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Valencia Night Club

So as the frugal alcoholics that we are before the club everyone bought alcohol to pregame. During this time everyone is mingling and talking. Somehow during the day, I ended up hanging with my friend Rose and all of her french friends which were okay but nothing special. 

After pregaming and when everyone was gathered I was hanging with my good friend Timo a nice boy from Finland who was trying to get me to chug his vodka and Sprite mixture. Fast forward we are on the bus to the club everyone is excited and hype as am I. I finish the wine I had and we stumble into the venue which was even more gorgeous at night with the beautiful lighting. I am now more hanging with Timo and the boys, which have a striking resemblance to one direction I might add and they all have accents lol.

When hanging out with Timo you have to know that every two seconds someone is coming up to him and saying “Hey Timo Remeber me... blah blah”, which is awesome good for him except a lot of people that do this he doesn’t exactly remember so that is also funny as well. We get on one of the 3 dance floors and I lose everyone. I’m talking about Rose and the French people and Timo and one direction. I see some familiar faces from the trip and I start hanging out with some other Americans that were on the trip before I go on a journey to find people. 

Finally, when I find Timo and one direction they are taking shots with this one guy from the trip and I get invited into the group taking shots and having fun. The man with us buying all the shots is kind of giving me crazy vibes though, one of the guys in the group said he had already spent over 100 euros and we had pretty much just gotten there so I was like hmm little man's syndrome over here. 

This isn’t even the worst of it though, Timo is the drunkest and this guy is singling him out to drink more it goes to the point where we are giving shots to random people and tossing them over our shoulders. It got so bad Timo grabbed me and said, “Please get me out of here this man is crazy I don’t want to be here anymore”. We are all drunk and so I take Timo back upstairs and we are just sitting and chatting. I won’t put the specifics of the drunken chat on here but it was a quality convo and at this point, I thought Timo was one of the besties. 

Fast forward to 4am and the bus is gathering everyone to leave. Everyone is accounted for on the best except for yeo you guessed it little man syndrome guy (still don’t know home boys name). So, after trying to reach him for 15 minutes we end up leaving him, I don't even remember the bus ride but the lights came on and we were all home. I walked home and passed out for al least 6 hours before slowly waking up. Fun trip and I met a lot of great people. I would post pictures but my phone was dying and Timo won’t send them so stay tuned and maybe I can get some!

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Valencia

I am trying to be more on top of keeping a record of my experiences and the places that I have gone but not gonna lie it doesn’t automatically go in my mind to sit down and write about what just happened or where I just went. 

However September 21st I traveled again with the Erasmus life group to the city of Valencia. “When people ask me about the journey and the different city just to gain perspective, I compare them to something familiar back home. Imagine Alicante (the city I live in) as Flagstaff, then image Valencia being Phoenix. Its the paralle of big city versus smaller town and they are about the same distance away around a 2-hour drive. So in traveling to Valencia things were very different and the city much larger than the one I reside in currently.

So, me being the “yes man” that I am I decided to party the night before and just not sleep until I got on the bus. You know I'm in Spain I’m young why not. So, the night before my roommate and I went out on the town with one of the friends I have made through Erasmus she is Polish and loves to drink and party so that is exactly what we did haha. 

And I was happy to start getting to know my roommate or flatmate as they call it here and we all had a blast. But then I had to wake up the next day for my Valencia trip, it was a struggle but I made it snacks and all. The way thereof coarse I ate literally them all but that’s beside the point. Our first stop was a magnificent art museum that doubled as a night club which was actually awesome. Then a stroll through the park until the city center.

Man, I feel like my posts get so long before I even have time to get to the meat of the story. Always we spent the time exploring the city and ended up in a museum which was actually really eerie and I was like “fuck that” to some of the areas cause it was too much. But never the less it was beautiful and a great experience I really enjoy history sometimes. 

Fast forward we ended up in this weird day club to watch flamenco dancers but it turned out to just be a band called flamenco so we left and later eat as a group before changing for the club. I am shortening things due to length but legit my phone said I had walked over 20 miles that day which started the night before at midnight when I was out. I was exhausted but ready to party!

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Legit max 4 people in my class

I mentioned before my class with literally less than 5 people but I am a true storyteller in the fact that I wanted to give you a bit more from the experience. Including reactions and emotions during the 2 class sessions, I have attended so far.

