SUITCASE IN HAND

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Last post

I’m truly sad to say that this blog, SydinSpain, must come to an end (seeing as though I’m not in Spain anymore). After writing about my before trip jitters, my experiences for the past glorious 6 months, and my culture shock after my return, this shall be my very last post.

Thank you to all of you who followed along and provided me with support, advice, and everything in-between. I’m pretty sure I’ll create another blog when the inspiration comes my way; it is too much fun to not have one. 

Cheers to an amazing travel experience and here’s to many, many, MANY more. I cannot wait. Check back for a future post (eventually) with my new blog. If you have any suggestions, let me know! 

Thank you all for everything.

Sincerely,

Syd (wishing she was In Spain) in America once again. 

Separation Anxiety

Things I will utterly miss about my new home: Barcelona - 

1. Cheap groceries
2. Spanish 24/7
3. The easy metro transportation
4. Siesta…maybe
5. Chupitos/Oveja Negra/Gato Negro/Opium nights 
6. When coming back at 6AM is okay
7. Menús = first, second course + pan + drink + dessert.
8. Cheap cheap cheap flights to other countries
9. Hostels and their “experiences”
10. Magazines coming with shit, aka a hair straightener, a bag, nail polish, etc.
11. The laid back classroom/education environment
12. Don Quijote profesora Losada
13. Actually getting letters from far off places!
14. Day excursions in Europe
15. My glorious Spanish housemates 
16. The casual “going-out” dress
17. The chiming sound + speech that says, “Welcome, you have arrived on another on-time Ryanair flight.”
18. The old fashioned keys
19. The metro wait. 
20. Gaudí all over - 24/7
21. Highlighter police/construction worker uniforms
22. Not having to tip at restaurants 
23. Kissing on the cheek, not shaking hands
24. My favorite sayings: Vale, Joder, Que fuerte, tio/tia, ay wey
25. Tinto de verano, sangria, and cava 24/7
26. ICB - International Church of Barcelona group!
27. Bocadillos being a part of my every day language/menu 
28. Bo de Bi. 

MUCH MUCH more. 

Hello Aliso

Since being back, I have [attempted] to get over my jetlag and have not had time to write in the slightest. Sad to think this will be one of my very last blog posts. 

On June 20th (Monday), I started my journey home to the good ol’ US of A. After saying goodbye to my lovely, amazing housemates (pictures below), I pushed my huge mound of luggage through the streets of Barcelona. 

One baby yet EXTREMELY heavy suitcase sat on top of my big suitcase and I literally looked like a cartoon character trying to push something that didn’t move. It was quite an interesting experience. I waited for the aerobus for about 15 minutes and one didn’t stop at my stop…so I said screw it and hopped into a taxi. Yeah the taxi was 30+ euros but I needed to get to the international terminal on time. I was fearing my suitcase would be over the 23 kilo (50 lb.) limit, and it definitely was at 28 kilos. BUT the lady was so nice and didn’t charge me - YES. I love people like that - thank you Continental lady! 

After security, customs, waiting for the plane, and getting on the plane, I was finally on my way back to the States. The first leg of the plane was 8.5 hours to Newark, New Jersey. I have to say it wasn’t terrible. I watched 3 movies (The Joneses, Mr. Brooks, and Music & Lyrics), 2 TV shows, and ate 2 meals. It went by rather fast. However, once I waited 3 hours at Newark and got on my 6.5 hour plane, I was miserable. I was (thankfully) sitting in the aisle seat. But I acquired restless-leg-syndrome basically. I just could not get comfortable and I was just so upset. I couldn’t sleep, had to pay for my dumb TV (which kept me busy) and NO food! Boo. 

However, once I got off the plane and saw my family it was all completely worth it. I flew into John Wayne airport in Orange County around 830PM (after my flight was sadly delayed). With the BIGGEST backpack ever, I wandered towards the baggage claim anxiously awaiting my family. I saw my dad and stepmom from far away, waved hello, and went down the escalator towards baggage. And before you know it, I see someone pop out into a cute dance move that I recognized instantly: my best friend Lauren M! She came with my mom to surprise me! I instantly started crying (thinking that I wouldn’t) because I was so shocked.

After a glorious ride home, I snuck inside and stood behind O’neil to surprise him - he was surprised in that instant but he mostly knew I was coming home, he didn’t think I would miss graduation. BOO! What if I had missed graduation? Haha. 

It is definitely strange to be home to say the least. The living room, kitchen, family room all seemed familiar. But that feeling did not last when I went into my room. It seriously looked like it belonged to someone else, not me. I didn’t recognize anything - I didn’t remember leaving those books there or having that hanging up in the closet. It took me a few days to actually feel comfortable. 

