This weekend in Barcelona was to say the least, an intense one. The night life in Barcelona is extraordinary on it’s own, but this weekend was Abroadfest. Basically, people from all over the world fly to Barcelona and party their tushies off.

The first couple days, as expected, were insane. I already live in a two bedroom apartment with one bathroom (very limited hot water) and four girls, so you can imagine how adding FIVE extra girls could get a little hectic. Well, our weekend went like this: get ready, pregame, go out till 6 am, sleep till 4, eat breakfast at 4, get ready and do it all over again.

The parties were amazing and crazy, until I somehow managed to leave the group and end up alone on Saturday night. Which normally wouldn’t be an issue because I have managed to get myself “lost” many times while in Austin. For the past two months, while I have been living in Barcelona there have been several times where my tired roommates go home and I stay because I can always find my friends. But of course, this weekend was the weekend that I learned the hard way about being a woman and alone, even if I am 5’10 and think I can take on anyone. 

The night started off amazing. A group of us went to Danzatoria to watch our friend DJ. After a lot of dancing and many many drinks, I go to the bathroom. Which normally wouldn’t be an issue but after returning and searching to the spot where my friends were I had no luck of finding them so just assumed they left, so I left the bar and went to other another popular beach club assuming I had friends there. After a couple minutes of dancing alone I was grabbed by a guy, and when I asked for help by the nearest person next to me they just laughed. I was shocked!! Normally, when if you are out and you ask or mouth the words “help me” people normally help you! But of course not this time. So after I manage to rip this guy off of me, another quickly latched on. Im not sure if this normal for Abroadfest but people seemed to be more aggressive than normal, way more aggressive. 

The club started to close, and I couldn’t find anyone so I decided it was best to go home. Luckily, I ran into one of my roommates best friends from her home town. It was so early and there were no available cabs, and we decided to take the metro. Which was where things took a turn. I would say that I am a very independent person, so why would I assume that at around 7 in the morning, when people are going to work that I would get harassed. My roommates friend and I live at different stops so we parted ways…little did I know that a group of guys were watching. Once I was alone they came up to me and kept asking me to take their picture. I kept saying no because in my head I kept thinking that if I stop, these guys are going to rob me and no one will be able to help or hear me if things get any worse. So I ran. I ran for what felt like forever while they continued towards me and kept yelling at me. Thankfully, I was able to get onto the metro and the doors shut before I could even turn around to see if they were there.

By the time I got home I was shocked at what had just occurred. Im not sure if it was drinks or the adrenaline but my mind was racing. I have been cat-called at but never chased. I know that this happens all around the world, and that I am very lucky that things didn’t end up as bad as they could have. But I can not help but wonder: did I deserve to be chased because I was dumb enough to think that I would be safe, even though I am a woman?