my final days
here goes my last post
The last couple of days were great in Seville and Madrid, sadness and happiness ran through everyone. Thursday, i had my two finals, which both went well. the plan for after class was to go to this amusement park, so i was gonna hang out at a nearby park beforehand and told my madre i needed a sandwich. That plan ended up falling thru, so i went home for lunch and told our madre to save the sandwich for the following day, for we were all planning on having a picnic by the river for the last day. That night (our last supper) we had sandwiches....i didnt see this coming. She then asked me what we wanted for the next day; a picnic or to eat at home. I told her that i already had my sandwich, and she said no, that was your sandwich. Confused, for i knew i had asked her to save that one for the next day, and she told me that it wouldnt be good after a day; I couldn't help but laugh.
Friday, we ate lunch at home for a last meal, and then, a good amount of us ended up going to the river to hang out for awhile. After that, a couple of us went to this structure called "las setas" which means the mushrooms and we went to the top of them to view the city and drink mojitos, and it was another gorgeous site to view Seville. That night, we had our goodbye dinner with our coordinators, teachers, and one of our tour guides. It was really fun, but also very sad. Afterwards, we went out with everyone which was pretty fun, until i realized my wallet and phone were gone...Yup, i was walking to go get churros and chocolate one last time when i noticed both of them were missing. I knew i couldnt do much about it, so i just watched the sunrise and went home. I got about an hour and a half of sleep until we took a taxi to get to the bus stop so we could leave for Madrid. the bus was actually not too bad. I slept for awhile, and we also stopped three times to eat and hang out. somehow a couple of us got on the topic of my scars, and as i was describing them, one of the girls from the Cadiz group turns around and asks me what the name of my surgery was called, and i told her esophageal atresia te fistula which is also the condition i had, and she the cruveball she decided to throw at me was that she had the same thing....wait what?? to me, this was mind boggling, for i had only met one other person when i was at camp when i was younger who went through what i did, and now, for me to meet another person, while studying abroad in Spain, to have had this condition and who had the same surgeries that i had was pretty amazing. We both talked about our scars, what was similar and what was different, and it was just pretty awesome for me to talk about this with someone like we were talking about the days weather. I guess the rest of the bus ride was pretty average compared to that crazy coincidence.
once we got in Madrid, we just hung out for a little before having dinner. since i didnt have a phone, i didnt set an alarm before falling asleep, and i only caught the tail end of dinner, but i still got to eat, thank goodness. Later that night we chilled in one of the rooms before going out for one last night. We all went to our favorite bar called El tigre, where they served free appetizers as long as we ordered drinks. The night didnt really last long before we headed back to the hotel. a bunch of us climbed around the scaffolding on the hotel like the first night, then we went up to the top of the hotel, where i kind of took a fall and hit my head, but i ended up being perfectly fine so we're good. Again, not having a phone hurt me, for i woke up late to get to our bus, but as i got there, one of our instructors told me to wait at the hotel for two other people and to take a taxi to the airport. so, i went inside, met up with them, and then we just ate breakfast because we realized we actually had a good amount of time. We get to the airport to find out that the power went out, so everyone was just chillen for awhile. I stood in like with one of the people i waited on at the hotel, but he was actually going to barcelona for a couple days and not back to the US, so i was taking one of his bags on the plane ride with me. I waited in line for a little over an hour before getting to the desk, for there was a group of about 40 kids from a private school or group in front of me, and they took forever checking their bags in. Their instructors were irritating me, for they had no clue how to efficiently organize these kids into getting through the airport. Now, once i finally reached the desk, i become more aggravated. Since i was checking two bags, the second one cost 77 euros, BUT the desk lady didnt have change, and im sitting here astounded that she had no way of finding me 3 freaking euros so i could check this bag in, so she told me that i could find change by going downstairs and asking some store. I told her that i didnt even want change, just to take the 80, for i needed to make it to my plane. She said she couldnt do that, she needs