Spain is known as the land of the siesta. Not only that, but they also are very casual when it comes to their day-to-day activities. Being 15 minutes late is on time for them. Ironically, even though I have been immersed in this somewhat relaxed culture, I have still felt as if I am constantly on the go, often times missing out on the richness of events, relationships, and learning experiences.
The number of days that I have been abroad is now up to 28! Four weeks in and my time abroad has absolutely flown by. And of course I have to plead guilty to being caught up in my American "in a hurry" mindset that I brought along to Spain. I have booked and overbooked my schedule and I am constantly going from one place to another. At times I feel as if I am just going through the motions. A lack of appreciation sometimes occurs and I do not want that to happen with me.
Over the past four weeks I have done some incredible things! I have visited the cities of: Madrid, Córdoba, Toledo, Málaga, Ronda, Setenil, and Granada. I have moved into another home with host parents that I had never met before. I have gotten myself familiar with a city that I had no knowledge of. I have created and strengthened relationships with people that I had no expectation of meeting. Through all of that I constantly find myself planning the next activity, event, or trip; sometimes not giving myself any time to breathe.
I have learned over the past four weeks that it is very easy to run out of fuel. Mentally, physically, and/or emotionally. Regardless of what it is, it is important for us to find ways to fill the tank back up. For me, it is my relationship with Christ as it allows for purpose in life. It allows for me to get up every morning and see value in this world. It allows me to pursue meaningful activities, conversation, and people. Without being in a place where I can attend church and surround myself with people who encourage me in my faith on a daily basis, like I am used to at Point Loma Nazarene University (the college that I attend), it is crucial that I find other ways to refill that fuel tank.
One thing that I have been doing lately to help with this is listening to worship music on my way to school every day. Getting to school consists of a ten-minute walk to the metro station, a fifteen-minute metro ride, and then a ten-minute walk to my school, Pablo De Olavide. Even though it is a small act, those 35 minutes play a pivotal role in my mornings as I am able to slow my day down for a bit and remind myself of what is important.
We make thousands of choices every day, whether those are big or small, and with those choices come stress and worry. Sarah Young, in her book, Jesus Calling, put it simply by saying, “You will never run out of things to worry about, but you can choose to trust Me no matter what.” That is all we can do and I have been slowly learning this over the past couple of weeks. I can’t do this abroad journey, let alone my life journey, alone.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you”
Another activity that has helped me with slowing down is journaling. There is something about writing that I absolutely love. You are able to express exactly what you are feeling and no one else has to understand. This outlet of journaling allows for me to gather certain thoughts (that are roaming somewhere up there in that brain of mine) in an effort to get a better grasp of my thought process and how I am truly feeling.
As I have now hit the one-month mark of being in a foreign country I have learned a lot. Some big, some small, but through all of it I am thankful. I am thankful for the opportunity that I get to see a different side of the world and be submerged in a different culture. I have already done a lot of amazing things and have made some incredible memories, but I am constantly reminding myself to slow down and appreciate the situation that I have in front of me. The buildings I see, the people I meet, and the life lessons that I learn are all just a couple (out of the many) of things that I need to take advantage of.
A couple of more things that I have learned during my time overseas:
- Don’t stare at people on the metro...it’s weird. Get in and get out
- Watching the Super Bowl in Spain is a serious commitment (Game ended at 4:30 AM) – Totally worth it
- My host mom is actually hilarious (wish I could understand her more…learning Spanish is a process)
- Siestas are not only a beautiful thing, but they are absolutely necessary for survival
- European clothing is different, but I am embracing it 100% - V-neck t-shirts are thing
Thank you all for reading…if you got this far. My time here has been incredible and I am so excited that I get to share my journey with you all!