I left Barcelona in the Fall of 2013. I would return every year during winter break to celebrate Thanksgiving and my birthday. 2016 was a bit different because I brought something along with me, a boy! Don’t get excited, I put everything he owned in a box to the left. But what a joy it was to show off my Beloved Barcelona and see it all through the eyes of someone seeing it for the first time. We went to all of my favorite places: bars, restaurants, parks, viewpoints, beaches, everywhere. Even though it didn’t work out with ol’ what’s-his-name, I hold every single Barcelona memory close to my heart.

This was actually the last time I was in Spain as I went back to Asia and then on to South America afterwards. Of course, I planned on returning and had no intention of letting so much time pass. My friends still ask me when I’m coming home, and I always answer, “Soon.” Do you know the feeling of when a place unequivocally captures your heart? I knew from the moment my feet touched the ground that I’d found my place, and I moved mountains to be able to call it home. And it still feels like that. Home.

I lived so many wonderful experiences in Barcelona; My first time abroad. My first love. My first international job. Too many to name, really. 7 years is a long time to make memories. As I share more of my favorite photos, I look forward to sharing these behind-the-scenes moments.