Bexcelona: From Golden Eagle to Barcelona Eagle

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To where we are now

So it’s been a while since I updated this blog… But basically, I’m not in the city of Barcelona any more. Ruth & co. decided they were moving to smaller place (to stay in the same area for the good schools and away from our damp flat) which meant they could no longer take me. That was in November I think. The day after this news I contacted the boss of the company I had been expecting to work for part time from January, working with American students in the city. He’d been cagey in a “Barcelona style” about some details before now, but I really needed to pin him down to, you know, pay rent and whatever if I was not going to be able to be an au pair at the same time. I didn’t think I would have been able to support myself on part time anyway, which was fine. But when he and I actually thrashed some numbers he would have been screwing me over. I told him I needed a little more; going high per hour, expecting him to go low (and we’d meet somewhere actually fair) he didn’t even have the fucking decency to call me. He emailed me saying I was demanding too much, and he wouldn’t be needing me. Loosing a sketchy “contract” where I’d have to file my own tax returns for a shit wage was probably a good thing all told, especially as I hadn’t trusted him to begin with! But after months of to and fro with him for what was essentially a dream job and then loosing Ruth on top all in less than 24 hours what frankly a bit shite.

When his email came through I was on the platform of the metro to go fetch Alex from nursery. It was too much, I sobbed on the train. Realistically none of this really mattered, especially writing two months on, but at that moment it was all too much. I felt I’d made a series of fucking terrible decisions. Walking away from Bader and the £900 per month (plus living) job offer for January, unsuccessful job interviews chasing after each other, working for HSBC in a job where every day I was there was essentially a big, “What the fuck am I doing here?” and now, a spontaneous and ill-fated move to another country in something of a panic because I didn’t know what else to do that was crumbling around my ears.

2015 wasn’t horrendous by any stretch in the grand scale of bad things that happen to people. Nothing tragic happened, I was just sort of there. It had kicked my ass. I was applying for jobs in a field that I had accidently wandered into by virtue of studying abroad and working for Keele. But 18 months of working within Global Education with rave reviews, and studying in the USA and Spain wasn’t enough experience. What more could I have done? I was turned down for entry level jobs for lack of experience. So I had taken the job at the bank because Reed Recruitment offered, but I was literally terrible at my role. The ONLY week we as a team meet our productivity targets when I was there… was when I was on vacation.

I sat at my desk in the bank, knowing that my boss would have to fire me by the next week. I just wasn’t profitable. Jeanne, lovely Jeanne who worked across from me, had asked what I was doing with my life, what was my plan? I said I didn’t know, I didn’t know what do. She told me to do something, it almost didn’t matter what so long as I was being proactive. I resolved myself. I walked in on that Monday and quit. It was the middle of August, I was going to Barcelona for the Moustaches Tournament in two and half weeks. I decided to stay there, and being an au pair was the way to go.

[bexcelona-blog]

WTF is wrong with this city. The one where Bex feels a lot of apathetic rage.

Since arriving in Barcelona... I have been messed about by 2 language schools, 1 host family, 1 new job, and 1 second-hand bike sales man. I've put up with 1 broken boiler, 1 broken bike, 1 chaotic, stressed-out mother, 1 idiot father, and a new boss who apparently doesn't want to help to actually employ me. I'm feeling worn-out, stressed-out, and want out. Hopefully these few days away will allow a good amount of time to de-stress.  

[bexcelona-blog]

Well hot damn, look at that we only went and won the thing! Mangamore Kopa 2015. 

I scored in the final too which was pretty great. And really gelled with our beater line. Roll on Catalan Cup, EQC, and World Cup! 

[bexcelona-blog]

BCN: What’s Hot, What’s Not

I have been here a month now and picked up on a few things about the city. Enjoy my musings... 

WHAT’S HOT?

Independence

In the month I’ve been here “we” celebrated September 11th - the national Catalonia pride day - and voted on the automas (federal, I think?) government. The pro-independence parties formed a winning coalition and will set a course for freedom from the tyranny of Spain by mid-2016. Catalan flags hang proudly from many balconies across the city, and change is certainly afoot. Whether that’s for more autonomy for the Catalan region or for full blown independence is to be seen. Watch this space. 

Independent Shops

I have not seen a Starbucks since I arrived. All over Barcelona independent bakeries, clothes shops, and fruit shops flourish. It’s refreshing. The quality is generally good - the baked goods are amazing - and small businesses seem to do well here. 

Fiestas 

One month in, and we’ve had two already! With apparently 16 bank holidays a year, there’s a lot of down time and fun events throughout. 

“Chinos”

The incredibly racially charged name for the ‘odds and ends’ shops that also thrive here. Owned and run by immigrants from all over Asia (hence Chino) they stock almost everything: home furnishings, stationery, DIY equipment, photo frames, fancy-dress, plastic flowers... you name it, chances are you’ll find it in a chino. 

WHAT’S NOT?

Public Restrooms

Just where are they at? No-where it seems. Most annoying for people, and cafe owners etc who have to police their own bathrooms from marauding non-paying users. 

