Suddenly, my alarm jolts me awake. I glance at the time—9:05 AM! You would think after three weeks here, I would be used to this routine of going into the office at 9:30, especially in such an exciting city. I guess old habits do die hard.
I rush to make my bed—a new habit since arriving at my homestay—and check the weather from my balcony. I decide on an outfit, mindful that the office can be chilly due to the lack of central heating, a common trait shared among offices in Spain.As I leave my room, I see my host mom starting her workday at the table. Just last night she was telling me during our sobremesa, a Spanish tradition of spending time with friends and family after a meal, that she would be going to the office she manages today. I laugh to myself, reflecting on how Spaniards prioritize their well-being over strict work hours—a refreshing contrast to the U.S. This relaxed attitude is why my boss allows me to work remotely two days a week.On the elevator, I wonder what the conversations between me and my boss will be today. With just the two of us in the office most days, our discussions have been some of the best aspects of my internship. My thoughts are interrupted by a neighbor’s greeting in Catalan as he steps off the elevator. I appreciate the cordiality here, a nice change from the more familiar interactions back home in Alabama.I head to the metro station next to my apartment, calculating if the 15-minute trip will make me late today. 15 minutes later, I’m relieved as I walk up the stairs to reach the office. I settle in at my desk next to Tara, my boss, and start on my daily tasks. I usually begin with writing captions for social media, then move on to translating, fact-checking articles, and editing videos. Now that I’m more comfortable, Tara has been giving me a bit more responsibility, which I’m excited to take on.After an hour of work, I slip into my usual routine of taking a break to walk across the street to a local coffee shop. As I step out of the office, I pass a couple walking their dogs. It’s something I’ve noticed here: dogs are everywhere. At every street corner, there’s bound to be one trotting by. I absolutely love it.I walk into the coffee shop and am pleasantly surprised when I see my usual barista ready to take my order. He greets me in Spanish and patiently waits for me to order, even though he already knows I want a "mochachino" and a bocadillo, a traditional sandwich filled with deli meat, cheese, and tomato. He remembers our first conversation about me wanting to practice my Spanish, and now he makes sure to give me plenty of time to speak. It’s these little moments that make me feel more at home here—both in the city and with the language.Back at the office, I settle in to enjoy my breakfast. Tara is sitting back in her chair, taking her usual mini-break. We typically use this time to talk about everything from ourselves to current events happening in both Spain and the U.S. As an American who moved to Spain 20 years ago, Tara has so many stories to share. She educates me on the cultural differences she’s observed over the years. By the end of our conversations, I’m always left feeling inspired by her experiences and accomplishments. Coming to a new country alone was a huge feat in itself, but now she’s the editor-in-chief of her own magazine, The Barcelona Metropolitan.By 1:30 PM, I’ve wrapped up my tasks for the day. I let Tara know I’m done and I pack up my things to leave. I walk out the door with the mindset of getting lost around the city today. Wandering through Barcelona’s winding streets, there’s hidden treasures to find like quaint bookstores or tucked-away cafes. It’s a reminder that there’s always something new to discover here.As I walk down Passeig de Gràcia, I’m in awe as I pass Gaudi’s houses. His art is on full display all over Barcelona. I love the unique and funky aspects of his work. It’s one of the reasons why I chose to come to Barcelona, and seeing it in person feels self-fulfilling.Around 3:00, I return home for lunch, following the Spanish schedule. It’s my time to slow down and recharge before the evening. Afterward, I often meet friends to explore places we haven’t been to yet in the city. Being in a homestay and solely doing an internship led me to feel a little secluded at first, but with all the activities Barcelona SAE has planned, I was able to meet my friends within my first week here.I leave my homestay with a note that I’ll be home for dinner and take off to meet my friends at Parc de la Ciutadella. Once I arrive there, we attempt to walk the entirety of the park. Realizing it was bigger than we thought, we plan to leave soon to make it to the correfoc, or fire run, in celebration of one of Barcelona’s infamous festivals.
Through my internship, I find out about all the activities happening in Barcelona each week. It feels like every other week there’s a festival being celebrated here. The traditions are so unique and eccentric, that it feels like a must-see. So, this morning, after going through the articles, I found a list of celebrations going on today.
This is how I wound up here, hiding behind a stranger to avoid the spray of the fire. As I take a peak around the woman, I see people in costumes running down the street with sticks shooting off fireworks and embers. Now I know why my homestay family warned me to cover all my skin. I look at my friends and laugh, knowing this will soon become a memory stamped forever in my mind.
As soon as it ends, I speed to get home for dinner. As I unlock the front door to the apartment, I see my roommate with my host brother and sister setting the table for dinner. I go to help and a few minutes later, we’re enjoying the traditional Spanish omelet, tortilla de patata. This has become a tradition I look forward to every day. Sitting around the table, practicing our Spanish and their English, while hearing about each other's days is so special. It’s the best end to the best day.
