It's Only the Beginning

Well, folks this is it. I have been home for an entire week (officially, in about an hour) and it's high time for a reflection on this amazing journey of mine. I call it the beginning because although I am closing this study abroad chapter, there are still so many adventures of mine that will be sure to unfold, so stay tuned! I can tell you, too, that there are no words in any Spanish or English dictionary that can effectively describe this recent experience of mine. Believe me in the last week, I have tried! Amazing, wonderful, incredible, and those words then translated to Spanish, just don't and simply cannot do it justice. I suppose, maybe unique? Then again, it still doesn't fit. Well here, let me take 500-1000 words and try to explain it...

The amount of butterflies inhibiting my stomach for the weeks approaching January 5 (departure date) were infinite. However, I never would have imagined that the lessons learned would far surpass the number butterflies (or maybe I did I just didn't know what lessons I still needed to learn.) The fact that I was in a country where English wasn't the official language and that yes, all four of my classes would be taught in Spanish and that no, my host mom did not know a lick of English (well that's a lie she knew one, relation. and don't ask me why relation?) were the aspects that really got my butterflies going, but after acclimating myself during those first few days, I was feeling really great! That was the first thing I learned, I could do it. I moved half way across the world with a seemingly flawless transition! To some it may seem insignificant, but for someone who ended up at a school approximately 12 blocks from her parents' house, it was a feat knowing that I could make this move. It felt great to play with my wings so to speak and I spent the next four and a half months doing exactly that.

It's rather difficult to categorize my somewhat messy montage of lessons for the simple reason that they are more like feelings. I sometimes react differently than I would have six months ago without really realizing...the current decision just felt, right. However, there were some distinct cultural differences that have left me confused and somewhat changed. Let me explain. One of the most promient ideals of the Spanish culture is that "la vida es en la calle" or life is in the street." The culture that I spent my last semester in takes great comfort and joy in simply hanging out in the streets or in the bars every single day with friends, family, American students, you name it, they hang out and they talk and they drink wine. The wine is key. What's not to love? Moreover, the Spanish culture put simply, defines the concept of "work" very differently than most citizens do in the United States. Of course Spain, coming from a culture that doesn't get to work until nine at the earliest and takes a 2-3 hour lunch break, it shouldn't surprise you. I know some people in the States think that the "Spanish are lazy and wonder why they don't just go to work like the rest of the world?" I know some Spanish that would think, "Los E.E.U.U. es lleno de personas gordas que tener mucho hambre para dinero." What I found though is that neither place is doing it the right way or the wrong way; they are doing it their way and I have decided that I am going to take a little piece of each place with me. I will always understand the importance and practicality of holding a steady job and paying my bills, but I simultaneously realize that there is a life out there to live so, go to concerts and skip work every once and a while. I will not become a "slave to money" like my host mom so wisely advised me.

I think the only other significant and expanatory lesson was that of simply stated, being open to new things and people. I think that I have been learning this one for a while. I mean, I wouldn't have applied for this semester abroad experience if I weren't up for trying new things, but there are parts about bthis full-immersion experience that left me feeling completely clueless on several accounts, begging to be enlightened by someone, anyone. Ok, that might be a tad dramatic, but you see my point. Trying new things can come in the tiniest of packages as well. All of these years and I couldn't bring myself to eat fish! What was I thinking? Fish is not only delicious (when prepared correctly of course) but extremely healthy and this is what I was missing out on, simply because I didn't want to try something new? Again, small example, but you see my point. Trying new things can present itself as overnight trains to Paris, (which I wouldn't recommend....but you should definitely see for yourself!) taking really janky elevators at boderline creepy hotels or (blush) having a German boyfriend. All of these new things (and there are plenty more where these came from) completely made my trip and if I wasn't open to new things, I would have never experienced them.

There I go, on my soapbox again! Well if it's any consolation, I don't even really know what I am talking about. I am just trying to collect my thoughts and make some sense out of them and this is what I have for you all, take it or leave it. If I learned anything, though, it is that there is this traveler's bug. It's contagious and I am pretty sure I have it so watch out. Also, I have realized how much I love to write (even if it's me blabbing to a journal that no one reads) and I fully intend on incorporating this craft into all of my future careers, (hence, "It's Only the Beginning") and  it was largely due to the positive feedback from you all that I realized people like reading my stories, so thank you!

And to close, I will leave you with what I think are some pretty impressive statistics and my commentary (of course):
4.5 months (Not nearly enough. Europe, I will be back!)
29 blog posts (Also, not enough)
9 countries (And 4 languages, take that!)
10 flights (RyanAir, your turbulence and less-than-stellar landings got nothin' on me)
15-ish train rides (I have mastered the right-angle, mouth-ajar nap, thank you, TrenItalia)
2 sprained ankles (This is just unfortunate...)
1 newly mastered language (Mastered in the loose sense of the word...capable and always learning? A bit more appropriate)
28 new "siblings" (We fight like cats and dogs, but I love them all dearrly)
14 extra pounds (Operation Damage Control commenced five long days ago, wish me luck!)
ONE AMAZING JOURNEY!

Thanks for reading guys and until my next adventure, hasta luego, ciao, guten nacht, etc!