Well I made it! I'm sitting in my room, after a day of classes and craziness. And I'm loving life! It's so great to be back... I love this city. I love the smells, the view, the people, the food, the social life, everything!
So my trip back was eventful as usual. I got maybe 2 hours of sleep on the plane over! I was stuck next to this guy that literally expanded as he slept and in front of a lady who wouldn't let me put my seat back! I was upgraded (again) to have more leg room, which was nice, but more legroom doesn't help me lean back!
I got to the airport and since I couldn't buy a bus or train ticket online, I just had to hope for the best and get myself to the bus station. I walk outside and there's a guy with ALSA on his jacket (ALSA is the bus company that goes to Granada). So I run up to him and tell him I need a ticket to Granada and asked how to get to the bus station. He actually ended up taking me over to the kiosk, entered his employee information and helped me *try* to buy a ticket! It didn't work. The American credit cards don't like ticket kiosks apparently. So then he says, ok get on my bus and I'll take you to the bus station. FREE BUS RIDE! I didn't have to pay for a cab, or even the metro to get there! YES.
We get to the station, and he says, "Mmmm I can't let you leave without getting a coffee with me first." So he takes me to the employee coffee room and introduces me to all of his bus-driving friends, we enjoy our coffee, I get my ticket, and then he has to leave. Mind you, this guy had to be in his forties, but he was so helpful! I know my guardian angel is working overtime. Thank you for the prayers!
The 5 hour bus ride was pretty miserable, but I made it. I can't be too upset.
I think I'm going to have a lot more alone time this semester, and I'm not sure how I feel about that. Actually, I do know. I'm not ok with it at all. I need a lot of interaction with other people. So if I seem a little down or frustrated, hopefully it's because I'm growing. This is going to be a stretch for me I think. As I learn and grow, you'll be doing it with me.
When I first got here there was literally NO ONE in the residencia. I was exhausted, hungry, and lonely, so naturally I called my dad and had a total mental breakdown. Great first day back huh? Then the other girls got back from the beach and they both said they did the exact same thing!
At least I'm normal.
One of the girls here put it perfectly, "It's like you made this long journey, and there's no one there to welcome you at the end. There's no one cheering here." It's a tough realization, but we're all in survival mode making friends like crazy.
Classes are great and I'm so ready for a schedule! Us girls are starting to plan our trips (cough cough Kevin and Granos, I'll be calling soon!) and it's so great to be back! I think I'm going to be teaching English too. My spanish is significantly better than when I first got here last semester. I definitely don't have the vocab that I want/need, but I can pretty much speak and understand fluently.
It's gonna be great :)
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