So the first session I really had no idea what to expect, all I knew was that I had a 4-hour time block of classes on my schedule I was going to finally attend because the week before the storm was so strong the University was closed. So, I was around 10 minutes early just to make sure I could find the room and just scope things out before the class. However, the door was locked so I just stayed in the vicinity waiting for other people to show up.

Its around 3 minutes into the time class was supposed to start and I begin to get nervous I am at the wrong place. No one is there waiting and the campus looks like a ghost town, but I just tell myself to stay and wait it out. Five or six more minutes pass and a professor comes unlocks the door and enters, I am super nervous at this point and walk in to ask if this is the correct class, turns out it is and he asks if I am the only one and I just shrug my shoulders. He pulls up the roster and THERE ARE ONLY 4 PEOPLE TOTAL ON IT.

In the US if no one signs up for a class they cancel it but I guess that is not the case here. The professor starts to talk to me in English and tells me how he wants to visit the US but hates Trump you know the usual stuff. Then around 30 mins in now another student entered and we start class. From what I gather the class focuses on the sound waves used to determine traffic flow and volume at different locations different times of the day. Boom we get through the material class is over and we head to the next 2-hour lecture right after.

This is getting a bit long so I will cut to the chase when I say this is the loudest professor I have ever had I mean not his voice but in his actions. His shoes were squeaking, phone constantly ringing, chalk on the board scratching, and he was even one of those people who breathed really loudly. The class was a lot to take it and being there are only 2 people there is nothing else to do but interact and be constantly called on. I was struggling and my head was going to explode but I was a trooper and tried to stick it out.

During this time my phone was blowing up and my sister I have not talked to in a while was face timing me so after class I was excited to catch up with her. However, the professor went over by 45 minutes without exaggerating at that time so leaving I was completely drained and still wasn’t exactly sure what we were supposed to retain from the lecture. It is hard because the teacher is passionate and very kind to check for understanding but the time frame absolutely drains you. So that is what I think about this lecture and man it is gonna be a rough year because of it

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First Full Week

So, I know no one reads this blog but for the sake of my sanity I will pretend people do. This post is going to be a recap on my first full week of school.

I can not stress this enough how stressful and confusing it is to figure out classes and your schedule at this University but it is literally so bad. Add to the fact that everything is in Spanish and here’s the kicker there’s no one really on stand by to help you like in the US. 

So the first week of school started on September 9th, however, Alicante decided to flood and school was canceled for the last half of the week. So, the next week is when we really got into the swing of things. I am not going to go into too much detail but sadly I have classes pretty much every day and every other Monday.  I have off so not bad. But from figuring out the public bus system, finding classrooms that aren’t labeled, and feeling like my head will explode from all of the new Spanish vocabulary thrown at me the first week was rough in every sentiment. Every day coming home I was exhausted and being here feels like a vacation so naturally, I am not on top of things and letting my worse college habits shine through such as drinking and sleeping a lot. 

Through the long days and even longer walks there were some upsides and extra adventures worth mentioning such as I do not have class Thursdays until 5pm meeting Wednesday is like a mini weekend for me and I met up with my Polish friend Natalia and her friends to go downtown and we literally danced the night away. I am not exaggerating when I tell you I came home around 6 am and to her standards we ended kind of early. 

So, Thursday I had plenty of time to wake up clean up and get ready for class, which I mostly did with a nap or two snuck in during the day. So my class Thursday on the schedule just shows a 2 2-hour block of lecture back to back I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I will just give you the facts and you can react probably in a similar way that I did. 

First off the total class roster is 4 people, nope you read that right FOUR. And for the first 20 minutes, I was the only one in the class. Talking to the teacher in English because he wanted to practice when two more guys came in. So the set up of the class is supposed to be small af I believe and 2 hours practicing in the computer lab every other week then a 2 or 4 hour lecture depending on if we have the practice before or not. Making my class 5-9pm :(

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First Night Out

Just an update and a time frame before I start the story. We decided to go to a “Discoteca” last night which is just a dance club we left the house around midnight and didn’t come back until around 5 am. Keep in mind though when we were leaving the club around 4:30 people were just getting there and still dancing and drinking. Which absolutely blows my mind.

