Fleeing Germany in October for...
Hey there from Hamburg!
Or should I say “hola!” because, spoiler alert, I’m headed to Barcelona in October.
If you’re only here to discover the location of where I'm escaping to for one month, you can stop reading now. But if you’re wondering how it’s possible to work remotely, how I saved 400€ in 4 minutes, and why it took me so long to realize the digital nomad life is possible for virtually anyone (in small doses), then keep reading.
What are the details?
I’m heading to Barcelona for one month for three main reasons:
1. Hamburg weather in late fall starts to get nasty. Hamburg with Christmas Markets? Beautiful. Hamburg in cold, wet fall before the markets are open? I’ll pass, if possible.
2. I love Barcelona, have been for a few days, but just know that there’s more to it that I haven’t seen
3. Barcelona is in the same time zone as Germany so there aren't any work coordination issues with clients or meetings in Hamburg or Berlin. And as a member of WeWork, I can work from any of the 6 WeWorks in Barcelona.
How did I afford this?
When I first has this idea, naive Emily thought it would be financially easy peasy, as life in Barcelona is slightly cheaper than in Hamburg, specifically, apartments. One look at Airbnb prices confirmed that just like when I thought Spain bordered Italy, I was in fact embarrassingly wrong. (Major apologies to my 7th-grade geography teacher, Mrs. Routzahn.) But! Being the determined gal I am, I started to look around, compile the best apartment options, and message the hosts directly on Airbnb, inquiring about a monthly discount.
Guess who responded 4 minutes later with a 400€ discount? My future Airbnb host :)
Pro Tip: If you’re ever going to stay in an Airbnb for a *long* stay, don’t be afraid to message a host and kindly ask for a discount. In my experience, 75% will say no, but the other 25% might save your vacation budget.
Why didn’t I do this whole “digital nomad” thing before?
Well, besides the whole global pandemic blip, I always thought the digital nomad lifestyle wasn’t for me. And to be honest, I still don’t think it is. But what is for me? Relocating to a new place for a month, running along the beach with my other half after work, and tasting the best tapas and wine that Spain has to offer on the weekends. I’m a person who craves routine and structure. On a scale of 1 to “loves van life” I’m about a negative 5.
But in Barcelona, there will be a routine. I’ll still go to work for my amazing clients. Still enjoy some stellar workouts after office hours are done. And still dive into fabulous, fun restaurants and bars.
No van required.
I can't wait to share bits and pieces of Barcelona with y'all on Instagram (stay tuned to my stories more than feed posts ;) ) and above all else, finally take a minute to celebrate the victorious rollercoaster ride of the past 6 months. I've somehow created a life that allows me to escape to Barcelona for a month without thinking twice, and that feels so insanely special to a girl like me who grew up with cows and horses for neighbors.
*cue happy sigh of gratitude*
Have any favorite restaurants in Barcelona? I’d be so happy if you’d comment below and share them with me.
Adios from someone who is about to pack 5 pairs of shoes too many…