My time in Spain was absolutely wonderful, and I learned a LOT. Like what, you might ask? Well, for starters, my next stop on my list of international travels will definitely be Spanish-speaking. Just when my Spanish was starting to get dusted off from the years of little use, I switched countries again! But it was so much fun to get back in to speaking it with store owners, and hostel workers and the occasional random stranger. (I was hard at work on a research paper for the last couple days I was in Spain, and I even started thinking the sentences in my head in SPANISH and then translating them in to English!!). Spain has reminded me of why I started traveling in the first place. And I MUST go back.
Madrid was everything I hoped it would be and more. Sounds cliche, but its so true. Oh and also, there's a monument/statue/fountain/something-obviously-really-important-and-old on EVERY street and in the middle of EVERY plaza. No joke. But, its all absolutely stunning, and I found myself feeling as if I might be unable to drink in all the sights whenver I was out walking around. And not only did I get to see this amazing city, but I got to see it with an amazing friend! Have I mentioned yet how much I LOVE INTERNATIONAL REUNIONS???! I love that the world is getting small enough that I can see old friends in new places. Its my favorite. And exploring a new city, and getting to see it through another's eyes, from another person's perspective, it gives the entire experience a whole new dimension. My favorite part of our days was usually the sunny spots next to some [again, ridiculously old] churches, or the giant bull-fighting stadium, where we could just sit and relax and enjoy the Spanish sunshine. Madrid is a beautiful city, and it is so much easier to see the beauty in every aspect of it when there's someone else there to see it too.
We walked all over Madrid. Like literally...I have the scuffs on my shoes to prove it. We saw too many statues to count. We got VERY comfortable in using the Madrid Metro. We toured the REAL Madrid futbol stadium (which was AWESOME). We watched the Super Bowl (that went until 4 am Madrid time no less!) at this perfect little Irish Pub, where one could, surprisingly, observe an overly-rowdy group of young Spanish men cheering for the packers. We had some AMAZING Spanish meals, and I, of course, had the perfect oh-so-Spanish combination of paella and sangria on our last night.
And after bidding my friend Scott farewell, I had one more day in Madrid before I would start the final leg of my journey, the final sprint, before arriving in Morocco. On this last day in Madrid..I got myself SO ENTIRELY LOST. I've never been so lost before in my life I don't think. And..ask anyone, I have a GREAT sense of direction people. But, I was well off my map, and so turned around that I ended up wandering around for a good three/four hours trying to figure out a way back to some kind of known landmark. Now..could I have just popped in to the nearest cafe and asked for directions? Of course...but that would have meant me missing out on my ridiculous adventure, and my feelings of self-accomplishment at the end of the day when I did indeed find my way home. But still..it was quite the day.
And then, the next morning, I was off to Malaga! I stayed in Malaga, Spain for four days. It is the CUTEST little coastal city on Spain's southern coast. It was AMAZING and so beautiful. (P.S., its Picasso's hometown!) I wish I would have had more time to enjoy it and explore it, but unfortunately, that paper I briefly mentioned earlier, was taking up most of my days. For some reason, working on major research papers becomes quite difficult when you're traveling through Europe?? But I thoroughly enjoyed my last few European days, and drank in all the Spanish culture I could before departing from my hostel at the early morning hour of 6am.
Getting to Morocco was...long. I took a bus from Malaga to Algeciras. Then I walked from the bus station in Algeciras to the Port in Algeciras. Then I boarded a ferry that went from Algeciras to Tangier, Morocco. Then I took another bus from the Port of Tangier, to the Train station in Tangier. Then I got on a train in Tangier, headed south for Rabat. Then I hopped in a taxi, and FINALLY, arrived at my destination. And this destination turned out to be the cosiest little Riad, and, before saying a quick, two-second hello to the woman who greeted me at the door, I was ATTACKED with the world biggest and most emoitional hug. My MA!!!!!!! She arrived a couple hours before I did, and so was anxiously awaiting my arrival. I haven't seen her face since the day I left the states, which was a good 7 months ago. And our reunion, like I said, was emotional and so exciting. We both had so much to tell each other that we were talking over each other all night. We had this AMAZING Moroccan meal at our Riad that night, and spent the next day in Casablanca. (we also just watched the classic movie of the same name tonight haha). Casa was so cool, and we had the perfect day. It was warm and sunny and had absolutely stunning views of the Atlantic. This was yesterday-a.k.a. Valentine's Day. And, while we were easily distracted by our photo taking sessions and beach-promenade walks, it was a hard day. It will always be a hard day, but having my mom there to share it with was an indescribable pleasure.
Reunited at last!!!
Ma and I at the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca!
Today, we took the train to Fes. I wish I could say it was a more exciting day, but the Train was long, and it was raining alllll day. My arrival in to this city in which I'll be living in now until the end of May was a little anti-climactic to say the least, but..I'm HERE. And I can't wait to start seeing all that I can with my ma by my side. Tomorrow it's supposed to rain again, but that's okay..we'll be checking out a local Hammam. I am SO excited to see just how much foreign-ness I can get my mom to put up with. Haha...
The next few days are sure to be some of my favorites. I'm already having the greatest time with one of my all-time favorite people in the world. And then NEXT WEEK my orientation starts!! AHHH!!! Its all going so fast.....
I know one thing for sure though..I've already fallen for MOrocco. It stole my heart on that first train ride from Tangier, when we needed to stop on the tracks to let the herd of sheep cross. I am back in the Arab world baby. :)
I wasn't kidding..check all the sheep!
Can't wait to post more updates and pictures! I hope everyone had a good Valentines Day...again, it never ceases to amaze me how much love and support I and my family have been blessed with. I would have never made it this long without any of it, that's for sure.
Until next time y'all...
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