So, here’s to culture shock and staying up all night because everything shuts down in America around 2 am and we were not ready.  

So when getting ready we really didn’t know what to wear like how fancy would everyone be, what were the more normal styles? All of our outfits were different levels of fancy so we just decided to go as we were. We left our apartment around 12 and didn’t figure out a place to go until around 1 when we stumbled across a pop-up summer lounge/bar area which was really nice but cost $15 for girls to enter so we weren’t really happy about that but we still went in. 

First, we just walked around trying to see the whole venue which was actually pretty massive, we bought a drink then sat down around a table, when our drinks were finished we hit the dance floor. So, first impressions included me noticing there was ALOT of techno music and not a lot of actual dancing. 

I guess we all just had really high hopes that clubs here were different and people actually danced at “dance” clubs. Also, we thought men here would be a little bolder, every time we would turn around people were looking at us. The annoying part though was that it was all they would do would be to stare never once did someone come up to us which made the experience that more off-putting. 

As I said before we left around 4:30 am and like I said people were just arriving. Next was the walk home where we couldn’t actually get people to stop talking to us and catcalling so that was great. However, I will say the streets were well lit at night and we felt safe coming home at that time. I didn’t think I was that exhausted but I slept for about 10 hours which is a lot for me but makes sense due to the extensive traveling I’ve been doing for the last few days.  

Here are some pictures from the night, enjoy! 

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First breakfast which in total was around 3 euros not including the coffee.

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Morning views while running in Paradise

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First 24

So, after everything was said and done it was around 7 pm when I arrived at the place I was staying. So, I showered for like 20 mins brushed my teeth like 5 times and it was dinner time. 

I wanted to give the initial mid-set before traveling because I know its what allowed me to go through all that crap and be fine the whole way. And now that I was refreshed I wasn’t really tired or cranky just excited to explore. 

Alicante is literally paradise right now we are less than a mile away from the beach so we walked toward that way and found a cute little restaurant and ate there. I am in Spain so duh I ordered a Sangria, and when I tell you it is the most delicious thing ever and is dangerous because you can’t taste the alcohol at all. That stuff was so good it was almost unbelievable. After eating we walked around I ordered a large Mojito and we were just exploring for a while. 

Nothing really stood out except the McDonalds they have separate stores for the cafe and regular McDonalds menu, so I ordered their macaroons and they were absolutely delicious. I will say I understand towns have beggars but this lady would not take no for an answer, she followed me to the register when I paid tried to look in my wallet and though becuase I had change from paying I would give it to her. I don’t know if it was cause I’m American but it pissed me off and it makes me think I need to be meaner in the future no means no in pretty much every language so I it legit pissed me off. 

Anyways we left and walked home it was a nice evening. I knocked out last night but still somehow woke up this morning at 8 am and went for a jog with one of the girls I am staying with here’s the only media I have taken right now of Alicante. Thanks for reading and the media is of my breakfast and the view while jogging in this absolutely beautiful climate.

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Step 5: Madrid

So, finally I am in the right continent and country so I’m excited using the geo-filters on snapchat and just overall hype. I get through customs, grab my bags and the next plan was to take a train to Alicante, which was cheaper than the flight. The Airport in Madrid was huge for no reason, its all the same group of people that just got off the plane and to find baggage claim you have to go down a bunch of times and go back up then down and all that. I get my bag and I know I have to go to Terminal 4 for the train. Once again up and down and a long as way especially with my 3 suitcases and heavy backpack ya girl was struggling not gonna lie. 

Fine the station the machine looks complicated so I go to the customer service office. The guy doesn’t speak English but I am pretty good at this point buy the ticket and he gives me a map because you have to take 4 trains in order to get to the train to go to Alicante, fun right. My first problem was getting through the gate it wouldn’t take my ticket then I ask for help and it works the first time for him I know annoying huh. A little background I don’t really use public transportation AT ALL except at Nau where there is a shuttle around campus.

So I get down to the station and am confused af but he said the 1st train I needed came soon so I assumed the one waiting down there was my train. So getting on was a hassle then sitting and making sure all suitcases stayed put, then getting back off. Imagine doing that a total of 8 times and only 1 time someone asked to help which was nice. So yeah same’ole same’ole me being confused, alone, and sweaty trying to navigate the train system with heavy ass luggage. But it was fine I managed and only asked for help 3 times so yeah I’m a local now pretty much. Made it to the speed train which thankfully had an area for luggage so I could forget about it for a while.

