Ah so I'm back in good old Kansas. BUT it was definitely an interesting trip back, traveling for over 24 hours.
I had a final Monday & a final Tuesday. It was so hard to make myself studying when I just wanted to be enjoying San Sebastian. Also, the weather said it was supposed to rain for my last 10 days but it was absolutely gorgeous outside everyday, and only rained later at night. So other than my finals I just worked on packing and getting ready to leave. Tuesday night Paula, my host mom's granddaughter, came over and helped me pack so we could hang out one last time before I left. Then that night Kelly and I went down to the beach and just watched the sunrise and hung out, got some ice cream and enjoyed our last night in San Sebastian.
Wednesday I got up and went up the to the Jesus statue one last time. Since I finally had a camera again I brought it with me everywhere so I could get pictures all around San Sebastian since I hadn't really done that yet. Then I just packed up all my stuff and met up with Kelly to move my suitcases to her apartment. We sold back our bikes which was kind of sad - loved that bike - and I showered and finished up all my packing things. I ate my final lunch with my host mom before checking out. After I checked out I headed to our favorite cafe for the last time. I met Kelly & Tiffany there and told the guy that I was leaving for the states that day and got a picture with him. Then Tiffany & I bought some grapes and just sat on the beach for awhile. Then Kelly met up with us and we walked up and down the beach - and the water was actually warm so we walked along the edge. Then Tiffany had to leave so I said bye to her which was pretty sad. And Kelly and I walked around Parte Vieja, bought some souvenirs, and stopped at a grocery store to get stuff for dinner. So we went back to her apartment to get our stuff together and make dinner. We hung out for a couple hours and caught the midnight bus to Madrid. And that was the end of San Sebastian.
We arrived at the Madrid airport around 7am Thursday, left my suitcases in a locker for Friday and met Kelly's family. Then the 5 of us went to a little cafe for lunch and just for them to catch up. Then I had to say bye to Kelly at the bus station & caught a metro to my hostel. I got to the hostel and caught up on sleep, got on the internet and ate some dinner. Then my friend got there around 10 and we just talked and went to bed.
Friday we got up at 5am, showered & got on the metro to the airport. Molly, my friend, didn't check to see where we flew out so her bags were at the wrong terminal so we had to search all over for them and then get my bags then check in and finally got to the flight that left at 845. We got to London around 10am & our next flight was supposed to leave at 1140. The lady before security told us to show our tickets to security so they would let us go ahead of the line cause she didn't think we'd have enough time to make our flight (gate closed at 1125). But we talked to security and the guy told us we'd have plenty of time. So we got through security after about 30minutes & Molly took forever to get all her stuff & put her boots back on. So we made it to the gate 10 minutes late, thank you security, and we had to get on a different flight. Luckily they felt bad and didn't charge us but we had to wait and get on a flight at 240pm - arriving in Chicago too late for my flight to KC. Molly's family would be there so she was lucky. But after alot of deliberation and talking to the american airlines workers I got a ticket to leave Chicago at 830 & arrive in KC at 10pm. A little late but whatever at least I'd get in that day.
The flight from London to Chicago was AWFUL - there was alot of turbulence and Molly gets really bad motion sickness. Also, I couldn't sleep even though I was exhausted and just watched movies the whole time. But she didn't sit most of the time because she was feeling awful & standing in the back with some of the workers. They gave her water and you could just tell she felt miserable. When we landed she had to get up and puke because the landing was so rough. But they were super nice & helped. Oh, and also our flight left an hour late so we didn't really get to Chicago until 630. Then I had to wait for my luggage to recheck and get to the correct terminal. It was a process but because of the weather in Chicago and KC my flight got delayed til 10pm & I didn't arrive to KC until 1130 - but I slept that whole flight.
I arrived in KC to my parents, sisters & Matt - they brought me fruit, diet dr pepper & flowers. It was great to finally be home and see my family. I wish I wouldn't have been delayed & could've had my mexican food but oh well. So we got home around 1230 and I didn't get to bed until 130am and woke up this morning at 8. We went up to Lawrence for a KU garage sale and lunch and now we're just hanging out. I'm hoping my sleeping and eating schedule gets better because right now I'm still very off.
