The end of my semester abroad. 

These past two-three weeks have been unbelievably busy and emotional. For that reason, I will try to keep this post short and sweet.

 Last week (first week of May) I spent the week writing my research paper on the Cuban Revolution, which I received a wonderful grade on! I also spent this week socializing and take time to myself. I was obligated to say yes (because of my intercambio) to any invite I received from friends. I followed this command and I've got to say, I am glad my intercambio made me say yes to everything! I had the best weekend ever in Sevilla. I am not saying that it was that great because I was out all night. I was out all night, but mostly sitting next to the river and talking to friends.

This week, my last week in Sevilla was even more emotional. I completed sophomore year on Wednesday. Studying for those exams..well the one exam, was very hard to do because Sevilla is a very beautiful place. On Wednesday, I said "hasta luego" to the student I have been tutoring the past three months. On Thursday, I said "hasta luego" to all my children at the daycare I volunteered at. I was not prepared to sing the goodbye song for the last time without the children knowing that day was my last day. On Friday, I had to say "hasta luego" to everyone at the farewell tapas at school. Friday evening, I had to say the hardest "hasta luego" yet, to my intercambio. I think it is because I won't be able to see him until I come back to Spain. At night, I said a real "hasta luego" to my closest friends I made in Spain. 

Since I had the weekend to myself, I told myself I'll do everything I have yet to cross of off my bucket list. Saturday, I visited Plaza de toros and climbed up La Giralda. On Sunday, my last day in Spain, I spent the morning with my Spanish mom in the countryside. We visited a monastery and went to a book fair. After, she treated me out to lunch at the club she is a member at. I came home and rested for a hour. I spent the late afternoon walking all through Sevilla reminiscing all my the memories I made with the city, both good and bad. I returned home and saw a gift on my bed. Marta, my Spanish mom, had bought a book from the book fair that the author signed. She also left a message for me! I opened it in front of her and started crying. I went back to packing and finishing up last minute tasks before I had to leave. Marta made a wonderful last dinner too. 

With that being said, my time abroad has come to an end. It has been quite the experience in Sevilla. Sevilla has become my second home without a doubt. As sad I as I am to leave, I am ready to come home. Hasta luego, España. Sevilla, ha sido un placer. Te amo y te echaré de menos. 

April 27-29: Madrid

This was my last trip while being abroad. Of course, I couldn't study in Spain and not visit the capital of Spain. We visited almost every single site that you could associate with Madrid in three full days and even had time for siestas!

We arrived Friday morning at 7 am and walked to our hostel to drop off our bags. Afterwards, we went to a very cute coffee shop to warm up and take a break before we starting site seeing. We went to Park Retiro, my favorite site in Madrid. We walked through the whole park and visited other sites like the Crystal Palace. After the park, we went back to the hostel to check in and freshen up. We spent Friday visiting lots of plazas, chocolate shops, and of course, eating churros at San Gines. 

Saturday was full of more adventures! We visited the Botanical Gardens, even though there were not as many flowers as we thought would be there. Afterwards, we walked to the Real Palace. This palace is so beautiful and elegant. After the Real Palace, we went to the Temple of Debod-a reconstructed Egyptian temple, the Cathedral,  La Latina-a latinx neighborhood, and back to hostel. We took a siesta and at night, we went for dinner and met up with my friend's friend. 

Sunday was another adventure in itself. The weather in the morning was cold and rainy but by the afternoon, it was sunny and windy. We went to an outdoor flea market named El Rastro and to museums: Prado and Reina Sofia. I saw La Guernica and Las Meninas in person! The whole time I was standing in front of both pieces of art, I could not believe that this was real. It was a dream come true. 


With that, my final adventure in Spain came to end. Even though I did not travel to Paris, Prague, Italy, and other European sites, I am not sad. I was able to visit so many sites in Spain and learn about the different cultures and accents within Spain. All of my trips in Spain allowed be to become open and get the cultural experiences I wanted to experience in the past three and a half months.