Traveling: for better and for worse

In the last 9 days, I have been in 2 different countries, 7 different cities near and far around the Iberian Peninsula, 6 different beds, 2 buses, and 3 trains. I have been on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean or the "End of the World" and the coast of the Mediterranean. I've been to 4 cities in 4 days and literally had to remind myself where I was each morning when I woke up.
"I am in Toledo. I'm in a hotel room with two classmates."
"I am in Madrid in an apartment with Kenzie's friends."
"I am in Barcelona in a hostel with 7 complete strangers."
"I'm in Valencia in the River Valley's pastor's house."

The traveling adventures started last weekend when I went to Portugal with a program called Outdoor Sevilla. I mentioned before that I was craving time away from the city life, and Portugal was just the rejuvenation I needed. The little town we stayed at was on the coast, and it literally felt like we students had the whole town to ourselves. The landscape was absolutely breathtaking. I feel like beauty is so much more stunning when you’ve never seen anything like it before, and I had never seen anything like the Portugal cliffs framing the gigantic Atlantic Ocean. We were able to hike, rock climb, and surf in our time there, and I adored every moment of it. Sincerely, I think it was the best weekend of my life. Like, holy cow.

I had 3 short days back in Sevilla to quickly unpack and pack again before I left for another crazy weekend. Our school was taking an overnight excursion to Toledo on Thursday, and since we had Monday off due to a Spanish holiday, most students were traveling from Toledo to other locations. The planned agenda for my two friends and me was to leave from Toledo to Madrid where we would catch a train to Barcelona. In Barcelona, we would explore the city for the day, go to Hillsong Church the next morning, then immediately hop on a train to travel to Valencia to catch another church service. It was a weekend that I was looking forward to, but it was not the weekend I expected.

We successfully made it to Madrid, and before our next train left, we decided to meet up with Kenzie’s friend who lived right by the train station. As we were sitting in the café, I remember looking at the time compulsively, worrying that we were going to be late for our train. Little did I realize how late we actually were. It turns out instead of leaving at 6:30PM like we thought, the train had left at 6:30AM.

Oops.

We were basically screwed. Chaos ensued, but all of us kept pretty calm. We ended up staying at Kenzie’s friend’s apartment for the night, which was such a gigantic blessing because otherwise I think we might have been on the street. After much frantic searching, we found a bus for Barcelona that left the next morning and bought our tickets. As a result, we lost about 8 hours of time in Barcelona, not to mention a good amount of money on a train that left while we were peacefully sleeping in Toledo. Honestly, I felt a little responsible for the train catastrophe since I was the one that found the website we bought the tickets from, but justice was served: I was sick the entire rest of the weekend.

I don’t get sick often, but I have had some unpleasant experiences. I threw up on my desk in 2^nd grade, and since then, I’ve had a fear of throwing up in public. That fear definitely didn’t manifest itself this weekend though because I dry heaved in a gas station and the streets of Barcelona without even thinking twice. I had to do what I had to do. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t miserable though; it was. In short, I was not a well human in Barcelona, but I enjoyed the beauty of the place nonetheless.

That night, I stayed in a hostel alone. For some reason, the reservation for my original hostel wasn’t working, and by the time I got it to work, there was no space left. I was separated from Kenzie and Zoey, sick, and with 7 strangers in Barcelona. However, my experience was actually pretty enjoyable. I met some pretty cool girls from China and Brazil. I’ve always liked the idea of being the sole representative from America in a group; it just makes me feel culturally cool. 

On Sunday, I checked out of my hostel, reunited with my girls, and then went to Hillsong Barcelona. We took our seats, and the moment the music started playing, tears started streaming down my cheeks. We were finally there. It was worth it. God was worth it. He always is.

Iglesia River Valley Valencia was next. River Valley has several campuses in the Twin Cities and just two international campuses. Over the summer, I just happened to get in contact with the Valencia pastor and his wife when they visited my church campus. Can I even express how much of a blessing that was? The pastor and his wife opened up their house to us and let us stay there for the night, which was glorious. At that point in the weekend, I was exhausted from traveling and sickness, and literally every movement of my limbs was like a marathon. Even through my severe fatigue, I still enjoyed worshipping with my home church in Spain, listening to the message, meeting new people, and staying in that lovely house for the evening.
This morning, I somehow miraculously arrived safely back to Sevilla after the chaotic weekend, and currently I’m in my bed. I’ll definitely praise God for that. 

