The Reign is Over

I will never forget my yearlong stay in Spain. It has been more than a month since my return home and already I'm yearning to go back.

I arrived back in Michigan on June 21st. I was happy to be back in my homeland. However, even though it was a comfortable feeling, it did not feel real to me that I had actually left Spain. When I said goodbye to my friends it seemed like we were just saying "See you later" not a "Hope I will see you again someday." I arrived home and knew it would be a hard adjustment going back to my American lifestyle, but I had to adjust.

The days of acclimation in Michigan passed. I got back into my American lifestyle rather quickly, and I enjoyed watching the World Cup even though soccer is not that popular in the States. Of course I rooted for Spain. I watched a lot of soccer while I was abroad and got to know all the players' names on the Spanish team. Then on July 11, 2010 Andres Iniesta, a player from the team FC Barcelona, scored the winning goal for Spain in the World Cup. It was Spain's first World Cup championship. It was an amazing game which I viewed with my family and some cousins from Ohio. I can only imagine how happy my friends and family in Spain must be. I talked to some of my friends via Facebook and they told me about the impressive celebration that was going on because of Spain winning the World Cup in soccer. I know now how Spaniards like to party so I can imagine what it must have been like. Just three weeks before the championship game I was in Barcelona. If only I could have extended my stay somehow. However, as the Spanish expression says "Es lo que hay," it is what it is.

I can honestly say that my exchange experience in Spain was life changing for me. I have become more independent now and appreciate my family and the US more. I do love Spain (especially Barcelona) with a strong passion though and I miss my friends dearly. I can't wait to see these friends again, but who knows when that might be. I still keep in contact with them and will continue to do so. I learned a lot about a different culture. Visiting other countries makes you appreciate your home country in a different manner. Travel really opens your eyes to the wonders of this magnificent world.

Thanks to all those who read my blog while I was on this epic journey.

-Ryan

Last Days

Today I went to a theme park called Port Aventura with my friends. We had a blast. Tomorrow is my last day in Spain and when I say my goodbyes. I will write more about this later. See you soon everyone.

Traveling through Spain

I just came back from a heck of a trip. In my last post I talked about a trip around Spain I would be doing with my mom. It all began with the Camino de Santiago. My mother was walking the Camino also known as the Way of St. James. She was walking the Camino Frances (one of the many routes to Santiago) which begins at Roncevalles a small village just before the French border and of course ends in Santiago (she's crazy (just kidding mom).) Well I met her in Sarria and we completed the last 100km of the camino together.

To get the compostela (certificate) that says you completed the Camino de Santiago you must complete the last 100km. My mom was happy to see me and we soon began walking. For me the first day was a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggg walk. We did about 20km of walking or more each day. However, we did walk 30km on the second day which was a real killer. Here's how a normal day on the camino went: my mom would get up at 7, she would wake me up and then go to the bathroom to wash up. I would take advantage of this time and stay in bed pondering how much time I had before my mom would come back and I would have to get up. After I finally got myself up and got ready we would hit the camino.

Looking good for Santiago ;)

It's amazing we would walk for hours. Hours, hours and hours of walking. My mind wandered; there was too much time to think. It was fun being with my mom. We talked about so much stuff. I remember the first ten minutes of the the camino I was going crazy and couldn't stop talking. Part of the camino is self reflection. You are alone for such a long time that you think about your life and who you are. With this time you, hopefully, become a better and stronger person. I think my mom changed in this way because she walked alone for many days. However, there are always pilgrims walking along with you that pass you or you pass them. Pilgrims from all over the world come and do this camino. I met Americans, Germans, Frenchies, Portuguese, Italians, Brasilenians, Mexicans, Ecuadorians, Chinese and of course many Spaniards. I have to say that the Spaniards were the friendliest.

We usually got to the albergue (hostel) between 3 or 5 p.m. After arriving exhausted to the albergue we would wash ourselves and our clothing. Then we looked for a place to have dinner. After dinner we would go back to the albergue to prepare for the next day and then we would go to sleep.

Signs for the Camino de Santiago