I'll only be home for a week - I move to Tulsa on Friday. Sunday I have church, Monday getting a hair cut and that's about all that I have planned before I leave. I need to get ready to move into my Tulsa apartment and see people.
If anyone wants to see me just let me know, haha :) I'm hoping to just sit around and relax most of this week, so hopefully I'll have plenty of free time.
Thanks for keeping up with my blog, I know I rambled quite a bit. Hopefully I can see all of you some time! I missed you all & am very happy to be back. But I loved my experience and am soo happy I did it and so thankful that my parents allowed me to.
Hope to see you sometime!
Love, Jill
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
The rest of Sara's trip!
So...Wednesday I woke up at my apartment, grabbed some fruit & went to Kelly's apartment to meet Sara. We packed up and headed to the bus stop to catch the bus to Hondarribia. That's a little town almost right on the border of France. We were planning on taking the bus there then a boat up to a small town in France. And just kind of relax, hopefully lay on the beach, and enjoy the small town. We didn't end up catching the bus until 1130 or so and then when we got there we had some kebab for lunch, once again the only people in the whole restaurant. Then we walked around awhile. We wanted to go to a different beach than the one we were at but it was impossible to get there so we decided to just put on our swimsuits and go to the one we were ate. We laid out for a good 4 hours. And the beach wasn't crowded, there was a small breeze so it was great. About halfway through a class of maybe 5 year olds came with a few teachers. They played around forever. Most of the girls didn't have swimsuit tops and I think every kid ended up naked towards the end. But that's not weird here - lots of the girls on the beach don't wear tops, something I just can't get used to and I'm fine with keeping mine on, thanks. So finally after a great perfect day at the beach - I happened to pick the best day to skip class, and there were only 3 people in class that day because everyone was at the beach, haha - but we finally headed back to San Sebastian around 630pm. We were going to go up to Sagrado Corazon (the Jesus Statue) but being out in the sun all day is so exhausting so we just changed and relaxed for a little bit. Then we walked around Parte Vieja and met Kelly for dinner at one of my favorite places - Va Bene on Boulevard. Then we got ice cream and people-watched. The sunset was beautiful so we sat on a ledge and watched the surfers and the sunset - which was at about 10pm. Then we just went back to Kelly's and attempted homework, then watched a movie & went to bed. But it was a successful day - we finally both had some color!
Thursday we got up and the weather wasn't horrible so we walked around Parte Vieja, the port area, and went up the funicular on Monte Igueldo where there's a great view of the whole city. Then we just went to my school cafeteria for lunch and hung out until class. After class I went home, showered, and changed and met Sara at Kelly's apartment. Then we headed towards Amara to catch a taxi, with Tiffany and Kelly to a sidreria (called Petritegi - a basque name). A sidreria is a very Basque experience and it was so much fun! We were surrounded by old basque men who were very entertaining & just had a great time. We had fish, some kind of tortilla patata with seafood, a super bloody meat (chuleta) and then walnuts and some cheese & jelly-type thing for dessert. The experience was just great. Then we came back to Kelly's, put on a movie and went to bed.
I had class Friday morning. It was my last day of class so we just reviewed for my final and everyone brought something so we had breakfast and played games. Pretty pointless. Afterward I went and met Sara at Goikoa (my cafe) and we took a bus to the bus station to buy her ticket to Madrid for that night. The weather was awful Friday - cold and misty the whole time, but not really raining - just disgusting. So we went in to the mall in Amara so we didn't have to sit outside, bought a loaf of bread and made sandwiches. Then we looked around the stores a little and by the time we left it wasn't raining anymore. In the grocery store on the bottom level of the mall I found peanut butter! It was soo exciting - I've only been waiting about 4 months, but hey at least I found it sometime. So then we went and walked around Centro, it had stopped raining so that was good, we went in a few stores, went in Buen Pastor and just sat and hung out for awhile. Then, we were going to go hang out at my apartment but instead we went to a little cafe, got some coffee and sat there for a little while until Kelly came and met us. Then the three of us went out to Parte Vieja for pintxos. So Sara got some definite Spanish culture so that was exciting. Then Sara & I got some ice cream, came back to Kelly's, she packed up and we walked to the bus station. I sent her on the bus then went back to my apartment and went to bed.
