Bye Spain!

Today is a little bit heartbreaking for me.  I have to say goodbye to this wonderful place and head back home.  While I miss my family, I had such a great time despite a few bumps...in fact, the bumps actually helped me grow and learn.  I wasn't feeling good on the plane, so even though I wanted to sleep I couldn't much, I was so achy and I felt cramped.  Instead, I wrote in my journal and reflected back on my experience.

I'm ready to experience life and take more risks and learn more!  I feel inspired to do more and do to better in school.  I am ready to take on any challenge that life brings me and I'm ready to face the world head on!

I loved Spain and would do it again in a heartbeat.  It was much more than a class, much more than a tourist trip, and much more than a vacation.  It was a life changer, and I know that I learned so much more about life and myself.  I am ready world, bring it on!

Rain, Swimming, Sick again, Salt Water, Last Day

Today was the last day.  Some people left already but I was able to stay one more day, which relieved me because I still haven't been in the ocean yet, and I had been wanting to so badly since we got here.  I am getting a sinus infection...ugh...

So this morning I got ready, and looked outside...and it was cloudy.  I was so bummed.  Then it stated to rain and...then I was really bummed.  However, after I rested some, it stopped and Angie, Tasha and I went swimming.  It was a little scary and I did get pulled under once, and I swallowed some water...yuck.  It was still wonderful and I would love to do it again.

I was really tired so I took a nap and then a shower.  We then went shopping and I just tried and absorbed everything I could in order to remember everything I could and keep this feeling as long as I could.  I am so inspired and so in love with Spain, and it's heartbreaking to say goodbye, but I will come back someday.

Jellyfish

I didn't get to go into the ocean today because the tide last night brought in tons and tons of jellyfish.  I did visit the beach quite a bit today though, just sitting and watching the waves go in and out.  Every time I went, I didn't want to leave, but I knew I could come back.  And I did, again and again and again.  This is making it so hard to leave but I can't look away from the ocean for a minute, because it's just there and so beautiful.  I was excited to see the sea (lol) for the first time, but I didn't realize I'd have such a connection with it until now.  I feel like I've been waiting my whole life to experience this, and it's here now and I don't want to leave.

Today we did some shopping and just relaxed, which was super nice because I feel like I'm coming down with a sinus infection.  Such a pain but if it's going to happen, the tail end is the best time...though the plane ride is going to suck.

Rock of Gibraltar, Monkeys, First Glimpse of the Ocean

Today we visited Gibraltar which is part of the UK.  It was kind of fun to cross the border into a different country, but what really struck me was while were heading to Gibraltar in the van, Dr. Corser pointed out the Mediterrian Sea to me.  I have wanted to visit the ocean for years, but the opportunity never arrived.  I don't know why, but as soon as he pointed that out, everything hit me at once.  I'm in Spain, I'm this close to the sea, and I'm actually looking right at it!  I took a deep breath and could smell the salty water, and I was so excited.  More about that later :)

In Gibraltar, our tour guide was very knowledgable and I regret not taking notes about everything he talked about, because I already forgot most of everything he said.  He did mention that there was a place where they filmed a car chase scene in Indiana Jones.  Geeking out again :)

We went to a castle (where I realized that I was okay with heights now), saw an old prison behind it, learned a little bit about Gibraltar and the people, and saw monkeys.  Aww the monkeys were so cute and very approachable, but I was slightly nervous because they can become aggressive.

After Gibraltar, we went to Almuñécar.  I told Dr. Corser earlier that I had never been to the ocean, so he encouraged me to go put my feet in it.  Something about the cold water on my feet, the waves crashing in my ears, and the salt in the air just made me feel so good and so happy.  I could spend a week here but we only have 2 more days.  That's okay, I'll make the most of it.  This is the perfect way to end this amazing trip.  

Aesthetics, Real Alcázar de Sevilla, Plaza de España, Rowing, Flamenco Dancers

I finally got to go to MY church today :)  It was actually kind of fun and interesting.  We met missionaries who were American, and one of the members came up to us and started talking to us.  She's a senior this year and she wants to go to school in America for film making.

It was awesome to feel that amazing feeling even though I'm in a different country and don't understand the language hardly at all.  The church is true no matter where I go, and it was an awesome reminder.

