Hello and Goodbye

Hello everyone.

It’s been quite some time since I last updated this blog.  My “Rach in Spain” adventure has been over for a few years now, and I thought I was long overdue for a final conclusion to the adventure.

So, to go back a few years…

One last trip - Lithuania

In June 2013, I took one final trip before heading home from my (almost) year in Spain.  I traveled to Vilnius and Kaunas, Lithuania to visit two friends I’d met in Seville who were from there.  It was a great trip.  I had so much fun with Monika and Dovile, and the country itself was beautiful!  BEAUTIFUL!  

Trakai

I got to tour the cities of Vilnius and Kaunas, as well as a castle called Trakai, and the sand dunes and Hill of Witches in Nida.  It was a wonderful trip!

One snag did occur after the trip on my way back to Spain...  I had a connection in a small hub in the Netherlands and as I awaited my connecting flight, it was announced that it was canceled.  Ugh.

Apparently, some airline workers at a few airports in France were on strike, so the airspace was closed.  So, since the Netherlands' airport didn’t stay open 24 hours (i.e. no sleeping on some chairs or the floor), I had to board a bus into the city and find a hotel/hostel. 

There was, apparently, also a convention in town so all the cost-effective rooms in the city were already taken.  There was no room for me in the inn.  Finally, I found a hostel outside of the city center with space and ended up there for the night.  The next day, I traipsed back through the city to the bus station, and back to the airport but the flight was canceled again.  Finally, the NEXT day, I got to fly back to Spain (though, I had to go to Malaga and take a train from there to Seville).  But, eventually, I did reach my apartment.  About a week later, I flew home... like, to the USA.

Hill of Witches, Nida

Home - Midwest, USA

I was not ready to go home.  Even with all the craziness I experienced with my health, my overall impression of the previous 10 months in Spain was a good one.  I held back tears as a friend dropped me at the Seville airport, and the flood didn’t finally let loose until I landed in my home state.  As we descended and I saw the urban sprawl and power lines, I felt very sad to be home.

However, once I disembarked, my parents drove me directly from the airport to meet my 1-month-old nephew at my sister’s house, and I was VERY happy to see him.  He was (and still is) ADORABLE!  I was so excited to meet him!  And soon, I got to reunite with other friends and family.  I was especially excited to see my nieces again (the amount of love I have for my nieces and nephews is not something that can be adequately described).  It was good to see the people I loved!  

Even so, whenever I got the “Isn’t it good to be home?” question, I couldn’t quite say “yes”… but I wouldn’t say “no” either.  It WAS good to be home and to see my loved ones, but I MISSED hearing Spanish every day, living in a beautiful city (sorry, home), walking everywhere, traveling, and spending time with my new friends in Spain.  The adjustment was a little hard, but I did eventually adapt to being back home.

Looking back now, it’s hard to believe that it’s been years since my Spain adventure!  I still miss it and my heart swells with all the wonderful memories I have from those months abroad. ...memories aided heavily by photos because, honestly, the whole experience is also kind of a blur.

I experienced and saw so much while I was living in Spain that my memory stores seem to require photographic support to remember it all.  I miss the friends I made in Spain (here’s looking at you: Bre, Bekah, Erin, Allison, Allyson, Amy, Emily, Grace, Sabrina, Joe, Michaela, Christina, Michael, Esther, Maria Luisa, Merche, Monika, Dovile, Antonio, Derek, Becca, José Maria, and so many others! – side note, for my fellow CIEE peeps, wouldn’t a “2012-2013 Teach in Spain Reunion” be AMAZING?!) and I think about them all often.  I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to go to Spain, to live in Seville, and to meet all of the wonderful people that I met. 

More evidence of the beauty of Lithuania

Now

Nowadays, I’m part of a marketing team, working on paying off my college debt and looking forward to whatever may be my next big adventure.

Health update

Last but not least, if you remember, I had quite an ordeal with my health while in Europe.  I am happy to report that my face has improved and my body's getting back to normal.  [To read more about all the craziness with my face, start here.] 

For anyone else who may be suffering with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, one thing I found that helped my face was a change in diet, including limiting caffeine, eating nearly ZERO refined sugar, eating very limited amounts of processed foods, and getting enough sleep and water.  I've also started eating vegan-ish (-ish because I'm human and the cheese calls to me) and cutting out dairy has especially seemed to help.

Anyway, for your viewing pleasure, here’s a comparison of my crazy face and my current face (I'm smiling in all 3 photos):

Hasta la proxima

I hope that any of you who’ve stumbled across this blog have enjoyed reading my quick updates/posts about teaching in Spain.  If you’re considering doing it yourself, DO IT! :)  If you’re dealing with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, I wish you the best!  It sucks, but you can get through it!

This is where I leave you.

Best to you all! God bless!

Rach