A Taste of Spain: All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye

Oh my gosh...my last blog post from Spain! Can you believe it?? I certainly can't...

First, I'll update you on what has been going on since I returned from my fabulous trip to Paris! Everything has slowed down and sped up simultaneously. Classes were over last Wednesday, and finals began on Thursday. So, there was more time during the day to do things, but there were infinitely more things to do. There was souvenir/present shopping to do, studying (what?), and spending as much time as possible with friends before we leave. We've been going to our favorite places for the 'last' time...so strange. Sunday, we took a day trip to Cordoba. We had all been wanting to go all semester, but simply hadn't found the time. We decided to be spontaneous and just go! There's not a whole lot to do in Cordoba, but the main attraction is the Mosque-Cathedral. I think I have learned about it in about 3 of my classes...it is very famous throughout Spain! The Great Mosque was built mostly in the 800s, so its REALLY old. During the Reconquista in the 1200's, the Christians came in and overtook the Mosque. In other cities, they would destroy these structures, but in Cordoba they decided to make it their own. So, today it is called the Mosque-Cathedral, and it has Moorish architecture but Christian decoration. It is really interesting and quite the unique look! The trip wasn't too exhausting, and it was so nice to spend one last day traveling with my friends. I think it is finally summer in Spain...it was in the 90's in Cordoba!

So, like I said earlier, this will be my last post from Spain. I just went back and read the first two entries I wrote before coming here, and it is amazing how far things have come. Four months ago, I sat in the middle of my room in Vestavia, surrounded by all my belongings while trying to pack for a semester abroad. I was absolutely terrified, excited, nervous, sad, happy, anxious...just to name a few. I remember looking out the window as I took off in Miami and thinking "Wait!! Stop!! I can't do this...This is all wrong! Get me off this plane now! I need to go home!"

Fast forward to now. I am sitting in the middle of my room in Granada, surrounded by a half-packed room of my stuff. I am, yet again, terrified, excited, nervous, sad, happy, and anxious. It honestly doesn't seem real that I will be leaving on Wednesday. Tomorrow (Tuesday) will be my last full day in Granada. I'll take my last final exam, eat my last meal of Nati's, and say my last goodbyes to the friends I have made here. I will gather my stuff and head to the airport around 5 AM Wednesday morning. I'll fly from Granada to Madrid to Miami to Birmingham...in case you were wondering, it is going to take about 21 hours for me to get home! It should be quite the adventure. Throughout all these emotions I am feeling right now, I know one thing for sure. I am so thankful. Thankful for my parents for giving me this amazing opportunity and never once complaining about costs. Thankful for my friends from the US for always being available when I needed a little slice of home. Especially Colleen and Hunter for being the best travel buddies a girl could ask for! Thankful for my wonderful friends here in Granada. The hardest part of leaving is knowing that I won't be able to see them everyday. We have bonded so much over the past four months. When your family is in another country, you rely on your friends to be your family. I can't wait for us to reunite back in the States...we don't know when, and we don't know how, but it will certainly happen.

In my first blog entry, I quoted a favorite author of mine, Donald Miller. He wrote, "Everybody has to leave. Everybody has to leave their home and come back so they can love it again for all new reasons." I am so excited to return home. I can't wait for real Diet Coke, Mexican food, real American breakfast, ENGLISH, dryers for my clothes, oh and also my family and friends. I am anxious to return. That being said, I am leaving a part of my heart in Granada. There are so many things here that I will miss. Perhaps this is a blessing in disguise though...it is strangely wonderful to have places and people to miss. I am overwhelmed with memories from this semester. Also in my first entry, I expressed my desire to find my 'something beautiful' while in Europe. It is safe to say that I have found tons. From wandering around the Royal Palace in Madrid with new friends to tossing Euros into the Trevi Fountain in Rome; from sitting by the river in Seville to attending a Real Madrid soccer game with Mom and Patrick; from hiking through the mountains of Spain to climbing to the top of Parque Guell; from flamenco shows to the Cliffs of Mohrer in Ireland; from the Mediterranean Sea to the Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh; from watching the Royal Wedding in London with 2 of my best friends in the world to laying on the beach in Cadiz with new friends; from standing at the top of the Eiffel Tower for Hunter's birthday to my last weekend in Granada....it has all been a beautiful whirlwind. Thank you all for reading along with my adventures. It has been an honor to share them with you! I can't wait to see everyone back in America!

Sending my last besos and abrazos from Spain!!
Shannon :)