New York and Missing Catalunya
Before I left I knew I was going to miss Catalonia a lot, but I assumed that with all of the things that I missed from the good ‘ol US of A, and the prospect of returning in a few short months, I would be fine. I’m not fine.
A ten year old asked me yesterday “are you homesick for Catalonia?” The answer is completely yes.
So a short update on me, I traveled with my family to Northern California to see where my mother grew up, and the redwood forest. We spent Independence Day in some random town I’d never heard of, which turned out to have a spectacular fireworks show, so that was nice. Then I was off to NYC! I spent a weekend with my best friend, and it was so good to see her. Then I got a summer job at the cinema. Anyway, nothing terribly exciting.
Without further ado, the promised “things I miss about Catalunya” list.
1. People. I met so many great people while I was over there, and while they’re all off on wonderful adventures right now, I just miss seeing them on a regular basis and talking and going out for coffee, which brings me to my next point.
2. Coffee. Okay, as much as Americans claim that they have coffee, and as much as hipsters talk about the small non-mainstream cafes and things, any coffee made in America is watery and gross. It doesn’t matter if I say ‘I just want plain coffee with a little bit of milk,’ because even what we consider ‘black coffee’ is not. It just is not the same, and I know which one I prefer. 1st item on my to-do list is buying a coffee maker so I can make my own damn coffee.
3. Catalan. I never thought I would tire of hearing English all around me all the time, but I have hit a point where I just really wish I had someone to speak to in Catalan. When I try to talk about something it always loses a bit in translation. For example “tinc ganes” does not translate into English. You can say “I have hunger” but it’s not the same. You cannot say “I have hunger to travel” or “I have hunger to watch a sunset” the closest thing we have is “I want” but it doesn’t carry the same sentiment. Little things like this have me wishing I could find a way in my native language to express a concept that is not common in my culture.
4. Eating Culture. I have felt so gross since returning to the US, just because of the difference in the way the cultures treat their bodies about food. In Catalonia they sit down and eat three solid meals a day, slowly and in courses. In the US, I maybe snack a little throughout the day, don’t sit down for a single meal, and most likely consume more calories this way, and more unhealthy things. I miss the culture where people take their time with their food, it’s not an inconvenience, but a planned part of the day.
5. Last but not least, I miss the things that make Catalonia so unique. Things like Castells and Sardanes and Gegants and a nationwide love of MasterChef. Things that when I talk about them to my American friends, they raise an eyebrow and think I must be slightly crazy to care about these strange things, but I do, and I miss them.
