An acoustic guitar player singing; his voice carrying in the wind, sometimes overpowered by diverse tongues chatting in Spanish, Italian, Valenciano , y mas with the clanking of forks, knifes, and glasses touching.

The smell of a fresh market surrounds the plaza of restaurants, as well as the meal in front of me of fresh vegetables, shrimp and roasted potatoes. I savor and enjoy each bite con calma as time isn’t even a factor.
While eating I look forward to my café con leche at the end of my meal, which will be followed by a walk through the old city center, which is where my piso can be found. Tranquility as well as excitement fills my 22-year young self as I begin to think about my year ahead in this foreign new city.

It is moments like these that one can’t take for granted, nor ever forget.

Though I continue to feel 10 emotions in one hour, and I begin to become adjusted to a new city in a different continent, with a whole other perspective on living, knowing absolutely no one…I can’t think of a more dominant feeling than the feeling of happiness.

I cannot predict what this year holds for me; the people, places, and experiences I will have.

While eating my lunch I thought about how I could have currently been in New York City, 6 hours behind Spain time, about to wake up for work.
I would have walked to the A train to take my hour commute into the city (which if I make the 7:15 a.m train can be guaranteed a seat) followed by picking up my venti pike soy misto with no sugar at Starbucks, then I would begin a full day of work with a quick lunch break, another hour-commute back home, dinner, computer time, and sleep.

Predictable. Typical. Routine. Comfortable.

Now don’t misunderstand, I absolutely love the career path I have chosen, the field I can not wait to enter after this year abroad—but at 22 years old, I felt too young to live such a predictable life.

No matter how much my family and certain friends might not understand why I decided to come to Spain for a year, I don’t regret this choice at all.

I have practiced my Italian more than I have in years; I love learning more advanced Spanish and having the chance to constantly read and write it…I’ve even picked up on a few German words thanks to a new friend.

The different people I have met from all over the world, the discussions I have had, the diverse personalities, the new minds and new outlooks I’m listening to…it is both fascinating and beautiful to me.
These are moments you cannot plan, and experiences you cannot repeat at an older age.

This is my life now, and I can’t stress how blessed I feel to be here in Spain this very moment.