The End

June 1^st, 2011

This morning was very painful.  Saying goodbye to Mati made me cry so hard.  She even started to cry, which surprised me.  Last night at dinner, Mati kept saying that we were so young and that this stage of our life is marvelous.  I asked her how old “old” is now a days, and Kirsten started to cry into her gazpacho.  Mati looked over and started laughing, saying how silly she was being.  She hugged her and I started to cry.  Kirsten is like a sister to me.  Seeing her cry like that made me realize that I am not going to see her for months and months, until I visit Michigan in the fall.  I don’t know how I can go from seeing her every waking moment of every day and sleeping less than a foot from her to not seeing her for months.  This is going to be a very difficult transition for me.

We gave Mati, Luiqui and Dunia a picture frame with pictures that we all took together the other day.  I wrote the family a long letter that I got Luisa, the housing woman at the center, to read so it made perfect sense in Spanish.  Luiqui said that it was the nicest letter he has ever read in his 20 years of hosting students.  I meant every word I said.  I couldn’t imagine my time here without that amazing family and was honored to have been a part of it for the past 5 months.

After the gift exchange, my 10 closest friends on the program and I met for drinks.  I used the 15 Euros that I had left, in nickels and dimes, to pay for it all.  What am I supposed to do with 15 Euros worth of nickels??  It was so great to see everyone and felt so nice to hug them and tell each one of them how much I truly care about them.  I cannot get over how close I’ve become with these people over 5 months.  They are truly remarkable and I am honored to have made such beautiful, fun and supportive friends on this program.

After drinks, Kirsten and I came back to the apartment and while I took a shower, she pushed our two beds together.  We read letters that we wrote to each other and laughed and cried.  She got me a package of Digestives, my fave, and Chupa-Chups.  I will keep that letter forever.  We watched two episodes of Modern family and laughed together.  Luiqui and Mati said that we are the two girls who laughed the most out of all the girls who have stayed here.  They said when they hear us laugh, they laugh.  There are no words to describe how happy I have been during this experience but I think the laughter says it all.

This morning I woke up pretty early to get all my stuff together.  Kirsten woke up, too, and we ate our two pieces of toast and jelly together for the last time.  Mati told me that she has a feeling that I will be back in Sevilla soon and that I will make a lot of money when I grow up. 

We retreated back to our deathnest/cave/bedroom and laid on our beds.  That bed is so comfortable, I can’t get over it.  When Mati knocked on the bedroom door for the last time, I had this intense sinking feeling in my stomach.  I gathered all my stuff and walked into the family room.  Little Mati- she’s literally half my size.  Her head comes up to my belly button.  She opened her arms and I just started crying.  Then I heard Kirsten crying.  Then Mati cryying.  Just so many tears- too many tears.  It made me feel even sicker.  I remember getting to that apartment on the first day and being terribly nervous.  Now, I was saying goodbye to people I truly have grown to love. 

Luiqui got in the elevator and I walked outside.  Mati and Kirsten were waiting at the door.  I tried to compose myself.  Once the door shut, I cried.  In the car on the way to the airport, I cried.  Online at the airport reading Kirsten’s note, I cried.  I didn’t think I’d get this emotional, but this experience is one that I will never forget.

Now that I am calm, I can reflect on some very important lessons that I learned abroad.  Firstly, I learned the true goldenness of silence.  It’s so hard for me to communicate fully in Spanish, though I have improved leaps and bounds, but I learned that it’s okay to just be silent when you don’t have the right words to say.

Secondly, I learned the importance of doing my own thing.  From now on, I will make everyday special and not care what people have to say or what they think because at the end of the day, it’s all about me.  I’m the celeb of my own life and need to do what makes ME happy.  No longer will I tolerate annoying people or negativity from others.   Life is too short and there are too many other amazing people to know who will not bring you down.

Thirdly, I learned the power of human chemistry.  I have met a lot of people on this trip who I couldn’t communicate with fully.  But, honestly, it didn’t matter.  Language is secondary to a true human connection.  Jennifer, a girl in my Derechos Humanos class, makes me feel safe and comfortable even though we haven’t had extensive conversations about life, family or school.  The different guys I’ve met- I can tell who I like and want to spend time with based on how I feel around them, not based on the choppy Spanish conversations we have.  I will trust my instinct more when it comes to people from now on because it’s usually right.

Fourthly, I learned that I can do anything.  5 months and some change in a foreign country speaking a different language and taking classes with natives.  Unreal.  I not only survived but also had the time of my life.  Whatever I want to do I know I can if I set my mind to it.  I am invincible. 

Fifthly, I learned how much I love my family.  Having visits from my Mom, Dad, Eric, Adam and Alison made me realize that one thing was missing from my time in Sevilla- and that was them.  I am the luckiest girl in the world to have such a supportive group who not only encourages me to challenge myself by tackling a semester abroad, but actually flies across the ocean to make sure I’m doing okay.   They are my life and being with them makes me feel complete.

