Landing in Barcelona

We got to Barcelona and got our apartment yesterday. Everything was going wonderfully, Juanjo even managed to get some groceries before picking me up from the train (took the AVE from Madrid after my training). We are really happy with our place, it’s perfect for us. The problem? The deadbolt on the door was faulty (the landlord already knew it), and it seems to have broken for good last night! We went out for a walk and some ice cream at about midnight, and when we got back we couldn’t open the door. After trying and trying we called a locksmith, and he tried and tried and finally had to drill through the door after breaking the key. It was 4:30am by the time he’d went and gotten a new lock, installed it, and left for the night (377 euros later, which thankfully the landlord will pay!). Juanjo and I had both been awake for nearly 24 hours.

Today was the day of national pride for Catalonians, and a holiday here. We walked around, had lunch out, and even went inside the Catedral del Mar, a cathedral right near the water, and the Parliamentary building for the Generalitat (Catalonia’s government). It was an interesting experience for Juanjo, being from one of the most centralist parts of Spain, to be walking through so much celebration of Catalonian nationalism and calls for independence. For me it is simply a learning experience to be seeing evidence of some of the things I study around the city (language issues, policy, nationalism, etc.). Juanjo and I got into very interesting conversations!

Finally, we walked down to the water, along the harbor, and took the metro back home. I’m so glad to be here, starting my research study finally, and living in Barcelona. After so much planning, both personal and professional, we’ve finally landed. I think it’s going to be a wonderful year!