In 2022, when I visited Barcelona, my first step out of the metro into the city, I just knew I had to be back. It was reassuring to know that my Barcelona dream wasn’t a mistake.
Recounting my first experience: I took the train from the airport, and when I arrived at my stop, I was looking for a way to get to the “road”. I perambulated the empty metro station for a while😓, looking for the exit before realizing that I was underground. Luckily for me, I met a woman and asked if she spoke English. Fortunately, she did💃!. When I asked her for the way out, she was warm enough to show me the lift to the exit. I can’t forget her🤣!. I really appreciated her help because I had heard stories about how unhelpful people can be abroad. So that first encounter was relieving.
In 2023, I came back, and I must say, my journey was worth the stress and retrial. Na who give up fuck up!
adapting & navigating
Navigating Barcelona in 2023 was easy because I’ve had my “Johhny just come” (JJC*) moments in 2022. So, the transport system, conversing with people and shopping weren’t hard.
However, adapting to life in Barcelona was a bit difficult especially regarding food. I came in August 2023 and was winging it for ~2 months. Croissants and orange juice hate to see me coming because that was literally my meal for 2 weeks. I was craving spice, jeez! I eventually found an Asian restaurant called “PURE CUISINE”, and I binged on their food until I started feeling nauseous🤣.
My life took a better turn when I went to my church, International Church of Barcelona (ICB), in October- thanks to my elder sister for the recommendation. I love my Church (ICB) and it’ll always be a core memory for me because that was the first day I met other Nigerians starting with Rolayo!
Let me tell you about Rolayo and what she did for me🥺
Rolayo was the first person I met. She saw me after church service, asked if I was a Nigerian and the rest is history!. Rolayo and her family were, and have since then been, so sweet and a blessing to me. She introduced me to other amazing people (read: Nigerians), who have been so supportive and helpful to me. For every time I recount my experience, I forever I’m grateful she spoke to me because I doubt my shy self would have spoken to her🥺.
The first day I met Rolayo, she invited me to her house and fed me! Now I really love food and as a “Nigerian food starved” person that I was then, Rolayo giving me Jollof rice! – that act was the sweetest thing I’d received since I got to Barcelona🥺. My heart leapt for joy. Firstly, it was a “NIGERIAN FOOD AT LAST!” moment for me. Gosh! I hadn’t eaten Jollof rice in 2 months before I met her. Secondly, it was a break from Croissant and Orange juice, Fideos from PURE CUISINE .
I’ve since then been eating Rolly’s Jollof every Sunday and it’s one of a kind😍! Not your regular Jollof!
Rolayo made and has been making life so easy for me. Most of my Barcelona “outings” pictures on IG has been because of Rolayo! My lazy self is super grateful for all the times she “dragged” me out!
My experience in Barcelona has been amazing thanks to her and her husband – Tiwatayo. I’m definitely buying a Lamborghini for both of them🤣💖. Honestly, I’m forever grateful to her and her family.
By the way, Rolayo has a clothing business – The Ankara Dentist. Follow and pratonise us on IG.
Despite the initial adaptation struggles, the more I stayed in Barcelona, the more my love for the city grow. There’s always something!😘
MY BARCELONA REVIEW
If you ask me why I love Barcelona, I’ll say it’s like the technologically advanced Lagos, Nigeria so it’s somewhat familiar and superb, but on a deeper level, I’ll say:
- Barcelona is home and peaceful
- I love the transport system in Barcelona. Oh my God! It’s so stress free. The transport plans are great, especially if you’re under 30. You get to use the T-jove transport plan which is muah (chef kiss😘). With the T-jove you’re able to route all the six zones of Barcelona -unlimited trips every 3 months . More information here.
- I love that you see small parks at almost every few blocks. My inner child leaps for joy every damn time. I never get used to it
- I love that I can get freshly squeezed orange juice. Oh my God😍! Well Switzerland has freshly PEELED pineapple, which I think is so cool too!
- I can’t say much about the food because I have rarely “explored”
- Barcelona is beautiful!!!
- I love the fact that you can go about your normal life yet its touristy to others😂 (not me feeling like a local🤣). Few weeks ago, I was about my normal life and boom – a quick stop at Arc de Triomf😂. Another day, I was doing low budget tour guide🤣, took my friend to couple of toruisty places, one of which is Arc de Triomf, a guy was singing and I just had a nice few seconds🥰. It felt like I was “in” Tiktok for a minute😂 . I love it so much for me🤭
During my “tour guide” session
Although, Barcelona can be overrated 🙄because why can’t I fly to Frankfurt and Maastricht from Barcelona via cheap airlines???? It was a shocker for my broke self (*laughs in being pre rich😉).
Oh if you want to be fit by force, come to Barcelona, well come to Europe because oh dear, you’ll walkkkkkkkkkkkkk (*inserts evil laughter).
I really love Barcelona, and my stay has been splendid. It’s like I’m living in a movie. I have built a life here, I pray it lasts for a very long time, but fingers crossed for how the next years unveil. I wanted to come to Spain, which I did, so I’ll say, I Lived and I’m glad I did.
Life in Barcelona has been good, won’t say all rosy, but it has been an amazing ride. Barcelona will forever be home and will always have a special place in my heart. To everyone I loved, ever loved and will love you MUST visit Barcelona😂.
I loved Spain before I came, I loved Barcelona before I came, when I came, after I left and now that it has been my home for a year now, I love it and will always love it!
Dear Reader, if you want something, go for it, shoot your shot. Sometimes it might not go as planned but trust that God and the Universe knows what’s best. You do your best and leave the rest for God. If you want something, with all thy might, Go for it. I’m rooting for you!
A piece of advice: If you plan to school abroad and can afford it, I recommend visiting to explore. I wouldn’t have thought of that but having that circumstantial opportunity, I believe it’s a very helpful move. You get insight about the environment, visit the school, meet the admissions team or tour the campus. While I acknowledge that visiting in advance can be a luxury, if it’s within your means, I highly recommend it!
My experiences and journey from Lagos to Barcelona have taught me resilience, the beauty of pursuing one’s dreams, and have given me valuable insights into my capabilities. I’m grateful for this little life of mine.
*JJC is a Nigeria slang referring to being “new” to a setting or system