“Oh my God I’m doing it!”
“I’m flying to another country.”
“Ticket prices are not to bad.”
“OH!”
“Look here if I go a week earlier its way cheaper.”
“Oh God but I don’t know anyone”
“Hotels are so expensive.”
“Hostels? Didn’t I see a scary movie…”
“Dang I still don’t know anyone”
“What would I do for a week by myself?”
Watching news…. “OH GOD I CAN’T GO!”
“CANCEL”
“CANCEL”

On my shoulders sat an  Angel and Demon at work fighting back and fourth building excitement for adventure, and terror for the unknown.

Truth is excitement won!

I decided to head to Spain a week before the start of the SPC Spanish Immersion study abroad program.

Being in a foreign country knowing little to none of the language scared me. Being a women alone in a big city in a foreign country terrified me.

Taking the steps to push myself into an adventure of the unknown freed me from all my insecurities for life.

My adventures began and will end on foot some times blistered sometimes achy, but always worth the journey to the unknown.

Spending a week in Madrid by myself was eye opening of course I was worried still having only traveled with family. However I stayed in a hostel in North Madrid Art district and met some amazing people from all over the world. Saw all of Madrid and took a quick trip to amazingly beautiful Toledo. I formed at least two ever lasting friendships, and it was only a week.

Enter week 2  “Salamanca”, the start of the Study Abroad program. The adventures really begin. Arriving back to the airport with mature eyes and heart to find my roommate and get started on our journey was a tad bit time consuming with flight delays and all, but the stories of  pirated one eyed Jenn will live on (Group Joke).

Spending this last week in Salamanca walking miles a day surrounded by beautiful convents, churches, architecture, monasteries, cathedrals and glorious historical beauty while taking in the stories and histories with modern eyes is unlike any experience I have ever had. Standing 5000+ feet in the air on Pena de Francia looking at vast Spanish land for miles. Walking the path of Queen Isabella I  took after being crowned in Segovia’s Plaza Mayor in 1474 the same cobble stones, the same hills that brought her to her husband King Ferdinand II. I drank mountain water from the roman aqueducts, very clean and refreshing with a chill.

The exquisite beauty I have witnessed can never be valued. These amazing people I’m with and can now call friends have made it all so much more enchanting. To have to go back is sad but I do so knowing I can visit the photos and stories that will be known through us.

To know I almost backed out scares me. So much more can be said but the next adventure calls. Until then!

Come, See, Conquer, Live. Next up Italia….

oops..P.S. Forgot to mention I’m studying Spanish 1 and have learned so much being in this setting that I feel there is no other way to learn any easier. Stay focused, have fun, make friends, speak Spanish even if you’re wrong… just try, they love it.