Later we went to a palace called Real Alcázar.  It was so beautiful and I could feel there were many many stories within those walls.  The details in every little part outside and inside of the building were so beautiful and intricate.   When we went into the garden, one of the professors mentioned that he felt that this garden made the botanical garden look tiny, and I agreed.  It was so beautiful, peaceful, and big.  I felt that I could just take a book out there and sit under a tree for hours, or just lay on the grass and take a nap.

After that, we broke off into groups and some of us went to Plaza España.  I geeked out a bit because that is where a scene from Star Wars was filmed.  I also got to try and row a boat, and it's a lot harder than it seems!  After we explored, our group was hungry so we stopped and got dinner.  A little confrontation because they brought out an extra dish that we didn't order and they wanted us to pay for it.  Luckily it was resolved.

Then we went to watch the flamenco dancers.  I had never been to a show like this, so I wasn't sure what to expect.  At first I wasn't sure if I liked it or not, but as the show progressed I started seeing the beauty in the singing and dancing.  I couldn't understand any of it, but I loved the guitar music, and I could tell that the dancers and singers were very passionate about sharing their stories.  It's one of those things that I probably wouldn't have done if I had been on my own, but I'm really glad I went.

Sevilla

I was feeling much better today.  Still slightly nauseated but tolerable.  We arrived in Seville today, and it's a smaller town.  I felt Madrid and Barcelona were too busy for me, I'm a small town girl and I love the little cities.  Today was a resting day so after lunch, Krissy (one of my roommates) needed to find a laundromat.  I was wanting to go somewhere because I had felt stuck inside for most of the evening last night, so I went with her.  I pulled it up on Google Maps and it was pretty easy to find, not very far away from our hotel.  It made me realize that if I don't overthink it, I have more self confidence than I realize.  We just went for it and yeah I made a few mistakes and Krissy helped me correct them, but we didn't get lost, and I felt really good about my part.  While we were looking I wasn't unsure about anything, I just went for it.  It made me realize that I need to start doing that more in my life.  I've grown so much on this trip, and I'm sad to be leaving next week soon but I know that all the skills I've learned here I will be able to use in my life back home.

Illness, Consuegra, Windmills & Castle

So today I woke up early before breakfast and I was actually feeling fine.  Tired but that's pretty normal for me :)  A little bit later I had diarrhea.  "Great," I thought.  We had a long ride ahead of us today, so I knew that was going to be miserable.  I wasn't feeling ill, but I knew that needed to get that taken care of. After I had a really small breakfast of juice, yogurt, and toast, I found another student who had thought to bring some Imodium with her.  I took that, but then a little bit later I started feeling nauseous. Didn't take long for me to start feeling miserable.   I knew that the best thing was to be upfront with the professor driving my van so he wouldn't wonder why I was moaning a lot :P (Okay I didn't moan much but I did look pathetic), so I found him at the other professors eating breakfast (sorry guys, I tried to be as ambiguous as I could be...but you probably didn't want to hear that while you were eating :P) and then went to lie back down until it was time to go.  As we were leaving, one of the professors handed me and another student a mask.  Yeah, it was humiliating, but I understood. Last year most of the students got sick so they didn't want it to spread.  I felt bad that another student had the same symptoms as me, but also I had a twinner lol.


I was feeling pretty awful for most of the ride but as we got closer I was feeling better.  I don't know if that was because I wanted to see the windmills so badly or if it was working its way out of my system, but I was able to enjoy the beautiful windmills of Consuegra.  I love Don Quixote even though I haven't read it all yet and the windmills were just so special.  The castle was also amazing. Unfortunately, it was closing so we didn't have time to take a tour, but it was still beautiful nonetheless.

We then traveled on to Zaragoza where we arrived at a beautiful hotel with a castle theme.  The others went to another castle, then came back and dressed up.  In this hotel, they have a room where they keep medieval costumes that you can dress up in.  I was slightly jealous but wasn't feel too great again by this time, but I watched the others dress up.  I stayed and slept while they saw the castle, had crackers for dinner, and then rested most of the time.  I probably would have been more jealous but I really felt sick and knew resting was the best way to feel better, instead of trying to push myself.

I am excited to see what happens next!!!  Hopefully I feel better tomorrow (but I should).

Segovia: Aqueduct, Segovia Cathedral, Acrophobia, Claustrophobia, Plaza Major & Shrimp Salad

Today, we took a road trip to Segovia to look at the Roman Aqueduct.  Wow, that is one beautiful structure!  Built without mortar!  I was overwhelmed and shocked by the beauty and size of it!  It's amazing to me to think that they knew how to fit each piece together so they would stay without the technology we have today!