Saturday was super nice - I sat on the beach and watched surf lessons for awhile, then walked around - there are tons of tourists here every weekend now. Then I came to the cafe and used wifi with Kelly. We got telepizza (the Spanish Pizza Hut I guess you would call it) and then went back to our apartments and went to bed. A pretty nice, relaxing day.
Today I talked with my host mom for awhile in the morning, worked on putting together some stuff to pack up, and ate lunch. Then I used wireless outside in a plaza and called my mom for mother's day. Then I went to the beach for an hour or so before heading to the cafe where I'm using internet right now. And yesterday for lunch I finally had a peanut butter & banana sandwich which I've been craving & today I had an apple with peanut butter! So exciting :)
But anyways...gotta get to studying - I have a final exam tomorrow afternoon & a presentation Tuesday afternoon. Then I'm done & have to pack up before I leave San Sebastian Wednesday night! It's so close I can't believe it. I feel like the semester has flown by. Crazy!
Well, more later.
Love, Jill
Thursday we got up and the weather wasn't horrible so we walked around Parte Vieja, the port area, and went up the funicular on Monte Igueldo where there's a great view of the whole city. Then we just went to my school cafeteria for lunch and hung out until class. After class I went home, showered, and changed and met Sara at Kelly's apartment. Then we headed towards Amara to catch a taxi, with Tiffany and Kelly to a sidreria (called Petritegi - a basque name). A sidreria is a very Basque experience and it was so much fun! We were surrounded by old basque men who were very entertaining & just had a great time. We had fish, some kind of tortilla patata with seafood, a super bloody meat (chuleta) and then walnuts and some cheese & jelly-type thing for dessert. The experience was just great. Then we came back to Kelly's, put on a movie and went to bed.
I had class Friday morning. It was my last day of class so we just reviewed for my final and everyone brought something so we had breakfast and played games. Pretty pointless. Afterward I went and met Sara at Goikoa (my cafe) and we took a bus to the bus station to buy her ticket to Madrid for that night. The weather was awful Friday - cold and misty the whole time, but not really raining - just disgusting. So we went in to the mall in Amara so we didn't have to sit outside, bought a loaf of bread and made sandwiches. Then we looked around the stores a little and by the time we left it wasn't raining anymore. In the grocery store on the bottom level of the mall I found peanut butter! It was soo exciting - I've only been waiting about 4 months, but hey at least I found it sometime. So then we went and walked around Centro, it had stopped raining so that was good, we went in a few stores, went in Buen Pastor and just sat and hung out for awhile. Then, we were going to go hang out at my apartment but instead we went to a little cafe, got some coffee and sat there for a little while until Kelly came and met us. Then the three of us went out to Parte Vieja for pintxos. So Sara got some definite Spanish culture so that was exciting. Then Sara & I got some ice cream, came back to Kelly's, she packed up and we walked to the bus station. I sent her on the bus then went back to my apartment and went to bed.
Saturday was super nice - I sat on the beach and watched surf lessons for awhile, then walked around - there are tons of tourists here every weekend now. Then I came to the cafe and used wifi with Kelly. We got telepizza (the Spanish Pizza Hut I guess you would call it) and then went back to our apartments and went to bed. A pretty nice, relaxing day.
Today I talked with my host mom for awhile in the morning, worked on putting together some stuff to pack up, and ate lunch. Then I used wireless outside in a plaza and called my mom for mother's day. Then I went to the beach for an hour or so before heading to the cafe where I'm using internet right now. And yesterday for lunch I finally had a peanut butter & banana sandwich which I've been craving & today I had an apple with peanut butter! So exciting :)
But anyways...gotta get to studying - I have a final exam tomorrow afternoon & a presentation Tuesday afternoon. Then I'm done & have to pack up before I leave San Sebastian Wednesday night! It's so close I can't believe it. I feel like the semester has flown by. Crazy!
