He llegado a Dallas, Mi viaje ha terminado

"I have arrived in Dallas, my trip has finished." - So reads my title to this post. It is 8:35 am on Sunday morning Dallas time. Somehow I think by not sleeping Friday night (I got home at 4:45 am and left at 5:15 for the airport) and getting mediocre sleep on the airplanes, I am semi adjusted to the time change. No problems with the trip or airplanes yesterday! I took a small plane at 7:30 am from San Sebastian to Madrid. I arrived in Madrid around 9 and wasted time walking around, looking in shops, eating, and sitting around. While I was waiting to board AA Flight 37 to Dallas, a lady approached me. She said that the plane was overweight and they were looking for volunteers to stay behind a day. This is what they were offering: $1,000 to fly anywhere in the world anytime, 1 night in a 4 star hotel in Madrid with all meals paid for, and a guaranteed seat on tomorrow's (Sundays) flight. I immediately called home, (note it was about 5am in Dallas - Sorry Mom and Dad) because for me, staying one night in Madrid didn't sound too bad, and also $1,000 is another trip back to Spain. This is the answer I got from my Dad. "Get on the plane and come home." I got on the plane and came home. I arrived in Dallas at about 5pm Dallas time and it was good to be home. I am definitely sad to leave San Sebastian and sad to leave all the friends I made there, but ready to be back with my friends and family. We came home to a very very very happy dog, who has been waiting to see her brother for about 3 weeks now. After resting for a bit and a shower Mom, Dad, and I went to Fuji! I hadn't had sushi in a month and was craving it. It was very good. After dinner I went and said hello to a few friends and returned home around 10:30 pm. I thought to myself, 10:30 pm, if i was in San Sebastian I would be meeting my friends to go out! My Dad heard this thought because I spoke it aloud, and replied with "What's your point?" I watched some TV, got into bed, and went to sleep. It is good to sleep in my own bed. The trip was something I will never forget, and the people I met there I will cherish for my whole life. I can't wait to eventually go back to Spain and maybe to France, Italy (again), Germany, and all the other places I now have friends in Europe. I hope everyone has enjoyed reading along and liked the blog as much as I have enjoyed writing it. ¡Adios!

Una Pausa...Adios

Once again the tiring activities, school days, and being drained from the beach, along with going out at night, has somehow taken away the motivation to write the past few days. Wednesday we finally were able to go kayaking, it was a little bit overcast but afterwards it got really nice and we all went to the beach. Wednesday night was a friend's 17th birthday so we of course went out later that night for her. Thursday was a sad day because it was my last day of class. Graduation day. Goodbye to Fede, Paqui, Ester, and Naroa (my other two teachers), and to the school. After classes we all went for the last time to the one and only, Bideluze. After lunch the remainder of the day was spent on the beach. Today we didn't have classes because there were "fiestas" here in San Sebastian for the patron saint of the basque country. I know that in the news there has been information about bombings relatively close to where I am. I want to assure everyone that I am fine and am being cautious. This morning we went to a Museum which basically was outdoor sculptures. Afterwards, beach of course for the whole today. I am sad to leave San Sebastian, but ready to be home with my family and friends. I'll be back tomorrow, adios San Sebastian.

International Connections

Tuesday was yet again another relaxing day. After learning about Nazca (mysterious images in Peru) and expressing ideas using the conditional tense, we all went to the beach. This is my group: Gian Marco (Italy), Matteo (Italy), Lucia (Italy), Laura (France), Tanguy (France), Wesley (France), Steve (USA), Henri (France), and two other guys from France whom I didn't know. It looks like the Americans were outnumbered...For this reason, spanish was once again the only common language, a really great way to practice. After playing soccer on the beach, this time it was 2 Americans and 2 Italians vs. 4 French (Team USA/Italia won), we all went back home. We later went out because it was one of our friend's last night. We were in a bar and an American song came on. Naive, by The Kooks. All of a sudden the French guys start singing it, same with the Italians! They all knew the song, even though it was all in english. It was really fun and exciting to sing along with them, even though they probably had no idea what was being said. They don't really speak any english! Music - bringing people together?

¡Nuevas Personas y Jesus!

Monday, the start of a new week, and the arrival of new people. Only five people came today and it is much quieter in the school. There are not a lot of people and only 5 in my class now. I do not have Fede or Paqui anymore and I miss them. I have Ester and Noroa, both nice teachers, but I prefer Fede and Paqui. The kids in my class are all from past weeks, so I know them. Juan Marco and Matteo from Italy, Amanda from Canada, and AJ from Chicago. We will be speaking a lot more in spanish and focusing much more on conversation as opposed to grammar exercises. After class I grabbed a bocadillo at a local TAPAS BAR. Yes, Mom and Dad, I go to other places other than Bideluze. After lunch we went to the aquarium, which unfortunately wasn't that great. Afterwards though we went up a mountain to the famous Jesus statue at the top. Once again I'm not sure I can convey the beauty of the city, so here are some pictures from the day.

Domingo Relejado

Another relaxing Sunday, and on the 7th day the lord rested right? Anyway, after sleeping late and having lunch with my "mother", I decided to read some of my required summer reading. Can you believe it? I'm reading "My Stroke of Insight" by Jill Bolte Taylor. You can watch a pretty interesting video on the book here. I went out for some ice cream at the best place in San Sebastian - Heladeria Boulevard. Later I had dinner and talked with Teresa for a little while. Tomorrow I will start my last week of classes and meet the new kids that came. Anyway, not much else for today but a quick note to all readers - commenting has now been opened up to all readers. Before it was only for registered users;I was alerted that some people were not able to comment, so I have changed the settings. Hasta Mañana.

Al Guggenheim

Today we ventured to Bilbao and visited the Guggenheim Museum. Basically a requirement of my Dad's to go, but luckily we went as a group. It was definitely worth waking up at 9, walking for 30 minutes, and then taking a hour and a half bus ride to go to. There's not really much to explain about the day, but I took many pictures to explain it for me. The Guggenheim Museum is spectacular. Please check out the pictures here. I tried to take as many pictures as I could and of the best quality, but it is technically not allowed to take photos in the museum...Hope you enjoy the ones I was able to shoot!

Last Day, Pt. 2

This second week has gone by so fast it is insane. I didn't have my foreign friends but I really bonded with the kids in the E.C.I group, another group of kids from the US that were also studying at the school. A few of the girls wanted a picture with the only Texan of course. Our departing skit on Friday was a tribute to Joimo, the kid from last week. We all missed him, but not everyone at the school appreciated the skit as they didn't really know who Joimo was. After class, a few friends and I went to Bideluze once again and enjoyed another good meal. From there we went to the beach, played some volleyball, went in the water and relaxed. I came back home for a bit before having to go on a boat cruise with my group. I thought it wouldn't be that fun, but it actually turned out pretty nice. After the cruise I went out with all of my ECI friends because it was their last night. I will miss them a lot and I hope some good new kids will be arriving soon. Time really does fly.