Train ride was another 3 hours and it was now Thursday so no sleep in 3 days nice. The layout was nice like for seats around a table but someone was to the front and side of me so ABSOLUTELY NOT ENOUGH LEG ROOM. It would have been fine but literally my knees hurt I was cramping my body was already sore but this tight space was the most uncomfortable the entire trip thus far. I arrive at the station which was connected to the cities airport. Once again got all my stuff off the train then proceeded to walk through looking for a taxi. It was an airport/ train station so there were plenty outside. I grab one and 20 minutes later I am at my friends air bnb and it only costs 4 Euros so I was happy and FINALLY done traveling. 

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Step 4: Cancun

Once my phone adjusted to the time in Cancun I realized my next flight was in 30 mins instead of 2 hours and I am just used to the fact that I would have to go through security grab all my bags and all of that fun stuff so I was kind of panicking and praying I would not have to spend anymore time in Mexico City. 

Okay so picture the humid as hell small airport in Culiacan where it was so bad the floors were constantly wet and multiply it by 50 to image the airport in Cancun. I traveled in a light t shirt and had a jacket because the plans always got super cold and I’m an anemic person that excessively sweats so I go from the freezing plane to sweaty titties in like a total of 2 mins.

As said before, my flight was leaving soon so after collecting my bags it was off to the next terminal this is where I asked more people where to go an all that jazz as usual this time they told me I was going to have to take a bus to the next terminal and the bus stop was of course outside which was humid and ridiculously hot I am wiping sweat down my face asking people where the bus stop is. This guy was kind enough to walking me in that direction { I talk about asking for help a lot but I would only ask people that look like they work there not random people I thought it would be a safer bet and they would know more}. So, he walks me to the bus stop and it says it will arrive in an hour....y’all I did not have an hour. So, homeboy was also someone at the airport that helped people get taxis so with my 3 suitcases and backpack I gave up and payed for a taxi which was $25 for a 7 minute ride I just had to take the “L” on that one. Next step I’m at the right terminal and directed where I need to drop off my luggage. I just want to let y’all know up until this point people were fairly nice when I was asking questions and clarification. 

Next I am checking in my bag and the lady says only one is free and I have to pay so much for the other at this point I was like fine this is dumb but go off. However they didn’t accept card which defeats the point of me getting a travel credit card but here we are. She then tells me I need to go to an ATM and take out whatever amount to take out to pay for the bag in cash. So, I run to the ATM in the completely different direction take out the money and run back, HOWEVER home girl didn’t convert correctly and told me the wrong amount. So, I ran again to get more money and you know every time you go to one of these ATMs they charge you a fee so I was not happy at all and kind of thought I was being taken advantage of. Like one you’re a whole ass airline that doesn’t take card, we are in mexico and you can’t get me a correct total in Pesos sketch but whatever. Finally I mention that I have Euros and they calculate on someones phone how much more I needed to cover the cost which was like 5 more euros so I wasn’t tripping just relieved that I didn’t have to go back a second time. She printed my ticket after taking her seat time and again I was off to Security. Usually I get nervous at security checks but this was my third I think and I had all the same stuff so it was fine and I didn’t really freak out. I get though Security and I start to think I am lost while looking for my gate. This is because after security it looks like you are walking into a mall it was absolutely beautiful, for no reason {perfumes, purses, watches, and other fancy stuff} all things that didn’t matter cause ya girl is looking for the gate. The break that I was supposed to have during this time was to change clothes freshen up again and eat. 

When I found the gate people were boarding but it seemed like I had a little time so I went to one of the delis and got a sandwich, water, and Gatorade. In hindsight I could have gone to the bathroom there and changed I kind of had time but I was paranoid so I just got everything out I needed to freshen up and put it in my back pack for the plane bathroom instead. 

This was the flight to Madrid FINALLY so a lot of people in line spoke Spanish, Italian, and other languages close to that region. I was already on guard because duh female traveling alone so I had my extra mean face on so people left me alone. After getting in one of the lines {which as you got closer to boarding became 2} I notice this guy starring at me and slowly trying to get closer to me as we moved up the lines started to split he was in front of me and I just choose the line he wasn’t in even though it was longer. Fast forward I get scanned in for the flight and I see homeboy has let like 12 people go in front of him so he so happens to be right in front of me boarding the plane. 

