On the plane leaving Spain.
I was recently asked a lot if I was excited to be going home, or excited
to be leaving Spain. Well, for those of
you who don’t know, I’m not actually going home! And I not excited to leave Spain. I am looking forward to starting a new
adventure, or simply continuing the
adventure (because isn’t this relly all just one big adventure of life?) in a
new place. Either way, I am excited to
be going to a new place, kind of.
Minneapolis isn’t a new city, but the experience will be new; working
almost full time, class, studying, EXPLORING, so stay tuned for "abroadcast: a
little less abroad and a little more Midwest", updates will be coming regularly.
Well, I don’t know if im going to do a blog in Minnesota, but
I have really enjoyed the regular posting to broadcast. More just to feel like I have an audience
(thanks if you are actually reading this) but honestly this blog was/is for
me. Sure it was a convenient way to reach everyone, and you
could decide to read at your leisure and pick and choose what posts you wanted
to read, but feeling like I had an audience made me want to write more, even
though Im not really writing for anyone in particular, or because I think other
people want me to or need me too.
Sometimes I would think about some of you (those who I solicite to read
this) as I wrote or remembered a particular anecdote, and so it was nice to
have that connection with family and friends, even from so far away and only mentally.
Anyway, back to Spain, for at least 5 more minutes of
reading, depending on how long I decide to blabber on for my last post. The last day in Madrid was great. I slept
terribly, a mix of excitement and nerves, and got up early to take my
final. Then I had only 2 obligations:
spend the rest of my euros and pack! I had a giftcard from the birthday gift
Pilar bought for me that I returned and decided to buy a fun lipstick!
Something that I wouldn’t normally buy for myself. Realized one thing in Spain
that I won't miss while purchasing the lipstick. Customer Service. The concept is just different here. Where in the US, salespeople hover
a little too hard, in Spain, they are just plain old rude. Like they have 10809385 other better things
to do than help you. This is exactly
what I experienced with the lady at the mac makeup counter when I asked her to
help me find a lipstick. I finally found
one I really liked, but with zero gusto from the saleslady and much effort
on my part to try to explain what I wanted and ask her what I could try and if
she could help me apply it (I am apparently terrible at putting on
lipstick). Got my lipstick, regardless, no thanks to you, mean mac lady. Anyway, then Jana and I went
off to Zara, where I got some work pants.
Still had a few $25ish euros to spend, not counting the money I had set
aside for the taxi ride and going out.
The last 25 euros were very well spent, checking something
off my life/spain bucket list, that could evasively described as something
every girl should maybe try at some time in her life (so I've heard), or something that is very
common amongst women, especially in Spain.
And we'll leave it at that.
Then pack, pack, pack, pack! I sounbelievablyluckily found
an extra duffel bag suitcase at the apartment, and with that managed to
disperse my 45 kilos worth of luggage into the two bags (21.5 kg and 23.5 kg respectively), as well as my big backpack and purse.
 |
| I forgot to get a picture of the cool sand...and the whole table with the cushions, and the hot waiters. This will have to do. |
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| Looks gross, but tasted good! |
My taxista, Javier, was super nice. Even though I was dead tired (having slept
only 3 hours) Javier and I chatted the entire 40 minute ride, about kids,
wives, traveling, everything! My last full Spanish conversation!!
Also, I must note on my choice of travel outfit. Leggings, for optimal comfort and
warmth. Big comfy white blousy shirt,
since it’s a little stylish, and I was traveling in Europe. Flannel, the one
that I picked up/stole from the hostel after the South Korean girl in my room left it
behind (I think on purpose…) Scarf, the big pashmina/silk one purchased in
Morocco for warmth (these planes are freezing) and eye cover when I want to
sleep. Desert boots, as mom calls them,
or my most Spanish article of clothing, made in Spain! Club Roma Bingo hat that was gifted to me at
the bull fight. I had to bring it back,
but couldn’t pack it in the bags, so yupp, I’m that doucher wearing a straw hat
in the airport… And some guy in the Amsterdam airport started talking to me in Spanish and it was disappointed that I had to tell him I was American...I he thought I was Spanish because of the hat.
At the Madrid airport, I finally checked in my bags and walked to
the gate. I bought a bocadillo with
jamon Serrano, my last bocadillo and last jamon (maybe forever?).
Semi-culture shock getting on the Delta flight to
Minneapolis…everyone speaks English, and when I get surprised, like when the
flight attendant just took my cup, my first reaction was to say “Gracias” or
“Hola” or “Hasta luego” as greetings.
Shoudnt be too hard to get back into the Amurica mode though.
In the airports and on the plane I have been filling in the
last few pages, literally, of my journal.
Re-reading certain days, and laughing, reminiscing, or cringing
sometimes at what I wrote.
Comprehensive review of my study abroad experience: I have gained a lot, mentally, emotionally,
and physically…had to get one fat joke in there, sorry, but there are
consequences to a diet of wine, olive oil, fried, and lack of exercise. There is really nothing I regret. I’ve had a lot of great me time, which is
what I wanted and needed. For once I
really allowed myself to be the most important person, 100%. On another note, learning how to be me also
required learning how to not be me, aka the Type A, rigid, structured,
list-making, anal-compulsive, worrying, sometimes anxious, and far too
responsible (sometimes) me. I still make
lists, and I haven’t forgotten all those awesome traits, but I have been able
to let loose a little. Flexibility,
forwardness, exploratory drive, and openness to trying all new experiences has
done me a lot of good. One of the
things I really want to do is to be able to bring this mentality back with me
and integrate my new philosophy (so pretentious) into real-life (because lets
be honest, this semester wasn’t exactly real
life, but at the same time, I don’t se why it cant be…) Study abroad has
changed me, and I wont leave anything behind in Madrid, its all coming with me, packed
in my suitcase, scribbled in my journal, written in this blog, stuffed in my
brain, imprinted in memories, and documented in photos. The ambiguous “It” being how I’ve changed,
what I’ve gained, and all that has been rearranged. I could go through and have a good old list
of superlatives, most memorable memory, best meal, funnest trip, new best
friends, craziest night, coolest story, but why? Its all a package, each step lead to the
next, each experience not without some predetermined ideas or consequences, and
it wouldn’t be fair to tease it all apart and deconstruct this experience,
other than what I have already done by documenting everything (well almost everything).
Also, I have just experienced one of the fastest 5 months of my life, so maybe I
shouldn’t try to enjoy life so much because then it will just be over quicker!
Just kidding!
I am trying to think of a concluding line, something witty,
punny, and quirky to sum this all up.
But in the end, its not really a conclusion, just part of the continuum.
'Ta luego and besitos!
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