The Now…Spain.

*It's been a few months since I have blogged…I will start with the now, and work my way back, keeping my promise to write about the whole 2 year experience. 

for now….

Welcome to Malaga, Spain! 

Welcome Summer Vacation! 

View from my cousin's balcony

Am I dreaming?

Pool workouts with a view? Ah! :)
or no workout and just lay there, looking at the view….lol


This postcard cracked me up! Def out of Morocco

My 1st meal…I almost gagged on the pork. It has been so long since I ate it, I really thought it tasted gross.
No worries, I will certainly try again. Just looking for some crispy bacon and eggs.

Summering in Spain

As the 2013-2014 school year came to an end, the questions started. People return to their home countries to teach, and some take new positions around the world asked, ‘Why aren’t you going back to the states?’…in my mind the answer was obvious. Why would I when I can travel! Europe is a mere 45min flight! And less than $400 round trip! (sometimes even cheaper!)

Truth be told I never planned to go back during the summer. After all, I have spent about 40 summers on LI…why not try something new? To me Christmas in NY with family is 100x more special. So I will return home during the holiday. I hope to have a special someone with me. Youssef has never been to the states, and of course I want him to meet my crazy family, see Santa, gather around the fireplace drinking eggnog, and experience the joy of eating cookies for breakfast on Christmas morning watching all the kiddies open their gifts.

The plan was meeting and staying with my first cousin Jael Adriana Olaechea Viviel. The Spanish always have so many names right? Lol

Her mother, and my father are brother and sister. Her mother remains in Colombia and her name is Lola. Jael is 47, married, and has a daughter who is also married. Her English is as good as my Spanish….so here I am struggling to express myself fully yet again. I'm not complaining…well sorta of. In the past year I have been to Morocco, Spain 2x, Portugal, and France, and while it is all amazing….when you can't speak the language, it just sometimes gets frustrating. My own special sign language though has been my best friend. 

Primas~ 

It's been an amazing school year with some definite times I just wanted to jump on a plane and come home. When I think about that, I know those are the moments we learn the most about ourselves. 

It’s easy to return to comfort….the norm…the easy, and the familiar life.

How would I deal in times of trouble? I was surprised how upset and frustrated I became…but I know I am a stronger person having gone through it.

It's only my 4^th day here and I will be gone a total of 40 days. I am missing my dogs tremendously and Youssef even more. I have never vacationed abroad alone…again a challenge I wanted to experience. People also asked why is Youssef not with you. Well, for Moroccan’s it’s not that easy to leave the country. It’s also Ramadan for him, and a sacred time for him and his family. With all respect, the act of fasting for a month in 100 degree weather seems like torture. lol I feel spoiled just wanting to escape Morocco and eat something other than chicken tagine and laughing cow cheese. 

The beach! My favorite place! 

Ok, day 2…now we are talking…chicken cutlet over salad with onion rings! OMG! :)

Beautiful Moroccan timing….a package came for me the day after I left.

The postal service sucks in Morocco…I will leave it at that.

Thankfully Youssef got my US package and showed me all the goods. 

Receiving packages from home from friends and family has really made my spirits soar. Sometimes it's the little things you didn't even think you would miss. 

Feeling thankful! <3

My cousin lives just a 5 minute walk down a STEEP hill to the Mediterranean Sea…and that means a 15 minute even STEEPER walk back up! Hola cardio! It's been a while….but feels good! 

Ah….so thankful for technology! 

Air Supply- "Even lovers need a holiday"

I'm not sure about that….I miss him so, and its only been 4 days.

This was NOT in the plan.

I did plan to summer in Spain a year ago.

What I didn't know was that I would be in love with someone very special.

While all my friends guessed it…I just wasn't even thinking about it.

Yes, they were right! 

Upon my return we have a summer wedding to attend for his identical twin brother up in the north of Morocco in a city called Meknes. Good times ahead! 

For now…

A time to reflect, read, write, explore, wonder, laugh, eat, drink, get connected…and just breathe! 

When my cousin told me she didn't have internet, I nearly had a panic attack.

I will just have to lounge at cafes viewing the beautiful sea….or maybe just unplug all together.

That might not be a bad idea at all. 

Just "unplug"

And just BE!