Well, more later.
Love, Jill
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Still Hate Madrid...but Sara's here!
Sorry I haven’t updated in so long. Nothing eventful happened last week and then Sara came so I haven’t had tons of time on the internet. But Thursday after class I just hung out with Kelly and bought some groceries for Sara and I. Then I skyped until it was time to go – my bus left at 12:30am. The bus ride was like 6 hours long with one break. But at like 3:30am we got stopped on the highway, us and the other bus in front of us, and policemen came on the bus and were walking up and down the aisle. Then, we just had to sit there and wait for a while and one of them came back on about 10 minutes later and handed people back their ID’s. Then we were free to drive away. It was super weird – in the middle of the highway in the middle of the night! But I couldn’t sleep at all so I wasn’t too upset.
But I got to the big Madrid bus station around 6:30am then had to wait and switch buses to go to the airport. I arrived at 7, had to navigate my way around and find where Sara would arrive. So I bought a coffee and tried reading my Spanish magazine. Sara didn’t end up coming until 10am so I waited quite some time. But I waited for her to eat so we ate the tortilla francesa sandwich my host mom had made. Then, it was a good thing I wrote down directions on our hostel website from the airport because we would not have been able to find it. That took a little time but we finally found it, checked in, and took a good 3-hour nap. Both of us had more or less been up for 24 hours, Sara probably longer than me. After our naps we were planning on going to Museo Del Prado because it was free after 5pm but we went there and it was closed. It was fiesta – kind of like Labor Day I think – but I didn’t realize everything would be closed. So instead we just hung out on the grass, oh and had a sandwich. Then we headed towards the Puerto del Sol area to find the flamenco show. We got confused and were about to walk into this bad place but we ended up finding the right building. So then it was us, the Asian tourists (around 60) and the Mafia men (around 30). It was pretty funny. But we didn’t realize that for dinner & the show it was like 75 euros so we had to talk to the waiter and get stuffed in this corner because we didn’t want to eat. But the show was amazing – probably my favorite part was the guy flamenco dancer (who actually kind of looked like Adam Morrison) but he was just so good and could move his feet so fast. I was amazed. After the show we got dinner and headed back to our hostel.
Saturday we woke up for breakfast and check out. We got ready and went to walk around – the Reina Sofia (modern art museum with important Basque works) was free after 3. But we walked through Plaza Mayor and hung out at the Royal Palace. For the holiday there was a huge parade that blocked off the main street so we had to work around those people and stop and watch a little. Also, Sara & I saw a Kansas shirt in one of the stores! So after the Royal Palace we tried to go back to find it but there was only one and it was gone. But we went and got some kebab for lunch and headed towards the Reina Sofia. But the line to get in was super long and our bus left at 5 so we didn’t know if we had time. Instead we just got some ice cream and hung out for a little before taking the metro to the bus station. Then our bus left at 5, which was basically empty, we had dinner at a bus stop, and arrived in San Sebastian around 11pm. We just came to Kelly’s apartment and crashed.
Sunday we just walked around the whole day. I showed her Centro and Parte Vieja – the two most popular places for shopping, eating, etc. And we walked along the beach to the Combs of the Wind. We bought fresh bread and made sandwiches for lunch and did plenty of people watching. Then we met Kelly at 5 and went to get a pintxo before seeing the new Zac Efron movie “17 Otra Vez” or “17 Again”. I thought it was pretty good and could understand some – but there were definitely plenty of middle school girls in the theatre. After that Sara and I went to get churros – it wasn’t freezing outside but it was pretty chilly. The place we went was packed with locals but very good. Then, we just headed back to Kelly’s apartment, I called a friend and I did some homework while Sara read magazines. We watched a movie and fell asleep pretty early.
