A life to love!

Getting slapped in the face hurts; especially if it's from reality. It was apparent that I could not stay in my comfort zone. I was getting too placid; I did not want to settle. Without hesitation, I did the only logical thing that came to mind: I booked the plane tickets that would take me on a life-altering journey. It took me a year to save up enough money, but finally the day arrived; my adventure had started.

As I stepped off the train in Sevilla, Spain, I felt a wave of contentment wash over me. It was dusk, yet the streets were still bustling with life and laughter. As I walked through the crowds to my Airbnb, I wanted nothing more than to stop in every restaurant for some tapas and wine. Side shops flaunted their wares, tempting the masses with shiny gadgets and flashy clothes. Pigeons flocked to the streets, cooing as they picked up stray scraps of food. In my sleep-depraved mind, it was a surreal experience that could never hope to be matched.

How wrong I was! The next day, I spent the morning exploring Puerta de Jerez. I finally was able to taste the tantalizing tapas, which were as good as they looked. As I ate, street muscians played for tips, adding to the contented ambiance. As stores began to shut down for the afternoon, I found myself wandering the gardens in the Parque de Maria Luisa. I was in awe at the beauty I saw there. Gorgeous palm trees swayed in the breeze, while fountains spouted glistening water into shining pools. Wild parrots called to each other overhead. To top it all off, as I meandered through this wonderland, I came upon the crowning experience of my trip so far: The Plaza de España. A huge castle had been built in a half-circle, with a giant fountain in the middle. Several gorgeous bridges spanned the moat surrounding it, allowing access to the lower parts. The spires of the castle stretched into the sky, drawing the eye and bewildering the senses. The walls had tiled areas that represented each of the provinces in Spain. Of everything I have seen in Spain, The Plaza is the one place that I return to almost daily; it's beauty never fails to render me speechless.

My experiences in Sevilla have been nothing less than life-changing. I hope to end up studying at the University here; there is nothing I desire more. The food, the people, the places, the history: mere words cannot express the wonder and contentment I find in this beautiful city and breathtaking country. Thank you, Spain!