Home...

It is official, I'm home. There were times when I didn't believe I would ever make it back, but now that I'm stateside again, I realize that the experience went by way too fast. I learned, lived, and loved while I was abroad. The experience changed me in ways that I don't think anyone can truly understand.

Is it really time?

Wow…the end has come. This time is incredibly bittersweet; I miss my friends and family back home, but I’m not ready to leave my life here in Spain.

The past three months have made for an incredible journey towards self realization; I’ve discovered things about me that I never knew existed, changed in ways I never imagined possible, and truly lived for the moment. I’ve embraced the culture and the people around me, I’ve become sincerely self-confident, and I’ve grown as a person.

When I first arrived in Granada, I realized how dependent of a person I was, and the stress of being alone, so far away from home, knocked me down completely. I had to rebuild myself as a person, discover who I was and who I wanted to be, and I emerge as someone strong enough to handle what was before me. I have changed and evolved while I’ve been abroad, and I really like the person that I am.

Now it is time to return home, and find out how deep these changes run. It is time to say goodbye to my friends here; for some it will simply be a “see you later,” but for others it will truly be goodbye. I’m trying my best to focus on the sweetness of the moment instead of the bitterness. I’ve had an incredible time, I’ve made great friends and amazing memories, and I’ve grown as a person. I want to take the happiness that I’ve found back to the states, enjoy the memories I’ve made here, and embrace my life back home.

Was I really in Africa?

Yes, I really was in Africa. This past weekend I went to Morocco with the program “Morocco Exchange” (http://www.moroccoexchange.org/) The experience was amazing! I was immersed in the real Arabic/Islamic culture of the country, and was able to interact with real Moroccans. This was not a tourist trip.

I am having a difficult time putting the experience into words, so I’m going to cop out on this post and just share the itinerary with you all.

Day One ALGECIRAS - TANGIER - RABAT

Morning:

- Meeting at 8am in Algeciras

- Boat journey across the Mediterranean Sea from Algeciras, Spain to Tangier, Morocco

- Drive to Asilah and walk through the Medina (old town) to the Atlantic Ocean

- Lunch in a restaurant outside the old city wall

Afternoon:

- Conversation “Cultural diversity in Morocco” about Arab, Berber and Jewish coexistence

in Morocco, with Prof. Ali Azeriah and Moroccan students from L’Ecole Superior du

Traduction in Tangier (one of the best schools for translators in the Arabic speaking world)

- Drive along the Atlantic Ocean to Rabat (3 hours)

Evening:

- Meeting of the home stay families (Two or three students will stay with one family.)

- Dinner with home stay families

- Walk through the Medina of Rabat in small groups with Moroccan students

Day Two RABAT

Morning:

- Breakfast

- Facilitated discussion “West and Arab worlds - images about each other” with Moroccan

students from Rabat University

- Visit of the Roman ruins Chellah, the Mausoleum Hassan II and the Main mosque.

Afternoon:

- Lunch with home stay families

- Exploration of Rabat’s Andalusian houses in the Kashba and the street life in the medina

market. Shopping in the market with a Moroccan student guide.

Evening:

- Social time: Conversation in the patio of a family with a Peace Corps

volunteer about living in Morocco as a foreigner

- Dinner with home stay families in the Medina

Day Three RABAT - RIF MOUNTAINS - CHEFCHAOUEN

Morning:

- Drive to Akchour, Rif Mountains through rural areas of Morocco (3,5 hours)

- Break on the way

- Short walk through a valley in the Rif mountains

Afternoon:

- Picnic and time to relax in the mountains

- Drive to Chefchaouen (30 minutes)

- Guided walk through the medina of Chefchaouen with background information about it’s

Moorish and Jewish inhabitants and its historic link to Al Andaluz

- Settle in Hotel Andaluz

Evening:

- Time to explore the medina individually (good place to buy some souvenirs)

- Special celebration dinner in the Medina of Chefchaouen

- Social time on the roof terrace: to share images and thoughts from our journey.

