Americana back in the Sevilla

            After all the hostels with smelly roommates, long bus rides, and an unreal amount of not home cooked food, I have made it back to my Seville. My layover in Barcelona went by faster than anticipated and gave me a while to think about what this trip had done for me, and what it meant to come back to Seville after it ended. Soon I was back in my room in the center of town. My host mother greeted me with a huge smile and a warm hug and I knew that I had officially done it. On December 13^th, I left her and Seville with a heavy backpack, excitement and one of the most exciting adventures ahead of me. It was not always a walk in the park; it was not always perfect sunshine and chocolate. But it was the most exciting and wonderful time I’ve ever had.

            On my trip through Central Europe, I gained more than perspective of other countries and other customs. I’ve become more of a problem solver than I ever thought possible, whether it was how to get beer caps of a beer bottle without an opener, how and when to go to a castle the cheapest way, or how to travel within the city the cheapest and most efficient manner. The daily problems that seemed to haunt me at the beginning of my trip were no long problems by the end. The anxiety of trying to find food and trying to decide what to eat started as a worry and ended as the easiest thing to decide about. When I first started, I felt sad eating alone and sitting by myself and I would actually try and avoid anywhere to sit down to eat. Which worked, until I got further into the trip and realized I needed to sit during lunch to make it through the rest of the day. And eating by myself became less and less intimidating, and in the end, it was nice to be able to just relax and take time to myself while I ate. I’ve also come to terms with the fact that it’s okay to eat yogurt for two meals a day and chocolate whenever I want. There aren’t rules about what you can and can’t eat. Sometimes the most comforting thing after a long day was sitting down and eating yogurt. Maybe a simple act, but and act that I could repeat in every city and could re center myself around. I’ve come more in tune with what my body needs and what I want. I may want to walk up the huge hill to see the view, but can I do it today with a sore back and sore feet? No, but there is always more time and there is always tomorrow. 

            Central Europe showed me more than Germanic punctuality, Czech personalities and Austrian fine living; it showed me that I can do anything. It gave me the confidence that I never had before about traveling and about being alone. It gave me a look into a world of possibilities and wonder than now lay ahead of me.

            Seville has welcomed me back with open arms. It really felt like a homecoming. Not just because I spoke the language or no longer had to make my own food, but because I know these streets and these people. The staff at the center all embraced me and asked how everything had gone, my Señora and I talked about how different it all was, and I finally feel good about being in Seville, and finishing my time abroad here in the best way possible. This semester doesn’t come with some of its own challenges though. I’m taking a class at the University of Seville in a class where I am the only foreigner. I am tutoring multiple families and trying to figure out my thesis work also. While it may be a different challenges, they are all still conquered the same, daringness, willingness and just the right amount of sass. I’m welcoming this last semester in the beautiful Spain with open arms, an open heart and the confidence to do it all.

All my love

XOXO