This is My Adventure

Looking back on the past month brings back so many memories in such a short span of time.  I have accomplished and grown so much in the month I was away.  Through the ups and downs, I have learned more about myself and grown from my experiences.  Now that I am home, I am going to take a look at all the things I accomplished and saw while being abroad. 

The things I miss are endless.  I miss the walk to the beach.  I miss waking up and looking out my window to the ocean beyond.  I miss walking through the barrio (street neighborhood).  I miss the menu del dia.  I miss the internet café where I could order a coffee and get the shakes or a thick cup of hot chocolate.  I miss the breeze of the ocean hitting my face while I tan topless like everyone else and listen to the waves crashing or read my books along the shore.  I miss the mom and pop restaurants that are in abundance along the esplanada.  I miss taking the tram to areas that are too far for my lazy feet to walk.  I miss the supermercado and plaza mar that allowed me to shop and get groceries that I had to carry home.  I miss walking up 6 flights of stairs everyday at least 3 times a day to get to our apartment.  I miss my room and apartment that I had called home.  I miss hanging my laundry in the wind to dry.  I miss the festivities and festivals that Alicante had to offer.  I miss being in an area that was so close to so many other places Europe has to offer.  I miss being stared at for not speaking Spanish or struggling to communicate with the little Spanish I knew.  I miss the lack of technology forcing me to live my life outside these viral walls.  I miss the long nights/early mornings I had with friends from all over the US.  I miss the few good people I met along the way.  I miss the memories I had made while I was there.  I miss the un-rushed feeling Spain provides.  I miss the Fogueres festival and weekly night fireworks.  I miss the many museums that offered art and culture from the past.  I miss the cathedrals and castles that still stand just as magnificent as the day they were built.  I miss the teachers, Yvonne and Anne, who made the trip possible and made my stay enjoyable.  I miss the liveliness of the city and my daily siesta.  I miss walking everywhere and lack of driving laws of Spain.  I miss the friends I made from different colleges.  I miss my roommate, Sam, who kept me sane.  I miss the month I had abroad, but it helped me grow in so many ways.

The things I don’t miss are fewer.  I don’t miss the lack of air conditioning.  I don’t miss the inconvience of interent and phone privliages.  I don’t miss the classes that kept me stuck inside instead of enjoying my vacation.  I don’t miss the heat of the sun and heat beating down on me as I walk from place to place.  I don’t miss the inability to communicate too much.  I don’t miss being away from my puppies, Macaroni and Zoe.  I don’t miss having to pack all my things and saying goodbye to the place I called home.  I don’t miss the hormones of people. 

I’ve learned that I can be independent and travel on my own.  I’ve learned that I love to travel more than anything in the world.  I’ve found myself stronger than ever.  I’ve learned that I can detach from technology.  I’ve learned that I am no longer ignorant and can open my eyes to other cultures.  I’ve learned to appreciate cultures, history, and museums more than life.  I’ve learned who people are and which ones count.  I’ve learned that I would make a horrible child welfare worker…hahahaha J…I’ve learned that Macaroni, Zoe, and my family are wonderful.  I’ve learned that the world has so much to offer and I intend to keep letting the wind blow me in any direction. 

I’ve learned that I have grown from where I was.  Who would have ever thought that I would come this far.  àhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxAGGyrvJ9c&ob=av2e

People look back on their lives and most haven’t accomplished as much as I have in their whole lifetime.  I am so blessed to have had this opportunity.  I hope you all have enjoyed the ride as much as I have.

Until my next adventure begins...

Hasta Luego! Thanks for reading J

Homebound

Well waking up this morning at 415am to get ready to catch a taxi was a pain in the butt.  I didn’t fall asleep until midnight.  I watched SVU for an hour on the couch to make myself sleepy after a night at the beach bar.  I tossed and turned throughout the night anxious of waiting for the plane and wanting to wake up on time.  Once my alarm rang, I got dressed and took my luggage down the stairs waiting for a taxi.  I didn’t want to look back too much just because I would miss my home for the past month.  It had been just what I needed and my room had become so cozy.  Having to pack everything made it look alien and naked.  Sam and I caught a cab to the airport.  The driver was so sweet. He didn’t speak much English so we had to piece together what he was saying and how we should say it back.  Sam told him she liked his music, so when we left the car he gave her the CD, earning himself a big tip.  We proceeded to the check-in line and waited for our turn.  We had to pay for my extra bag in cash…luckily we had just enough money 50 Euros to cover it…depleting my stash entirely.  Then, we got to security which was a joke compared to the US.  We didn’t have to take our shoes off or put things in separate compartments and I must not look like a terrorist because I didn’t get patted down either.  We got to the gate right as they were beginning boarding and got our seats.  I was lucky enough to have the seat next to me open the whole time, but I also had to deal with a crying baby the entire ride.  Ironically, even though I took a social work class I wanted to yell “Stuff a pacifier in his mouth and shut him up!”  An hour of listening to him cry and I was 100% confident in my decision to never have children :P

 

We got off the plane and found our way to our next gate, S40.  We passed through the visa area and I got another stamp to add to my collection that will hopefully keep growing.  Then, we waited the 3 hour layover time with internet for our plane to come and board the 9 hour flight to Miami . On this plane, I was able to sit by the window and dozed off even before the plane took off.  When I woke up, they were playing movie number 1, Big Miracle.  Since I woke up towards the end, I just closed my eyes again before being woken up for lunch.  Lunch was actually pretty good considering it was on a plane.  The choice was between beef and pasta; last time I learned not to eat airplane beef, so I got the pasta.  It was tortellini in a cream sauce and broccoli.  We were also given water, crackers, bread, butter, cheese, and a salad with oil dressing in a tube.  I couldn’t figure out the dressing, so I didn’t eat the salad and saved the bread and crackers for later.  Then, I dozed back asleep and woke up just in time to watch movie #2.  I remember watching it in a daze of half sleep half awake.  Later we were served dinner, a small pizza, some grape-like fruit, water, and crackers.  I ate the middle part of the pizza and the bread and crackers from earlier.  I then slept until our plane landed. 

 

Then, we got off the plane, went through customs, went through security, and got to our gate just as they were beginning to board.  We got on the plane and I was excited to get home.  Only 4 hours separated me from being home with family and puppies.  This plane ride was really long and the movie played was crappy and unknown, so I just listened to my music and did a Sodoku.  When we landed, I headed to the baggage claim and met my parents.  Big hugs all around and we grabbed my luggage (no problem getting the alcohol through J) The ride home was just gabbing about my adventures and how the puppies were

 

The wind blew me all the way home.  Snuggling in bed along with my little noodle made the 24 hours of travel home all worth it.  No more 5 minute walks to the beach, no more internet cafes, no more walking, but I have my parentals, comfy bead, air conditioning, and a beg fit for me and the noodle.  It’s been real…