El Fin

As I sit at the airport, my feet propped on my suitcase as is my style, I reflect on my time in Seville. Without a doubt, Seville holds a piece of my heart.

It seems hard to believe I arrived almost five weeks ago; yet my life is enriched multifold as though I have lived here for years. I’m grateful to have spent my last week in Seville with Laura (whom I introduced here), for without her, I’d be too sad to leave. As we sat for our final dinner last night, Laura asked, “what are the ways you have grown?”

I smiled. Turning my gaze outside the window, many answers flooded my mind.

The first growth is literal: I can comprehend and speak much better Spanish than when I arrived. I still remember my nervousness in trying to order my first meal upon arrival. I fumbled upon words and relied on pointing to the menu item.

Now, while not perfect, my Spanish allows me to order my favorite tapas and drinks easily. It allows me to hold a simple conversation with the taxi driver, and perhaps most importantly, it allows me to ask how much a souvenir will cost 😉

The second growth is personal. I have realized I can live alone. I learned solitude does not always equate to loneliness. In the past, the mere thought of eating alone made me sad; now, I confidently request a table for one at a restaurant. I cherish the ability to explore independently, lingering in stores for as long as I desire. I enjoy abiding my schedule, knowing I am answerable only to myself.

Speaking of schedules, my third growth is in exercising the opposite: letting go. As a type A person who loves to plan, purse, and perfect all actions at all times, stepping back to smell the roses – quite literally- afforded me my biggest lesson. Goals and structures are good to guide, not dictate. Because of this attitude, every day was a new day in Seville. I had the morning to myself to sleep or study, the afternoon for school and work, and the evenings for exploring.

Ah, and did I explore the streets of Seville!

My fondest memories of Seville will always be attached to its beautiful architecture. From its pastel colors to its Arabesque tiles, the colors of Seville will be dearly missed. (As will the amazing doors).

As they say, the people make the place. I’m most grateful for the wonderful humans I met along my journey. To Julia with whom I enjoyed the luxurious Aire Baths of Seville and shared many dinners; to Sachin, whose generous spirit kept me company during break each day in school; to Jose Luis my wonderful Spanish teacher who taught me so much; to Melissa, the beautiful wife of an Air Force member who became a link to home; to Amy who inspired me to continue traveling no matter what phase of life I was in; and to Louna who speaks 5 languages at the young age of 18: thank you for enriching my life in so many ways.

Finally, thank you to the people of Seville: you are as beautiful as your city, inside and out.

Thank you for following along in my journey to Seville. Due to your kind requests, the blog will continue for a bit 🙂

Next stop? France!