Six weeks ago today, I left home for Spain. The six weeks prior to that, I experienced, by far, the most stressful time of my life due to navigating the visa process very last minute (which yes, makes my life incredibly cushy). Life leading up to this semester, and life here couldn't be more different. First, back at home, I wanted time to stand still during Christmas break, for multiple reasons: Each day meant less time to deal with the visa/ less days for the visa to arrive. Each day meant less days with friends in Jax/ and once Christmas break started, less days with Ivan & family. And possibly most of all, each day represented one day closer to a huge, frightening, 4-month long unknown.
In contrast, I'm at complete peace with each day that comes and goes here. Don't fret, I never wish away time (although Ivan comes in 12 days, so about 3 days before, it's probable,) and I truly enjoy every minute. To be in the "frightening unknown" is, in this case, and I believe in most cases, A LOT easier than anticipating it. But I do think the time leading up to coming to Spain was as much a part of the experience as actually being here, and I'm able to view challenges differently as a result of that season.
Another huge difference, the ability to be present here is so much greater. Most of us have go-phones, so every use costs money, which has a few implications. One, we make tight plans of meeting places instead of "Oh I'll text you and let you know." Two, everyone's present with the people we're with at the time and not texting with preferred company (and I'm super guilty of this back home, but am inspired to change now.) Three, even when I'm alone, I people watch and think about what's happening around me, rather than jump on my phone.
Ok, so for those of you who want something more tangible about my time here, this paragraph is for you-
I went to Barcelona with Erasmus, the foreign exchange student club at my university, and it was beautiful. I loved the architecture and the view from Park Guell (picture). After being land locked in Madrid, seeing the ocean was nothing short of magical. Kelsey and I woke up in time to make our own trip there before leaving the last day. I think I will always need to live near a coast. Despite having
la playa, when having to choose a preference, Madrid or Barcelona (and everyone has to choose, really) I would for sure choose Madrid every time. Last weekend, Rebecca visited from Germany, which was an amazing time. We were roommates again for the 4 days she was here, and she got to experience many of the joys of Madrid. She really liked Retiro park and the Rastro (outdoor market that's here every Sunday.) It was awesome to have a guest here to show the city to, and I'm really glad she was able to visit. K time to go on my Sunday run (only the 2nd Sunday it's happened...)
