Balloons Carry Thank You to Barcelona

Feb. 25, 2011 -- Saying goodbye to something you love: For some people it's emotional, for others it can be awkward, for Lucas Jatoba it requires 250 balloons and a desire to share his joy with others.

Jatoba lived in Barcelona, Spain, for three years before moving to Australia to live closer to his brother. Before he left Spain, he wanted to thank the city and people of Barcelona.

"When I was looking at the sky one day, I saw a balloon and I said I think I have a great idea to say goodbye to Barcelona, being grateful to the city and to its citizens," he said.

Jatoba decided to release 250 balloons throughout the city and attached a theater ticket to each one. The ticket was to a comedy, which he thought was the best way for others to have as much fun as he did during his time in Barcelona.

He filmed his gesture of thanks and people from around the world have been moved by his action. The video has more than 250,000 views on YouTube.

"I got hundreds of e-mails and comments on my Facebook page, on YouTube and also on my website," Jatoba said. "Lots of people were really moved by the video. Lots of people cried while watching it and I got lots of beautiful e-mails, women that want to marry me, people that said it changed their lives.

"I can feel that the video and my attitude really reached the hearts of people."