I'ts been 3 weeks since my last blog post, and for those of you who still read my blog, I commend you. As you may know, my journey is over, the 12 weeks are up and I've been home now for a whole week. The flight went ridiculously smoothly, there were absolutely no problems, and I was even able to smuggle in some food for my family and sand from the Sahara desert. When I saw all my friends with their signs, ugh it was an amazing moment. I had a giant smile glued to my face and didn't stop hugging people and laughing for a good 10 minutes, I was shaking at one point. I know it sounds a bit extreme but it was great to see them after 3 months of separation. And in usual Alvarez fashion, my family arrived late picking us up, but I wasn't even surprised, it was just like old times. ever since I got back, I have been meaning to write about Morocco but in truth I could have whole other blog just about Morocco. It was incredible, each day was jam packed with unforgettable moments, it would take 1,225 pictures and 1,000's of words to do the trip justice. I tried to upload pictures, but apparently I maxed out the memory space on my blog, and I would have to pay for more space. But if your curious I have a small collection of photos on my facebook.
I also wanted to write one final blog post summarizing the trip and bringing closure to my blog, but how can I summarize and bring closure to a whole chapter in my life? 3 months, that's 1/4 of a year all new and eye opening. There is no way I can do that. my time in Spain is over, but the impact it has had on my life is just beginning. For one I am hosting Laura now, and sharing my life in lil' Rhody with her and 5 other of her friends. And obviously my Spanish has vastly improved, I feel so happy with my ability. I'm not fluent, that will take more time but I'm on my way. My comprehension is much higher than my ability to speak but in time they will be equal. But mentally, I feel like this trip has opened my eyes to a whole new world, literally.
I feel so closed off in our little world in Rhode Island, going out and seeing these new countries and cultures has opened my eyes and given me some true perspective. Seeing all these different places just blows my mind and it amazes me how so many lives and cultures and people are going on all at the same time. As I'm writing this blog post, the school girls I met in Morocco are eating breakfast and getting ready to go to school, my family in Spain is probably fast asleep, the people in London Heath row are probably running around trying to make their flights, all these different people all these different places, all these different lives, all at the same time. It blows my mind. When you grow up in one place (or in my case 7) you tend to forget about the rest of the word and only focus on you and the people in your lives.
You forget about the fact that we live on a planet with 7 billion people, and that over 70% of the world lives off of what we consider pocket change. This trip has allowed me to see with my own eyes how small we are, but also how united. I feel like in America we are sheltered and hidden from the rest of the world. Sure we have some diversity depending on what state you live in, but what about countries that don't even speak a romantic language?? Traveling gives your life perspective, and a thirst to see more. Though my time in Spain has come to an end, the impact it as had on me is just starting to take hold. This trip was just the beginning.
