Florian F: My Third Week in Barcelona

Week three in Barcelona definitely came with its own challenges — but also with some unexpected lessons. The biggest surprise (and not a good one!) was that my phone got stolen. It happened so quickly that I barely had time to react. Suddenly, I found myself without Google Maps, without messages, and without a camera to capture all the moments.

At first, it felt like a disaster. I had to learn how to get around the city without GPS, without a clock, and without the comfort of being able to look anything up in a second. But somehow, it also turned into a unique experience. I started relying on memory, street signs, and my sense of direction. I paid more attention to landmarks and trusted my gut more than usual. And funnily enough — I was never late!

Navigating the city this way made me feel more present. I looked up more, noticed details I might’ve missed before, and even had a few fun interactions when I needed to ask locals for directions. It was a different way to experience Barcelona, and in a weird way, I’m a bit grateful for it.

Work continued as usual at the sports studio, and I feel more and more like part of the team. Even without my phone, I managed to keep up with my tasks and joined in on team activities and coffee breaks. My colleagues were very supportive when they heard about what happened, which made the situation a lot easier.

Outside of work, we kept exploring new parts of the city and enjoying the summer evenings. I learned that sometimes, the best adventures happen when things don’t go as planned. Hopefully, next week will be a bit calmer — and involve fewer surprises!

See you soon :)