While I normally don't have trouble picking favorites (i.e. Lady Gaga, UW-Madison, Twix bars, etc), this one is tough.
I ultimately decided to come to Barcelona for two main reasons: 1. I had already lived in Sevilla before and wanted a new experience in a big city. 2. Because it's a bigger city, I thought there would be more opportunities for work, which I think turned out to be accurate.
When I first arrived in Barcelona, I wasn't sure that I had made the right decision. It felt completely different, totally unlike the Spain I had fell in love with one year before. It felt huge, modern, and lacked the charm of Sevilla. Where were the tapas? Where were the evening strolls after dinner? And where the heck was Gloria?
I lived in doubt of my new Spanish home for many weeks. I terribly missed Sevilla and everything that I had experienced there. To be sure, my response to the above question during my first months here was always the cheesy yet sincere "My heart is still in Sevilla."
I mean, can you blame me?
But after the holidays, I moved into my new Spanish apartment with real Spaniards, and the more I settled in, the more my feelings began to change.
With the help of my many visitors, I began to explore the city. I discovered new neighborhoods and learned about the characteristics of each distinct area of the city. I figured out that they do actually have tapas here, but they're usually called pinxos, and they have a fancier style than in southern Spain, but are equally delicious. I also uncovered a popular spot for an evening stroll in a large park near my house. I realized that a city of this size simply requires more time to explore and to get to know. Suddenly, the enormity of the city and its differences became an adventure. I found myself wandering around the streets before and after classes, getting to know each area, finding new plazas, parks, and restaurants. Suddenly the ability to walk aimlessly and see something new every day became a great advantage and favorite activity of mine in my new home.
But even as Barcelona continues to grow on me, I still can't pick a favorite, primarily because they are so different.
When I think of Sevilla, I think of traditional and quintessential Spain. Tapas, flamenco, hot weather, siestas, and fiestas every day. The people are friendly, open, and colorful. They are very proud to be Spanish, and therefore maintain a lot of Spanish tradition. The people are known to be beautiful. Girls with long hair and a fierce walk down the narrow, cobblestone streets (in heels at that), and boys with their dark eyes and a belt around their waist. They enjoy big meals and plenty of relaxation time. It is common to go out for a beer after work or go to a club after class any day of the week. Life moves slowly in Sevilla. They are never in a hurry (I swear they even walk slower down the street). But it's not because they are lazy. They simply believe in taking their time in all parts of the sweet life.
Barcelona moves at a much different pace (indeed, it is not uncommon to see people running at a sprint to catch the metro). It is a far bigger city, giving it an urban and more diverse feel. It is known to be a sort of fine arts and political progress capital of the country, filled with "bohemian" types, lots of boutiques, cafes, and art. It is quite international (and in fact has high immigration rates) and therefore has people, culture, and cuisine from all over the world. This creates a different culture of its own, which can be really exciting to experience. There is always something to do and too many things to see on any given weekend, and you could spend years here trying to discover the entire city. Here, you'll never grow bored. And oh yeah, did I mention it's on the Mediterranean Sea?!
But the larger thing to note about Barcelona is that it is located in Catalunya, the northeast region of the country. Catalunya is quite different from the rest of Spain, and in fact there are many people who believe it should gain independence from the rest of the country. They are incredibly proud to be Catalan (and in many cases more so than to be Spanish). They even have their own language, Catalan. Catalan people are known to be very hardworking, and indeed many Catalans believe that their region carries Spain's economy on its back (another reason for the nationalist movement). They are friendly, but in my experience a bit more closed. They enjoy themselves, but mainly on the weekends, and don't go out as much as other Spaniards around the country. Life in general takes on a more serious tone here. But, still, for me the bottom line is: Catalonians are still Spanish (at least at this point in history), and therefore still possess a lot of qualities similar to any other Spaniard. So although the inherent nature of a city the size of Barcelona and its strong Catalan culture makes it incredibly different from Sevilla, I am still living the sweet Spanish life.
And so, with the honest intention of trying to answer the question....
Sevilla will always remain my preferred Spanish destination, particularly for a relaxing weekend trip and a big plate of Gloria's paella. But I will say that for me, Barcelona is my preferred city for everyday living. Its faster pace and diversity (and not to mention coast line) satisfy my short attention span and desire for new experiences. But in the end, no matter how close Barcelona and I grow together, Sevilla was my first Spanish home, and will therefore always win my heart.
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