The System in General 

Catalonia runs at a slower pace of life to the UK. Emails get replied to when people feel like it, bureaucracy is king, and language schools seem to actively dissuade your custom. And that’s before I even start applying for my national identification number; a barely legal (as it comes close to infringing on EU freedom of work acts) hoop la of red tape. Oh joy, let me at it. 

Public Transport 

The system is amazing, but people do not know proper (London) etiquette. People move slowly, they don’t hold on to rails so frequently crash into you, people move into the way of the pushchair (like it’s big enough, see me!), they don’t stay on one side of the escalators... My list could go on. People of BCN - sort it out.  

[bexcelona-blog]

In which Bex needs to chill out!

In year 5 at primary school my end of year report read: “Bex [yes because I was cool and using Bex when I was 10] needs to speed up and worry less.” 

Honestly, I have not changed since then. I’m still a pretty worried person by natural disposition. The skin red raw around my finger tips has served testament to this for as long as I can remember. I pick when stressed; exam time is a mess, dissertation time drew blood, and funnily enough moving to a foreign country and giving yourself only three week’s notice to do so will also cause a little anxiety. 

Stupid sh*t has worried me since my arrival: “What if Alba doesn’t want me on the team because she’s used to being the only female beater and won’t want to share?” 

“What if I can’t find another job to supplement my income? Even though my food and living is covered so I literally have no expenses?” 

“Am I bugging the Eagles with my lack of Catalan or Spanish? Am I being annoying?”

“Why won’t these language schools reply to their emails!?” 

“What if I can’t make friends?”

“Am I capable of actually adulting enough to take care of someone else’s child?” 

“What if I can’t find a school for Spanish!? Then I will lose my next job! Ahhhh!” 

Literally all of these worries have been unfounded. Alba’s delighted to have me, the Eagles are my friends, I have found a class that’s a good price in a small group which fits my timetable, Alex and I are more than fine, I have friends, I have found another job that I really enjoy, and it’s all going well. 

Considering my new classmates have been in BCN for well over a year and we’re at the same level of Spanish... I really need to be less hard on myself. I’m doing fine, my best, and will only get better. Onward, and upward. 

[bexcelona-blog]

Loving life! 

[bexcelona-blog]

Gaudí, Mountains, and Beach

I need a weekend to recover from my weekend! It’s been a good one! 

Friday night I went jogging around Park Güell - famed for Gaudí’s architecture and a UNESCO world heritage site since 1984. (Thank you, Wiki). Though I had been to the park at least three times before (with my parents, on the Hitch, and with Holly Collins last Mustaches) it was great to see it “as a local” as it were. Just sort of jogging around doing my thing (squats, planks, press-ups etc!) without contemplating which site I had to jet-off to next on a whirl wind visit of the city. I went to bed early because...

... At 7:45am I met a new friend, Mara, and her crew at Plaça de Catalunya for her birthday hike in the mountains outside the city. Mara is a friend of Deborah, who is a friend of Leanne my friend from Keele. So it was a pleasant surprise to be invited to an event for someone I met only a few weeks ago. Anyway Mara, a TEFL Romanian who has been in BCN for three years, and her crew, boyfriend Hector, friend Alistair, friend Daniel, friend Albert, and a Spanish girl whose name escapes me, and I took a 2.5 hour train out of the city. 

We arrived to stunning scenery and a fresh climate. We clambered up a very steep hill to a BBQ area. We’d brought a delicious spread of pasta salad, humus and breads, and a variety of meat (I bought soya hot dogs being suspicious of BBQC meat) and cooked on a wood-fueled barbie. Alistair popped Cava to celebrate and it was a genuinely lovely time.  It was enjoyable to get out of the city, away from a pesky toddler, and (hopefully) make some new friends. 

Alistair already has given me a a recommendation for a second-hand bike shop and produce shop for cheaper mixed, dried fruits. Helpful, because quite frankly, 1.20 E for a measly amount of sultanas is no good for my cereal consumption! 

As for today, Sunday, I had quidditch practice in the morning. Chema, the coach, works us hard! But we scrimmaged a fair amount too. I’m struggling to slot into the Eagles’ play style a little bit... we seem to have differing ideas on what’s effective and a language barrier is not helping on pitch! EVERYONE has been very welcoming, however. With people keen to practice their English - although I feel Chema is getting a little frustrated with explaining exercises twice. Although that could just be in my mind! I feel more confident each session in understanding the gist of what’s being said and more keen to practice out my own (rather meager at this point) language skills. 

After training I went to the beach with Alba the Eagles’ captain. Alba seems to be on the only Eagle who loves the beach as much as I do! Thus we spent four hours sunbathing, swimming, having siesta, and chatting. She’s been a huge help to me already - sorting me with a good phone contract and new phone. And generally just being very patient with me, blundering around! 

