I stayed with Irene in Gràcia for 7 weeks, while doing some work in Barcelona. As I normally live with my family, I did not want to rent a whole apartment and live alone. I dreamed about a host to stay with, chat with, and feel at home with, while I was working.
And Irene was exactly the host, I had dreamed of: She is open-minded, intelligent and knowing, and she really shared her home with me in a way, that made me feel welcome, though we were both busy. Irene introduced me to the town, the food, the neighbourhood, the history ... Being Irene's guest has given me an opportunity to know a culture and make friends over boarders.
Gràcia is the cosiest neighbourhood in Barcelona. With excellent - and many! - small restaurants and shops, it is the perfect place for strolling around to eat tapas, drink a bear or a vermouth, finding clothes made in Gràcia, have a cup of coffee or an icecream in the weekend, evening .... any time. Or just to sit in the sun on one of the small plazas. When being in the more busy parts of town, I often began longing home to Gràcia. This also had another reason: it is a neighbourhood full of friendly and wellcoming Catalans, and Irene is surely one of them. You are lucky to be her guest, and I am already longing to go back!