A Chronicle of my Changing Times.

Salamanca Impressions

A few words from Salamanca because I intend to finish up a post or so on my time in Bulgaria before I turn my blogging attention to life and learning here.  I just wanted to mention a few passing notes while the first impressions were still fresh in my mind. 

Spain is beautiful – more beautiful than I had ever imagined.  Many of my friends have sung the praises of this country only to have them fall on deaf ears.  I think this traces back to my aversion to Spanish (and Ms. Worth constant efforts to somehow shoe me it’s value) in High School.  But coming in on the train and later my wanderings around the city have shown me that I have been stupid in my stubbornness.  Parks overflow with people, young and old, enjoying the mornings, days and evenings.  It is clean and well kept, although it generally has a newness to it that is difficult to rationalize with much of the stone work that predominates everything.

I’ve had a bit of bad luck these last few days, even though the water I accidentally spilled the morning I left Bulgaria indicated that I would find happiness and success here.  First, although Bulgaria Air’s website indicated differently, I was charged 90 Euros extra for having two bags instead of one.  No time to argue with the check-in woman at 6:15 in the morning.  Of course upon arrival in Madrid I discover that my bags sensed my desire to stay in BG and thus remained.  I’ve been yelled at twice by my host mother, (once for leaving my lights on in my room when I went to the bathroom, and also for taking too long of a shower – it was my first here and I had worn my dirty clothes for two days and felt disgustingly dirty).  Of course, without my luggage I’ve had to go spend money I hadn’t counted on spending in the first place on such things as deodorant and toothbrushes.  There’s a chance my luggage might be delivered tomorrow – a full 72 hours after I arrived in the country. 

I’ve often thought back to my post from a few days ago.  I have learned to be patient and overcome or adapt to anything thrown at me.  The other students in the apartment with me are amazed that I’m not throwing a fit.  These things are minor inconveniences to me, while the important thing is that I’m here.

Which brings me to my last point; walking around yesterday and today I sense that this is just right.  The path that I’m on at the moment is where I’m supposed to be and what I’m supposed to be doing.  I had long discussions with friends and family before finally deciding to come here about whether this was a good idea in the long run.  Something more than the success I’ve had with classes thus far or the interest in my surrounds tells me that this simply fits.

Posted by: mjmarble at June 26, 2007 13:11 | link | comments
travel, fun stuff, studies

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