For lunch, this girl I was with wanted to go to McDonald's.  I was okay with a hamburger and I had wanted to see if it was different.  Nope.  Coca-Cola is different (no high fructose, just sugar and sweetener), but the fries and burger were exactly the same.  Interesting :)

We went to a beautiful cathedral and as we were waiting for our tour to begin, I read a sign that said "If you are claustrophobic, this tour may not be for you."  We were about to head up a tower and it was pretty narrow.  I pointed that out to the teacher and he said "If you need to stay down here, it's okay."  I took a deep breath and told myself that I could do it.  I was brave and could overcome my fear.  I was bigger than it and it wasn't going to stop me from enjoying this part of the class.  I told him that I'd be fine as long as I was last in line up the tower.  I knew that if I was wedged in between people, that would cause big issues with my brain because I would feel trapped.

I was actually okay at first.  It was dizzying because we went up this tower and it was circular, and I could feel the air getting thinner (though that could have been my mind playing tricks on me).  It was also very steep and my legs were getting tired, but I kept pushing myself (mostly because a professor was behind me lol).  We took a couple of breaks though, so the tour guide could give us some information, which was really, really nice.  However, as soon as we got near the top, it got a little narrower and that made me really nervous, but I pushed on because I knew we were close.  I felt dizzy so I sat down and that's when I got nervous.  Everyone was commenting on how beautiful the view was and taking pictures, but everytime I tried talking myself to standing up, I'd look over the railing and panic.  My logic was there but my emotions were hijacking them.  I asked someone to talk to me because as long as someone was talking to me I was fine, but then even that stopped working and I was hyperventilating and really scared.  I would try to slow down my breathing but that wouldn't work either.  I didn't want to move, I didn't want to talk, I just wanted to stay there and curl into a ball until it went away.  Again, logically I knew it wouldn't go away until I got down the tower, but my emotional side had just taken over.  Not until one of the professors said "Liz, hand," did I snap out of it enough to take his hand.  I heard that voice and I thought "Oooh no...I'm in trouble."  I knew I wasn't really, but at least it got me on my feet :).  He and another student talked me down the tower...and actually, going down was scarier than going up.  I was still scared about the height, and the steps going down seemed much smaller; I was so scared I was going to step wrong and end up breaking my neck or something.  That never happened, even when I slipped a couple of times I was okay.  I am so glad he was there to help me through that, and I thanked him.  What he said afterward will probably stick with me for the rest of my life.

Me:  "Thank you."
Professor:  "For what?  Kicking your butt down the tower?"
Me: *nervous laugh* "Yeah."
Professor:  "I'm glad to do that any time.  Do you learn anything."
Me:  "Yeah, I did."
Professor:  What did you learn?"
Me:  "That I can overcome my fears."
Professor:  "Yeah.  As long as you have support, you can do anything."

So tonight, everyone but one of the professors and I went to the bullfight.  At first I felt devastated because all the students went, and I think I felt more left out than anything.  Two of the professors tried to make it so I could go, and I appreciated their efforts, but I knew it was a lost cause, even though I had a little hope.  I didn't let on that I was sad.  I thought about it somewhat though, and I realized something.  I shouldn't regret saying no, because I knew why I had said no.  I have a great love for animals, and watching a bull purposely get stabbed over and over again for sport was not something I thought I could stand without feeling disgusted and it would probably haunt me for quite some time as well (I get weird nightmares and I know I would see this over and over again).  So even though I was a little sad, I didn't regret it.

The professor who didn't go invited me to go to Plaza Major with her, where they have this big festival with breakdancers and other cool things.  We were still there when it got semi-dark and it was so pretty to see all the buildings lit up.  We then went to dinner at this chinese place, because I thought the first place was good, so this one might be good too (*buzzer noise*).  Well, what the professor ordered looked delicious, but I ordered a shrimp salad which I mistakenly thought would be like Artic Circle's, but actually was lettuce, 4 shrimps, and corn, drenched in vinegar.  Don't get me wrong, it was delicious, but I was just expecting more to it than that.  Oh well :).  It was actually a really good day in spite of the panic attack.  But...with the help of an awesome professor, I was able to come out of it and move on :)