exact change (by now im fully pissed off). so i told her to watch my bags and i went around asking people for change. after about 10 people, one person finally had change, but it only enabled me to get 75 euros. So i was now determined to make this happen. I went back, and gave her the 75 as if everything was normal, i put both of my bags on the conveyor belt, and then she checks me in, but then goes "wait, this is only 75, do u have 2 euros?" and i said no, the person only had 75 euros (which was a lie, but i didnt care and i didnt have 2 euros) so she is now asking her co-workers what to do until some boss lady goes, "its 2 euros....just let the man go" and i wanted to reach across and hug this lady while punching the other one in the face, but i just said thank you. SO, now the lady tags my friends bag, and then goes "where's your other bag?" and im like u shittin' me?! i had both of them on the belt, and she asks me if im sure. I cant believe that this is happening, u go through so much trouble over a couple of euros and then u lose my bag, and ask me if im sure i put it up there? something was seriously wrong with this lady's head. so im infuriated after she tells me she will try and find it, and then i leave to go meet everyone at the gate. Finally, i get to everyone as they are boarding the plane and tell them about the series of stressful events. We board the plane and head off to america. i was so glad to enjoy the free beer and wine, and Caddyshack on that plane its not even funny and yes, it was all free, even Caddyshack. I watched that, Gangster Squad, and listened to a bunch of music.
the bus ride from Seville to Madrid, i was wearing a Bill Murray shirt and a girl from the Cadiz group asks me who he was, and i was in shock, for 1. she didn't know who he was and 2. said she had never seen Caddyshack when i tried to explain who he was to her. So i told her to watch it on the plane when i saw that they had it, and she did, but she said it wasnt that good......i couldnt believe my ears, and im sure her parents would react the same way if she told them that, but maybe she wasn't in the right mood or was feeling ill, idk but she needs to watch it again. Really cool girl, not so great at rating movies, though.
US customs? that was a joke. I was expecting to be there for half an hour to an hour and for them to check my bags or search me or something, but no. They had one guy ask me a couple of questions and then i was on my way; no searches, no dogs, none of that which really surprised me. But then we walked to the gates and everyone departed to their separate ways, and it was a final saddening moment, but at the same time, i just remembered about all the great times i had with everyone. My mom picked me up, we went shopping for food, i ate Qdoba that night, passed out at 9, and that was all she wrote.
These passed 7 weeks i had the most amazing experience of my life. I have done more in these 7 weeks than some people do in their entire lives. I visited countless cities in 3 countries in 2 different continents. My whole view on life has changed, my mind now more open, and it feels amazing. We take so much for granted, and this trip made me realize that even more. I am so truly blessed to have witnessed the things i did, encounter the types of people i did, and i would have never been able to open my mind in this way had i not gone out of the country. If there is any possible way you can get out of the country, you need to do it. I know i cannot wait to go back, and i am even thinking about working out of the country for a few years, helping people which will also help myself and better myself as a person. It seems like yesterday that i was saying goodbye to my mom at the airport, and now, im back and ready to take what i have learned and experienced and to apply it to my everyday life. I spent these passed 7 weeks with the greatest group of people i could imagine and wouldn't change it for the world. Each person i have come to know and love made this experience unforgettable in countless ways, and i cannot thank you all enough for what you have given me. To every student i traveled with, thank you for befriending me and making every day an adventure. You are all amazing people, and I know our friendships will continue to grow as we get back to Athens. My instructors, Manuel, David, Carlos, and Clara; you're not only my mentors, but also my friends, and i want to thank you for everything you have taught me and given me as well; the advise, knowledge, and friendship i gained from you guys is incredible. I want to thank my grandparents for paying for this trip, for without you guys, none of this would have been possible, and i shall be forever grateful for making my dream come true. Thank you, God for making this trip possible, and for putting all these wonderful people in my life. And Spain, i love you. Thank you for your hospitality and for showing me one helluva time. Sevilla hasta la muerte! Until next time.
Con mucho amor, Chase