Goodbye Catalonia - I will miss you!

"I still call Australia Home!"

It's what all Australians say, no matter where they are living at the time - Australia will always be home.

And on that line, the decision has been made to move back to Australia. Yes, it's happening - this year! We have been thinking this one over for at least 6 months, but probably more like 9 months. Should we go or should we stay? There are many reasons to stay, and many to go...

Money. Always on people's minds - whether in the back of it or not, its still there! Spain, and Europe in general, is in quite a sorry state of affairs in this regard. There is very high unemployment in Spain right now - more than 26% (and about 50% for young people) - and even people that do have jobs are getting their salaries cut. Teachers, doctors, nurses - all of these people are losing hours and sometimes their jobs... some things should not be cut, ever.

so desperate for money, the Spanish government is selling off nearly everything they own http://www.smh.com.au/business/world-business/spains-property-sale-of-the-century-20130702-2p991.html

On the other hand, Sydney has just been named 3rd most expensive city in the world to live in. There are reasons too for this - the high Australian dollar and it's popularity. It is a wonderful city to live in - green and clean compared to most other big cities around the world, buzzing night and day life but easy to escape for peace and quiet, food, people and culture from all over the world, and lets face it - it's gorgeous!

The sun setting on the city of Sydney.

There is work to consider - I have a stable job here teaching English, and what will I do in a country full of native speakers? Packing up and moving to the other side of the world is always a big deal, but since I've done it a few times already, it's (slightly) more manageable.

There are many things I will miss about living here in Catalonia. Australia has many things to offer, but every country is unique in it's own way.

Cadaqués, one place that will always be on my favourite's list, and I will never tire of visiting. It's the Med at its best - blue, calm, and perfectly complimenting the white houses of the town.

the beautiful Cadaqués.

The medieval bridge of Besalú.

The festivals and partys that are always happening here, especially in the warmer months - you just don't really get that anywhere else! Festa Major for example - where else does a party last a whole week?

Llonganissa.

Food? What is Catalan food? GOOD! Fuet, llonganissa, butifarra, pa amb tomaquet, galtas... sorry, did you get any of that? Fuet is smoke, peppery porc and looks like salami, but is FAR better. Llonganissa is veyr similar, but bigger, better and more expensive :) Pa amb tomaquet (bread and tomato), is a stable here - whether you order a burger or a sandwich, they always rub the bread with tomato... yum YUM! Galtas is actually porc cheek - now you may be thinking, there are lots of the pig to eat, why the cheek? Let me tell you - its one of the best parts! Port snout is always great fried up nice and crispy... I dont recommend the trotters though, I think they smell like sweaty food (as taste the same...), but they love em here. And pernil - or ham. They cure it here, and you can buy it in store sliced, or just get the whole leg and do it yourself - it's what people buy and eat for Christmas.

Pernil.

I could name more and more things and places... Girona, Tarragona, the mountain of Montseny (which I see everyday from my living room window), Camprodon... the list could, and does, go on. Being so close to France, the Pyrenees, and basically being so close to Barcelona airport, it is the gateway to the rest of Europe! Now I'm getting 'homesick' for here!!

Gustave Eiffel's bridge in Girona.

The move will be in October sometime, so there is still time to see a bit more here, spend time with the In-laws (or Outlaws as I call them... they are wonderful though! I will miss the family here), and catch up with friends. If you're in the neighbourhood, you're running out of time to see me before I go... if you've been waiting for this moment for some time now, well, you're in luck now!

Adeu Catalunya!

Australia - HERE I COME!!