Looking back at my time in Spain… In the back of my head I knew this semester would not just be about learning Spanish and traveling. Even though I had no idea what to expect, I knew that throughout my semester I would be learning about myself. I was thrown into a lot of unfamiliar situations that undoubtedly provided me with some very valuable lessons regarding life, myself, and how to find my way in the world. I got to see some of the most traveled places in the world, that others only dream of visiting. It was my dream to live and study abroad and I am so thankful for this wonderful experience to see the world. I have just barely scraped the surface in my travels, but there are so many destinations and adventures I want to discover. Seeing all the diversity in these different cultures and learning the rich history has inspired me to embrace every facet of life and explore the world openly. The three countries I visited this semester opened my eyes to the splendor of different cultures, the value of sacred traditions, and the beauty of diversity around the world. Every place I visited had a story to tell and an adventure to be had.
First off, I don’t want to sound too prophetic, but most of things I gained from this experience kind of fall into that life-long lessons category with meaning messages. Anyways I have decided that it's fine that I don’t know what I want to do with the rest of my life. I have no idea where I will be in five years or even in one year, and I embrace this uncertainty.
Uncertainty is a little overwhelming and stressful at times, but without the unpredictability we face each day where would the excitement in life be. Like when we got in a random snowball war with the Spaniards on top of a mountain in Cantabria, or when my camera broke just days before I left for Italy and I ended up in a tearful embrace with a lady in a camera shop, or perhaps when I wore a pink feather wig all day at Carnivales during the bull fights. Well, I could go on but I have come to believe that you can plan all you want but even the greatest plans don’t always come to fruition. Things often turn out differently than expected, but there is always something to be gained. No, I did not become fluent in Spanish while in Spain, but I did learn a ton about myself, and what’s more important that knowing yourself.
I have come to learn that it is perfectly okay to be lost, literally or figuratively for that matter. I know I have been lost more than a few times in Spain and Italy this past semester, whether it was in the Gothic Barrier in Barcelona, or looking for Park Guell with my parents, or maybe wandering around the dark and winding allies in Venice. Its that process of finding your way out that’s so crucial to gaining confidence and having faith in yourself and your unique abilities. Strength to find your way out comes from your inner confidence. It's such a valuable treasure and it is sad to think that others will unrelentingly try to take this inner strength away. Over the past semester my strength was definitely tested in more ways than one. At times I felt like I did not know why I was in Spain or what I doing, but it was my inner strength that let me see the purpose of this past semester.
Being lost is just part of the process, so embrace those dark allies and endless wooded trails, because eventually they will lead you somewhere spectacular. I am not saying you should aimlessly wander through life, but making a few wrong turns usually helps you find the right path. Just like I said before it's perfectly okay if you don’t know exactly where you are going to end up.
One last prophetic thing I would like to touch on before I finish these life lessons is happiness. Along my travels I found happiness in the smallest and simplest things, whether it was writing post cards to people back home, walking through endless grocery stores looking at the different varieties of fiber cookies, taking a spin class every Tuesday night with crazy Spanish instructor who told me “necesitas sudar mas”.
I found so many things that just put a smile on my face. I found that there is beauty in just about everything. It could be a great fountain or a magnificent palace, but then again maybe it’s just the kilo of apples you bought at the market in the morning. Recognizing these simple pleasures is so incredibly necessary to finding sustainable happiness in life.
A wise woman told me that you are responsible for your own happiness. This principle is without a doubt the most important guideline I will live my life by. Life can be so beautiful and filled with so much happiness. I don’t believe for one-minute life is just to be endured and sacrificed. We were not given all these wonderful senses and feelings to live unfulfilled and discontented. So find what makes you happy and do it!
I have learned a tremendous amount about myself over the past semester. I am an individual and I don’t have to go along with the masses. I do what makes me happy in that moment and life in general, even though I don’t really know what that is yet. I do know that I will be able to make myself laugh along the way while figuring out all these puzzle pieces of life. Exploring is wonderful. Spontaneity is fantastic and adventure keeps me alive. I will always keep these beliefs with me as I continue my travels, and yes I plan to take many more wonderful and fabulous travels in my lifetime.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
El Regreso
Everyone went out for the last time that night. We all met at the plaza mayor in front of the clock like always. Some people were planning to stay out all night and go out with a bang. I was not in the mood to feel like crap traveling all day tomorrow, so I was not planning on getting slaushed. The los tres pilares was picking everyone up at their houses tomorrow morning. We has one of the first pickups at 5:40 in the morning. Mary and Karen who lived right down the street from us also had the same pickup time. Mary and I decided we wanted to get at least a two hour nap before the bus came in the morning.