Day Four CHEFCHAOUEN - CEUTA - ALGECIRAS

Morning:

- Morning walk through the awaking town to a hill outside the city gate

- Drive through mountains, fields and cities to Ceuta (2 hours)

- Breakfast on the way

- Crossing the Moroccan - Spanish border

Afternoon:

- Boat journey across the Strait of Gibraltar

- Good bye in Algeciras, Spain around 3:30pm

The four days were packed with amazing moments that I hope I never forget. I visited a new country, learned about a different culture, and had my eyes opened to the lives of other people. I wish I could better explain the experience, but it was just too amazing to be put into words.

Do I want to write about Paris?

This past weekend I went to Paris. I wasn’t impressed. The architecture all looked the same, the Eiffel tour wasn’t that remarkable, I didn’t understand the big fuss about the Mona Lisa, I personally believe the cathedrals I’ve seen in Spain are more extraordinary then Notre Dame, and to top it off, it cost me an arm and a leg to be disappointed.

So, I’ve made the executive decision to not write about my experience in France; instead I am going to share some of my more recent emotional thoughts.

As of late, I’ve really been thinking about my homecoming. How is it going to feel to be back stateside? When I first got to Spain, I was convinced that the experience wasn’t going to be life altering, but recently I’ve noticed just how much I’ve learned and how much I’ve changed. I arrived with the intention of learning to speak Spanish, and while my language skills have improved, the life lessons I’ve been taught are what have really brought about change.

I have made some really great friends while I’ve been here; friends that are very different from the people I spend time with back home. I’ve found myself loosening up a bit, not being so high-strung, and enjoying life for what it is now. Over time I’ve noticed what things are really important to me, and what things I just thought were important; true friends have been revealed, and not so true friends have been found out.

I’ve learned that it is ok to make some bad decisions as long as you learn from them (orange soda + vodka on Saturday = a miserable Sunday), I’ve discovered that journaling can really help sort out thoughts (thoughts can flow smoothly from brain to hand onto paper), I’ve seen the power of prayer (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me), and I’ve realized just how blessed I am to have my family (the rock my socks off).

In 16 days I head back to home; I can honestly say it won’t be easy to leave Spain. I’ve grown accustomed to long lunches and siesta time. I don’t mind walking miles and miles everyday to get where I need to go. Tapas and wine can be the makings of a great night, and it is always the right time for a Schwarma. I’ve gotten use to seeing people drinking out of liter bottles of Alhambra beer at 10:00 in the morning, and it no longer shocks me to see people smoking everywhere, all the time. I’m going to miss the culture and the lifestyle, and I’m going to miss my friends.

Nevertheless, all good things must come to an end. Studying abroad has been an amazing life lesson, by far one of the best things I have chosen to do in my life.

Can we give Jeremy a round of applause?

This past summer, my friend Jeremy suggested that I take a trip to the Cinque Terre in Italy while I was abroad. After listening to his description, and doing some research, I knew that I wanted to see this place for myself. So this past weekend, three friends and I embarked on a journey to the west coast of Italy.

On Friday, Jeremy was not my friend. I arose at 5:15, having returned home only four hours earlier, and gathered up my things in order to get a taxi to the bus station in time for the 7:00AM bus to Malaga. Two taxis, an airplane, two busses, four trains, and 17 hours later I finally arrived in Vernazza, Italy. By the time my train pulled into my final destination, I was not a happy camper; I didn’t believe that this place could be amazing enough to be worth all the trouble I went through in order to arrive…I was wrong. Even in the dark I could tell the place was special.

The following morning revealed just how special Vernazza was. The water was beautifully blue, the air smelled sweet and clean, the landscape was unbelievably lush and green, and the people were welcoming and polite; I didn’t ever want to leave.

After exploring the village for a bit, my friends and I decided to trek up into the hills in order to visit an old monastery. (Unfortunately we weren’t able to hike to any of the other villages because the paths were wet and dangerous because of all the rain.) Our hike was astoundingly beautiful, words can’t even describe the view of the water and the village bellow, the wildflowers on the hill, and the changing leaves falling from the trees. It was magnificently peaceful.

Saturday night found my friends and me enjoying real Italian pizza in our inn while sipping on the most brilliant white wine I’ve ever tasted. Despite the rain that kept us inside, we enjoyed our evening just relaxing.

