Saying Adios

Our final week in Valencia flew by, as most of us knew it would.  I had a final exam in my Comparative Health Systems class Wednesday evening, after which our professor (César) thanked us profusely for making it such a wonderful experience for him this summer.  He is such a genuinely nice person, and I wish all of the professors at UVA cared as much as he did about their students' opinions!  Thursday morning I took my last exam and said goodbye to Mabel temporarily...she will be teaching at UVA in the fall semester, and she's promised to have a reunion with our class at Chipotle :D


Emily and I decided to expand our cultural horizons and took a short trip to the Museum of "Las Bellas Artes," which features predominantly religious works from primitive Valencian painters, but it also boasts works by more prominent painters like El Greco, Velázquez, and Goya.  We also trekked through the Old City once more to see the beautiful architecture, especially en La Plaza de la Reina.  Emily bought a sample of Spain's delicious olive oil (it is supposedly superior to US brands...I'm not a connoisseur of such things and can't tell the difference) while we visited the Spanish superstore El Corte Inglés.  This store usually ranges from 5-7 stories tall and includes everything you might find in a Macy's, Nordstrom, Kohl's, Target, Home Depot, and Whole Foods combined.  While we initially only saw the clothing merchandise, we were surprised while walking down the street to find several other extensions of the store that seemed to sell home goods, appliances, electronics, etc...it was crazy!


I took a quick nap when I got home and then Emily and I headed out to meet some other kids from school for the festival of San Juan.  The tradition of San Juan dates back to pagan rituals, but it is now used as an excuse to welcome the Vernal Equinox and celebrate by having bonfires on the beach.  The number of slobberingly drunk people in one place was appalling - it was like watching ants swarming on the beach - but there was also music for dancing and free wood for the bonfires, so it ended up being pretty fun.  I participated in the tradition of "jumping" three waves at midnight and making a wish, and  I also jumped over a small bonfire, which counted towards another wish!  Valencian tradition says that if you jump a fire 7 times, you will have meet your significant other within the next year....I didn't have the guts to jump 7 times.  I sadly learned the next day that a UVA student in another group burned her feet after jumping even once, so I'm glad that my judgment discouraged any further participation.


On Friday I spent most of the afternoon at the beach, soaking up the last of the Spanish sun before packing up my suitcase.  The beach was remarkably clean, and I can't imagine how many crews of people were needed to erase the traces of the previous night's disaster area.  As relaxing as it was, I can't say I regretted having to leave the beaches where the topless look is a norm, and where people wear swimsuits indescribably inappropriate for their size, age, and even gender.  I said goodbye to Jaime, the doorman at Adela's condominium, with whom I frequently chatted about topics ranging from sports to MTV.  I'm ashamed to say he knew surprisingly more about both topics than I.  Later that night Adela, Emily, and I enjoyed one last quiet dinner together, and then I told Adela "Buenas noches" for the last time.


Saturday was full of goodbyes, and Adela and  I promised to keep in touch by writing letters.  Most of the program students were frantically scurrying at the airport trying to make their connecting flights, so the goodbyes were short and sweet when we arrived at JFK 11 hours after our initial departure.  When we stepped off the plane the signs were in English, and the workers clearly spoke English - it was somewhat surreal knowing that we were back on American soil.  My mom and dad, knowing how inexperienced a traveler I am, picked me up at the airport, and I was so happy to see them!  My mom, I think, was even more excited, and started snapping pictures as I exited customs.  That night for dinner I had a U.S. favorite: a cheeseburger.


I know this blog can't begin to describe some of the amazing experiences, feelings, and opportunities I've had on this trip.  I'm so blessed to have been given the chance to visit Spain and experience the culture, learn the language, and meet so many wonderful people.  I hope that you've enjoyed seeing what's been happening, and thank you so much if you've followed along! I know it hasn't been the most interesting, but I really appreciate your support!  I might keep up with it as the year goes on, but we'll just have to see what happens.  I hope that your summer is magical!


<3 Charlotte