Europa Parte Dos

Here I go again. It seems like just a few weeks ago that I was packing my bags for a semester abroad in Florence, Italy. I was extremely excited for my first trip across the Atlantic and I had no idea of what an amazing experience I would have. After five fast months of traveling and immersing myself in the beautiful Italian culture, as well as that of ten other countries, I was home and desperate to return to Europe. And now...the time has come. 


I have been thinking about this moment all summer, since I was accepted into CIEE's Teach in Spain program and made the decision to return to Europe. Truthfully, I am nervous. Or rather, I was nervous, until a few days ago. While packing and running errands, a kind neighbor gave me an amazing book about a cousin of her's pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago in Spain. This particular quote stood out to me.

"Isn't this the way adventures go? You cannot plan for every eventuality or mishap, and you will always have some fear or reservation. If you are not falling down, you are not trying hard enough. All you can do is prepare as well as possible, face your fears, have a good laugh at yourself, and then put on your shoes and just walk forward, living your dreams."

This is exactly what I needed to see. I have accepted that hey, I may make mistakes, I may be nervous, and that life may not always be perfect, but this is an adventure. This is my adventure. 


So, that being said, I start my journey tomorrow afternoon when I leave O'Hare airport. A quick transfer in Madrid and I arrive in Sevilla ready for orientation. A few days from now, I will be settling into Sanlúcar de Barrameda; a serene, coastal town in the South of Spain, beginning the adventure of a lifetime......I am so ready for this.