I just finished writing the blog anterior, but I went to Italy two weeks ago, and between Italy and now, like a crazy person, I squeezed in a trip to southern Spain; Málaga and Nerja. Locura! Virginia, when do you study? Are you going to pass this semester? Eyy tranquila, who knows… Like I said, there could be greater ways to fill your head…. I studied so hard the night before every exam so far, so no worries ~~cruisinnnn~~

So I took another holiday in Spain, counting crows style. I feel like I have an incredible grasp on this country. I’ve been mostly everywhere I’ve wanted to go, and then some. I’m not taking it for granted, either.

I feel like I’ve gone through every adjective to describe the places I’ve been and I’m running out of words. I need to read more or something and broaden my vocabulary. I wish I could switch to deep sighs, facial expressions, little jigs, skips, or hops…

So, ball rolling. My friend Sean and I flew into Malaga and took a cab to a quaint little B&B. We got to explore the city a little bit that night, which is always a pleasure for me. We stopped at a little Pizza place at about 12 at night and had some wine. 7 glasses of wine for 11 euros? Uh, I’ll take it! Randomly, we met an Argentinian as I was going to grab a little bowl of asorted nuts, and discussed politics about the States, the fallacy of generalizations of cultures…This is becoming a norm for some reason. I think I’m just inspired by it, and when someone makes a comment, it’s like the spark lights the torch or something. We also saw this guy and girl that drove up in a bombshell of a beautiful car, dressed in like, white togas (?), with greasy hair. I don’t know, it was just a strange sight. Greek mixed with Guido or some sorts..Night Security came up to talk to them because they thought it was ok to park their car in the middle of the street. Huh… Anyways.

The next morning we arose to take an hour bus ride to Nerja, and got there to find our hostel a block from the bus station. Wonderful, wonderful.. We made our way to the beach, and stumbled upon the balcony of Europe. Oh Lord, thinking of a good adjective or verb …..Miraculous? So remarkable as to possibly elicit disbelief? That could work…There were three layers to this sight. You had a rise of mountain landscape in the background, a closer middle ground of cliffs, white villas, deep oranges splotched with a few greens, and then below, flawless beaches, life, large rocks weathered by the wave motions, and crystal waters. We climbed through the crevices along the beach, and found the perfect little place for tomando el sol. I ran into the water full force, just to feel the numbness of pure contentment. I lasted 3 minutes in there. Good times.

We had excellent paella, and later on that night bar hopped to about 6 or 7 different places. Haha, ehh, indulging is a pleasure my friend! The next day we had to head back to Malaga to catch the bus back to Madrid. 6 hours? Ouch. Worth it though; for every second of this trip and the sunset to my left on the way north.

So everything was perfect about this little getaway. A 2.5 day viaje, but you don’t need much to make you feel incredible. Those moments last!

Last wednesday night I took a break from the..very hard studying that I was doing all day… and took a vuelta, about 12 at night. It was a nice walk for personal reflection. I’m a freaking goofball really, so don’t ever take me too seriously, but it was good for me. I chatted with myself in Spanish (which has really hit close to my target), about how my first months here were quite lonely–how sometimes it’s hard to leave comfort to randomly haul yourself into something unknown. Especially when you’re expected to perform on a high level in another language. It’s not that I thought I couldn’t do it, or that it was impossible, but it was not easy at all.

I just wanted to comment on these thoughts because if you read this and want to study abroad, more or less alone (or not alone), it’s good to know, I think. My entire life I’ve been a really good chameleon. My exteriors are always changing, I’ve got friends in high and low places that are different, I’ve latched onto different identities and I’ve enjoyed doing it. I feel like I can say that I’ve experienced a lot of lifestyles thus far and it’s help center me and broaden my character.
On the other hand, I’ve never been alone. I’ve always had someone to call. I’ve always had something to do. My life has always been so busy and in that sense I think it’s harder to develop your own identity. Between all of these ins and outs of being here, I’ve discovered how good of a friend I am to myself, and more about who I am. I’ve learned about the blows I could overcome, the effects of distance from those I love, how to discover that another language isn’t so hard if I just let the words come out from my own voice, how wrong generalizing someone is, the satisfaction of seeing something and feeling like it’s filling up a part of my heart… You don’t need to be with someone or a group to fall in love with the world, or feel good about how you’re developing. I guess I could figure out more about the great things about myself than ever before. I’ve been able to see much of my failure, and my little every day successes; how I got there and how I didn’t. I was talking to a friend about it last night and it got me thinking even more. I wish I could have been a little stronger at the beginning, but then again, I’d never be able to appreciate how strong I’ve become. I’m sorry If this has too much depth.. Maybe you’re learning more about me in this blog than you ever thought you would, or wanted to. But it’s important to see yourself this way. I’ve learned to not judge myself in total based on what I affiliate myself with, or anyone for that matter. I just think there’s more to people than what’s external.

I want to see more of the world, and I think I’ve set myself up quite nicely to do it. I’ve seen so little of it! So little… But I’ve lived so little too, and tia, there’s always time (says Spain).

Enjoy the photographs, I have one more final to study for, and then I head to Paris for a few days!! Anda que…….!!