Dating Abroad; multicultural romanticism

I have spent years dating Foreign men. The last British boyfriend I had was when I was 18. He later became a hate figure within my family and friendship circle due to the fact he came over to end our relationship whilst I was eating aubergine bake at home with my good friend Michael.I remember that dish and the sensation of utter sickness that came across me as if it were yesterday:  He ruined my appetite in that moment, and my interest in local men vanished almost instantaneously.
This interest in men from different countries all started with my passion for foreign travel, different languages and accents, and a general interest in all things ( and men) of foreign persuasion.
I began dancing in 2002 and along with my flare for Indian dancing, came my interest in Indian boys.2 and a half years of dating a guy from Mumbai taught me many things about my own limit system, cultural misconceptions and the fact that I am extremely good at adapting into, and learning about, other cultures.
This relationship culminated in a lone trip to Mumbai in 2004 in which I stayed with the aforementioned boyfriend's family. They apparently had no clue I was his girlfriend (they couldn't be told as they wouldn't approve according to my ex;  interesting mix of cowardice on his part and cultural norms came into play here.)His mother, pregnant sister, her husband and I, spent a magical 10 days together in their tiny flat on the outskirts of Mumbai. They gave me the right to sleep on the double bed whilst the heavily pregnant sister and her mother slept on the floor, much to my horror and embarrassment!
The mother spoke no English but we spent everyday together going shopping and cooking. On one occasion she bought me a sari (in which I later went on to wear and perform a dance for the family in). We communicated through common respect: no words were needed. Her inherent dignity was extraordinary and her beautiful greying hair that fell down her back when she unravelled it at night, was something to behold.
I went to Mumbai looking for action, dance and nightlife. I certainly found that in abundance. However, I think I also went to learn more about why I had chosen to be in a particularly difficult relationship with a young and oppressed Indian boy. What I learnt through staying with my ex boyfriend's family under the pretence of being just a good friend from the UK, was indeniably interesting.
My own values, morals and ´Britishness´ were tested at every turn. Wearing a long sleeved shirt with one button too many undone, was quickly seen and jumped upon by his mother. The level of conservativeness was amazing to me, but of course something I respected.
Nine years on, and an Arab, Peruvian and Argentian boyfriend later, I now find myself living amongst another (albeit this time closer to home) culture. One that ironically is extremely different to my own in quite surprising ways.
Catalans, their perspective of foreign women and their varying interest and participation in the multicultural dating game, is rather perplexing at times. Although the majority of foreigners here in Barcelona are also Europeans like themselves, we seem to be worlds apart in ways of thinking. Let’s focus on this in my next blog entry. I want to tell you about my interesting experiences of changing my outlook from only dating South Americans here in Spain, to transferring my affections to the local men. I would have to say at this point that the case is not closed nor have I reached a satisfactory conclusion about whether finding love here in Cataluña for an English girl like myself is actually possible. However, I am quite happy to continue the research!!