I think it was even more creepy that he didn’t try to talk to me just wanted to be near it was weird. All my suitcases have locks for the zippers which is a must when traveling outside the US so, while waiting to board I notice when I took my clothes out I forgot to re-lock the zippers and their is someone creepy too close to me in my opinion. So, I step to the side to lock the suitcase and fall like 4 people back.

But the lovely family that passed me then let me cut the line to my starting position behind homeboy. Luckily his seat was farther back and mine forward so I got away and could somewhat relax. However, this time this airline gave me the very first row which means there is no seat in front of you to store your smaller bag which was annoying. 

Before we took off I rushed into the bathroom with my assorted wipes and changed clothes because my other ones were drenched in sweat and I felt gross this was day two flying. After I took some stuff out of my bag and put it in the storage above me. Coming back to my seat I noticed a larger gentlemen next to me. Which I only have a problem with when you are so big you start to spill into my area armrest fine, but his whole shoulder seemed to be pressed against mine which I was not having. 

The only thing I took from the bag were chargers, headphones and the food I just bought meaning my sleeping pills and eye mask were packed up. I am the kinda person that will just say oh well because I don’t want to go back and dig in my bag so this 9 hour flight was sleepless and uncomfortable because homeboy next to be was so invested on what I was doing. Before the flight texting I am seeing him look over, me watching a movie when he has one on his own screen watching my movie, seeing my reactions when eating the food given. It was annoying he was annoying and ew. 

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Step 3: Mexico City

So, Mexico City was the true test I had around a 16 hour wait until my next flight and arrived at the airport around 1 am. I knew it was a wait so I found a nice corner charged my phone face-timed a few people and watched some Hulu. 

Around 4 am something dawned on me, oh crap I have to pick up my bags and transfer them myself probably. This ended up being correct but because it was 4 in the morning nothing was open and no one was there to ask questions a random custodian was walking by and I got their attention “Por favor donde esta la officia por equipajes” which is “where is the office for luggage”. I don’t remember exactly what he said in Spanish but basically it was keep walking straight and its at the very end. I walked straight I was at the end and yay me there was no one at the counter. I saw my bags behind the counter and was relived, after around 20 ins someone showed up and I had no idea what to ask them or tell them about the situation. Thank fully my suitcases are part of a set and are a bright obnoxious light blue that stands out so I didn’t have to say anything she just grabbed the bags that looked exactly like my carry on smaller suitcase. 

After I asked her “ Que proximo” which is like what next. She told me which way to go and I soon realized that I had to recheck my bags and check in an all that. So I headed over to the automated machine printed my boarding pass and started to look at where to drop my bags. At this point I was exhausted but I genuinely think their airport organization was terrible because everyone looked confused. I found the line and went to check my bad in which they charged me again EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THE SAME AIRLINE. I know as well I can be a pushover instituation in order to be kind, that was not the plan in travelying being too nice can be bad. So, I ask “Porque nesecito pagar por mis equipajes otra vez. Es un mismo linea aerea. No aprendo porque pagar dos tiempos”. Which was me arguing why I would have to pay twice for bags on the same air line, the lady was nice but somewhat hard to understand but I ended up only having to pay for one bag instead of two. I wouldn’t say I was being rude in anyway just general questions and all in Spanish because I wanted to know what was going on. After figuring that out I now was ready for my third security check which went fine but the wait was a lot longer because the airport was now filled with people trying to rush for their early morning flights. I want to say when everything was all said and done it was around 7 am. After checking in I was confused because the gate just said “B” but the whole floor was labeled as “B” so this was just something I knew I could wait for because my flight didn’t take off until 4 pm that day so I got some Starbucks sat around wasn’t really in the mood to eat and gave myself until around noon to start asking questions and trying to figure out the airport. 

Noon came by and some friends in Arizona were awake at this time so I called them on the phone and chatted while looking for something to eat. {This is annoying but I am kind of a health nut and so my body feels sick eating too much fast food or things too sweet and rich} So in looking at my options nothing seemed appetizing but I know I needed to eat something so I didn’t pass out or something. {Side note a lot of people in the airport acted like they had never seen a black girl before so they were starring hard anywhere I went or any movement I made, this is why falling asleep in the airport during this break didn’t go well} Finally I found a place with salad and smoothies so I ordered on which could be eaten on the plane if I didn’t finish. 