And for everything else. 


*pictures mixed up and in no order. kind of like my brain right now*

Toledo Cathedral

Hillsong Barcelona and River Valley Valencia

 Toledo

Toledo

Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

 Portugal

"End of the World" in Portugal

What I miss

For some reason, I thought that if I made a post like this, it would mean I’m homesick and complaining about my time here. I associated missing things from home with being miserable and hating life, which is most definitely not the case. To miss something means to notice the absence of something valuable. It has been such a blessing to take a step out of my regular life and be able to deeply appreciate all the beauties that fill my life in America. So with that, here is my brief list, in no particular order, of what I miss from home: both the shallow and the deep.

1.     Peanut butter.

2.     Jep the Jeep. Walking to class is so wonderful, but I just miss cruising around in my car with the windows down and the music cranked up.

3.     Nature. The ancient city of Sevilla is so beautiful, but this introvert is craving time away from the crowded streets of tourists. I’ve been having this desire that keeps flashing in my mind of taking a walk around Lake Johanna at Northwestern. Too bad it’s 4,000 miles away.

4.     A grilled chicken sandwich with provolone cheese, ketchup, and fries from the eagle’s nest.

5.     Minnesota fall! Honestly I think this is the number one thing that I miss. I want to experience that crisp, cool weather and the trees changing color. And let’s be honest, I just wanna wear a scarf and a sweatshirt without sweating profusely and breaking out in a heat rash. I’m not really loving the 90-degree weather in October.

6.     My dogs. I’ve literally been having reoccurring dreams of them, and I don’t know why.

7.     People. You know who you are.

8.     River Valley Church! I miss worshipping the Lord in English with a church that is just as freakishly crazy and passionate about Jesus as I am. Fair enough?

9.     Dorm life. Late night laughs. Movies. Christmas lights. Tea. All of it.  

Still having the best time of my life though! Besitos from Spain!

Life and God

Things are transitioning from the pristine perfect vacation to the everyday life. While the wonder and love that I have for Spain will probably never wear off, the “honeymoon stage” definitely has.

There have been many recent days where I’ve woken up and immediately thought “I don’t wanna go to school.” I’ve been procrastinating on my homework through the means of facebook. I don’t always want to talk at dinner. The street performers just don’t entertain me anymore like they did at the beginning. I still silently rebuke that stupid floating devil every time I pass by, but I don’t even look twice at the headless musicians, the bodyless heads on the table, the flamenco dancer, and the golden statue man. The excitement has waned a little, and the vacation is over. The normal life of petty frustrations, routine, and fatigue has begun.

But I’m still having the best time of my life.

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to explore Córdoba, a city near Sevilla that is packed with art, history, and beauty. The main attraction of Córdoba is the half mosque half cathedral that is absolutely breathtaking. Literally I think my mouth was open the whole time we were in there. We also got to see the beautiful Roman bridge over the river, and my friends and I explored Alcazar: a castle and gardens. When I experience a day like Córdoba, I remember exactly where I am in the world and how blessed I am to have this semester abroad.

Along with Córdoba, one of the highlights of last week was Saturday night by the river. I sat with three other girls and we prayed and had honest, authentic conversation about faith as we were surrounded by the beautiful lights of the city and even the fireworks that were exploding in the sky. It was one of those nights that just got me so amped about what the Lord is going to do this semester.

Because seriously, it already blows my mind what the Lord has revealed to me in these three short weeks.

God is present in this land. He always has been. He is also wildly present in my home of Minnesota. There is no way to extinguish the presence of God; even in the Córdoba mosque and seemingly dark places on this earth, God’s presence sings its testimony.

There is no place to run from God on earth, only to keep running to Him. Wherever I go on this planet, I will have petty frustrations and normal human fatigue, but all I ever want to do is keep running to His omniscient presence.

My love for siestas and everything Spanish

I think I’ve been in Spain long enough to have a valid generalization on the way of life here, and I am honestly in love with so many of the aspects of the culture and how this country has already changed me.

            First is the food. The food here is so fresh and definitely doesn’t have as many preservatives as the food I eat in the States. I have never been a tomato fan, but here I’ve literally eaten tomatoes straight because they are so delicious. I always feel healthy after a meal, which is such a contrast to how I feel after I have some meals in America.

