I was born in San Diego, California in 1978, and grew up
there. My mother, a language teacher and travel agent,
exposed me to foreign languages and cultures from a
young age. My slight interest didn't evolve into a true
passion, however, until my junior year at the University
of California, at Los Angeles, when I decided to study
abroad in Sevilla, Spain.
Upon returning to the United States, I could never
manage to shake Spain from my mind, and meanwhile began
working as a UCLA Campus Tour Guide. After graduating
in 2000 and spending that summer in Jerusalem on a cultural
exchange, I came to Barcelona, where I expected to stay
only for a few months.
Coincidentally, my first job here (when I was still
an illegal immigrant) was as the Public Relations Director
for a Catalan touring company, specializing in the architecture
of Antonio Gaudí. Thus, my passion for culture and travel
began to mix with a newfound fascination with history
and architecture, specifically those of Barcelona.
To assimilate and give myself a professional edge,
I enrolled in a course to learn the local tongue, and
quickly became known as That American who Speaks Catalan.
In the following years, I dabbled in a diverse array of
professions: from holding down jobs at two of Barcelona's
largest multinational advertising agencies then at a
family-run corporate gift business, to passing out flyers
on the street corner, and even running an underground
gourmet restaurant and inter-cultural club in a rented
apartment space. Meanwhile, I continued to study the
people and culture of Barcelona.
In 2003, I gave my first private tour as a freelance guide and, shortly thereafter, began working as a bicycle guide for an international company. Since then, I have worked as a guide, often in addition to my conventional (or not-so-conventional) full-time jobs, and have always preferred to offer tours of a distinct, lively, and personal nature.
In March of 2006, I created Hi.
This is Barcelona in order to impart onto others
my unique experience in this extraordinary city.
In my free time, I attend film festivals, concerts,
and art openings, of which there is never a shortage
in Barcelona. I also amuse myself strolling through
the streets admiring the architecture and stopping along
the way for the occasional tapa' and beer.
I enjoy travelling whenever possible, and have managed
to explore much of Europe and journey extensively through
Argentina, among other adventures. In each new place,
I get pleasure from obtaining an authentic, hands on
experience: wandering off the beaten track to scope
out the alleyways my guidebooks skip over, meeting the
locals, and dining in their neighbourhood joints.
Eager to check out some of my unique tour options?
Then I invite you to head directly to our tours section by clicking here, or on You & Barcelona in the main navigation menu.
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