Adios, Spain!

Adios, Spain!

Well, friends tonight is my last night in Salamanca. I plan on eating my last dinner at the dorm and then going to the Plaza for some nata (whipped cream) ice cream because my professor has been telling me all trip to try it and I still haven´t. It will be my luck that nata is to die for and I won´t get a chance to have it again. I may have to get some ice cream in the morning. At this poin I´d like to end on tiramasu flavored ice cream because that really was to die for!

This week has been a little rough. First of all, not long after I wrote that blog on Monday I learned that while I was in San Sebastian a guy from the group that went to Pamplona with my group died sometime during the weekend at his señora´s house due to an asthma attack. That was terrible. Be praying for his family, his host family and all his friends. Last I heard they were still working on getting his body back to the U.S. Then of course we had finals this week. I did fine; I got an A in one and a B+ on the other. Thankfully, only the best grade transfers back to my university at home. :-D Not bad if I do say so myself for trying to learn in a second language! I´ve finished up my souvenir purchases here. I have one more to purchase in Madrid and one in London. My backpack is coming back stuffed with souvenirs I don´t trust with the baggage handlers.

I am so thankful that I was able to come on this trip. Everyone that has spent any length of time abroad always says it is a life changing experience and this truly has been! Thank you to everyone that helped me get here-- parents, grandparents, sister, Paulie, Ivan, Mark, Darren, Megan, Stacy, Pastor Dave, the Varners, Caroline, Jill, Jeff and my entire church family! I love all of you guys and I owe you big time! This trip has made me thankful for the little things. First of all, the fact that I am learning a second language but also that English is my first! I also like toilet seats, washing machines, good shoes, proper clothing, good home cooking, nail polish, my bed, the lack of noise at 3 am at my house, my watch, camera and of course friends and family that live close to me! I have learned a lot about Spanish and even more about myself. I´ve learned I´m not nearly as annoying and pessimistic as I thought; I´m rather easy going and a giver. I can adapt to most situations without too much of a fuss. Maybe I won´t die out on my own after all! Hooray! If I can survive in a foreign country, I think I´ll be fine on the other side of my home town.

Enough of the mush. We´re leaving for Madrid by public bus tomorrow between noon and 12:30. We will be in Madrid until Sunday when we will hop aboard a plane for London. I will be there Sunday evening through Wednesday morning, then I´ll had back to the states! All I´ve got to say is that when I get back, I need some Mexican food! And after some Mexican, some good ol´ home cooking. I also need to pack up my belongings so I can move to my new apartment. After visiting all these palaces I have an urge to watch Beauty and the Beast. I also need to watch the latest Harry Potter movie. Bridget, will you go with me? Maybe I could borrow the latest book after you´re done with it?

Ah well, adios from the eastern side of the Atlantic! Initiating blog silence until I return to the States now.