Since my parents arrived in Spain, it has been a whirlwind of family, traveling, classes ending and more. My parents, Zeke and Liv, Mike and Pat and Grandma arrived in mid April. We spent their time here watching Hold Week processions, eating pastries, and traveling around. We visited Sevilla, Granada, Ronda, Tarifa, Gibraltar, Morocco, Jerez and a little bit of Madrid. Sevilla showed us the religious side of Spain, Gibraltar gave us monkeys and great fish and chips, Morocco introduced us to camels and the 'oh my god' guys. It was an awesome trip. One of those that there was always something to look forward to, and always someone to laugh with. It had been 7 full months since I had seen my parents or siblings, almost a year since I had seen my Grandmother and just over a year since I had seen my aunt and uncle. We spent our wonderful two weeks together drinking great wine, eating delicious ham, and being with our loved ones.
After my parents left I had to finish up my classes at the center, because Mid May, I took a long weekend trip to Rome, Italy. I spend four days in the Eternal city, eating way to much gelato, walking from one end of Rome to the other and hanging out with some cool Canadians I met at my hostal. It was the perfect way to celebrate the end of my classes at the center, and a dream come true to finally see Italy. Big shout out to the Oregon state tax return for the airplane ticket.
The next week back I spent at my university class, and then that weekend my friend and I had planned a trip to Galicia, the most northwestern providence in Spain. It is home to the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, a famous cathedral for holding the remains of Saint James and the end destination of the Camino de Santiago (Saint James Way). We flew into A Coruña, spent the night, saw the town the next day and then took the train to Santiago. Our days were filled with holy incense, delicious seafood and many interesting people from all over the world. Galicias weather reminded me of Washington, very green, but rainy and damp most of the time. Good thing we only spent the weekend there, because by the time the weekend was up we were both missing Sevilla and the 80 degree weather.
Since Galicia, I've been studying for my exam at the university. My class, Art History of the 20th Century was incredibly interesting, also difficult, but a great experience.
After my parents left I had to finish up my classes at the center, because Mid May, I took a long weekend trip to Rome, Italy. I spend four days in the Eternal city, eating way to much gelato, walking from one end of Rome to the other and hanging out with some cool Canadians I met at my hostal. It was the perfect way to celebrate the end of my classes at the center, and a dream come true to finally see Italy. Big shout out to the Oregon state tax return for the airplane ticket.
The next week back I spent at my university class, and then that weekend my friend and I had planned a trip to Galicia, the most northwestern providence in Spain. It is home to the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, a famous cathedral for holding the remains of Saint James and the end destination of the Camino de Santiago (Saint James Way). We flew into A Coruña, spent the night, saw the town the next day and then took the train to Santiago. Our days were filled with holy incense, delicious seafood and many interesting people from all over the world. Galicias weather reminded me of Washington, very green, but rainy and damp most of the time. Good thing we only spent the weekend there, because by the time the weekend was up we were both missing Sevilla and the 80 degree weather.
Since Galicia, I've been studying for my exam at the university. My class, Art History of the 20th Century was incredibly interesting, also difficult, but a great experience.
After finishing my university final on Tuesday, I've spent the rest of this week packing, buying last minute things, saying goodbye and eating as much ham as possible.
Surreal doesn't even being to express how I've felt this past week. Sitting in front of the cathedral for what is the last time this trip seems sad, and exciting and not real.
Surreal doesn't even being to express how I've felt this past week. Sitting in front of the cathedral for what is the last time this trip seems sad, and exciting and not real.
Nine months ago I left Seattle for what everyone promised would be the best time of my life. Tomorrow, the nine months I thought would never end and that seemed to go on forever, finally end. Sevilla has been everything a study abroad experience could be and more. Here I learned about Spanish culture, cuisine and language. And maybe more important I've learned about being independent, mourning loved ones alone, traveling solo, and so much more that I don't even realize and don't have the words to express correctly.
These past nine months have been some of the best, and worst of my life. But looking back at everything, I wouldn't change a thing, even at my worst moments, I gained a new experience, learned something and was challenged in ways I didn't know where possible.
I've been thinking a lot about my return to the States. After just nine months, my perspective of this time period of my life and college will be divided by this experience, as before Sevilla and after Sevilla. While I can't say how this will affect my for the rest of my life, I know that I will look back fondly at my time, and remember the friends, the cultural oddities and the experience.
I'm not sure how I thought I would feel this week. It has been a roller coaster of emotions quickly turning between excitement to sleep in my own bed, to have bacon and see my family, to the dread of never living with my señora again, not having a coffee and tostada every morning, and not being able to walk casually past the cathedral everyday. I've been trying to relish in everything, to take everything in one more time, to remember smells, sounds, tastes as best as I can. I know the memories won't do it justice, but a girl can try. I honestly didn't think I would be this emotional about leaving, I didn't think I would cry when I said goodbye to my favorite teachers, I didn't think I would be so worked up about leaving a city I was so nervous to go to, but here I am, already missing my beloved Sevilla.
I don't know when I will return, or what the circumstances will be, but I will come back to Sevilla. It won't be the same, but after all this, nothing will be.
Until next time Sevilla, I leave you with a smiling heart, fond memories and gratitude for giving a girl one hell of an experience.
You will never leave me, un beso enorme.
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