Back in America!

This is probably one of the last, if not the last, post I'll be making over my experiences abroad and it's a bitter sweet feeling.

I arrived home on the 21st of December, and could not be more ecstatic to see my family, friends, sleep in my own bed, and so much more, but at the same time, I knew that it wouldn't be long before I was missing Sevilla.

Before I go into some of the more sappy stuff, I feel that I should summarize the whole returning to America thing and customs. I feel like this will be useful, considering that I had no idea what I was doing and maybe this will help someone in my same position. It's basically just a series of checkpoints were you will have to reclaim your luggage when you arrive in the United States, but here are a few tips to make the process easier.

First of all, I brought back plenty of gifts for my family and friends and had to claim all of it at customs. I would suggest packing on the stuff you bought abroad in a separate suitcase as to avoid having to open up multiple bags.

Second of all, have a general idea of what all this stuff costs, as it will save you time filling out paperwork.

Third, make sure to revue airline policies, as they can vary. Also, remember that this can be an intimidating moment, at least it was for me, but I the whole process is pretty quick and as long as you're organized then you'll be fine. Though the process may be quick, it should not be relegated as unimportant. Carrying illegal things, such as meats or fruits, could lead to big fines starting at $1,000, so be responsible!

Finally, I just want to say that these last four months have been some that I will not forget. The culture of Spain was amazing and I'm truly having trouble adjusting back into my American lifestyle. I thought that I would be happy to see 24 hour stores and have the luxury of air conditioning, but I often find myself missing the emphasis that the Spanish culture puts on family and all the little things. Those Sundays where most stores were closed provided me time to catch up on my week, talk to family, and just relax. My host mom provided a great environment for me to live and really enjoy my time abroad. I know that i'll miss all the friends I've made and hope that one day I can return to this amazing country.

Wrapping It All Up!

It's my last week here and to make things worse... it's finals week. Of course, this is actually not that much of a bother, considering I'm pretty well prepared and my classes end early, but still, it would be nice to enjoy my last week in Sevilla worry free. Regardless, I've dedicated this week to visiting places in the city that I've failed to do so far and really soaking in as much of the culture until I have to leave.

I've already started to feel sad about leaving and missing so much. My host mom even drops playful hints about how lonely she will be and how much she will miss us. It's making it all the while harder to start packing and preparing to leave. To make things worse, the local airlines are scheduled to have a protest that could delay flights to Madrid, where I'm supposed to catch a second flight back to the U.S. To say the least, this has been a stressful week and will probably only get more complicated.

Update: I'm actually catching a bus to Madrid as to avoid any airline inconveniences, so I'm set on that. I also finished up all my finals with relative ease. Finals are pretty similar to those back in the United States. You have designated time and room where you have to take your finals, but nothing too hard.

Anyways, the university has set up a going away event at a local tavern where all the students and professors will be able to celebrate a successful semester completed and enjoy each others company before leaving. I'm excited to go and say my goodbyes, but it will be bitter sweet. My bus leaves from Sevilla at 11:00 p.m on Thursday, and I should be in Oklahoma City by 8:00 p.m. on Friday! I'm actually not looking forward to the long flight, but I'm so eager to get home!

Finally, I'll leave you with a few pictures and a quote that means a lot to me:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." (Mark Twain)

Cordoba and Granada!

This weekend, my program had a trip to Cordoba and Granada planned. We didn't get to spend much time in Cordoba, which is probably best, because its such as small town, but had much to offer. while there we visited the Mezquita, a mosque that dates back to the 11th century!

Pictures Below!

The real highlight of this trip was the two day stop in Granada. Granada was really one of my favorite cities that I've visited so far. Its scenery with snow capped mountains and lively night life were a good get away from the warmer temperatures in Sevilla. My favorite part might actually have been the free appetizers you get with every drink you purchase! After that, I would definitely rank the Flamenco show, inside if an actual cave, as one of my more favorite moments.

Here are some pictures from Granada, below!

I will actually admit that I attended an amateur Flamenco show in Sevilla and really enjoyed it more. The amateur dancers were more creative and they didn't feel like a rehearsed show, like that of Granada. regardless, both performances were great and I really gained an appreciation for this unique art.