The Glory of Spains

WOWZA, currently I only have about 3 more days here in Spain. I still haven’t grasped the idea yet and I feel it won’t hit me for a while. It’s going to be hard to transition from here but I am excited to be home. I was thinking about the things I will miss and the things that I will definitely NOT miss. Here are my top 5 me likey and top 5 no me likey (aka…good and bad).

TOP 5 BEST
1. Tapas: small little dishes of food. When people think of Spain, they think Tapas. The most amazing thing about tapas is that they allow to try all kinds of different foods in small portions. Such a smart idea, no?
2. Being able to travel anywhere in Europe by hopping on a plane. While here in Spain I have traveled to Dublin, Ireland; Copenhagen, Denmark; Morocco; Portugal (Lisboa, Sintra, Lagos); Spain (Barcelona, Madrid, Caceres, Merida, Sevilla, Granada, Cordoba, Cadiz, and basically all of Andalucia). And at the end of my WHOLE trip I will have seen Amsterdam and Paris. Ehhh…I’m excited.
3. Living so close to the beach. I recently have taken advantage of this part of the living situation. I’m starting to run a little more so I have run to my friends house, changed into my swimsuit and jumped into the cold Atlantic. The most refreshing thing EVER.
4. Merienda (Snack). The Spanish meal schedule is super messed up. They eat lunch at like 3 o’clock and then at about 6 o’clock they have a Merienda, a snack. This involved a coffee, or tea, and a glorious pastry. P.S. They have really good pastries here. #1 reason why I am starting to run more because I really like them J. Then at about 9 or 10 o’clock they eat dinner. Isn’t that crazy.
5. Having my bike as a main form of transportation. This is the first time I have been without a car and I think once I return to the US of A I am going to continue this idea. There really is no reason why I shouldn’t transport myself in bike…makes since. Well, at least in the city limits of Ellensburg, right?

TOP 5 BAD (but good in their own way)
1. The men dressed up like no other with their shirt buttoned down to their navel with their chest hair spurting out. No joke my friends, it is true. The Spanish men (not all, but most) take more time on getting ready than us ladies do. It’s nuts and quite unattractive.
2. Smoking. I was surprised when I arrived here in Spain to find the majority of the people smoke. Kids start smoking at like 14 years old. And there are no regulations on where to smoke. I hate coming home smelling like smoke, it sucks.
3. The schedule. I have realized that I was not born to live in the Spanish cultural schedule. They are crazy. When they go out at night, they really go out. It’s not abnormal to stay out till 7 in the morning. I normally was the lame one to go home at like 3 o’clock. I just couldn’t keep up. I enjoy taking advantage of daylight more than night time. Ya know.
4. Mullets. Mullets run wild here along with rat tails. It’s a glorious site and makes me crack up. I should switch this to the top 5 best list.
5. Heating systems. Oh wait, there is none. Yea, I would have to say I spent my worst January ever here and there wasn’t even a trace of snow, crazy how that is. Andalucia is the most southern region so the houses are built for hot weather. During winter, inside is sometimes colder than outside. Most of January I was huddles up inside my bed trying to keep warm. Not a fun time.


Overall, it has been a great run. I am so blessed to have this experience abroad. I always dreamed of living in Spain but who knew it would actually happen, not I. I have a seen a lot of things and learned even more. It has been one of my most challenging years. Hard at times but in that I knew the Lord had something for me. That’s the glory of it all, no matter where you are in the world…there the Lord is.

I think the biggest thing that has surprised the most is the lack of spirituality. The majority is either atheist or belief that there is something bigger but don’t care to define that. It was definitely a crazy jump from Whitworth, my private Christian college to the REAL world. Fast learning curve let me tell you. I think that is the part I’m most excited about returning to the US…the amazing fellowship with friends and family that I have developed. I missed that most of all throughout this year. I love you guys. Sooo soon I will see all your faces!!