Exactly nine months ago from today, on August 29th, I left on my journey to Spain...never having left the country before and barely speaking any Spanish. I wanted to challenge myself and see what I could do, and that is just what happened, plus much more!
I started here in level 2, made it to level 6, and have learned so much Spanish it's unbelievable. Never would I have been able to learn this much if I would have just studied Spanish back home. Living with a host family was an amazing experience and I wouldn't have made it without them. Marisa always helping me with my homework, the dogs being silly and getting me through stressful times. And, with Matthew and I here together, this journey has been incredible. I never would have even made the decision to come if Matthew wasn't planning on coming first. His decision influenced mine and I couldn't be happier on how great everything worked out. Having him here and being able to support each other helped us both get through nine months in another country and nine months away from everything we knew. He's a keeper for sure ;)
I'm sad to leave Granada tomorrow morning, but I know it's not an official "goodbye," it's "see you later." Matthew and I have both already decided that there is no way we won't be returning to Spain someday. We both loved it and know we will return.
This morning I woke up, ate breakfast, got ready, and went for a walk around town by myself. There were a few things I still had to get, and I picked up a gift for my host family. Afterwards, I still had plenty of time before lunch so I went to the park and just sat for about half an hour. Just thinking of all the memories I've made, all the exciting things I've done and learned....
Around dinner time, the girls still hadn't arrived back and I was getting super hungry so Marisa let Marisa Jr. and I eat. Good thing we did because the girls didn't get back until about an hour and a half later.
When we finished with dinner, I brought out the picture frame I had for Marisa and then earlier today I had wrote a two page letter for Marisa Jr. and Rafa. Rafa wasn't there for dinner, but Marisa Jr. said she would wait to read it until Rafa returned. They all loved the gifts and Marisa gave me like three hugs :) She said she is going to frame all the pictures, she doesn't just want one framed. I was getting watery eyes just talking about leaving, but was trying to not have tears today. If they started, they wouldn't stop.
Eventually Rafa and the girls returned, pretty much at the same time, and I was talking with them for a while when they were all eating dinner. Marisa Jr. read the long letter I had wrote and then Rafa read it afterwards. They both gave me a big hug after each of them had read it. I talked about a lot of things, but mostly about how I hope they realize how lucky they are to have a mother like Marisa. I mentioned some of the things she has done for me during my time here, and how she is a great mother and always puts her children first. It was a pretty emotional letter and I almost started crying again when they hugged me. They both are really lucky.
Other than that, it was a pretty mellow day. I mostly hung around the house, packed, talked to the family, and played with the dogs. I think my mind was thinking too much about the flights tomorrow though (they make me nervous) because before dinner I was feeling so sick just thinking about the flight. I'm hoping everything goes well and that I can just sleep most of the time. I will just keep thinking...HOME HOME HOME. And then before I know it...I'll be there :)
Thanks for all of the memories Granada!
PS. Almost forgot to mention one thing. After I had given Marisa and Marisa Jr. their gifts after dinner, Marisa told me she would be driving me to the airport tomorrow morning. I asked her to repeat what she had said because I thought I had heard her wrong....I had already had a taxi set up by our directors to come at 5:30am and I was so confused. She just smiled at me and said they told German to cancel the taxi and that her and Marisa Jr. wanted to drive me to the airport tomorrow morning. I started feeling so emotional because usually they say goodbye and the students just get in the taxi and off they go. How lucky am I?! I get a personal ride to the airport :) This means there will be tears though!