I echo your thoughts on escaping the rat race, it ...

2009-11-02T08:25:04.928+01:00

I echo your thoughts on escaping the rat race, it is far too easy to become wrapped up in the false needs of modern life. People become far to frustrated and stressed about things that are not really important, reflection is a good thing but most do not take the time to measure their lives and ask why they run the rat race.

I really enjoyer reading through you blog and I am grateful for the specail Spanish phrases which will no doubt prove useful in the future!

I just voted for you on The Expat Directory - http://www.theexpatdirectory.com/community.php?c=628. Welcome to our site, don’t forget to update your profile and if you have time complete the expat questionnaire and help us build up a picture of expatriate movements

Please feel free to delete this comment, I have posted a message as I couldn't find a contact link.

Kind Regards,

TED

I first went to spain when I was 15 with a church ...

2009-10-28T20:06:13.971+01:00

I first went to spain when I was 15 with a church to help a struggling fellowship just south of Barcelona. We flew across the ocean not knowing where we were really going to stay, figuring we could just sleep on the floor in the church. We landed, boarded a bus and arrived at the church to be greeted by warm besos and enthusiastic hospitality. The families would not hear of us sleeping on the floor so they lined us up and we were picked out by the members to be their American children for the week. My "parents" were very young and had two boys.

I loved the two week stay in a country town outside of Barcelona but what I loved the most was the awe that there could be family away from home and so much more culture behind what I had learned in school.

The next year I signed up to go again, and again I stayed with the same family. We built a strong bond and I knew I had found my new home.

A took a year off, not traveling to Spain, but I applied to be an exchange student my senior year of high school. I got in and got placed right above Barcelona and two hours away from my church family.

This year abroad I lived with a Catalan family for four months, then an Argentine family then a Cuban family.

My first family was terribly distant as a family was not the loving, caring family I wished I had. To find this familiar bond I was lacking I spent time with a friends family in Fabra i Puig.

My friend and I would skip school and wonder through the windy streets and explore Borne and Raval. We would pick something to look for, like a red door, and then who ever found the red door within the city first would win and the other person would have to buy the cafes amb llet.

I miss my city, my home. The pastor at the church told us that part of our heart would always be in Spain and he is right. I am incomplete when away from Barcelona.

Comments on From Barcelona: So, what made you come to Barcelona?

I echo your thoughts on escaping the rat race, it ...

I first went to spain when I was 15 with a church ...