Prado Museum, Botanical Gardens and Eating Duck for the First Time

Today we went to the Prado Museum, which is the main Spanish art museum.  It contains mostly sculptures and paintings--which are very beautiful and extremely detailed.  There are a lot of dark stories to these sculptures and paintings as well.  I had a difficult time in this museum, because I started getting bored.  I tried so hard not to be bored, but I think I was mostly tired and that just made everything worse.  I hadn't slept well the night before and got up fairly early.  I am not really an art person anyway, but I had at least got something out of Picasso museum.  That was the problem, probably.  In the Picasso museum, I just told myself to study the detail and didn't think that much about it, and I saw things that fascinated me.  Here, I tried way too hard to find things that were beautiful or interesting in my eyes, and so I missed things that I could have enjoyed.  I don't want to say that I didn't enjoy my time in the museum, but it just wasn't really my thing and I regret thinking too hard about it, but that's life.  I learned a lesson anyway, and that's important too :).  I did see things that I really did enjoy.

We then headed over to the Botanical Garden.  It was so peaceful and beautiful, and most of my senses were just overwhelmed (in a good way) with the sights, smells, sounds, and even touch (shh :P) of all the plants, birds, flowers, and even the sunlight streaming through.  I could have stayed there for hours and hours, but it had been hours since I ate, so I was starving and my stomach unfortunately won.  However, the time I did spend in there calmed me down after our rushing, rushing, rushing the past week and I was able to live in the moment.

The people I was with was tired of the Spanish food (even though I have enjoyed it enormously) and wanted to go someplace "normal" (their word), so they found a chinese restaurant.  I was confused but thought 'hey, why not!'  As soon as I saw duck on the menu, I knew I had to try it.  I had never had it before...and it was sooooo good.  A little greasy, but I've had greasier foods.  I thought it was extremely flavorful and so tender!

Basillica Ancient Roman Structures & Chocolate Dipped Churros in Madrid

Before we left for Madrid today, we stopped at some ancient Roman structures, including a bathhouse and an amphitheater.  One of my teachers pointed out that it was hard work to get milk, let alone building something like this beautiful amphitheater.  It's interesting to learn that even back then, they realized how important they knew that entertainment and relaxation was for their health.

We also stopped at a bathhouse and it was so cool to see!  I had read and see movies about bathhouses in England, so it was neat to see one in real life.  It was interesting to learn that on top of the social aspects of the bathhouses, they also knew how important it was to be clean for their health, and relax for their mental health.

Right before we left Zaragoza, the teachers gave us a little time to look at some cathedrals and other beautiful structures on Plaza del Pilar.  I don't know why, but when a group I was with entered the cathedral, I was overcome with many emotions.  I guess I was still overwhelmed by where I was...I am in Spain!  I was also overwhelmed by the obvious hard work to keep up the beauty of the building and that so many people come here to experience it.  I didn't want to leave but I knew there was much more to see.

Madrid seemed to not be my city; it began and ended badly.  The middle parts were okay, but after a nap, the whole group was going to get chocolate dipped churros.  The teachers recommended that we bring our laundry, because it sounded like we could just drop our laundry off at a laundromat and have it delivered back to the hotel.  Well, it took FOREVER just to find the laundromat because nobody gave us clear directions, and once we found it, we discovered that it was do-it-yourself.  We were a little frustrated, but the group was mad at us.  I can understand their frustration but I wish they would understand that it wasn't our fault and that we did the best we could.  The group went on ahead while one of the professors waited for us as we took our laundry back to the hotel.  After we went back to the teacher, we apologized and he told us there was no reason to apologize.  It wasn't our fault, and he smoothed things over anyway.  He explained that we are like a family, and families fight sometimes.  I never thought of us as a family until that moment.  We really are like a family, and yeah, we're not going to get along, but I think each person in our group has something amazing to contribute, and I have had fun with each person I've hung out with.  I probably won't see some of the people again, because they graduated and moved on with their lives, but I hope I can see some of them again and we can have more fun and remember the good times we had in Spain.

P.S. I kind of am talking in the future aren't I? lol I forgot that I was writing this as though I were still in Spain..oh well.  Just stay tuned and I'll explain why Madrid wasn't my friend :)

Zaragoza & Aljafería Palace

We arrived in Zaragoza and it is beautiful.  I love all these small little towns.  As much as I thoroughly enjoyed Barcelona, I think it's really nice to get away from the big cities and come to a smaller, quieter place.