Everyone decided we would go to the same bar we all went to on the first night. Atawalupa, or however you spell it. All I know is it has 3.50 euro for cervesa and 6.80 euro for copas(mixed drinks) all you can drink of course. Mary and I danced it out on the one last time, making sure we broke it down hardcore to all the outdated pop music. We left around two. Walking back up to the plaza mayor I spotted a Telepizza that was still opened. Telepizza has really cheap pizza, one euro for a slice. Not the best pizza ever, but I had been wanting to try it all semester. What better time than the last night I was in Spain! After our slice of Telepizza Mary and I walked back to our apartments. I shoved my bar clothes in my over stuffed suitcase and took my two-hour nap. The alarm went off at 4:30. I jumped in the shower, got dressed and moved all my luggage by the front door. Madre and Isabel woke up early to help us get everything down to the bus on time. It was quite a process moving everything. Madre could not believe how much stuff we had. She had mentioned in the past that out of all the ninas she has had, we bought the most clothes. Not a total shocker for me, after all I am an admitted shoppingaholic.
I think I made about 5 trips up and down the elevator to the fifth floor because Madre was worried that we would get stuck in the elevator if we put too much luggage in. Once all our stuff was down in the lobby we thanked Madre for everything and headed to the corner with all our stuff to meet the bus. Sarah started crying as we said goodbye to Madre. For some reason I could not muster up any tears. I think I was just ready to be home. I hope this did not make me look like an unemotional and cold-hearted but the tears would just not come.
We met Mary and Karen along with her padres at the corner where the bus was picking up. They were in tears now too as they said goodbyes to their padres. I really felt heartless still not being able to even force one measly tear out. The bus came right on schedule at 5:40. Jesus was on the bus to help everyone load their stuff. As we loaded our luggage underneath the bus, the handle on my carryon suitcase got stuck. The handle refused to go down, so for the rest of trip home the handle would remain sticking up. Luckily I managed to get it all the way home with no complaints. The bus drove through the quite streets of Salamanca, picking everyone up along the way. Everyone was really emotional and tears were streaming everywhere. Now I felt completely soulless. I almost felt guilty that I was the only one who was not crying, except for the boys.
After everyone was on the bus we left our beautiful city and headed for Madrid. I turned around for one last glimpse of the city, but sadly the cathedral lights had not been turned on yet so I could not see the baroque bell tower. I just might have shed a tear if I had seen the cathedral one last time.
We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to get checked in. The flight attendant did not seem to mind that my luggage was well over the allowed limit. I had a combined weight of 50 kilos for my checked luggage, which is roughly 120 pounds. I believe you were only suppose to have around 40 kilos, but no pasa nada.
Once we were through security we all sat around at our gate and stared everyone who was wearing facemasks. The swine flu was in full swing so paranoid Spaniards were covering up with makes. I felt like a leper with out a facemask.
The plane was long and boring, and extremely long. I watched three movies and still had time left over, so I took a few laps around the plane. Finally we landed in Philadelphia, where I had a four-hour layover. The next plane took me to Baltimore where my parents greeted me with balloons and bubbles. Yes, my dad was blowing bubbles at me while I walked off the escalator down to baggage claim. I guess that’s what I get for asking for a parade! I was so exhausted that I was just happy to see them. We got all of my luggage and walked to the car. I was not really hungry, so I did not have an exciting meal planned for my return. Instead I ate a couple bowls of cereal. Not very exciting but god I missed cereal!
Everyone decided we would go to the same bar we all went to on the first night. Atawalupa, or however you spell it. All I know is it has 3.50 euro for cervesa and 6.80 euro for copas(mixed drinks) all you can drink of course. Mary and I danced it out on the one last time, making sure we broke it down hardcore to all the outdated pop music. We left around two. Walking back up to the plaza mayor I spotted a Telepizza that was still opened. Telepizza has really cheap pizza, one euro for a slice. Not the best pizza ever, but I had been wanting to try it all semester. What better time than the last night I was in Spain! After our slice of Telepizza Mary and I walked back to our apartments. I shoved my bar clothes in my over stuffed suitcase and took my two-hour nap. The alarm went off at 4:30. I jumped in the shower, got dressed and moved all my luggage by the front door. Madre and Isabel woke up early to help us get everything down to the bus on time. It was quite a process moving everything. Madre could not believe how much stuff we had. She had mentioned in the past that out of all the ninas she has had, we bought the most clothes. Not a total shocker for me, after all I am an admitted shoppingaholic.
