6 months in Spain

   Today, January 10th, marks the six month anniversary of my relationship with Spain. You could say that things are getting pretty serious, I love it here. Love is an understatement - I am head over heels, smitten, and maybe even borderline obsessed with the people, lifestyle, and the city of Barcelona itself. Since I'm a chronic optimist, I'd like to think that I'm only halfway started instead of halfway finished. As the Mediterranean winter melts away into Sping here in Barcelona, hindsight and my new-found sense of 'cultured-ness' casts a spotlight on everything that I've accomplished here, while I quickly forget that which I missed in the first place.
   These six months have been the longest I've ever gone in my entire life without swimming in a pool, eating In-n-Out, and seeing my family. I would be lying if I said I didn't miss things from home; comforts I took for granted like clothes drying machines, big TV's, cars, and the reassurance of my parents being a convenient 2 hour drive away instead of a transatlantic, 10 hour flight. I miss my friends. I miss Slurpees with my friends. I miss Slurpees with friends in Jacuzzis the most. (There are no jacuzzis in Spain. Let this be a warning.)
   Slowly but surely, however, I am beginning to fill the gaps left by American luxuries with new things that my American, ethnocentric self couldn't even comprehend before these six months. They say America is the land of the free, but surprisingly enough, I think I'll miss freedom most of all when I go home. If I hopped on a plane from San Jose and flew for 2 hours, at most, I would end up in Arizona or Texas, the beer gut of America. After 2 hours on a plane from Barcelona, I could be in Africa, riding camels in Morocco, or Scotland, wearing a kilt with my ancestors in the highlands if I wanted to. With a few clicks of my computer and a short plane ride, I can be neck deep in a completely different society, free of social constraints, adult responsibility, and anything I previously called familiar, or comfortable. Now, I find comfort in the freedom and eclectic nature of the unknown and all of the mystery and anticipation it entails, and when things begin to settle, I get restless and bored . These six months have taught me how big the world really is, and it's just outside our door.
   When I return to California, I'll be slapped in the face with real world responsibilities that I simply swept under the rug before leaving to Spain. So I'll enjoy my freedom while I can.
   I would be lying if I didn't admit that these six months have easily been the best of my life.

Here's to six more.


Palabra del Dia: Jacuzzi - Banero de Hidromasaje (that sounds ridiculous. Jacuzzi is way more fun to say)
Cuando vuelvo a casa, voy a tomar un Slurpee en el banero de hidromasaje. When I return home, I am going to drink a slurpee in the jacuzzi.