To count the number of lessons I’ve learned would take forever, but I am so appreciative of every second I spent abroad.  I am excited to tackle living in Manhattan, LSATS, and senior year with this new way of looking at things and a little bag of experiences I will always keep in my pocket. 

My first plane to Lisbon is going to take off in 25 minutes.  I know I’m going to cry when I am told “Welcome Back” from the customs people.  I am going to cry walking in my house out of both utter happiness and sadness that I am leaving a life that I have created these past five months behind me.  It’s the start of a new chapter and I have the confidence and energy to write it well.

Sevilla, no me ha dejado. 

With all my love,

Sama.  

Wednesdsay

The question I keep getting asked this week has been "are you excited to come home?" Honestly, I don't know the exact answer to that.  I am very excited to live in Manhattan and very happy to know that I will always be carrying this fresh, new perspective I have acquired from my time here.

I will miss the amazing people I have met on this program, especially my roommate.  I will always remember Mati and Luiqui and hope that when I'm 80, I can have as much life in me as they do.

I will not miss speaking Spanish all the time and am really looking forward to expressing myself completely again.  I am happy that I will be taking a Spanish class next semester and will be able to practice it.

I miss my friends a whole lot.  I feel very removed from New York and Ithaca and Cornell.  I hope that I can make a smooth transition back and not be shocked by the workload. 

These past six months have been so much fun.  More fun than I could have ever expected.  I want my reality to be as fun and I will be sure to make it happen.

I cannot wait to approach my house in the car from the airport, knock on the door and be greeted by my mom, dad, and Eric.  I can't wait to smell the house- it's such a strong Padilla scent.  I can't wait to play my piano!!!!! I can't wait to eat my mom's macaroni and play golf with my dad.  I can't wait to sing with Rico.  I can't wait to hug Kater and hang out all day.  I can't wait to see Ashley and Melissa and laugh until we all cry.  I can't wait to see Courtney and share stories and drink wine together cause we can, legally, now.

Gazpacho

Just learned.  Enjoy.

-2 kilos of normal sized tomatoes (which equals about 13)
-1 big cucumber (pealed, cut into quarters with the seeds removed)
-1 red pepper
-1 green pepper
-1 clove of garlic
-8 teaspoons of salt
-1 cup of olive oil

Mati made two batches.  Add 7 tomatoes, 1/2 the cucumber, 1/2 the red and green pepper, 2 pieces of garlic, 4 table spoons of salt, 1/2 cup of olive oil and blend. 

Next, strain the soup and throw away (or Luiqui says eat) the seeds/skin that is left over from the strain. Put it in a jar and refrigerate.

I will be making this forever. 

Nearing the end

I just had a 1 on 1 dinner with Mati as I do every Monday/Tuesday when KJ has class till 10.  She made my all time favorite food: gazpacho, as I had requested yesterday.  When she surprised me with it, I gave her a high five and she couldn't stop laughing.  She told me the next time she makes it, she will teach me.  She doesn't use water in her gazpacho, just tomatoes.  Not even vinegar and def no bread- she says it makes you fat.  I can safely say that I will be making gazpacho for the rest of my life.

Mati also made me a fried egg last night for dinner and told me to slurp it.  I was very confused as to what she meant by this but she told me to cut a hole in the middle and slurp out the yellow until all of the runny stuff was gone, then eat the egg.  Despite my hesitations, I did it.  I don't think I can ever eat a friend egg the same way again.  The new method left no mess on your plate and was, oddly, very fun.  She says I should do it in public, too, and when people ask what I'm doing say "es la culpa de Mati."

I'm writing an essay right now that I really really don't want to be writing.  I'm on page 3 of 10.  I can't believe I'm going to be going home on June 1st.  I'm going to miss this place so much. 

Parent's Visit/Feria/Mallorca

1.  Parent's Visit- Thank you guys so much for coming to see me.  I was getting a little bummed to leave, but once you guys came I was reminded how great my home is and how much I truly missed you.  Thank you for the great trips through Southern Spain that we took- Tarifa, Gibralter, Carmona (which was my favorite.  We had the most fabulous lunch overlooking the campo).  The bullfight was epic, as well.  I can't believe we stayed the whole time.  Our initial shrieks may not have made us too many friends, but it was an interesting experience.  I love you guys- can't wait to see you in less than 4 weeks!

 

Tarifa

 

 

Carmona

 

2.  Feria- The Feria in Sevilla is quite the spectacle.  Women dress up in flamenco dresses that are so beautiful.  I have decided that my wedding dress is going to be flamenco dress inspired.  I just love it.  The upper class owns casetas- little houses- and have private parties there all week.  There were a few public casetas that we explored but it was more fun to peek into the casetas and see how they were decorated and to catch a glimpse of the fabulous people inside.  I went on a few roller coasters, drank rebujitos (manzanilla, a type of sour wine, and 7 up) and hung out with people on my program.  My friend Steph's intercambio had a caseta and even gave her a dress to wear for a few days!  She looked great!

 

 

Portada de Feria

Rides!