We went to the Aljafería Palace which, despite fading and decay over thousands of years, still
stands and is still beautiful.  The Aljafería Palace is a fortified medieval Islamic palace built during
the second half of the 11th century in the Moorish taifa of Zaragoza of Al-Andalus, present day
Zaragoza, Spain. (I stole that from Wikipedia :) )  I was amazed at how beautiful the castle was and I took another opportunity to look at it up close and examine each little detail.  I can't even begin to imagine how much time and effort it was to paint each little swirl and carve each little structure. Wow.  It was so beautiful.

In our journal for the class, we were assigned to talk about conquest, and what it would be like to be conquered.  I couldn't imagine what it must be like to have this beautiful palace and have it taken away from you, just like that.  I never really even thought about what it would be like to lose everything you own and built up, everything taken away from you so quickly.  It would be very difficult to live in a time like that, when it was survival of the fittest and whoever had the most power or money or the strongest army.  That would be a huge, devastating blow.

Montserrat

Today I was a little sad that I couldn't attend my own church, but I was excited to see what the day had in store for me.

There wasn't a ton of walking today, which was nice.  We rode on a train and I admired the scenery (and slept a little) while we rode.  However we rode through tunnels, so I just read my book when there wasn't much scenery.

When we got to the mountain, we had to ride a cable car to the top.  I was a little bit scared because I'm terrified of heights.  When we got in the car was incredibly full and I stood in the middle thinking it would help.  However, every time I got the courage to look out the window, it looked like we were going to hit the mountain or I could see how high up we were, and it would scare me more.  One of the professors told me to just look at the bar in front of me and breathe, so I did.  When we got off the ride I got a little claustrophobic, but once I was off I thought I was fine.  However, I sat down because I was feeling lightheaded, and then I realized I was having a panic attack.  I was hyperventilating, tears were burning my eyes, and my heart was racing.  I didn't know what to do but I just kept trying to bring my breath back to normal.  One of the professors asked if I had altitude sickness and I said "No, I think I'm having a panic attack."  So another professor said "Okay, then she doesn't need an audience.  Let's go."  I didn't realize so many students were surrounding me but I was starting to feel better, so I think subconciously I did know.  I know they meant well and were concerned for me but I apperciated the teacher doing that for me.  One of the professors and another student stayed behind while I calmed down and waited for the other professor and his group to come up.  I was really scared and I apperciated them waiting with me.

After I was calmed down, I went with another student to explore until it was lunchtime.  It was beautiful and so peaceful, and seeing and being out in nature helped me calm down more.  The theme today is spirituality, and being one with nature.  I love nature, I feel peace and balance when I'm in an area like this or Zion National Park.  I enjoy being outside and smelling, tasting, hearing, seeing, and feeling what nature offers.  I love to do deep breathing exercises while I'm outside and just feel things like the sun on my face or the wind blowing through my hair.  It was so peaceful being inside the church and experiencing what others find spiritual to them.  I found it so neat that there is a church on a mountain that thousands of people attend.  It was amazing to be there, and I think that having the panic attack and then experiencing this sense of peacefulness was an amazing contrast to feel.

I got close to another anxiety attack because when I was in the church, people were coming up behind me and it just got more and more full.  I was feeling very claustrophobic and I was starting to panic, so I decided to leave.  Nobody followed but that was actually really nice.  I sat down on a step to wait for them and I decided to read my book.  It was actually really peaceful to read while I sat inside the courtyard of the church, feeling the cool breeze and hearing the beautiful sounds of nature.  I forgot how much I love reading outside.

I felt like I belonged, because being in nature always reminds me that I matter.  If I didn't, I wouldn't be here to experience all this wonderfulness.  I hated the panic attack, but I wouldn't have had it any other way.  I learned in my abnormal class that sometimes there's a reason for mental illnesses, and I feel the reason for the panic attack was so I could feel the contrast.  It was beautiful, spiritual, and peaceful.

Park Güell y Sagrada Família

Sorry for the lack of pictures on this post, my camera had been having issues.

Today we visited a park created by Gaudi called Park Güell.  It was so peaceful and gorgeous.  Nature within nature!  I could've spent hours and hours inside this park, it was so beautiful.  I love being out in nature anyway, but there was so much to explore and discover, I loved it all!

We then went to Sagrada Familia, a gorgeous church designed by Gaudi.  It's still being built and restored!  Everytime I see something designed by Gaudi, I am amazed.  All the work he put into it to make it look like something, like a waterfall or a leaf.  It is so overwhelming to see the detail he put into every little structure.

