Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Return

I'm back in the U.S. now! The last week of my time in Spain flew by and I didn't have time to write at all because I was enjoying every second I had there. I had to say a lot of sad goodbyes, but I know that I made lasting friends. I went to Ignition, the young adult group of the church I've been attending in Madrid, one last time last Tuesday and they prayed for me as I left and blessed me into my work with InterVarsity this fall. It is so good to know that my "family" all the way in Madrid will be praying for me and supporting me as I go into ministry.

I didn't stop adventuring my last week. I went to a flamenco bar with Erica and her host mom on Wednesday night to see flamenco dancing and hear a live band. The music started at 12:30am, but things didn't start to liven up until 2am! It was a late night, but so worth it. Never before have I seen so many people excited to dance such a traditional dance. There were people of all ages staying out that late to hear live flamenco music and dance their hearts out. It made me wish I could dance flamenco.










I went to El Prado art museum and got to see paintings by Goya, Velazquez, Brueghel and many more famous artists. It was another shocking experience being among so many acclaimed pieces of art. Here's a tip though, if you are a student, BRING YOUR STUDENT ID! I forgot mine in the states thinking there would be no use of it in Spain since I am not European, but apparently they give all students discounts if you have your student ID. El Prado was free for students with ID and 12 Euros for everyone else, including me. But it was worth the money.


I hung out with my host mom and her friends one last time at their favorite café. I had chocolate con churros, like always as we chatted. Every photo I have with Concha, is of us at the same café eating chocolate con churros. To say the least it was something we did quite often.




The last day of class was bittersweet. We had a party, played games in Spanish and ate chocolate cake. I was sad to say goodbye to my classmates and teacher because I had learned so much from all of them, but so happy that I had such a great experience at the school and really had improved my Spanish.


So, now I'm back in the states getting ready for my next adventure: interning with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Dickinson College. I'm sure I will learn a lot from this experience as well. Adiós!