3.  For the second part of Feria, my roommate Kirsten, Steph, and our friend Allison went to Mallorca.  We stayed at the Iberostar, which is an all inclusive resort.  I had so much fun with them.  They all feel like such old friends, but we've only known each other a short period of time (except me and Steph, who are sorority sisters).  We couldn't believe that we only have a few more weeks here.  I'm leaving on June 1st. 

Today I had class from 8:30-6:30 with two one-hour breaks.  It was also super hot here.  I have so much work to do, it's unreal.  I am actually reading a book in Spanish for my center class without a dictionary.  I read part of it in Mallorca and am really liking it.  It's called "Soldados de Salamina" by Javier Cercas.  The receptionist at the Iberostar told me it made her cry.  I'll let you know.

 

Our mini kitchen

 

Right before sunrise 

Italy, you haven't seen the last of me

Just got back from my week long trip to Italy.  Me and 5 other friends started our trip in Rome for 4 days and then three of us went to Venice and the other three went to Florence.  This was my first hostel experience as well- I kinda like them a little.  They are efficient, cheap, and when you're traveling with friends you don't ever spend time in your hotel room.  We would wake up at 7 and return back to the hostel to shower and sleep at 11.  Between the delicious Italian food and not sleeping, my body kind of hates me.  

Before I tell you all about my trip, let me just explain the hostel situation.  I slept arms distance from a stranger in Venice our first night there.  Kristen, Steph's roommate, could only book a private double and a shared triple for us three to stay in for the first night- after that, we had our own private triple which ruled.  I, of course, lost rocks-paper-scissors and had to sleep in the shared triple.  Our beds were all on top of each other.  The guy sleeping next to me snored like a monster.  It woke me up at 4:41 am (I remember the time and everything) and I couldn't fall back asleep.  I'm glad I drew the short straw though- who can say they slept arms distance from a snoring stranger in a hostel Venice besides me?  

Like I said, our trip started in Rome.  The Coliseum was incredible.  My imagination was short-circuiting thinking about all of the deaths/sports/spectaculars that happened in that Coliseum.  The Vatican takes the cake for me, though.  We had the BEST tour guide from California who took us through a 3 hour tour of it all.  I guess I really like the fact this tour was in English because in Sevilla, all of our tours are in Spanish.  I actually understood what was going on and found it to be fascinating.   The sistenth chapel brought chills and tears.  Michelangelo was the man.  What a god.

The best part of the trip was going to the Vatican for Palm Sunday mass.  We woke up at 6 am to stand in line for when the doors open at 9:30.  We also had tickets so we got incredible seats.  I was sitting right along the boarder of where the pope proceeds down to his alter so they gave me special palms to wave as he passed by.  The pope came out riding in a white mini-hummer car with an open top so he could great the crowd.  When he passed by, everyone started cheering.  I was literally less than two feet from him.  He looked at me from his hummer- I was beaming.  The pope looked at me!!

I snapped some great photos.  This mass was legit.  All the cardinals and clergy were there.  They read the story of the crucifixion of Jesus in Italian, which took 40 minutes.  We even received communion. There were thousands and thousands of people there.  

After the mass we got on a packed metro (only 1 euro to ride), grabbed a bite to eat in the train station, and got on the train to Venice.  I sat in a 4-seater with an old man from Venice who was hysterical (he made a list of foods/wines I needed to try in Venice) and a grandma/grandson from Canada, but originally Israel.  They all said "you're from Italy, right?" How cool- I am so proud to have some of my roots there.

Venice is like a city in a story book.  When we got there, Steph asked the water taxi man, "Excuse me, where is the metro?"  He replied, "No metro.  In Venice, we use boat."  

It is such a beautiful place to walk around, eat, drink, explore.  We went to 4 Islands on Monday: the Cemetery where Ezra Pound is buried, Murano, Burano, and Torcello.  The Cemetery was one of the highlights of my trip.  This huge island is beautifully kept and such an interesting place to visit.  We looked for Ezra Pounds grave for about an hour early Monday morning- no one in Venice was even awake yet.  We then hopped over to Murano, the Island that is best known for their blown glass.  Then we went to Burano, known for their lace making, and had lunch and some spritzers  (http://supercocktails.com/10664/Italian-Spritzer).  Lastly, we hit Torcello- the oldest part of Venice which has been abandoned since the main Island of Venice started to attract industry and tourism.  

The next day we hung out with one of Steph's friends from Cornell.  We sat by the docks, drank, and talked about Ithaca, education, and traveling.  It was a perfect day. 

This trip has been sooo unreal.  Like a dream.  The food was die for.  The sights were breath taking. The company was top notch.  I am so happy and filled with adventure.  I love traveling like this, even if it is exhausting.  So much fun- so so cultural.  Just what I've been craving.

Pope at the Vatican on Palm Sunday

 

Look how close we are!

 

Special palm because we bordered the walkway 

 

No zoom or anything.  He's literally 2 feet from me!

 

Not even 1/8th of the crowd in St. Peter's Square