Traveling gifts us with experiences, each unique and shaped by our focus and intent. Whether you’re wandering the streets of a new city or exploring a quaint town halfway across the globe, every place has something to teach about life, culture, joy, flavors, people…

That is why this blog is not only about books, or design, or travel—because in the end, it is not about the things, it is about how reading a book, looking at something beautiful and experiencing a place can change you!

With this in mind, I’ve taken on a different approach to ‘travel blogging,’ choosing to share traveling experiences through the lens of personal encounters and impressions. “Travel Journals” will be an out-of-order collection of my thoughts and reflections on the places I’ve visited. This is not a guide by any means; it is not meant to recommend a list of must-see spots or top-rated eateries. No, it’s about capturing the essence of a place—the vibe, the feelings evoked, and the interesting people met along the way…

I thought I would start with Barcelona, the city I fell in love with and dream of daily.

I’ve learned that the essence of any journey lies in its purpose. Barcelona was the case study of my semester abroad. As an architecture student, there were few other places as interesting for me to be than in a city like this…

We were going to spend three months in Spain. Girona, was our home base, and we would have one class per week in Barcelona, which was only forty minutes away. Girona is absolutely lovely and holds a big piece of my heart, but this will be a story for another day.

Barcelona.

Despite my longing to immerse myself fully in the city, time seemed to slip away faster than I anticipated. It was my first time in Europe, and I was absolutely amazed by how easy it was to travel between countries and cities. I wanted to see as much as possible in the time I had! I was juggling classes and weekend trips, which meant spending less time exploring the city… However, each day I did spend there will be forever engraved on my mind.

Barcelona was introduced to me through our ‘Citizenship and Society’ class. We had seminars in the morning, delving into the city’s history, landmarks, and public spaces, followed by immersive walks through its vibrant streets, after some amazing lunch in some amazing restaurant. These were some of my favorite days in all four months I spent abroad; it was such a rich experience to visit each place after understanding the history behind them. We were free to observe, to immerse ourselves in each place, since most of the learning had been done prior to us being there. We wrote reviews on some of our stops, which kept us attentive to the details, sketching here and there, and taking notes on how the people engaged with the space around them.

Oh, and I could not talk about Barcelona without backtracking to mention our lunches in detail! Coming from the ‘always busy’ routine of my life in the U. S., the Spanish dining scene was a welcome change of pace. We would spend at least two hours at the table each time we had lunch as a class. And the wine did not stop coming! At first, it was such a shock that we were bored, ready to move on! But after a while, and especially after coming back to my fast-tracked life in the U.S., I can appreciate it deeply. Savoring the moment is an art, and although growing up in Brazil had taught me to take in the moment and enjoy life, being in Barcelona was a sweet reminder!

And then there was the nightlife! After classes, we would always find some hostel to stay the night. We would explore the city until it was late enough for dinner and then bars, or clubs or even ice-cream… Like I said—Spain will remind you to enjoy life! Every night was an adventure waiting to happen, spontaneity being the keyword for it.

One of my favorite memories is the morning after a night out, when my friends and I walked to the beach from our hostel first thing in the morning. We laid in the sand, soaking up the sun in plain February, wearing jeans and sweatshirts, then walked up to the ‘boardwalk’ and had the best piña coladas! It made for a an amazing day that I remember often.

As I reminisce about my time in Barcelona, I’m reminded of lessons learned— one of the biggest ones being that it is the connections forged with locals that truly enrich the travel experience. Making friends, asking for recommendations and interacting with the people of a place offer a glimpse into the heartbeat of a city, revealing its soul beyond the surface attractions. Barcelona, with its incomparable energy and captivating charm, left an indelible mark on my soul. It’s a city that continues to inspire me, reminding me to savor each moment and embrace the beauty of the present.

Barcelona had me feeling free in a way I never had before. The weather is close to perfect, even in the ‘coldest months’ which were around the time when I was there. The city is an eruption of history, architecture, and interest! Barcelona is so pleasantly walkable that once I left, a life without needing a car to go everywhere became one of my biggest aspirations! The food is delicious, and tapas (small shareable dishes) have definitely become my favorite way of dining with friends! People are charismatic and the community is incredibly diverse—the city bustles with local culture while also being home to many expats and a playground for thousands of travelers. I fell in love with the Spanish language after years of ‘rejecting’ it, and Catalan will be the next language I learn after that, even though a small percentage of people in the world speak it—it is just beautiful!

In the end, Barcelona wasn’t just a destination—it was a sensory overload in the best possible way. This city’s impact lingers long after the journey ends.

As I flip through the memories of my travels, it is hard to choose the next place to write about.. Berlin, perhaps? But I’d like to end today’s reminiscing moment by reiterating that everything written here is fully based on my thoughts and perspective. Experiences will vary, and that’s the beauty of travel—it’s subjective, personal, and endlessly enriching.

What’s the most impactful place you have been to?