I hope that this experience doesn’t just become a story I tell, but rather is a pat of me from this day forward. 

Welcome back to the real world.

I have been compiling this list for a while now, so now that I’m back I plan to take advantage of ALL of these things, after being away for six months.

Things I cannot wait to get back in the US:

1. 24 hour convenience 
2. Disneyland <3
3. Driving! 
4. Having my own printer and not having to wait a million hours in the UB printer line
5. Hulu/Pandora/whatever other websites they won’t let me view here in Europe
6. Actually understanding what food I’m buying at the store
7. In N Out! And you know, PF Changs, Pix Up Stix, Juice it Up, Corner Bakery
8. Going to the movies with my best friends
9. Speaking in English 24/7
10. Actually getting a syllabus on the first day of class with all the dates…not like in Spain where we had no idea when the final was about a week or two before
11. NOT getting groped by Spanish men, even after saying no.
12. NOT getting spanish Cat calls…
13. Putting my clothes in the DRYER
14. Windows with screens 
15. Free water in restaurants 
16. Not being on Spanish time…aka late
17. Bringing “Vale,” “Joder,” and “Ay Wey” back to the states
18. Things being open on Sunday
19. Better customer service
20. Air conditioning! 
21. Toilet seat covers
22. Reliable airplane/airport transportation

I’m sure I’m missing SO much, but after being away these are the things I missed so much. No particular order in the least. List of things I miss about Barcelona (basically everything) coming soon <3

SORPRESA!

I’M BACK IN THE STATES! Surprise brother! Just in time for graduation! These next few days will be crazy insane so details on my last few days/reverse culture shock to follow.

15 hours of plane ride + sleeping 2 hours the night before = time for bed.

The last few days have been magnificent; this is why I love Barcelona that much.

• Piratas del Caribe 4 (Pirates of the Caribbean) movie in English, Spanish subtitles 
• Walking along the beach
• Taking part in the manifestación (protests) in Plaza Catalunya
• Bo de Bi sandwiches…to die for.
• Ryan’s Bar, George Paynes
• International Church of Barcelona service

How I love my life <3 Gracias por todo Dios. 

Salty Skin & Rocky Sand

Living up to “spontaneous” as my middle name (thanks to my best friend Heather), my friend Christina and I decided to get out of the city for the day and take a bus to Tossa De Mar in Costa Brava just an hour up the coast. I have been to 3-4 cities in Costa Brava thus far, but never one as beautiful, quaint, or relaxing as Tossa De Mar was. 

The bus only took an hour and a half and once getting off we were in one of the cutest village/town I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. Tossa De Mar is mainly a fishing village and is the only fortified medieval town still standing on the coast of Catalonia. It only has a population of 5,000 (thanks Wikipedia) to this day.

The beach of Platja Gran was absolutely stunning. The blue water, the boats in the bay, the sun striking in all the right places….We seriously could not take our eyes off of it.

Because it wasn’t even 10 in the morning, we decided to climb the fortress to explore before being lazy and laying out all day. It was so surprising to see 1. it all intact and 2. people had houses up there. It was beautiful none the less, leading you all the way up to a lighthouse on the top.

After venturing around the very small area, we decided to lay out at the beach, basically exfoliating our feet in the process because we were laying on pebbles/rocks…not too fun. But the water was crystal clear and the the sun was making us quite tan. It was so great.

A few hours roasting in the sun (with sunscreen of course), Christina and I found the most amazing place for lunch: a huge menú for 15 euros. I seriously have never had the most wonderful menú here in Catalonia. First course: fried squid and grilled veggies. Second course: fideuá (paella but with noodles instead of rice - famous in Costa Brava). Bebida: Coca Cola. Postre: tiramisu and crema catalana. We just swooned over how full we were getting and how great the food was. 

What an amazing day and town. And to say I almost missed it! Cheers to a spontaneous day!

Favorite apartment of the day:

Food

Missing these foods oh SO much:

1. In N Out (duh)
2. Mom’s cooking!
3. Panda Express
4. Pix Up Stix
5. Ruby’s Diner
6. Corner Bakery
7. PF Changs
8. Sprinkles Cupcakes
9. Golden Spoon
10. Flamebroiler
11. Veggie Grill
12. Chipotle
13. Diddy Riese Cookies
14. Anything else I can get my hands on

Yeah, these are all fattie foods, whatever. You only live once…so when I return I plan to eat ALL these things for about a week and a half, then BACK to the gym! 

Full circle: Sydney sitting at the University early in the morning because her Internet doesn’t work, just like 6 months ago at her host mom’s house when this occurred daily. 

If that’s not a sign that I’ve been here for a reason, I don’t know what is. Haha.