a love letter to Barcelona

lived in Barcelona the past 2 years and left it now to go traveling for one year. So I decided to write a letter and capture my impressions.

Dear Barcelona,

now that I left you, I am writing this letter to you to tell you my thoughts and feelings.

You all know what people say about falling in love at first sight. For some of you it may even happened before so you can relate. When I met you the first time in 2015 I knew it happened to me. Sounds corny I know but that’s how it was. Considering I grew up in a small village in south germany with less than 2.000 residents, I was stunned by the city-life you are offering. But no, it’s not just about the city vibe that you offer.

It’s more. It is.. THE VIBE. Hard to express with words and I talked to so many people, who are living here as well and they know what I mean by saying, “the vibe”.

Okay let’s try to give examples:

It is the open-minded vibe, the adventure vibe, the let’s chill at the beach and drink a cold beer vibe.

It is the hey where are you from vibe and the let’s go out and walk through the city vibe.

It is the dogs everywhere and fucking hot and beautiful people everywhere vibe.

It is the pigeon and seagulls, tiny streets, amazing buildings and the smell of weed vibe.

It’s the hundreds of different stores, different languages you hear in the streets vibe.

It is the streets artists from dancing, singing, playing instruments, doing choreographies, painting, acting, showing athletic skills and so much more vibe.

It is the beautiful unique flair that each barrio gives vibe.

It is the hola cerveca beer aqua algun? vibe.

It is the go for hiking during the day and in the club at the night vibe.

It is the amazing tattoo art vibe.

It is the we are all here together vibe.

It is the brunch in the parc vibe.

It is the amazing view and sunset at bunkers vibe.

It is the ukulele and singing songs with your friends in a café vibe.

It is the people from all over the world that tell you their life stories vibe.

It is the let’s walk 10mins and be where ever you wanted to be vibe.

It is the smell like pee and trash in the morning vibe.

It is the go to an exposition, a gallery or museum vibe.

It is the raval, the joaquin costa vibe.

It is the smoking porros, cooking vegan dinner and listen to music with your roomies vibe.

It is the exploring the parts of Montjuic and walking around for hours vibe.

It is the bottomless mimosas vibe, the let’s sit on this bench and just observe vibe.

It is the random demonstrations and protests everywhere vibe.

It is the spontaneous vibe of all possibilities.

It is the hippie and smell of incienca vibe.

It is the banksy vibe.

It is the lets just have chilled eve at the rooftop terrace and end up in a strangers kitchen at 6am taking MDMA vibe.

It is the yoga at the pier with the sunrise and a naked dip in the sea vibe.

It is the vegan restaurants and people vibe.

It is the take care of your stuff but you will be robbed anyways vibe.

It is the skating vibe for sure and also the bicing and roller skates vibe.

It is the vibe do the fuck you want and dress like the fuck you want vibe.

and it is for sure the MACBA vibe.

It is even way more than all of these vibes, but that just to give an impression what you - Barcelona - offered me and what made me fall in love with you. So, to go back in time, yes I fell in love with you as a young woman of 19 years old and I came back to you five years later and stayed 2 years.

What a time that was. And will be, because my heart belongs to you and always will. Now when someone says home, I am thinking of you.

I think the most significant part that you brought in my life was the people that I met. I find it fascinating how we spend our last 20, 25, 30 years somewhere else, a different place, a different life but then the moment we meet here - we share the exact same moment and experience. Both being here for the same reason. Because we love you. And for those people I met that they shared this same love, it is like I already had something in common with them because they just know and feel as I do.

I noticed very often - not always - that I meet someone new, we talk a bit but it feels like I can be 100% genuine, open and as I am. No masks, no filter, no pretending. And we don’t talk about what company we are working for or what clubs are the best ( I mean maybe also but), we talk about the world we live in, about gratitude, passion, our deepest fears and wishes, about what makes us feel alive, about what we love and what we don’t understand, about our zodiac signs and veganism, about every detail in our love-life. And each of these conversations make me feel like I am growing and learning. Sharing my thoughts and emotions and listening to the people I love so much.

I know we can have these experiences, when we move out of our hometown and probably in more places in the world. But Barcelona-Baby you did me bad. I know, nobody is perfect and you can have shady sides as well but thats just like life is and I love every part of it. I learned a lot and also learned that I still don’t know anything at all.

So what I can I say to you, Barcelona, more than THANK YOU. For everything you were, you are and you will be in my life. As it all exists at the same time. Thanks for giving me this amazing time, irreplaceable friends and memories. See you soon when I will come back home.💖