I have returned gladly to my large breakfasts of eggs and toast and sautéd veggies, and happily to dinner before 9:30. I miss everything being in walking distance all the time, and sometimes even the bus system, but I do love my independence to zip around on my scooter or in a car. We are so much more spread out here in the US. I don't think it's good or bad; it's just different.
The European lifestyle was great to experience. I'll miss those late nights out with the group dancing in the discotecas until 3 and singing karaoke until 4. I'll miss how laid back everyone seemed to be. I'll even miss the craziness of San Fermín. I wouldn't have traded a second of anything that happened in Pamplona (or any of the other cities we visited) for anything, Not even the Chupinazo, or that second biomass plant, or random men being sketchy on the streets.
I miss my compatriots from Kentucky. And U Penn and Auburn and U Illinois @ Chicago. But we'll all see each other again :) We already have plans for a reunion sometime down the road. It was a beautiful experience from start to finish and I learned so much about so much. Most of it not necessarily academically related. It's hard to summarize and categorize all my thoughts and feelings, but I wouldn't hesitate to tell anyone to go. To get out. To experience. To learn. To be uncomfortable beyond measure. It's so worth it. Every nanosecond of it--the friends you make, the experiences you have, the problems you encounter. It was grander than I could have imagined going into it. I had heard about all those things from other students who had studied abroad before me, but to experience them!! How wonderful it was, and how lucky I am.
I have the bug now. I want to go again. We shall see. Thank you all for following along with my adventures. I hope you've found it worthwhile to read my attempts at conveying my experiences. This is it. The last post of my journey. I suppose it will be here forever.
And now back to business!! WPS! Razorback Soccer Season is near!!
My wonderful classmates :)