            Another part of the culture that I really admire is the bluntness. Spaniards are not superficial, they do not sugarcoat things, and they are not fake. I absolutely adore that. It makes for some awkward situations when my señora tells me how rude it is to leave a towel out, but there’s such an authenticity to it. There’s no pretending or smiling at strangers, which makes their actions so much more genuine and beautiful.

            Also, my demeanor has changed so much since I’ve been here. This culture is just so laid back; it seems like people are never in a rush, and stress just doesn’t seem to exist. It’s only “no pasa nada.” Coming into this semester, I was already unusually calm, and being here has just emphasized that. Nothing fazes me anymore, and anxiety hasn’t even touched me.

            It’s also so interesting to notice myself interacting and living here. I’ve been plucked out of my usual habitat, with my friends who are the same sort of freaks that I am, and plopped into a completely foreign situation. I love how Spain just brings out people’s raw personalities because everyone is out of his or her normal element here. For me, I’m still quieter than others, I still love dancing, I still need my introvert time, and I still say ridiculous things. There’s no conforming to fit in or attempting to win people over. The Spain Hannah is the Minnesota Hannah.  

Lastly, I will mention my intense love for siestas. This is a time period that happens every day after lunch. During this time, the heat is at its peak, most shops are closed, and most Spaniards take a legitimate nap. My host family keeps telling me how Spanish I am because I have taken a nap every single day that I’ve been here. Today was actually the first day that I didn’t take a nap in Spain.

 Instead of taking a siesta today, I spent the day in Coria, where a church wanted to “adopt” us and pray for us at the beginning of our semester. It was a precious time of incredible worship, eating wonderful food, interacting with fantastic people, being prayed for, and lots of dancing. I may have missed my siesta, but it was well worth it.

Spain, you are beautiful, and I love you. Goodnight. 

making it mine

I've been in Seville, Spain for about a week, and I'm pretty sure I still have "turista" etched all over my face. As I walk to class past the massive cathedral, I try to pretend that I'm used to it, but I usually end up gaping at it with my mouth wide open every time. The gorgeous grandeur of Spain is my home now, but I don't think I will ever be able to wipe the awe off my face whenever I look around me.
I'm still in the process of making this place my home, making it mine. In my time here, I've been in constant activity and exploration; my friends and I have eaten churros con chocolate, gone dancing, gone to the park, biked to the plaza, gone on scavenger hunts and tours, had tapas by the river, and sat in adorable cafés. It's been so incredibly fun, and I don't want these things to stop. However, everybody is going to have a different experience here, and I just want a piece of Sevilla to make my own. For example, I want to get involved in a church, do Flamenco, volunteer in the city, explore more, and be able to have quiet time by the river. I want to learn, experience, have fun, and most importantly glorify and serve the Lord.
Today, I had the opportunity to practice with the worship team for the SIS program's Bible study. It is definitely not something that I would normally do, and I enjoyed it so much. After rehearsal, I walked back and stopped by the river to listen to music and watch the sunset alone. I'm excited to find myself here, to encounter my niche, get out of my comfort zone, and just live this semester to the fullest!
I want to put todo mi ser into this experience and wait to see what the Lord has in store.
This place is full of adventure, antique beauty, vibrant color, and exquisite culture, but in the end, it all centers back to one thing: God. And that is what my heart is longing for.

Belleza

Mi primer día en España fue llenado de belleza.

Belleza. Beauty.

There was beauty in the chaos of lugging over 50 pounds of suitcases around Madrid and being able to laugh, smile, and be untouched by the anxiety of the situation.

There was beauty in the moment of my roommate and I being brought to our host home in the taxi and realizing the reality of a semester abroad.

There was beauty in the first meal shared with our señora, feeling awkward and timid.

There was beauty in that heavenly siesta.

There was beauty in walking around Sevilla and seeing the gorgeous Spanish-speaking locals that livened the cobble-stoned streets on a Tuesday night.

There was definite beauty in absorbing the scenery: ageless buildings, the beautiful river, and the sunset.

There was beauty in dinner, where I sat with five individuals I had just met from three different cultures and bonded over speaking Spanish, learning and listening to Italian, and teaching English words.

Finally, there was beauty sitting in my bed with the window open, letting in the breeze and belleza of Sevilla, my home for the next 3 and a half months.