Personal Profiles - Tanya Cabral

Tanya Cabral is a flight attendant with United Airlines and is relatively new as a Sitges resident, having moved here in March 2008, although she had been coming here for a few years. 

Tanya is one of many airline employees that choose Sitges as their base, so I asked her how she became a flight attendant.

“ Since the age of 4, I knew what I wanted to be and my life has been geared towards achieving that.  I’m passionate about travel and the people and despite company politics, I love my job and really enjoy doing it.”

Having travelled all over the world, she’s finally settled in Sitges, so what brought her here?

“ My job allows me technically to live wherever I want.  I’ve been visiting Spain for many years but some friends moved here over 5 years ago and I began visiting on a regular basis.   I felt so at home and made the decision to relocate quite some time ago but only finally managed the move in March 2008. And there’s just no comparison to London! 

Barcelona is on the doorstep, if I feel like visiting the big city and there’s excellent communications to the airport, which is an obvious important factor for me.  I know most people must say it, but I just love the fact the sun shines nearly every day and it’s by the sea, which is where I always imagined myself living. Even if it’s cold, the sun has such a lovely, warm light.  Watching the sunset from a bar on the beachfront is one of my favourite things to do. It never fails to make me smile and I feel lucky and blessed to be living in a place that affords me this kind of view every time I’m home.”

I asked if she missed anything about the UK.

“No, sorry, absolutely nothing!”

Regarding the relocation, would she have done anything differently?

“Not now, but I felt having taken 2 years to decide to move here that when it came to signing the rental contract, I sort of felt rushed.  I was here on a flying visit (no pun intended!) and saw the flat and signed the agreement on the same day.  I wished then that I’d had more time despite the fact I was being advised that the apartment was a gem and not to be missed.  I realise now that it was the right decision.  I love the flat and am now aware that I was very lucky with the price and the conditions, the location and the owners are just great; very nice, helpful people.  The professional advice I had in the end was excellent as they helped with the negotiation of the contract and with the translations.  Invaluable!”

Has she had any difficulties?

“The language.  Although I speak French and I’m learning Spanish, communication can be a bit difficult at times.  Sitges is very cosmopolitan but it’s also very Catalan in many respects and the additional language adds another dimension to making yourself understood.  It’s a mistake to assume that everyone speaks English, but my French helps and my Spanish speaking friends also bail me out if I really get stuck.  I love learning a new language though.  It’s challenging but it’s one of my favourite things about being here. ”

Has she come across anything that has really helped her since her arrival here?

“The magazine Barcelona Metrolpolitan.  It’s English language, like Barcelona Connect (another English language magazine), and is full of information about the city of Barcelona although it also focuses on other areas throughout Catalunya. “

She continues, “ I’ve had clear visions of how I wanted my life to be since I was a child.  I’ve held onto those visions and believed strongly that I would find what I was looking for.  This has helped me though out my life but sustained me during the search for somewhere to live.  It was a case of me knowing it when I saw it.  It was like that with Sitges and it was like that with the flat.  I’m really very happy with where I’ve chosen to live!”

Tanya recommends www.barcelonametropolitan.com .  The magazine is available in various outlets throughout Barcelona and the surrounding area.