My time in Barcelona was well-lived and well-loved. My eight weeks there were the most amazing experience, and in my time there, I was fortunate enough to go to Amsterdam, where I thrifted a $10, 35mm film camera from 1956. Having no idea if it worked, I took a chance, and from that came some of my favorite photos that I have the privilege to look back on. 

A double-exposure photo of La Sagrada Familia! 

As someone who is queer, non-binary, and a person of color, one of the things I was most excited to experience was Barcelona Pride, or in Spanish: Orgullo Barcelona. Additionally, as a Graphic Design major, I was ecstatic to go around Barcelona and take pictures of the places close to my heart. 

Me in front of the Royal Palace in Madrid! 

One of my favorite moments in Barcelona was visiting the Gothic Quarter, a part of Barcelona that almost looks the same as it did in the 14th–15th century when it was created. I visited the town on my first day in Barcelona and aimed to visit it again but wasn’t able to until my last day. I sat on a bench in front of the cathedral and embarrassingly sobbed while on the phone with my girlfriend.  

The gothic cathedral on my last day in Barcelona.

The first time I visited, I was scared, timid, and terrified of the eight weeks ahead of me. When I visited the cathedral on my last day, I was astonished at how much personal progress I had made throughout the eight weeks. I made friends, I visited so many different parts of Europe, and different parts of Barcelona, and I was so grateful I could visit and cherish the beauty of the Gothic Quarter without the fear of what was ahead. 

In my time there, I also completed an internship at a Montessori preschool in Gavà as a Marketing & Classroom Support Intern. With the children, I got to visit Poble Espanyol, an attraction on Montjuïc that features a great deal of architectural sites and even an art museum. 

Poble Espanyol, this building features a glimpse into the architecture of Andalucía. 

The Sagrada Família, arguably the biggest tourist attraction of Barcelona and one of the greatest feats of Antoni Gaudí’s career, was less than a 10-minute walk from me. Along the way, I would also pass my neighborhood’s fresh food market, Mercat de L’Abaceria.  

El Mercat de L’Abaceria, the fresh food market in front of my apartment building on the street Passeig de Sant Joan. 

These places fed my fascination with Barcelona. As I discovered more and more of what the few places around me had to offer, I had to keep exploring. I only wish I had more time but am forever grateful for the experiences I had. 

My final photos are of Barcelona Pride, where my journey ends. I had the privilege of attending Barcelona Pride merely 24 hours before my flight back to the States. I like to believe the amount of fun I had and the community I got to immerse myself in truly shone through during my experience at Pride. 

Me, my coworker Marilia (left), her friend Karla (right), and their friend, a Brazilian Drag Queen named La Sue Flay!

Three people I met at Barcelona Pride, who were kind enough to let me take a photo of them.

 I felt so much love and had such great experiences and memories. I went with my friend Lauren, whom I am very grateful for. They were one of the few people I met in my program who wanted to experience the queer scene of Barcelona. We went to Pride together, and my only regret was not meeting them sooner and spending more time with them!  

A float from Barcelona Pride, full of people being happy and dancing in the street! 

Me and Lauren after Barcelona Pride in my apartment!

I met so many wonderful people and took such amazing pictures. It was also my first time meeting other non-binary Spanish people—a lovely experience I will always look back on and something I had wanted to do while I was in Barcelona.