I became a little more accustomed to not worrying about others. During the project, I went to restaurants alone, ordered delicious dishes, and enjoyed a glass of my favorite wine. I learned to enjoy my own happiness by myself.
Hola! Living for a month in Barcelona, Spain — the city of art and architecture! Moon Seon-yun, gap-year participant (31, on a gap year after leaving her job) / 4-week gap year |
# Quitting my job and fulfilling the bucket-list wish to stand before Gaudí''s architecture!
Hello, I quit the company I had worked at for eight years and am taking a short gap year.
Rather than immediately changing jobs or preparing for something else, I''m trying to take time entirely for myself.Traveling, reading books, exercising, and sometimes doing nothing. I wanted to focus on each moment of the time I have now, not live as if I''m being chased by something.
Before joining the gap-year project, I went on a month-long scuba diving trip, and after the project I stayed in Korea and began learning to swim, which I had postponed for years. I''m also looking forward to what I''ll do next.
The reason I chose this project is that since childhood I had been fascinated by Gaudí''s architectural world; I sought out and read books about it, and for a time I even dreamed of becoming an architect. As an adult, although I didn''t achieve that dream,I had a bucket-list item to someday stand in front of Gaudí''s works.
However, I couldn''t make it happen due to vague fears about going to Spain alone as a woman and time constraints. Then, after quitting my job, I felt this might be the only time and mustered up the courage to leave for Barcelona to see Gaudí''s works and feel his traces.
Before departing I read two or three books related to Gaudí''s work and one book about Barcelona to study the city in advance. Practical information—such as how to take the airport bus, subway fares, and travel tips—I found and organized through internet blogs. So much information was shared, and by studying a bit beforehand my worries about going to Spain alone decreased.
Spending time alone in a foreign place and experiencing the city of Gaudí, Barcelona, in my own way — that was my goal during this gap-year periodIt was.
# A day in Barcelona — a relaxed and beautiful city
The schedule for this project is entirely up to the participant''s freedom, so there is no fixed routine.
In my case I would wake up around 9 AM, have breakfast, get ready, and head out. I visited and admired about one of Gaudí''s works in Barcelona or nearby each day, and otherwise walked around the city, sometimes sightseeed, and when the weather was nice I spent afternoons at the beach reading or riding a bike. I bought local food for lunch and dinner, and in the evenings I finished the day by writing a journal at my accommodation summarizing the day.
Barcelona was a relaxed and beautiful city. Because I loved the sea so much,I was grateful that I could walk to the beach anytime and sit on the sand listening to the crashing waves. The variety of seafood dishes to accompany a glass of wine delighted my eyes and palate, and I was happy to be able to sit in front of Gaudí''s works and endlessly admire their beauty.
While I was there, the best thing was being able to fill my time as I wished.
Most travelers visiting Barcelona also take trips to nearby small towns. I also visited several places, and among themI recommend Tossa de Mar.It can be reached by taking a bus from Barcelona Nord station (buses run about every hour) in roughly an hour and a half,where Roman-era ruins and Mediterranean beaches blend to create truly picture-perfect beauty.
It''s such a small town that you can easily see it in about three hours, so I recommend a day trip. Although not many tourists visit, it''s also good for a light hike along the mountain path above the fortress. The sea viewed from the hill presents another spectacular sight.
# I became accustomed to not caring about others, and I was able to enjoy my own happiness on my own.
Comparing before and after participating in the gap-year project, Gaudí''s works left a deep impression and a lingering feeling. Seeing is believing — the emotion at the site could not be compared to what I had seen in many books and photos.
Also, if I were to point to a small change that occurred in me after the project,it''s that I became a little more accustomed to not caring about others.During the project I went to restaurants alone, ordered delicious dishes, and had a glass of my favorite wine. Before, I couldn''t do these things because I was conscious of others, but I realized that people don''t pay that much attention to others after all.
I am now able to enjoy my happiness on my own.
The one-month living project seems to be a program where the participant''s will is important. In my case, because I had a consistent plan to track down Gaudí''s works, I was able to spend my time there meaningfully.
Having spent time and money to travel far, how meaningfully you make use of that time is up to you.Before starting the project, it might be good to envision what your day and your week there will be like.
# My Gap Year Tip
(How to get there)
I was able to find my way easily using the materials provided in advance.
(Language)
Generally, there was no problem using English at tourist attractions or large stores, but communication could be difficult at small shops or cafés. Knowing basic Spanish greetings, numbers, etc., would be helpful.
(Accommodation)
It was listed as the 3rd floor, but in reality it corresponds to the 4th floor and there is no elevator.
* Organizer''s note: European buildings typically start with the ground floor (G) or 0, and G/0 corresponds to the 1st floor in our country.
(Meals)
The accommodation provides bread, jam, and butter as basics. It''s nice to buy jamón, cheese, etc., at the supermarket and make sandwiches.
(What to bring)
I didn''t bring extra film for my film camera; there aren''t many types of film locally, and it''s much cheaper at home. I recommend photographers buy several rolls in advance. Also, although the weather is mostly clear, showers occur occasionally. It''s good to carry a small, light umbrella.
It depends on the season, but even at the same temperature the weather generally feels warm.Rather than one heavy coat, it''s better to bring clothes you can layer.
My gap year is
Experience ★★★★☆
Not only Barcelona itself but also the nearby small towns are charming, so you can have a variety of experiences.
Learning ★★★★★
If you''re interested in Gaudí''s architecture, you can see and feel a lot in Barcelona.
Environment ★★★★☆
The mild climate makes it pleasant for travel, but the weather forecast isn''t very reliable, so I always carried an umbrella in case of showers.
Safety ★★★★☆
Pickpocketing is notorious, but if you are careful it shouldn''t be a major problem.
Leisure★★★★★
It''s great for spending leisure time, such as enjoying the sea or riding a bicycle.