After eating the hunt began for my terminal I asked about 6 people the same question and finally figured out the organization with the last person I asked. He was younger and more straight forward with his answers letting me know to watch the screen for the gate which wasn’t displayed until boarding time which is why it was labeled as “B” currently. Skipping ahead through me picking at the salad, downing my smoothie and starring back and the random people watching me as if I was a novelty I was now on the plane ready for my next stop of Cancun which originally had a 2 hour layover.

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Step 2: Culiacan

Because I bought my ticket in the middle of the night and was in a rush to get to Spain I noticed some lengthy gaps between flights, but I felt like that was necessary because I was going to another country. My next flight that I had to catch in Culiacan originally had a 3 hour gap in between. Now with the delay the flight was scheduled to leave before I even was supposed to arrive. Thank fully the site I used guarantees your connecting flight. 

After landing the other plane had already been delayed and waiting for around 30 mins so we were able to get off the plane first and rush through customs. I know I study Spanish and I am coming to Spain to practice but I wasn’t in that mindset yet. So, after getting off the plane I was unsure what to do, did I have to pick up my luggage or would it just to go the plane because it had the tag on it?

With these questions in mind my first instinct was to ask for clarification, after asking about 3 people if they spoke English and hearing no each time I realized my learning/practicing would begin here I started to piece together what I did know to help in the current situation I was asking broken questions to get information like “ Estoy en un lugar correcto porque yo tengo otra avion listo ahora” which translates to “Am I in the right place I have a plane that is ready now”. This was answered with “Si” but the explanation after I didn’t try to decipher too much because at least I was in the correct area. After going through the customs attendant and getting my passport stamped I then had to wait for my checked bags sign a declaration paper and have them get put through a machine. After that I was in the main airport with all my stuff trying to figure out where I now needed to drop these bags off at. 

After finding the Volaris bag station I dropped off my bags and headed for the security check, I had to ask for directions cause I had no idea which was it was so here was more Spanish to practice conversationally. “Donde esta un cheque de securidad” To be fair it translates pretty clearly to “where is the security check”, so I was happy to be understood and be able to understand directions as well when given them. Off to security I go. 

So, every country I am sure is different but things were not as strict as America so the process was pretty quick and straight forward with similar liquid carrying limits and other details. So my smaller suitcase that traveled with me on the plane went through good, then my backpack got stopped. I forgot that while in Phoenix I filled up my hydro-flask because I know the regular water in Mexico can make people sick. However, because I had to go through security again 32 oz was too much liquid to carry. Which was fine I had no emotional attachment to the water. But when I asked where to dump it out I looked around for a trash can or something and there wasn’t any in the smaller security area I was now in.The security lady then made the motion with her hand telling me I had to DRINK IT. 

My first thought was are you freaking kidding me, is this a joke? The flight before was pretty short around 2 hours so I legit had not drank any of the water yet and now I had to chug 32 oz?! Oh yeah the other fun thing was I got the water and tasted it and eh it was okay but it was weirdly warm so I thought ill just take some in case or until I get more that was cold. So, here I was in this tiny airport which was extremely humid {I am not ashamed to say I think I sweat excessively for future references and the explanation of why in every airport I have a sweating story} already sweating from running like beads dripping down my face and that like boob sweat that gathers. Anyways long story short I was gross and in a rush so you know what I did. I freaking chugged that kinda gross awkwardly warm water while the security lady watched. When I finished she checked my water to make sure it was empty I grabbed my crap and dipped. When I say dipped usually I legit mean like took off. But after a few steps things turned in to a brisk walk this was because the floor was tile and the place was grossly humid.

Which means there was so much water in the air that it settles and separates kind of like dust so the floors were sweating as well and slippery, so to reduce my change of wiping out I walked. The gate wasn’t decided yet on my ticket so I just showed someone my ticket and asked “Cual puerta esto” which is “which door is this”. In Spanish countries they pretty much all call the gate “puerta”. They told me a number and direction and that was where I was headed. Finally I made it too the plane got on board and found my seat which was the very last row on the plane finally I could breathe and relax. The nice thing about being in the back was I was close to the bathroom, once we reached cruising altitude I went to the bathroom to freshen up. I had face wipes, vagina wipes, and regular for the body, I reapplied deodorant and headed back to my seat. 