Today's theme for the class was building self, and I feel that I truly am building myself on this trip.  I'm building who I am and who I want to become.  I'm building my maturity, confidence, and finding my values and who I am as a global citizen.  It's been amazing so far being in a foreign country where I barely know the language and trying to find my way around.  From day one at the airport I had to find my own way but I did it!  I believed in myself, I need to find and build that sense of self-confidence.

I've noticed that I have more fun when I'm less internal and get more involved in the planning, and when I'm more outgoing and interactive than I normally am.  Part of building myself is finding that balance between taking care of the introvert in me, as well as the social needs, and getting past the social anxiety part of me.  It hasn't been easy, but being in Spain has helped me build myself so much, and I know that I'll be doing a lot more building while I'm here.

Barcelona Day 2

Whew!  Today was an incredibly tiring, long, and beautiful day.  We went to the Picasso Museum

and the Chocolate Museum.

The Picasso Museum was really amazing.  I feel like I need to mention

this:  I am not a big Picasso fan.  I understand more now than I did before after listening to the

professors' interpretations, but I still am not a huge fan.  It's just not appealing to me; I can still

appreciate it and understand it, but that doesn't mean I have to LOVE it.


Today, in our journal for the class, we are supposed to write about perception.  Since this is the case,

I decided to look at art differently than I do normally.  I studied each color Picasso chose, each brush

stroke, and realized how much time and effort he took into making each picture look the way it did.

I wondered if maybe there was a reason he chose a certain color, a mood or emotion he was feeling

at the time.  I also didn't know that the fictional men in every picture were modeled after his father; it

was neat to see how close he was to his father.

In the chocolate museum, it was really cool to see how chocolate was made.  My perception

changed, not in the way you would think though.  It was really cool to see the TARDIS, the dragon,

the Chicken Little statue, all made of chocolate; but what changed my perception was so minor, so

tiny, it made not have occurred to anyone else.  The girl speaking to us was trying her best to speak

English and was struggling a little, and you could tell she was embarrassed.  I wasn't judging her, I

wasn't thinking 'well, why is she struggling so much, she should know more English than that...'

nothing like that was coming to mind, I was just listening.  However, when one of the professor said

"Your English is perfect.  We appreciate you speaking English to us," something hit me hard.  I

realized that even though I'm in a foreign country speaking Spanish, I am expecting everyone to

speak English to me.  I felt a little badly about that but realize now that I can change that attitude.

They don't have to speak English; it's nice when they do, but I'm in THEIR country, and I should

make an attempt on my part to speak Spanish.  I'm sure I can't learn it all in one day, as nice as that

We also ate Indian food...in Spain :D...and it was so delicious.  I want to eat more of it.

After dinner we went to Casa Mila.  It was beautiful.  I honestly didn't know that much about Gaudi

before coming here, but I am overwhelmed by the work he did to make things look like nature.  I

love each little detail, and I understand his importance for nature, because I feel the same way.  It's

neat that he saw things in a different way, and that is something I need to work on.  I am a pretty

literal person, and I'm stuck in a black and white world, but that has slowly been improving.  I am

seeing things differently, and I'm starting to see the grey.  It'll take a long time and it's something I'll

forever be working on, but I feel like I've made progress in that area.


I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings :)

Landed in Barcelona

I landed in Barcelona today! I'm scared, excited, anxious, worried, awed, impressed, and overwhelmed. The longest airplane ride I have been on before now was from Las Vegas to Orlandoand back, which was about 5 hours each way. This one, minus the layover, was about 15 hours. I was so excited though that it really didn’t feel like it took that long. I’ve never been in a plane that served food, but the second flight served dinner and then a light breakfast (delicious, by the way). Going into different time zones was an adventure too, especially landing in a place that is 8 hours ahead of Utah. It was so weird to be eating fruit and yogurt at a time that I’m normally asleep. I think what makes me the most nervous about this trip is that I am not very confident in my ability to read a map. I was able to navigate a little when I worked in Florida for 5 months but I was always sure I knew how to get back, and I didn’t really use a map. I did use a bus system, but that was several years ago and much different than a metro system. I’m also nervous about everything being in Spanish. I remember a few words from my one semester forever ago, but not enough to be confident in speaking much. I'm going to try, though. I can’t wait to see what Barcelona has in store. I’m not sure what to expect but from the classes and talking to students who went last year, I know it’ll be totally worth everything.