My first impression of Barcelona was extremely positive. I immediately fell in love with the landscape that features the beaches and mountains that I’m not accustomed to seeing in Texas. As I drove into the city from the airport my taxi driver gave me a general tour of the city with the history of the different streets and architecture in Barcelona. As I began to settle into living in Barcelona I began to notice the distinction between Spanish and Catalonian culture, which is very important in Barcelona. Spanish is the most spoken language in the city, but you will encounter a lot of people who also speak Catalan. A huge difference between Texas and Barcelona is the access to public transportation. The metro system in Barcelona is extremely convenient and allows you to get around the city easily. Another difference is that nobody tips at restaurants, wears shorts, or buys groceries in bulk. I have already noticed a clear emphasis on personal responsibility and I look forward to learning about new ways to live more sustainably in the U.S.
