEK 3: L'Auberge Espagnole

In 2002 I saw a really tacky European film by French director Cédric Klapisch called L'Auberge Espagnole. It was translated to other languages as “The Spanish Apartment”, “Europudding” or “The Hotel Barcelona”. It was my post-Amelie era. I wanted to see everything if Audrey Tautou was in it.

The film I am talking about was like a European Union promotion for youth. Obviously, Brexit wasn’t a thing then, Turkey was considered Europe, and there were less evil politicians in our lives.

In the movie, people from all over Europe were meeting in Barcelona for so many weird reasons. My third week in Barcelona was the same.

Moviemaker German, a big birthday gang from Turkey and Germany, ex-date from the UK, friend of a friend from Canada, and an American friend who had to attend a congress… the list goes on.

The last week here was like a trailer of the coming Summer.

Barcelona might be tiny. But it is hectic. Everyone is here. Or want to be here. Or were here recently.

It is like Paris couple of decades ago. Recently I tried to watch an American film made for Netflix, called Ibiza, I stopped it after the first half an hour cos it was like a bad Barcelona promotion. Seems like these days it’s all about “Bar-f-elona” ! Tourists invasion is already started, and it’s only early June. If you stop by say hi.

#FREEDOMFORCATALANPOLITICALPRISONERS

[barcelonaforbeginners-blog]

WEEK 2: LOST IN TRANSLATION

When do you realise you actually left your home and moved to another city? In a day? In a week? Nope, I tell you, it takes around 2 weeks.

During that two weeks, you can do your touristic walks, spend lots of time adoring your new city, take amazing Instagram pics and then the reality will hit you. Really hard. When you understand that most of the shopkeepers have no idea what you say or the moment when you realise that you can not call any landline number because they will not speak the same language as you! Welcome to your new country! Muy Bien. My second week in Barcelona was more annoying than amusing. But I didn’t care to be honest. Because I didn't have to check the weather forecast for several days now. As it’s going to be another beautiful day tomorrow so, everything is going to be alright! The language barrier is an issue even in an international hub like Barcelona. Last week after many unsuccessful attempts I had to ask a Spanish friend to help me to book me a physiotherapy session. Yet he did book it when I arrived at the clinic I figured out that I didn’t have one. Another day I was trying to have a haircut. After 10 minutes effort to describe what I want (which is as simple as a little boy's haircut)  I was horrified by the result. In London, I could create the loudest scene after that but when I saw the disappointment on my lovely Thai-Spanish transgender hairdresser’s face, I even tipped her and went somewhere else to correct it. The day I moved to my new and hopefully the last apartment here, I discovered that they were demolishing the building next door. They were drilling directly another side of my bedroom walls, and when I ask about regulations about the noise, everyone just laughed at me. “Regulations, in Spain?” they said. Last week, made it sure; I am lost in translation. Almost lost between cultures. And that’s how I like it. “Lost inside adorable illusion And I cannot hide I'm the one you're using Please don't push me aside We coulda made it cruising, yeah.” #FreedomforCatalanPoliticalPrisoners

[barcelonaforbeginners-blog]

Week 1: A Catalan Odyssey

I first planned to move to Barcelona 3 years ago. Since then in every may (that’s when I was renewing my apartment contract) I was seriously considering it, and it finally happened last week. When I finally made the decision, I started to tell myself "Oh fuck, am I going to do this?" I did at the end. Baila!

My first week in Barcelona wasn't efficient. But I still managed to sort many of the practical issues. As the primary focus of this Tumblr account is helping other people who want to take the similar decision to me, I will shortly compare things between London and here. 

1- Barcelona is friendly: It makes a big difference to meet with locals that they are happy about foreigners moving to their country. In Brexitland foreigners are unwanted wealth suckers. (they won’t call them expats, you are more like to be called a migrant there, unless if you are a rich investment banker) Opposite to that locals are really chatty to foreigners here (sincerely) and they try to help you and communicate with you. 

2- Barcelona is a small town. Maps were confusing me at the start. When I noticed that the distances look so far, on the route taking only 15 minutes walk, I realised that how small is the centre. And if you are not in the tourist area walking around is very pleasant, cos the city is full of architectural masterpieces. 

3- Barcelona is noisy compared to London. Really. We, Londoners are so lucky that we don't have many scooters in the city as they are like sound bombs. Locals are a big fan of them here as motorbikes are their primary way of transportation. But it is incredibly annoying as you can not go anywhere without hearing them. I think scooters are only lovely in old Italian or French movies. 

4- Having lunch in Barcelona is the best thing I had so far. You pay 8 to 15 Euros for a 3-course meal including wine and coffee. Meanwhile, we are paying that for a bowl of pasta or a burger in London. I take at least 1 hour for my lunch every day, making it slow, leaving my phone or computer away and enjoy it. 

5- Catalan food is unhealthy. Many things come as fried or with, or they are pasta or potato dishes. They also have the healthy fish option, but I am not a big fan of cooked fish. But they have good coffee and most of the time it costs you about a pound. I was paying £2.50 in Shoreditch. 

6- Short-term property is a rip-off.  You can rent a large unfurnished long term apartment for  EUR 1.000 but a little furnished short let (3 to 11 months) will cost you almost double of that. And you have to make your decision quick as they go off the market so quickly. Also, agents charge more than a rent plus you need to pay two months deposit. So, get ready to pay around EUR 7.000 before you get your keys. (unless if u share) www.idealista.com is the best place to start.

7- Finding a Spanish teacher is so easy and an hour lesson costs as low as £15. And they are happy to come to your place. I found mine online (I used DuckDuckGo as my search engine, it was so quick) I'll update you more on this following weeks.

8- And the best thing is a kilo of real tomato costs £0.70. In London, it's around £9! Maybe tomato is not a priority for you, but it is for me :) Finally, I can have real food, without large carbon food print and my tomato doesn't have to travel around the world for weeks before I make a salad. 

9- You can have as much as vermouth or wine or tiny glass of beer called caña, but the real drinks are as expensive as London.

10- Finally I can say that It was almost a pleasant first week. 

Hope to see you here next week!  IMPORTANT: #FreedomforCatalanPoliticalPrisoners