Name: Ana Padilla Fornieles
Country of Origin: Spain
Occupation: translator, freelance writer, secretary
Years in China: 6 years but who’s counting!
How did your journey in China begin?
Once upon a time, there was an 18-year-old girl deciding on her undergrad major. She decided she wanted to graduate in Translation and Interpreting Studies, but what languages would she choose? That girl barely out of teenagehood was me, and I decided to come to Asia and so my second major language during university was Chinese. From acquaintances to university clerks, everyone warned me —Chinese is so very difficult, are you sure?
I’ve never looked back. I owe to 18 y.o. me and her decisions the chance to learn a fascinating language and come experience life in this faraway country where I have grown a better, more open minded individual. Plus, I’ve made some amazing friends and memories too!
What do you like most about Beijing?
I have always been based in Beijing and what I truly love here, despite the cost of life and the pure metropolitan chaos, is the feeling that Beijing truly never sleeps. I already could feel this back in my university days here at BFSU, but it’s doubly valid nowadays in my current chapter here, juggling my work life with my social life. Everyone I know is always enthusiastically involved with some personal creative endeavour. We’re also probably running short on sleep, and sometimes you realise that there’s this FOMO making you jump from one venue to the next, from one exciting plan with friends to the next. It can be tiring, but for the most part, I find it invigorating.
It’s also about the community; as long as you’re diligent to find your hobbies and a tribe, soon enough you’ll find it’s hard to feel lonely or bored here. I’m part of a vibrant community of writers, artists, musicians, shakers and makers, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s s so inspiring, and it’s made me grow, as an individual and a creative.
What fascinated you the most about living in China?
I guess it all boils down to this notion of “contrast”. Contrast between the most impressive technology that always takes longer to get to my home country and certain traditional cultural elements that persist; between the city and the countryside; between one corner and the next, between seasons, even. It’s this comprehensive experience that makes every day different. If you embrace this contrast, it can be a really enriching, foundational experience.
What is your unique China story?
My unique China story is made of a mosaic of faces and a kaleidoscope of memories accrued over time and space(s). It’s made of leisurely walks in the hutong, where you stop for a second to close your eyes and truly soak up the sweltering glory of a Beijing summer. It’s smoky and bustling, like the live music venues I hit with friends. It’s quirky and whimsical, like the tunes of the Chinese indie pop music I love to listen to. It’s complex — to every up there is inevitably a low, such is life and I have my own challenges here too. It’s my own story, and I like to think I’ve written it myself as much as I can.
Add a random fun fact about your country or hometown.
My hometown, Granada, is known in history as the last Muslim Kingdom of Spain! We owe a lot to our Muslim heritage in terms of architecture and monumental spots, and are proud of their contribution to the beauty of Granada.
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