I moved from Los Angeles to Barcelona. Here are 11 things that surprised me most.

Moving from Los Angeles to Barcelona was an exciting adventure, but it also presented some surprising cultural differences. One of the first things I noticed was that Catalan, rather than Spanish, was the primary language spoken in stores and restaurants. Although everyone spoke Spanish, learning a few Catalan phrases like "adéu" (goodbye), "si us plau" (please), "molto bé" (very well), and "merci" (thank you) was appreciated.

I was also surprised by some unique holiday traditions. While Valentine's Day doesn't exist, Sant Jordi in late April is a celebration of love where women give roses to men. During Christmas, children leave food and water for Caga Tió, a "pooping log" that supposedly poops out presents, and caganers, little figurines that traditionally represent fertility and hope.

Catalonia's cuisine was another delightful surprise. Tapas, small shareable plates, are a way of life, with popular options like croquetas, patatas bravas, pimientos del pardón, and tortilla española. Breakfast often consists of a bocadillo, a sandwich on baguette-style bread rubbed with tomatoes. Calçots, a type of onion typically eaten in winter and spring, were a new experience for me. They're grilled and served with a romesco sauce, accompanied by a bib and gloves to keep things clean.

One of the most significant cultural shifts was the later dinner time. In the US, dinner was around 7 p.m., but in Spain, it's closer to 9 or 10 p.m. I also had to adjust to the idea of leaving food out for Caga Tió during the month of December and participating in the playful tradition of hitting the log with a stick on Christmas Eve. Overall, moving to Barcelona has been a fascinating cultural experience with many delightful surprises.