Now that things had settled the plane was getting colder and I sneezed and the older gentlemen on the other side of the aisle said “salud” which is pretty much bless you and when I answered in Spanish saying thanks which isn’t really advance he started talking to me. He was the first of many to ask if I was athlete, but he asked what I studied and the conversation fizzled out cause he started saying words I didn’t know and I was tired so I wanted to sleep for a little if I could. This was Culiacan.

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Step 1: Phoenix

I say okay a lot but it just flows better when telling a story, this blog is pretty informal so bare with me. This post is gonna share with you my struggles along the way and the not so awesome interactions with people. To start off I just want to say I missed my first flight to Spain, I know what your gonna say and how stupid it was but it happened and I moved on, nothing I could do about it afterwards and I had other things to worry about.

PHOENIX

The night before after I missed my flight I quickly found a flight online and purchased it to leave the very next day around 2 pm. Determined not to miss my flight I arrived around 11 am just to make sure and be on time for my flight. First thing I did was check-in this is where the fun starts. So as soon as I give the guy checking people in my information his first words were “Oh no” which in my recent experience at the airport made me ridiculously nervous.

He asked if I knew my flight had been delayed by 4 hours, I didn’t not but I had checked the flight time earlier that day and didn’t see the changes so I assumed that would still be true. At this point I am kind of frustrated and I just wanted to leave already so I decided to still check in and just wait it out to MAKE SURE I didn’t miss this flight.

Then I as I continued to check in I was going to pay for my bags and another “Oh no” he said that because when I bought my ticket I didn’t include bags that he would have to up charge me for each bag. I was ready to take the “L” but he punched in some codes and the price dropped from $350 to $110 which I was very happy for. {Side note, I want this blog to be real and raw so I’m gonna add in my assumption that homeboy thought I was cute and hooked it up} Anyways after paying for my bags and checking in. It was time to go through security, which was pretty standard and uneventful but I was glad this time that didn't ask to pat my hair which in a ponytail is just a poof. {I don’t know the statistics of black american terrorists hiding bombs in their hair but I usually play along and roll my eyes at the experience} So, no hair patting and on to the gate of my flight. After finding the correct gate I looked around and it was small with limited seating and outlets, knowing I would have to wait around 5-6 hours because I arrived for a flight at 2 pm earlier than expected. During this time I just caught up on some TV shows and listened to music so nothing substantial or eventful.

This post is getting kind of long so I am going to separately talk about the flights in separate posts so stay tuned!

[sorryunavalible]

Game day

Okay so I first want to start off with kind of the background and the head space I was in coming up for this trip and the day of. 

So, I feel like it is something that everyone can relate  has those really good spells in their life. Meaning it is really easy to look a round and be happy nothing really it crazy good but everything is kind of at a happy stand still this is the kind of mindset I was around. Last week was the last week at my internship, which wasn’t the most exciting on a regular. I took the Fe which is the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, which didn’t go as expected but I am proud of my effort. Just received my scholarship money and what can I say I met a guy and hanging around him was great as well. 

I was just in a good state of mind and that’s why I think traveling was easier for me even with the mishaps and wait times. The actual journey was a mess but the inner calm definitely helped my spirits stay up when exhaustion tried to slow me down. My travel itinerary which spanned around 3 days

[sorryunavalible]

Welcome to the Party

Sorry it has taken me so long to post. Not gonna lie didn’t know what to post to introduce you to the content coming. I am currently a senior at Nau in Flagstaff, Arizona and this year I will be studying abroad in Alicante, Spain for the entire school year. I am making this blog for a few reasons like to keep myself accountable recording the experiences abroad. Also, for those of you at home back in the states, I want to share my adventure with you. This blog however will be a little less structured the posts could range from my excursions, encounters with people, cute boys, products I have purchased, school issues and even the sappy I miss home every once in a while. But stay tuned it should be a wild ride and I don’t have much of a filter so if it's real you want, your gonna get it. I leave in T-minus 32 days, are you excited? I know I am!