I think I made about 5 trips up and down the elevator to the fifth floor because Madre was worried that we would get stuck in the elevator if we put too much luggage in. Once all our stuff was down in the lobby we thanked Madre for everything and headed to the corner with all our stuff to meet the bus. Sarah started crying as we said goodbye to Madre. For some reason I could not muster up any tears. I think I was just ready to be home. I hope this did not make me look like an unemotional and cold-hearted but the tears would just not come.
We met Mary and Karen along with her padres at the corner where the bus was picking up. They were in tears now too as they said goodbyes to their padres. I really felt heartless still not being able to even force one measly tear out. The bus came right on schedule at 5:40. Jesus was on the bus to help everyone load their stuff. As we loaded our luggage underneath the bus, the handle on my carryon suitcase got stuck. The handle refused to go down, so for the rest of trip home the handle would remain sticking up. Luckily I managed to get it all the way home with no complaints. The bus drove through the quite streets of Salamanca, picking everyone up along the way. Everyone was really emotional and tears were streaming everywhere. Now I felt completely soulless. I almost felt guilty that I was the only one who was not crying, except for the boys.
After everyone was on the bus we left our beautiful city and headed for Madrid. I turned around for one last glimpse of the city, but sadly the cathedral lights had not been turned on yet so I could not see the baroque bell tower. I just might have shed a tear if I had seen the cathedral one last time.
We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to get checked in. The flight attendant did not seem to mind that my luggage was well over the allowed limit. I had a combined weight of 50 kilos for my checked luggage, which is roughly 120 pounds. I believe you were only suppose to have around 40 kilos, but no pasa nada.
Once we were through security we all sat around at our gate and stared everyone who was wearing facemasks. The swine flu was in full swing so paranoid Spaniards were covering up with makes. I felt like a leper with out a facemask.
The plane was long and boring, and extremely long. I watched three movies and still had time left over, so I took a few laps around the plane. Finally we landed in Philadelphia, where I had a four-hour layover. The next plane took me to Baltimore where my parents greeted me with balloons and bubbles. Yes, my dad was blowing bubbles at me while I walked off the escalator down to baggage claim. I guess that’s what I get for asking for a parade! I was so exhausted that I was just happy to see them. We got all of my luggage and walked to the car. I was not really hungry, so I did not have an exciting meal planned for my return. Instead I ate a couple bowls of cereal. Not very exciting but god I missed cereal!
Final Reception
Our last planed group activity was the final reception following our finals on Thursday. I had two finals on Thursday, Cine and then Fonetica. The Cine final was a joke, just four short essays comparing our readings to the movies we watched in class. The Fonetica final was easy as well. I still don’t quite get where you put all those stupid accents, but sprinkled a few accents throughout the dialogues. There was an oral part as well, where I had to read a dialogue to the professor. Overall she told me my pronunciation had improved greatly, but I said “tus vocales son muy largos (porque mi premir lengua es ingles), necesita hacerlos mas corto.
After my finals I did a little last minute tourist shopping in the tiendas by the Universidad. Then I met Jesus and the group to walk over the reception. The reception was held in a courtyard by the famous university of Salamanca building with the hidden frog. It was pretty chilly outside, so I pretty much froze my butt off the whole time. All of our professors came to the reception to bid their farewells. There was also an array of Spanish food and an open bar in the courtyard. The food was okay, nothing special just typical Spanish appetizers like tortilla, croquetas, quesos, gambas, vegetales fritos, pollo, pan, frutas and of course no display of Spanish food can be complete with out jamon. The best part was by far the open bar. I could tell quite a few other people were enjoying the drinks. Allison Sachs, who hardly drinks, had four glasses of wine and started hugging everyone in our group. Everyone took pictures with their professors and we took our last group picture as JMU Spring 2009 Salamanca.