Today also marks the election for the Catalan autonomous government - think Scottish Parliament sort of deal... I think, though I am not really sure what powers they have. The crunch time is now. If a coalition of pro-independence parties wins they will start the ball rolling on full-blown independence for Catalunya hopefully for 2017. If the conservatives win they will at least push for more rights for the region from the central government. As I understand it, the Catalans have had enough of footing too much of the bill for the rest of Spain as they are most prosperous region by a considerable margin. The central government, again as I understand it from what I have been told, have been cranking up the pressure against Catalunya for some time, with the pro-independence movement really gaining legs and momentum since 2012. 

So things will change regardless of the results tonight, which I will sleep through and find out about tomorrow. Goodnight! 

[bexcelona-blog]

In which I get the job I want

In January I will start working for AS part time, assuming my Spanish is up to par and that all goes to plan. The company facilitate study abroad programs for American students in Spain (and the UK), and I will part of the BCN office. I will still be looking after Alex four times a week, with the Spanish-style work day allowing for me perhaps doing 20 hours a week for each. Come summer, as the company expands, I will be taken on full time. Which means... again if all goes to plan... I will be living in Barcelona indefinitely.  

Anyone who knows me, my experiences, or has worked with me the last few years knows that this is a perfect job for me. I will be assisting students with their queries and issues, working on admin, running field trips, and generally doing a lot of what I enjoy: working in a varied environment of different people and places, possible work-trips thrown in to the US (who knows? maybe?).

Less than five weeks ago I threw a plan together to move here - and now (assuming all goes to plan) I will be living here for a while. To prep I need to study my Spanish hard, get registered to work here (I am a EU citizen, I just need a “national security” number), open a bank account, and make a good enough impression on my prospective colleagues to get the contact signed etc etc.

So, feeling pretty chuffed right now. I also have another baby-sitting job for the mean time too. Jobs, eh? Like buses, you can be unemployed for four months then you get two on the same day!

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Duh, duh, duuuuuh - Bex writes something in this blog!

I have been truly terrible with this blog! Ah! But right now I have a few baby sitting interviews lined up, a “casual business type coffee” meeting with the guy who offered me the job in London with a possible opportunity to work in their Barcelona office, I have found a great “intercambio” language exchange evening (Monday evenings), and I am going to a quidditch tournament the weekend of my birthday. So all in all - it’s going pretty well here.  I just need to sort a Catalan class / Spanish too, and then it’s mostly all good. 

I had Alex for the first time alone today and all went very well! He seemed pretty chilled out with me which was great. He cried when I dropped him at nursery though... which was sad and a little awkward! 

Oh, and last weekend was 11 September - or Catalan National Day. I went to the parade / demonstration for Catalan Independence which was interesting. I’ve never been to something like that before. 

So yeah! All going well here :3  

[bexcelona-blog]

BMT Champs. Two years in a row. 

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So a mixed morning here… I snapped one of my retainers, which may be expensive to replace and I do need to replace to avoid looking like the worst British stereotype. BUT I ventured alone to the supermercado where I chatted with two locals and visited a thrift store… where I picked up an Iowa State rugby short for 1 euro. All by midday. Watch this space for more gripping adventures.

[bexcelona-blog]

For the foreseeable, I live in Barcelona. With a population of 1.6 million (and now one more!) people, Barcelona is the most populous city on the Mediterranean Sea and is the sixth most populated city in the European Union. The city is famed for having beautiful architecture, including world-famous works by Antonio Gaudi, and three miles of beach.

I’m here because a few weeks ago I was sat at my desk in a world-leading international bank compiling Payment Protection Insurance… very badly. My success rate at cases never rose above 50% and the week I was on vacation my team met their productivity targets for the only time I was there. I was on the brink of being let go… so I figured, why not just go?

I had that thought on Thursday, quit on Monday, put my au pair application form on Wednesday and boom. I move into my host family’s house on the 8th September. I will be taking care of a 22-month-old toddler named Alex three days a week and some evenings, with hopefully some English teaching or something else on the side.

But, I hear you say, why Barcelona? Well the reasons are:

1.       I was coming here already for the Barcelona Moustaches Tournament with The Mighty and Amazing Quercs. I have just decided not to use my return ticket. Simples!

2.       Having already befriended members of the Barcelona Eagles Quidditch team, I will (hopefully!) keep playing my favourite sport with friends.

3.       It’s freakin’ Barcelona. A cool, hip, fun city that is well rated for high quality of life… albeit with a fairly high petty crime and pickpocket rate (but we’ll brush over that for now).

In the grand scheme of things I hope to make myself more employable with improved language skillz, mate. And while Catalan is the primary language of many people in the region with a speaking population of 4.1 million native speakers (or about two thirds the population of London), Castilian is widely spoken and understood.

Right now, I’m here with my Querc teammates enjoying the holiday I was already planning before I quit my job. We’re having a lovely time that has mainly involved board games, the beach, a spot of sightseeing, and general tomfoolery. Earlier in the week was an open Eagles practice, and the tournament starts on Saturday.    

Next week begins a new chapter, and I couldn’t be more exited. If a little confused by how radically I have changed my life in the space of such a short amount of time.