Movil!

After much pointing and "baratos"... I officially own a Spanish cell!!!

Soon, I will have a piso. Not sure when, but on Thursday I am kicked out of this place, so hopefully before then...?

Santander...

I love that I look out and see the ocean and mountains. I love that I am surrounded by families and students. I love the architecture and character of the city. I love that I am slowly learning Spanish. I love this place. Love.it.

¿La Playa, Por Favor?

So today I hopped (read: lugged pounds of baggage) on a 4.5 hour train from Madrid to Santander... the northern coastal city I will be teaching near. The train ride was BEAUTIFUL - and felt a bit epic as we rode through green mountains overlooking the ocean, and under valleys along Spanish countryside. I already miss Madrid, but I am trying hard to embrace this new city.

Upon arrival, I immediately noticed that nobody speaks English here. Not even the basics (that you can get away with in larger cities.) Ahhhhh! I underestimated the level of difficulty of living in a country where you do not speak the language. All I want to do at this point is learn Spain´s Spanish... which is SO very different from any Spanish I have ever heard/attempted to speak. Ever. But, before I learn the language, I must find a flat. (Which becomes increasingly difficult when you don´t know the language...uhhh...).

After settling into my hostel, I examined the map to find what appeared to be many beaches. So I set out in search of one in Santander. Hours later, I apparently didn´t realize how far I had gone... b/c I hit the ´´Salida a Santander´´ sign, which was entirely counterproductive to what I was trying to achieve. And still no beach. I settled for a seaport. And might try not to walk again for awhile. And might go order a pitcher of sangria right.this.moment.

Tonight, a group of us Auxiliares are all meeting up for tapas/dinner. I haven´t met any of them yet; I have no idea what to expect. I am just hoping I can find them... and if all else fails, I plan to start speaking loudly in English.

And so my first moments in Santander go... time for a much needed siesta. Hasta!

Good luck, Chicago.

It might be a hard fight. In Spain they are holding rallies and free concerts and giving hats for the Olymics 2016... you???

{City Centre}

{The spot where we heard Juanes would be holding a concert... Turns out it was a different dude- but just as good!}

{Concert went all day, all night... in true Spanish form.}

First 24.

It hasn't been very long... But I am already in love with this place.

{You can almost see the bench where I sat in a jetlagged coma for a good hour.}

{Best moment of my trip: Whilst slumbering off the jet lag in my hostel, I hear a knock at the door and a "Is Rebecca here?" ... To find this dear one. I love this girl. So thankful that she is here to teach me the Spanish way!}

{Cafe, a few hours and pitcher of sangria later...}

{Love this spot.}

Tomorrow... more adventures await.

Bon Voyage!

I am lucky to have so many people to miss.

{Goodbye's and Tapas. I have a feeling this is only the beginning of my love for Spanish food...}

{Micks throws me a goodbye party... and has a bit of difficulty w/ translating.}

{Direct Translation: Happy Mischief}

{She sketched a cake.}

{And there it is. My city - Santander - at the top!}

{She's the best.}

{Moon lit porch party - family/friends.}

{Packing. Yikes.}

Tomorrow is the day. I can't wait to set foot in this country I have dreamt about for so long.

Long Live Lola.

When people look at my car, they often use adjectives such as "junk" or "piece" or "beater"... my brother casually mentioned turning her in for Cash for Clunkers, and I was genuinely offended. Because when I look at Lola, all I see are road trips from Chicago to Texas, riding the valley, dance parties, and, in essence, Baylor Life. She was my first car - '91 Acura Legend - and to me she will always be freedom. Yet, in a few short days, she will also be a thing of the past. This has been hard for me to come terms with, as it's not just the car... it's the life. A new life is starting for me, and selling her is the first step. unload, simplify, start anew. I know this transition is important, but the process is still so difficult.

Below you will find some of Lola's finest moments:

{Halloween 2k6}

{Last minute road trip to Austin - midnight of finals 2k7}

{NoRo}

{Mattress transportation - moving in 2k7}

{Birthday kidnappings... so many}

{Lola had to be towed back to chicago on a U-Haul, going at a max speed of 56 mph, post-graduation 2k8}

{Late night HEB run, came back with a kiddie pool, 2k5}

It's time to say goodbye. But we all know that Lola will forever live on.

Flash Mob.

The new thing???

Chicago seems to think so.

Gear.

There is SO much out there... who knew that packing light required so much gear?! Silly me.

So, I went into the local outdoor store in search for a nalgene. And came out with this and this and this and this and this and this and this.

Oh Rick.

He helped me travel europe in 2k7. I am already sifting through his Spain / Best of Europe books for this go around. Where would I be without him???

Exactly.

In a frenzied I-am-really-doing-this moment, I emailed a good friend who has been a source of encouragement for me in this past season of questions and decisions. I met him shortly after he returned from teaching in Prague for 5 years, and he was an immediate inspiration. On so many levels - he gets it. He just does. His words have lent me a bit of sanity, as they often seem to do:

"It gets crazier and crazier the closer you get, doesn't it. Not just cuz you're saying goodbye to your family and friends, and not just cuz you're saying goodbye to the chi and texass- though those are readily on your mind-, but because you secretly know deep down inside that you are about to set off to a whole different life than the one you now know. That's the best part. Even if it's the one we think about the least when it gets this hectic."

It has often been in the moments when I feel the most Lacking that this friend of mine has brought me to a place of feeling equipped and excited for my journey. When I have expected him to affirm this underlying sense that I am crazy, he has shown me understanding and support. Although high schoolers are his students, he has taught me so much. I really mean it -

Thank you.