I got a little teary-eyed walking toward Calle Toro with Jeanie. It was sad to leave such a beautiful place and all the crazy times we had shared throughout the semester. At the time though I was ready to go, most of my stuff had been packed and I was ready to see my family and be back in the U.S. I went in my favorite stores with Jeanie and Victoria, buying a few more things. I went to the office for the last time and worked out at sweaty gym for the last time.
After my finals I did a little last minute tourist shopping in the tiendas by the Universidad. Then I met Jesus and the group to walk over the reception. The reception was held in a courtyard by the famous university of Salamanca building with the hidden frog. It was pretty chilly outside, so I pretty much froze my butt off the whole time. All of our professors came to the reception to bid their farewells. There was also an array of Spanish food and an open bar in the courtyard. The food was okay, nothing special just typical Spanish appetizers like tortilla, croquetas, quesos, gambas, vegetales fritos, pollo, pan, frutas and of course no display of Spanish food can be complete with out jamon. The best part was by far the open bar. I could tell quite a few other people were enjoying the drinks. Allison Sachs, who hardly drinks, had four glasses of wine and started hugging everyone in our group. Everyone took pictures with their professors and we took our last group picture as JMU Spring 2009 Salamanca.
I got a little teary-eyed walking toward Calle Toro with Jeanie. It was sad to leave such a beautiful place and all the crazy times we had shared throughout the semester. At the time though I was ready to go, most of my stuff had been packed and I was ready to see my family and be back in the U.S. I went in my favorite stores with Jeanie and Victoria, buying a few more things. I went to the office for the last time and worked out at sweaty gym for the last time.
Beer Pong in Spain
The last weekend was intended to prepare for exams. However, the idea of studying I am convinced does not really exist in Spain. I did have to write a paper for my cuento class, but I think I might have only spent about two hours on the six page paper, and did not proof it so I hope it was good enough. The rest of time I spent enjoying my last couple days in the Manc. I went a little souvenir crazy and ended up buying eight scarves, three pairs of earrings, a ring, a necklace, four dresses, a t-shirt, and a fan. I am sure I missed something, but I wanted to bring back as much of Salamanca as I could. I also went out on Friday and Saturday night, which is kind of big time for me. I went out again on Monday and Tuesday night too. My exams were a breeze. I think I might have put in two hours studying for all four of my finals. Not quite the same intensity as finals week at JMU.
On Tuesday night I went out to the Irish Rover for the last night. Every Tuesday night they have a beer pong tournament, so Jeanie and I signed up. Our first round we played two American girls who were Washington and Lee students on a study abroad trip traveling through Spain. The girls also happened to be swimmers too. It was such a random coincidence. Jeanie and I beat them in the first round and advanced to the second round. The second round came down to the wire. Both sides were left with one cup left. Somehow every time our Spanish opponents managed to sink the last cup I came through, getting their last cup too. It went on like this for a couple of rounds. We drew quite a crowd until my luck finally ran out and I was not able to come back with a cup. Jeanie was so thrilled that see used her Asian powers and got me a beer pong t-shirt, which is reserved for the winners of the tournament. We danced for a while, and I got a bunch of free drinks. Irish closed around 3 and I could tell I was beginning to fight off tiredness, so I walked back home. I was so impressed with by beer pong skills. I thought for sure I was going to be total embarrassment, but I came through in clutch.
On Tuesday night I went out to the Irish Rover for the last night. Every Tuesday night they have a beer pong tournament, so Jeanie and I signed up. Our first round we played two American girls who were Washington and Lee students on a study abroad trip traveling through Spain. The girls also happened to be swimmers too. It was such a random coincidence. Jeanie and I beat them in the first round and advanced to the second round. The second round came down to the wire. Both sides were left with one cup left. Somehow every time our Spanish opponents managed to sink the last cup I came through, getting their last cup too. It went on like this for a couple of rounds. We drew quite a crowd until my luck finally ran out and I was not able to come back with a cup. Jeanie was so thrilled that see used her Asian powers and got me a beer pong t-shirt, which is reserved for the winners of the tournament. We danced for a while, and I got a bunch of free drinks. Irish closed around 3 and I could tell I was beginning to fight off tiredness, so I walked back home. I was so impressed with by beer pong skills. I thought for sure I was going to be total embarrassment, but I came through in clutch.
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