Barcelona-the close of a story

All good things come to an end right?

What are you supposed to write in your last blog post. As I have never written a blog before, I am not exactly sure how to end this splatter of my life that I have spilled upon the internet for whoever out there may or may not be reading. I guess I could talk about how I have changed for the better, or what new and bright prospects exist in my life. I could talk about every place I have gone and list off what it was that I took away from each of those experiences. I could talk about all of the friends that I have made while abroad and recount how much each and everyone of them mean to me. I could be really artistic and try to write a page long metaphor about how I am like a leaf just blowing in the wind (I know I actually thought about that...how desperate). I could even go so far as to leave a picture diary of the most meaningful events and images that have affected my life while I was here.

The fact of the matter is that in about 40 hours, I am going to the airport to meet my parents and pick them up in Barcelona. For three days I will show them around my home, then we will fly to Sevilla and that will be the last I see of this city that has taught me so much about myself. I just got out of my final exam for my European Integration and Economic and International Law class. On the last part of the final, a question was asked in which the teacher wrote, "Your personal opinion is what is most important." I think it is very well known by pretty much every student in the United States that this is the last thing that you would see on an Economics or Political Science exam. In my other class, the teacher had me ask myself my own question on the final exam and answer it as I saw fit, making sure that I include my personal opinion.

More than anything, Barcelona has taught me that-No matter how much I can learn through an education, none of it means anything if I do not comprehend it and spice it up with a little bit of Dan Driver. Coming back to the United States is definitely going to be what my program´s pamphlet describes as a "culture shock." I am not sure if I am ready to integrate myself back into the "system" where getting a job and attaining success are the most important things that I can do. Its ok to take some time to think about what we want to do with our lives. We are young and no matter what any authority figure may tell us about planning our future out and getting started young, it is okay to float around for a while. Don´t get too excited or anything-I am not gonna start a hippy movement and disappear off the face of the Earth. I am just not in a rush to prove myself to anyone anymore.

Studying abroad changes people. I know that before I left in my typical sarcastic manner I joked with my friends about how I definitely was going to do my best not to come back and embellish the already existing stereotype by saying that but unfortunately its true-i do feel that i have changed for the better. And yes, I hope that everyone who has read my blog considers going abroad again. I am not only talking to the students when I write that. Noone is too old to experience a piece of culture that they have not yet seen. DO IT!

To my friends in Barcelona- Thanks for all that we have shared

To my friends at home- Thanks for being there when I needed you

To my family at home- Thanks for allowing me this amazing opportunity

One picture should do the trick...San Diego or Barcelona...its all a blur to me too!

España es de puta madre. ¡Valle!

More stars than Hollywood´s walk of fame-guaranteed

After our time in Fes, we took a long bus ride out to the desert. On the way we stopped at an oasis that looked liked the grand canyon with a bunch of trees in it...pretty awesome if I might say so. We also saw monkeys in pine trees! I can honestly say that we went through some very diverse terrain. First we saw the coast, then we hit desert with shrubs everywhere, then we hit the forest which looked like NorCal, and then of course we hit the sandy dunes of the Sahara. It was a very long trip but, as always, well worth the time.

When we finally arrived in the desert we had to get off the bus and take a caravan of 4x4s into the dessert. There were 60 of us and each car fit 5 to 6 people...you do the math...there were lots of cars. Our campsite was literally out in the middle of the Sahara desert about 30 minutes walking from the nearest town. It was awesome. The first night we were there, the locals stayed up with us and watched the moon rise. Never in my life have I seen such a clear sky. Coming from Lake Tahoe, where we boast a pretty clean environment, the Sahara desert still absolutely blew me away. I wish I had brought some kind of star map, but instead I found myself content just looking for Orion´s belt continuously. We saw several shooting stars and just hung out on the dunes.

The most interesting thing about out time in the desert was that the locals followed us wherever we went. At any given time, they were willing to hang out with us, wander the dunes, dance, sing, and just have an awesome time. They also always were willing to sell us something, but understood if we weren´t interested in buying. At night, they would randomly light bushes on fire in the desert to keep warm...SO COOL!

Anyway, the next day we woke up early to watch the sunrise. I just happened to pick the one guide who felt like walking farther than everyone else, so we walked...about a mile in the desert to this extremely high dune and watched the sunrise together. His name was, of course, Muhammad...super common name over there. Afterwards, we ate breakfast and then mounted up on our troupe of camels. I must say that I never realized how high off the ground you are when on a camel haha. It was fun as well, although a little bit painful! During the day we went into a local town and walked around...they tried to make us buy rugs again!!...but i was resilient and stayed rug free. We walked back (little did we know the camel ride was a one way trip) to our campsite and hung out with the locals.

Sam, Caroline, David, and I got into a battle royal with all of the little kids that lasted the greater part of 15 minutes. They also got a hold of my camera and had a full on video and photo shoot. (Check facebook once I get home!) That night, we danced with the locals, had a great dinner and layed under the stars.

It was definitely the trip of a lifetime which I doubt I will ever be able to relive.

My journey through Fes with a man named Muhammad

Africa. The final frontier of my travels during my time abroad. Going to Morocco was of instant appeal to me when my program offered the trip up to us. What other opportunity would I have in my life to feel the sand of the Sahara beneath my feet, ride a camel to a local village, and taste the sweetest tea on Earth.

Between all of the travel of Morocco, my trip really had two main focal points. The first was the city of Fes. We arrived in the city late at night by bus and had a great dinner at our hotel. Afterwards we all just went to sleep because we were so tired from travelling all day long. In the morning, we proceeded to hop on our tour bus and meet our tour guide Muhammad. Throughout the rest of the day we would be his blind followers, going down random allyways that are only accesible by donkey in the famous Medina of Fes. Flecked with bits of cultural education, such as the fact that Morocco is composed of 97% peaceful and open-minded Sunni Muslims, we were taken to 5 shops that showcased the pride of the Moroccan market. The first was the rug store...let me just say right now that Moroccans are very VERY proud of their rugs. The owner of the store sat us all down and gave us a 10 minute presentation on all the different kinds of rugs that they have and gave us all tea. If I ever want a rug...I guess I will go back...but I definitely did not want a rug haha. Needless to say, they were really trying to reel us in and get all of our Dirham(Moroccan currency).

Afterwards, we proceeded to the tannery, which produces and dyes all of its own leather, the apothecary, the scarf shop, and the pottery district. In each of the areas, we either received personalized tours or in-depth demonstrations of products. Additionally, the entire time we were walking we picked up a pack of travelling salesmen that followed us wherever we went trying to sell necklaces. They would even go so far as to wait outside of shops until we came out and then would follow us throughout the Medina.

After the long day of shopping we headed back to our hotel and walked around the town in this area that had a little light up fountain secion. That night we went out to see a belly dancing show with the program which was pretty funny. By around 12 though, we were all ready for some well deserved sleep as we got ready to journey forth towards the SAHARA! And yes, we went into McDonalds to see what strange things they might have in Morocco...the McArabia and the Chicken Mythic!!