Saying Goodbye

My last few weeks in Alicante were almost somber. It's a weird feeling to prepare to leave a place you've lived in for 4 months. I guess you could say nostalgia already hit me. I spent my last week running around to all the places I liked to visit and took pictures. I climbed the Santa Barbara Castle one last time.



Strolled along La Rambla, took a siesta on the beach and walked along all the shops near Plaza Luceros.



Due to a friend I also discovered nisperos which are known as loquats in the States and are AMAZING. I just found out they grow in some of the southern parts of the States so I'm going to scavenge for them in grocery stores now. Its like a mix between a kiwi and apricot. YUM YUM YUM.



My host mom even made me one last plate of Paella. Host dad Jesus insisted the wine be represented in this picture.



It was really hard for me to say goodbye to my host mom. Every time she saw me packing, she'd tear up and all I could think was how grateful I was to have such a compassionate and caring host mom. It was also difficult to say goodbye to the children I tutored. They were one of my highlights of my time abroad and I loved being able to watch them grow academically. Their family was so kind to me and I gave them my email and address so we can keep in touch. Little Eva and I are going to be Pen pals so she can practice her English! I miss her so much already!



When my plane took off, I knew the time came for me to say goodbye to Espana; or, I should say Hasta Luego. I know I'll be back one day to show others the place I not only studied, but explored foreign cultures and grew as a person. People always say that a study abroad experience can change your life, and I agree. Throwing yourself outside your comfort zone can teach you so much about yourself and others. You learn what it's like to walk in someone else's shoes and not panic when plans change. (Traveling will do that to ya!). I can honestly say that because of my my study abroad experience, I feel more prepared to finish my last year of university and enter the "real" world. I mean, after being stranded in Sorrento in the middle of the night, harassed by ticket checkers in Naples, feeling humbled by the Eiffel Tower, getting trapped in a human stampede during Las Fallas, and pondering the mysteries of the world at the top of the Santa Barbara Castle, I say real world, bring it on.