So most people have already done this post, but whatever. After getting back from the Barcelona trip, I didn't have time to do all the things I wanted, and one of those things was a conclusion blog. So here it is now.
At this moment, I am sitting on a 11 hour overnight ferry ride from Ancona, Italy to Split, Croatia. Ideally, I should be sleeping, but it's just a little bit difficult. So, I decided to finish up my Spain blog.
This week was full of lasts. We had last dinners, last meetings, last classes, and probably the last time I will ever see some people. It got pretty sad. As the week went on, the goodbyes got harder and harder.
The first goodbye was to the old people's home that I volunteer at. I felt so welcome and so blessed by both the patients and staff that it was hard to leave, especially when one serenaded me with the song of Asturias. They said I was always welcome back, and I might take them up on that.
Beatriz invited me out to chocolate con churros with her and Ángeles and Diana and we had a great time. Conversation was filled with talks about telenovelas and good looking actors, and the food was very good. (Although, I would rather have real food for dinner in the future, rather than chocolate con churros.)
I also spent a lot of time studying. With four exams, two papers, a presentation, and two essays all crammed into one week, I kept myself pretty busy. Don't forget this was all in Spanish! It did not help that we had beautiful weather. All I wanted to do was sit outside and eat yummy ice cream. Although, Diana and I did find a nice outside study spot very close by.
On Sunday, we went on our last group excursion to the caves of Tito Bustillo and the lakes/city of Covadonga. It was a lot of fun. The caves had really, really old cave paintings. I have never seen anything like it. Most of the drawings were animals, like horses or cows. One interesting fact is that there is only one correct spot to look at these images. From other locations, the painting looks distorted. We then explored the nearby city of Ribadrsella and climbed to a viewpoint to see a really pretty view of a harbor and some cliffs. Asturias is so beautiful.
The next stop was the lakes of Covadonga. Jenna and I already went there when her parents came, but it was really foggy. We were hoping for better weather. Although it was a little cold, it wasn't nearly as foggy and we could see a lot better. We had a bocadillo break with the most beautiful view of the lakes. Next was the basilica and chapel in the city of Covadonga. We kind of hurried out because everyone was getting anxious to study for our history exam the next day.
Monday was pretty much spent eating and studying. I had two exams, vocabulary and history, and also spent a lot of time writing essays and studying for my other two exams. Tuesday was similar, but with only one exam.
After finishing my last exam on Wednesday, the fun finally started. We got wine for the last time at our favorite place, D'Marcos, and then went gift shopping. I then had my last dinner with Eusebio, and got him chocolates. He was so surprised and thankful! It was really cute.
On Thursday, we went to Gijón for a beach day. It was really windy, but a little section of the beach called the tostadero has a lot less wind so we settled down back there. Unfortunately, so did a few topless old women. After only a few hours, many of us got a tad toasty and it was time to go back. We got back to Oviedo in time to have a merienda with all the host families in order to say thank you. We sang some songs and read verses and took pictures. It was really nice. Back at home, Beatriz made me a special dinner that included traditional food from Oviedo, pastries, and champagne. We then all went out to sidra to say goodbye to our friend Stephanie.
Friday, we went shopping, again, and then Beatriz taught me how to make a traditional Spanish tortilla. It was really cool to learn, and now I will be able to make it for my friends and family. I also met with my tandem partner, Natalia, to say goodbye. Diana's partner Sonia was also there. We went to sidra and got them little bags of candy. We both agreed that if either are in the states or if we are back in Spain, our houses are always open. So I am for sure coming back. That night, we all dressed up and went to TierraAstur, a nice restaurant in Oviedo. We had really good food and good company and also said a lot of goodbyes. The Calvin group went out for the last time, and Sonia even came with us. We hung out with a couple of her Spanish friends as well, and it was a good way to end our Spain experience.
On Saturday, I woke up to a cake especially made for me by Eusebio. It was so yummy and thoughtful and his note was very sweet! After finishing packing up my suitcase, I met up with Ali to take one last stroll through Oviedo. It was really sad to say goodbye to the city. Lunch with Beatriz was delicious, as usual, and included the rest of the pastries and champaign.
Saying goodbye to Beatriz was really difficult. I have every intention of staying in contact and even returning to Oviedo, but I won't see her for a long time. She was my substitute mother and took really good care of me. I loved staying in her house and her generosity was so much more than I expected. I was really blessed to have her as a host mom and really hope to return.
After saying goodbye to Beatriz, I headed out to Dwight's house to return a couple things and then waited for the bus to Madrid. Jenna, Ali, Alexis, and I left Oviedo at around 5:30. :( We got to Madrid around 6 hours later and, after finding our hotel, said goodbye and went to bed. Jenna and I got about 3 hours of sleep and then had up to get on our flight to Rome, Italy and meet up with her sister Jillian and friend Merritt.
This experience has been such a blessing to me in so many ways. I have loved the Spanish culture and really enjoyed getting to know the people, food, and traditions. I have made great friends, both in Spain and with the Calvin group, and have loved getting to know them. Our group was really fun and had great dynamics. I wouldn't trade anybody on this trip. I also feel like I can now relate to other international students in the United States. I now know why they stick together, and I would be a lot more willing to reach out and make friends with them. I love love loved Oviedo and plan on coming back sometime in the near future.
The next part of my adventure is so exciting. After saying all the goodbyes in Oviedo, I kind of just wanted to go home and see my family, but I am so glad that I am still traveling. Jenna and I are meeting up with Jillian and Merritt and touring Rome, Croatia, and Paris for 10 days. We have been planning this for a long time and it should be a really fun trip.
So even though this is a little late, it's better late than never. Reflecting on my semester has been a kind of happy sad, but it he whole thing was such a blessing. This next trip will be exciting as well and I can't wait to see what adventures wait for us. Less than a week until I come home! It will be happy to be home too :)
Beso, beso