I awoke early on Sunday morning, and I made my way outside to watch the sunrise across the water. I just sat and listened to the crash of the waves and marveled at the peace and beauty around me. I was even blessed with a rainbow. It was a time for prayer and reflection, a time to enjoy the loveliness of God’s world.

Sadly, it was necessary to head back to Milan on Sunday afternoon. Thankfully the return trip was much less hectic. There was even time to make our way to the beach in Levanto and play in the water for a bit.

I am so thankful for Jeremy and his travel suggestion.

Does this qualify as fan-freaking-tastic?

Hiking through the Alpujarra mountains in the south of Spain, spending the night on a self-sustaining organic farm, harvesting olives with my own two hands, eating completely delicious and completely natural homemade food, chillaxing and playing music with new friends, creating amazing memories...that was my weekend.

Fast-forward through a 6:30 alarm, 8:00 meeting at the bus station, and a nauseating 2 hour bus ride up into the mountains. . . I would like to forget those less then pleasant parts and jump right into the good stuff.

Our bus dropped us off in the Alpujarras right outside the little Spanish town of Orgiva; after a little bit of a trek we found ourselves at a completely self-sustaining Organic farm nestled in the beauty of the area, our home for the weekend. My friends and I were all overwhelmed with everything that was around us, and also overjoyed for the lack of things that were around us. There were no buses, mopeds, or cars, no cigarette smoke or other air pollutants, and there was no noise except the flowing of the water through the 1500-year-old irrigation system still in use today.

After settling in, we were served an amazing organic lunch; I could feel my body thanking me for the beautiful nourishment! Once lunch was over, it was time for a tour of the 11 acre farm that is complete with olive trees, fruit trees, vegetable garden, chickens, rabbits, and two goats and a sheep. The tour ended at the king olive tree, the tree we were to help harvest. I never thought that I would find myself sitting in an olive tree in the Alpujarras of southern Spain harvesting its fruits...wonderful experience.

I have to admit that by the time supper rolled around I was thankful for the break. We were treated to another excellent meal and good conversation. Enjoying homemade whole-wheat bread with fresh avocado and goat cheese while sipping fresh mint tea and sharing stories of travel just can't be beat. The night ended with everyone joining in and making beautiful, relaxing music together with drums, guitars, flutes, sticks, tambourines, hands, and voices. Sleeping in the Yurt was perfect; layered in my warm clothes, breathing in the fresh mountain air, and thinking about the day...

Sunday was wonderfully relaxing; sleeping late, sitting on a hillside enjoying the views, a hearty breakfast full of fresh fruits, napping under an olive tree below a warm sun, and finally saying goodbye and hiking down into Orgiva to catch the evening bus back to Granada.

Overall, the weekend was amazing. My words nor my pictures can do it justice. It was, by far, my best experience in Spain.

Why am I here?

Alright, the other day I was thinking about why I am in Spain. The original reason I signed up for this was because I wanted to learn Spanish, and while my Spanish has really improved since I've been here, I've found that I've learned so many other things while living across the pond. For example:

1-I really love my friends and family. It has been a blast to meet new people and see new things, but come December I'll be ready to spend time back at home in Ogallala with my family, and when the end of January rolls around I look forward to heading back to Doane.

2-Walking is really sweet! Everyday I trek miles and miles between home and school. Seriously, it isn't unusual to walk 10 miles a day. And you know what, I love it! I hope to keep up the habit when I return stateside, or at very least I hope I never complain about walking to the cafeteria on campus again.

3-Different people have different priorities, and to many Europeans, dental health is not a priority. In Granada, a six-pack of beer or a bottle wine costs less then dental floss. . .

4-Shawarmas are Amazing! Roasted meat stuffed into a pita with veggies and a delicious white sauce and then grilled till the pita has a nice toasted outside. . . mmmmmmm. All that fantastic goodness for only 2.50 euros.

Well, this post didn't end up being as deep and profound as I originally thought it would be. Oh well, that's fine by me. I promise to provide some thought provoking writing in the future.