In less than 24 hours I will be on a bus to the Madrid airport. What? There are about 1,000 different emotions running through me. I am so incredibly excited to go back home but so terribly sad to leave the place I have called home for 5 months. The past month, I've been making a list of things I will miss about Sevilla and Spain in general, and things I am excited to do when I get home. Here's what I've come up with:
Top 10 Things I Will Miss About Spain
1. Mis Amigos: I have met some absolutely incredible people, both Spanish and American, who I will never ever ever ever forget. Nunca. They've showed me their city and taught me so many things. We've laughed together and now, cried together. As Americans, we've gotten to experience some incredible together that other people just won't ever understand. Yay for lasting bonds! As one my friends said at dinner last night, "Voy a regresar a los Estados Unidos, pero nunca voy a salir España."
2. Español: as frustrating as it can be trying to learn a foreign language, I will truly miss constantly learning new words and being able to speak such a beautiful language everywhere I go. Learning to communicate all over again is weird and wonderful at the same time.
3. The Night Life: Sevilla is constantly teeming with people strolling around, riding bikes, eating tapas, or just enjoying the night air. I think I will be really confused when people tell me that it's not safe to walk around at 2 in the morning. This is the one major cultural difference that America really should adopt.
4. The Views: every day I walk across the most beautiful bridge and look out over the Guadalquivir (Sevilla's largest navigable river) and can see some of the most important historical monuments in Spain. Every day I see centuries of history in the architecture and way of life here. Every day I walk by the most amazing (and 3rd largest) cathedral in the world. EVERY DAY.
5. Flamenco: if ever I was having a rough day in Sevilla or feeling a bit homesick, there was always one thing that would cheer me up and make me appreciate Sevilla so much more. Flamenco. Whether it was going to see a free show at La Carbonería or practicing my Sevillana moves in my dance class, flamenco always helped me to see Sevilla for what it is: the best.
6. Walking: walking has become one of my favorite pastimes. It's the best way to see a place, get some exercise, and get from one place to another. It makes for a cheap thing to do if you want to spend time with someone. "Hey, wanna hang out?" "Yeah, but I don't have any money." Okay let's just walk around and try to get lost."
7. Traveling: I have been to a crazy number of cities in Spain and some of the most fascinating countries while I've been abroad. AND it has all been SO easy and SO affordable. Oh, what are you doing this weekend? You know, just going to London. And next weekend? Oh, you know, just going to Morocco. Whaaaat?
8. Café con Leche: it's delicious, it's small and therefore doesn't get cold, it doesn't make your stomach hurt like a giant cup of regular coffee, it gives you an instant surge of caffeine, it costs less than 1.50 euro, and you can get one in every bar and restaurant in Sevilla.
9. Cheap Wine and Beer: granted, I have yet to fully exercise my rights as a 21-year-old American citizen, but I know that I will be very disappointed when I find out that you can't get a Cruzcampo for 1.50 euros at a every restaurant and bar in town.
10. Dos Besos: greeting every single person with a kiss on each cheek always keeps you from avoiding awkward situations. Why? Think about it. Say you've met someone a couple times and you run into them at the store. What do you do? You can't shake their hand again, that's just weird and far too formal. It's most likely too soon to go in for the hug. So you just stand there awkwardly and maybe give a weird wave. In Spain, everyone "dos besos" it so there is never a question has to how you greet someone. It's so much easier. Forgive me if I kiss your cheek when I see you.
The First 10 Things I Will Do in America
1. Hug and kiss my family: I have met some amazing people in Sevilla, but there's nothing like hugs from your parents, your brother, and your dog.
2. Hug and kiss my friends: my bestest friend Gabriela got engaged last month and I am sooo excited to jump into her arms, check out her new bling, go wedding dress shopping, and just be super girly and giddy about wedding things. I also can't wait to get coffee at Empire Cafe with my other bestest friend Catie and tell her Spanish tales.
3. Go to Park Church Denver: There are few things I have missed more than my amazing church community in Denver. I think I may just fall apart the second I walk in.
4. Move into Graceland: Graceleand is the name of my house in Denver. I am so excited to live in a house full of 3 amazing women who love and support me. There will be so much cooking and snuggling by the fireplace. Also, lots of lágrimas.
5. Bake. Alot. Like Every day. : I mean let's face it, it's been pretty rough not being able to bake for the past 5 months. I've had avoid reading food blogs or dreaming about recipes for so long. I can't wait to get some flour on my shirt and dirty up the kitchen...and of course, Mom, clean up after myself. Prepare yourselves Lloyd family.
6. Go to Whole Foods and Central Market: not only that, but I will wear yoga pants, a sweatshirt, and Toms with socks because half the people will be wearing the same thing and won't care...except maybe the socks with Toms. That's probably never okay.
7. Sleep: I cannot wait to jump into my warm, soft, and ginormous bed at home and sleep off the jet lag, only to be awakened by the smell of gingerbread pancakes and coffee.
8. Eat: Eat what? Whole grains, raw vegetables, spring mix, peanut butter, spices, spicy things, Mexican food (and a lot of it), brown rice, quinoa, pancakes, chocolate chip cookies and anything that my mama makes. I'm also excited to not eat pork or white bread for at least 3 months.
9. Be a DU student: I'm a little fearful about the whole constant homework thing, but I'm so excited to walk around my beautiful campus, see familiar faces, print lots of documents without having to wait in line for 45 minutes, and check out a library book for more than a week at a time.
10. Drive Rufus: like I said before, I love walking. But there's something about sitting in Rufus (my Toyota Camry), rolling down the windows, and blasting Michael Franti...
I also love being able to get places quickly and efficiently!!
I never thought I would get to the point where I could call Sevilla my home, but it seems I have arrived. I've seen a lot of places in Spain but there is no place like Sevilla. I will miss it with all of my corazón.
SEVILLA: NO ME HA DEJADO
Then it was back to Perugia for some more food and sight-seeing!
The last night we went out for apertivos at this amazing wine bar...some of the best cheese, meats, and breads I have ever had!
And because we were still hungry...sort of...we made our last dinner:
