Overview of Everything!

I can't believe I only have a few days left in Spain!! It feels like just yesterday I was getting off the airplane and wandering around Madrid in the rain trying to find my group, when we didn't even know what they looked like or who they were!  I feel like I've come so far since then.  I'm so proud of myself for doing this and completing my dream of studying abroad.. and what better place to do it than Spain!

I've definitely had my ups and downs throughout my study abroad experience.  I have met some amazing people, traveled to places I thought I would never get the opportunity to travel to, learned the language so much better, and learned to survive in a foreign country!  But on the other hand, I've had rough patches trying to adapt to the culture, language and food, which were totally expected when coming over here.

All in all, I've visited 19 different cities in Spain (including one British Colony), but went on 20 trips (Nerja twice!), made amazing friends, and now have  memories that will last a lifetime!

Here's an overview of my 3 months in Spain:

January 26: Snowed in at the airport and spent 46 hours traveling from the time I left Kansas City to the time I got to Madrid, with the time difference it felt like 53 hours!

January 28:  Finally arrived in Madrid! This picture is in front of the Palacio Real. (City #1)

January 29:  Toledo.  The most beautiful view of a city!  And still trying to recover from jet lag! (City #2)

January 31: Arrived in Granada and went to a Flamenco show!  (City #3)

February 2:  Took a trip to La Alhambra with ISA and my classes began at the Centro de Lenguas Modernas (CLM)

February 3:  Visited the Albaycín

February 4:  First discoteca with my besties!

February 10: Conquered my fear of the public bus, thanks to Mike and Federico! 

February 11: Tried to play raquetball and turned out wandering the streets of Granada.  Also, my first time eating churros!

February 12:  Went to Ronda with ISA (City #4)

February 13: Went to Málaga with ISA (City #5)

February 17: Met Spaniards at an intercambio and went out for tapas with friends

February 19: A bunch of us headed off to Monachil for the day to hike in Los Cahorros (City #6), then went to the Salsa Bar and to Mae West, a discoteca, with friends

 February 21:  Hanging out at our favorite tapas bar with Brittney and Amanda

February 25: Disaster trip to Barcelona (City #7)

March 4: H-Bombs with my classmates

March 5: Carnaval de Cádiz (City #8)

March 11-12: Went to Sevilla, Kansas City's sister city, with ISA (City #9)

March 13:  Visited Córdoba with ISA (City #10)

March 19: Favorite trip ever, Nerja!! (City #11)

March 27: Las Alpujarras (City #12)

March 28: Hung out in Salobreña with ISA (City #13)

March 30: Got a tattoo with Liza and Rachel

March 31: Going away dinner for Mike and James

April 1: Nerja again! (Not counted)

April 2:  My second favorite trip, Gibraltar! (City #14)

April 7:  Total girls weekend, Salamanca (City #15)

April 16: Almuñécar (City #16)

April 17: La Herradura (City #17)

April 19: Motril, my least favorite city of all times (City #18)

April 20: Torrenueva (City #19)

April 21: Went to the Cathedral with Rachel and her parents and watched the Processión Silencio

April 22: Watched more processionals near my casa

I think I did a pretty good job of traveling and getting to know around Granada!  Not only did I travel to all these places, but I've also used every form of transportation (except boat).

-Airplane

-Metro

-Taxi

-City Bus

-Overnight Bus

-ALSA Bus (long rides)

-Hop-On Bus

-Tour Taxi

-Car

-Train

I have to put something in here about International Studies Abroad (ISA).  I would HIGHLY recommend using ISA for your study abroad program.  They are very well organized and know what they're doing.  They are willing to help with anything and everything!  They are there to tutor for classes, listen to problems about whatever, help if they can, basically they're just awesome!