On September 2, 2012 I wrote the first of many journal entries during my gap year. I've decided to share and reflect upon it. In doing so, I have replaced names and annotated a bit to.. well, let's just say to make it more fun ;)
It is our last day in Valencia :( I had no idea that there was so much to do here. The city is SO charming. Literally, I could get lost in these streets for hours at a time.... and at night!.... and still not have a single worry. I wouldn't have assumed that by the first night, however. That night, all we wanted to do was sleep. As SOON as we got off the train from Barcelona, -> It was cheaper to fly into Barcelona than Valencia and we had to be here by a certain time. <- we shuffled our way to the nearest hostel (€20) ->HA! This was quite comical reading it after a year's worth of traveling because it's BULLS@#$T! Don't ever pay that much for a hostel. Most times, you should never have to.<- and there we met "Danielle" :) Our first travel-backpacking-buddy! It was great. We all bonded in a matter of 3 seconds. I still wanted to be cautious that first night, but she totally ended up being an AWESOME person all together. The next night, the three of us moved over to a hostel called Red Nest. This. place. was. awesome. I freaking love it. Free wifi, free breakfast, pubcrawls, kitchen, terrace, bar, game room.... it's really great. ->This was pretty cute to read as well, because.. most hostels provide all these things..<- The people here are just like us- traveling from all over and, simply, lots of fun. This one guy in particular.... I think he is the 30 yr old-male-Brazilian version of me.
lol.
Or maybe I just wish I was that cool, idk. ~We got to know each other (along w/ all the other 5 people from all over) and started hanging out during the first night's pub crawl (which was sick). Nothing more than friendly jokes to keep convos going. ~However, the next night, we all went out again! (Even better this time, and I originally didn't want to go.) I made a deal with him (after annoying him last night about the same thing) that I would only come out if he salsa danced for us! This was hard for him, though, because he knew my age and did everything he could to be respectful. I swear he never even touched me until that dance! That was refreshing. ~ Eventually we left the club and sat outside to get some air. ~Of course, "catching some air" turned into deep conversation for something like.... oh idk, three hours?(!) We literally talked for so long that we took a taxi to the beach for the sunrise.. and then breakfast.. and then checkout.. and now here I am writing this entry on zero sleep. But I couldn't be happier :) "Ryan" is absolutely incredible. I wish everyone saw the world like he did. There's not a single word that comes out of his mouth that isn't sincere and sentimental. ->LOL, oh boy.<- I respect him very much. And I guess that respect goes both ways, because all of his compliments and questions seemed never-ending. They were overwhelming, I must admit. I've never had that many compliments thrown my way before. There were so many, in fact, that he called me out when I didn't know how to respond- it was that bad! Or good? However you'd like to look at it.... ~When I get so used to hearing these sweet things ~I tend to lose the authenticity in it. So when someone else tells me these things.... only just after really getting to know me.... well. it's just kinda nice to hear. ->The Portuguese, like many other peoples of romantic-descent, have a brilliant way with words. Stringing sentences together for them (it has seemed to me) comes so naturally. I saw this as an art, and still do. I remember it becoming a goal of mine to one day master it. However, I wasn't looking for the ways in which this talent could be put to use for manipulation. This isn't the goal of all suave men, of course.. but I'm just sayin'.. Watch out ladies. <- I hope I can do the same for people. ~These questions, I've never been asked before, questions that I really searched my soul for. ~We're supposed to be getting together one last time before Rachel and I leave for Madrid. I'm hoping he'll come to the beach with us. We're meeting up with a couple of girls and this guy from the bachelor group that we met at the pubcrawl. They're all heading to Madrid so we're hitching a ride! And then we'll get a free night at his house! Sketchy-sounding at first, but God's watching over us. Whatever happens is all part of the plan, so I am not worried. ->Ok, probably could have been a bit more cautious during the very first week of the trip. This group was legitimate, no doubt, but reading this after being away for so long definitely shocked me a bit!<- Plus, we checked this guy out w/ some other ppl. ->....? That's it? Yea, totally legit..<- He's SUPER crazy and funny- like the rest of his crew. The groom-to-be dressed up like a detective dog both nights w/ no shirt, a shirt, a cloak, and boxers lol. His groomsmen were all married and SUPER COOL TOO! They were teaching us Spanish and playing pingpong w/ us. Great times <3
So "A year ago from today.." will be kept up and experimented with through out this next year. Hopefully I can share what it is like, through different states of mind and periods in life, to learn through travel. Travel teaches plenty about one's limits and one's potential. My goal is to help people realize how ok- or better yet, fantastic- it is to be scared, humiliated, and humbled by travel (or even the thought of it) through my own scary, humiliating, and humbling experiences. I'm letting it all out because learning is nothing to be ashamed of. With my finger's crossed, maybe this reflection will do myself some good as well.. and get me by until my next adventure :)
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