Volveré, Barcelona

I will return, Barcelona.

As I pack up my room, throw away clothes that don't fit into my bags, and buy some last minute souvenirs it's finally starting to dawn on me that I'm leaving. Even though I have two weeks of traveling with my parents, I will never have the same life that I've been living for the past 4 months. Yeah it doesn't sound like a lot, but there's something about waking up and taking the metro to school, grabbing a coffee or beer between classes, and heading to the beach or some other awesome place to relax before heading home to dinner at 9:30. There is no other feeling similar to running to the airport right after class to catch a flight to a weekend trip in another country. I'm certainly not going to miss getting offended when the spaniards start talking English to me right away (and my pride always getting in the way and answer in Spanish regardless), but they are still the most understanding people ever. I'm definitely going to miss beer being cheaper than water at restaurants and not having to tip, and my wonderful host mom who has done way too much for me the past 4 months. But one thing that I do know for sure, that all of these things shaped me and changed me for the better. 

I'm a wee bit more patient after adopting the Spanish "mañana" mantra, I'm definitely more understanding of all the cultural differences there are in this all too small world. I can speak 10x more Spanish, and about 5x less proper English (I can't even tell if that sentence itself is proper English yikes). But hey you give and you take. 

I also have a greater appreciation for my parents. They have spent way too much for me to follow my dream of studying abroad, and I know I haven't said thank you nearly enough. They have given up a lot for me to run of to Europe and have a fun filled semester with very little studying involved- and they never once questioned me when I said I want to study abroad only encouragement. So I owe all 4 of my parents the biggest of Thank yous. I will forever and ever and ever be indebted to you- metaphorically and quite literally. 

Being abroad has tested me in ways I never would've imagined. I don't regret a single second (Except maybe the first night at George Payne when I sang karaoke). I have seen amazing places, met amazing people, and grown exponentially. I can't wait to be home with my friends and family, and I can't wait to see where my life takes me. But I do know one thing; I will leave a piece of Myself in Barcelona. So if you ever want to visit the city I love, Meet me in Barcelona.

Besos y abrazos 

Ellen