Tomorrow I leave Madrid after a wonderful 8 weeks to head to Munich where my European travels continue. This post is going to be all over the place; how can I effectively share how much this experience has meant to me? By the time I arrive back in Miami, this is the longest I’ll have been away from Florida - 10 weeks. The time passes like nothing here and I remember (for the most part) the first time I met my study abroad friends. Kelsey while the boys and I were walking to our first day of school, she told us she knows a short cut. Brianna on the first Nebrija tour when I asked if she is a dancer or a swimmer because of the X tan lines on her back. (She’s neither, just fell asleep in the sun wearing a tank.) Alyssa when I was discussing travel plans before leaving the states. Emily at the pre-departure meeting, she’s the first person I talked to. And my awesome roommates, Alex, Griffin, Jordan, and Matt, at the first pre-departure meeting in Gainesville. I had no idea how much fun this summer would be. Everyone has those fears going in: will I make friends? Will my roommates and I get along? What if I absolutely hate the food? Will I learn anything?! HELP I DON’T REALLY SPEAK SPANISH! But we all manage to overcome them.

I’m leaving Madrid knowing 41 more people on the University of Florida campus, and with friendships that I don’t want to lose. I talk about how I’ll make cupcakes for my friends, and the roommate reunions we’ll have. We’re an odd unit but it works. There’s Alex who is the apartment DJ, Griffin is definitely the best cook, Matt who’s always ready to explore or play in the park, Jordan with his witty comebacks and enthusiastic story telling, and David who’s laid back. And then there’s me. I wake everyone up for school and translate when we’re being reprimanded, and make faces when I don’t know how to respond to the guys. 

I’ve been slowly writing this post in my head before starting to type it out. I’m excited and ready to go home, but I also still want to explore. I miss things about America and I totally wish that Spain had those attributes, and the same about America and Spanish attributes. 

What I won’t miss about Spain/Things I wish Spain Had:

- the smoking EVERYWHERE. Seriously, everyone smokes, EVERYONE

- more convenience. I’m game for walking to the store, it’s great! But I like being able to buy shampoo at the same place I can pick up meat…

- more flat roads. I’m not crazy coordinated and the uneven cobblestone roads make me trip in sandals. I had to super glue my soles together, I tripped that often

- clothing dryers. I LOVE the fact that when I hang my clothes out to dry, they’re dry within the day. But I really miss fluffy towels.

Things I’m Excited to Enjoy Back Home/Things I Wish America Had:

- air conditioning

- knowing exactly what is in a meal. For example, you could order a Caesar salad here and the menu will list it’s contents, but it’ll still come with ham on top. 

- drink specials. Cover for a club here is 15 euros, but before 1:30 it comes with 2 drinks and drinks inside the club without the voucher are 12 euros each. Cover for a club in Gainesville is $10 and it’s no where near as fun as going out in Madrid. 

- an amazing public transportation system. Of all the cities I’ve visited in Spain, Madrid has the best public transportation system. America: learn from them! 

- electric stoves. I’m tired of risking my digits near the gas burner trying to make dinner.

-  PARKS. European parks are so beautiful and spacious. They’re wonderful places to pass the day. American parks are nothing! We need more parks!

Studying abroad has increased my curiosity and from that, my independence. There is so much I want to see and experience that I let my feet guide me to wherever they want. If I’m in a group and there’s something I want to visit and they don’t, I’ll go by myself and meet up with them later. I’ve had to rely on myself more so than in Florida because I don’t perfectly speak the language and getting somewhere in Madrid often required a map. I don’t have access to data and often there isn’t wifi to access MapQuest. I know I’ve always been capable of certain things but it’s nice that when I try something by myself, it goes right the first time. 

Living in Madrid has been a wonderful experience. I’ve visited attractions like a tourist, dined like a local, stayed out until the sunrise, and fully embraced the culture. Emily said the other day that we are all creatures of habit, and how after a while, we created a new routine in Madrid. She thinks that is acclimating to a culture, and I agree. I still have this curiosity inside me, and sure there are things I didn’t see. But there are restaurants I’ve frequented more than others, I can tell you where the best tapas deal is, and I have my favorite spot in Retiro. I have loved living in Madrid. It’s a beautiful city, the perfect mix of history and today. Can I see myself living here in the future should my career need it? Sure. Will I always consider Miami my home? Definitely. 

Now to end off my Madrileña experience, the final edition of Shit My Roommates Say and the Calle de las Navas de Tolosa residents at graduation.

(Jordan is packing and throws toiletries in his suitcase)

Me: Do you want a plastic bag for that in case it explodes?

Jordan: That’s a good idea. But I have a Jewish mother, I have tons of plastic bags. (Holds up a Ziploc full of other Ziplocs)