1)Patricia, tell me about who you are & a little bit about your life.

-I was born in Japan but my parents left just before Pearl Harbour and moved several times until my Father was transferred to Argentina where my sisters and I grew up.  We went to bi-lingual school there and I finished my education in England.  In 1960 I married Alex and we moved to Buenos Aires as Alex was offered a job there.  Both our children were born there but due to the terrorist situation and kidnapping and murder of Alex’s colleagues he was transferred to Montevideo and in 1976 to Brazil where we lived for twenty years.

2)How did you end up in Barcelona? What do you love most about living in Barcelona and dislike the most?

-Alex decided to take early retirement once our son had completed university. Around that time there was a lot about Barcelona in the news with all the preparations for the Olympics so we came over to have a look and decided this was the place for us and we both wanted to live in the old town. We eventually found a derelict flat and refurbished it and came to live in 1996. I enjoy living here because it is relaxed and laid back.The climate is a bonus and the shopping is easy. We enjoy the cultural life it offers. I really have no complaints except to say that it has become a lot more expensive.

3)You have had a fascinating life, living in so many countries etc – where do you feel you have your roots? Which is your favourite place you’ve lived in?

-I am attached in many ways to all the places I have lived in but I really don’t have any permanent roots.  I have enjoyed living in different places and I often wonder what it must be like to live in the same place  like so many of the Catalans, I think it makes you inward looking.  I loved living in Edinburgh but the climate is terrible.

4)What’s the biggest thing you have learnt from living in so many different cultures/countries? What would be your advice to someone starting off on that journey?

-That there is more than way to do things.  One of the most important things is to learn the local language and try to understand the customs.

5) One of your gifts is that you are amazing at helping & taking care of people etc, is this your passion?

-This is something our Mother has taught us that one should always get involved in the local community. I worked in Argentina but when I moved to Brazil I wasvery involved in the community in Sao Paulo and I do what I can here.

6) Tell us a little bit about your amazing flat you live in in Barcelona

-We spent quite a lot of time looking at properties and our flat was found for us by a close friend.  It was once the home of the Sert family and where the painter Jose Maria Sert was born. Unfortunately it was derelict and it took about a year to refurbish.  It had been badly damaged and had been used as a factory to make costume jewellery.  In fact the whole Pasaje was in a sad state and had not been painted since before the civil war!.  I was asked to take over the running of this condominium fifteeen years ago and with the help of some of the other owners we have been making improvements and carrying out major repairs.

7) You’ve been having regular massages, how do they make you feel and how have they helped?

– I felt I needed to unwind amd it certainly has helped me relax and sleep better.

8) What has been the most powerful moment in your life, which changed your life?

-There have been so many that I feel I can face anything.

Thank you Patricia! You are a wonderful inspiration!