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Dia 33 del proyecto, 
San Sebastián (Donostia), Espana 

A lot happens in a decade. Especially when ten years constitutes a third of your life. Yet stepping off the plane at Bajaras felt like stepping into a time warp. Some things have changed. Madrid has given its international terminal a much needed facelift and Aerolineas Iberia was more responsible with my luggage. Yet for a moment I was instantly 20 years old again, transported to a time when my vision of the world was reshaped.

For the 30th year project, I was determined to focus on new places. Why would one go back to old ones when there are constantly new destinations to be explored? So I followed the rule. Except when my heart wouldn't let me skip Spain.

The vast majority of American university students do not study abroad. For some, it is a financial limitation; for others, it is simply a lack of interest or does not fit into their degree program. I certainly had the financial limitations, but was unwilling to let money stop me. So off I went with student loans, a gigantic suitcase, limited Spanish capabilities and no experience traveling solo outside the States.

Initially it was a disaster. My flight from Miami to Madrid was canceled and rescheduled, creating a day's delay. Which meant missing the American student who I was supposed to travel with from Madrid to Alicante. When I finally arrived, my suitcase did not. I also anticipated on arriving in the afternoon when the airport currency exchanges were open. I arrived to a ghost town at 6am and no access to euros. Fortunately, a Spanish university student on my flight took pity and exchanged some of my dollars for euros, helped me file a claim for my suitcase and put me in a taxi bound for the train station.

When I did reach my study group, I was almost immediately turned over to my host family. I still had no suitcase. It eventually arrived, soaked from the rain in Miami. Which meant no change of clothes before I met my senora for the first time. The frosting on the crappy cake was a bad case of strep throat the first week of class.

In spite of the initial struggles, I quickly fell in love with the country and its people. My senora had a great sense of humor and was infinitely patient with me. She loved to watch The Simpsons dubbed in Spanish and had a crush on Bruce Willis. I was her first student from Texas and she was extremely curious about my political views (it was the summer before Bush's re-election). Alicante was absolutely gorgeous...stunning beaches, hills to hike and phenomenal night life. It also served as a good launch point for visiting the rest of the country. I liked Valencia, adored Madrid and Granada, and went head over heels for Barcelona.

Spain also gave me the gift of another language and therefore (limited) access another culture. My senora spoke essentially no English and I was in language classes four hours every day. The immersion transformed my communication skills and gave me a glimpse at the world through another lens. The effect was profound. At once humbling and empowering, it gives one a clear and different perspective on the American lifestyle.

Ten years later, those memories are at the forefront of my mind. As the train pushes forward, I am again seeking life lessons from a country that has already taught me so much. I cannot wait to see what lies ahead over the next month.