How Barcelona Changed Me: the Notes of Katy's Keso

At the age of 26, I wrote in my diary a profound wish: to live a conscious life that would allow me to choose the voice of my heart over the rigid dictates of social convention. I wanted to free myself from the constant rush and relentless pursuit of external validation.

I must confess here: I was happy with my life, but deep down I felt there was a part of me that could only be unlocked by a change of scenery. 

So it was during a solo trip to Barcelona that I felt the first signs of transformation in the desired direction: my face softened, my pace slowed, I was "present" in my life as never before.... The unique beauty of Barcelona and its special, mesmerising atmosphere left an indelible mark. Needless to say, when I returned home, I began to think about moving there?

I will not go into all the difficulties and bureaucratic aspects of my move. But in short, it all worked out. And I have never regretted for a minute the move that changed the entire course of my life. Here are some of the reasons why I'm still in love with this touristy, bustling, yet wonderful city.

A concentrated and worried face - the second passport of a person born in the post-Soviet space. When I first arrived, the locals would sometimes cautiously ask me if I was all right. I'd reply, "I'm fine, it's just my 'serious' face!"

Smiles are the ubiquitous currency here, generously exchanged in a variety of situations: when meeting a neighbour in the morning, over a coffee at the corner café, or even after an unfortunate encounter with dog poo... Yep! Once, while "hiding" on my mobile phone, I accidentally did this! And a Catalan old lady, sympathetic to my "shitty situation", took me to the nearest puddle to help clean my sole! Diligently kicking her shoe on the sidewalk and waving her hands, she showed me how to get rid of the "surprise". I repeated after her, we laughed, and I suppose from the outside we looked like a couple of extravagant dancers.

In Barcelona, people know that smiling is the easiest way to meditate. And I master this practice every day.

"Mañana" and "siesta" are inextricably linked with Spain. The locals know how to live life slowly and enjoy the moment. They take two hours for lunch, rarely arrive on time, fiercely defend their boundaries and carefully guard their peace of mind. Most of the time, they don't seem to care much about anything other than themselves and their needs. This way of thinking seems very contradictory to me and arouses different emotions: from admiration to confusion.

But if you take these lessons selectively and wisely, you can certainly learn to slow down and understand yourself better.

I've never been shy, but I'm not used to interacting with strangers in a public place. But here it's part of city life. And if you want to feel this city and its rhythm, you have to loosen your personal boundaries and be prepared for a woman in the queue at the supermarket to talk to you about seasonal produce, the weather or dogs; or a barista in a coffee shop to ask you where you are from and what you are doing in Barcelona...

I'm used to shopping here taking 40 minutes or an hour instead of 10! The owners of private shops here value their customers and give them their full attention. They treat them well, tell them about the products, ask them about their business, their family, the news... They don't sell, they earn your respect and loyalty. That's why Spaniards have been going to the same shops, cafes and restaurants for decades. They have a sacred belief that the most important things in life are people and relationships.

The city has helped me to be suspicious and to communicate more openly. Barcelona is home to more than 250 nationalities, each with its own background, aspirations, perspectives and tastes. The heartbeat of the city is the harmonious fusion of traditions, languages and lifestyles that these different communities bring.

From the lively streets of the Gothic Quarter to the sandy shores of Barceloneta Beach, you can see this rich mosaic unfold before your eyes. It's a city where the culinary scene reflects the flavours of the world, where art and music draw inspiration from every corner of the globe, and where daily life is coloured by the myriad experiences of its residents and visitors.

This multicultural dynamic is a testament to Barcelona's open spirit, a place where people from all walks of life come together to share their stories, dreams and talents. It's this diversity that gives the city its vibrant energy, making it not just a destination, but a fast-paced, ever-evolving kaleidoscope of human experience.

Thus, any casual conversation can become the birth of a friendship or a new project like Amor Barcelona :)

And now let's talk about Barcelona's culinary scene. Imagine: organic shops galore, a cornucopia of seasonal fruit and vegetables, farmhouse cheeses that could make you cry, and rows and rows of the freshest seafood...

I've always been meticulous about what goes on my plate. But in Barcelona, my diet is an example of the Mediterranean diet! It is a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, fresh fish and seafood. By the way, experts from the American Institute for Health Evaluation and Assessment have even declared that the Mediterranean diet is the main reason for the high average life expectancy of Spaniards (over 85 years).

In Barcelona, people run, cycle, play squash, badminton, tennis, walk, climb, windsurf... You only need to look at Barceloneta beach to see how active the Spanish are. You can often observe whole families running - children with their parents or an elderly couple. With this kind of motivation, it is impossible to stand still!

Women in Barcelona believe that if you take more than 15 minutes to get ready, you are either an old woman or a newcomer! Barcelona is a beach city. Stretchy tank tops and shorts are the most popular outfits. Heels and elegant dresses are only worn on special occasions. The same goes for "face decoration". Here, appearance is not judged by clothes and make-up, but by a happy look and a healthy body.

Every day Barcelona changes me. I feel my heart opening up and my life becoming more conscious and purposeful. This means that the most intimate diary entries can change the course of our lives.

Text and photo: Katya Keso