Monday the weather wasn’t good so it took a lot of effort to get out of bed, and more to get out of the apartment. So we finally got up, Sara showered and got ready at Kelly’s then we went to my apartment, she met my host mom and hung out in my room while I got ready for class. Then we caught the bus and went to the school cafeteria for lunch. We had pretty good sandwiches and just hung out until I had class. While I was in class, which I am getting so tired of – just drags on and on, Sara just wandered around, read, and people-watched. Also, we actually got some sun on Sunday – Sara got pretty red. But that was exciting. So after class she met me at school and we walked back towards Gros and stopped to get a few groceries on the way – for dinner we made a frozen pizza. And we just sat in the kitchen for hours talking to Kelly. Then Kelly and I did homework and Sara read and we listened to music. Now I'm just about to start class - Sara is just hanging out, it looks nice outside now. And we're going to my cafe after class to use wifi and relax. Tomorrow we're planning on going up to a small southern France town. Exciting!
Also, this is my last week of class! I can't believe it's already that time. I only have 10 days left here. It's gone by so fast - especially the past two months! Just can't believe it.
Anyways...more later.
Love, Jill
But I got to the big Madrid bus station around 6:30am then had to wait and switch buses to go to the airport. I arrived at 7, had to navigate my way around and find where Sara would arrive. So I bought a coffee and tried reading my Spanish magazine. Sara didn’t end up coming until 10am so I waited quite some time. But I waited for her to eat so we ate the tortilla francesa sandwich my host mom had made. Then, it was a good thing I wrote down directions on our hostel website from the airport because we would not have been able to find it. That took a little time but we finally found it, checked in, and took a good 3-hour nap. Both of us had more or less been up for 24 hours, Sara probably longer than me. After our naps we were planning on going to Museo Del Prado because it was free after 5pm but we went there and it was closed. It was fiesta – kind of like Labor Day I think – but I didn’t realize everything would be closed. So instead we just hung out on the grass, oh and had a sandwich. Then we headed towards the Puerto del Sol area to find the flamenco show. We got confused and were about to walk into this bad place but we ended up finding the right building. So then it was us, the Asian tourists (around 60) and the Mafia men (around 30). It was pretty funny. But we didn’t realize that for dinner & the show it was like 75 euros so we had to talk to the waiter and get stuffed in this corner because we didn’t want to eat. But the show was amazing – probably my favorite part was the guy flamenco dancer (who actually kind of looked like Adam Morrison) but he was just so good and could move his feet so fast. I was amazed. After the show we got dinner and headed back to our hostel.
Saturday we woke up for breakfast and check out. We got ready and went to walk around – the Reina Sofia (modern art museum with important Basque works) was free after 3. But we walked through Plaza Mayor and hung out at the Royal Palace. For the holiday there was a huge parade that blocked off the main street so we had to work around those people and stop and watch a little. Also, Sara & I saw a Kansas shirt in one of the stores! So after the Royal Palace we tried to go back to find it but there was only one and it was gone. But we went and got some kebab for lunch and headed towards the Reina Sofia. But the line to get in was super long and our bus left at 5 so we didn’t know if we had time. Instead we just got some ice cream and hung out for a little before taking the metro to the bus station. Then our bus left at 5, which was basically empty, we had dinner at a bus stop, and arrived in San Sebastian around 11pm. We just came to Kelly’s apartment and crashed.
Sunday we just walked around the whole day. I showed her Centro and Parte Vieja – the two most popular places for shopping, eating, etc. And we walked along the beach to the Combs of the Wind. We bought fresh bread and made sandwiches for lunch and did plenty of people watching. Then we met Kelly at 5 and went to get a pintxo before seeing the new Zac Efron movie “17 Otra Vez” or “17 Again”. I thought it was pretty good and could understand some – but there were definitely plenty of middle school girls in the theatre. After that Sara and I went to get churros – it wasn’t freezing outside but it was pretty chilly. The place we went was packed with locals but very good. Then, we just headed back to Kelly’s apartment, I called a friend and I did some homework while Sara read magazines. We watched a movie and fell asleep pretty early.
Monday the weather wasn’t good so it took a lot of effort to get out of bed, and more to get out of the apartment. So we finally got up, Sara showered and got ready at Kelly’s then we went to my apartment, she met my host mom and hung out in my room while I got ready for class. Then we caught the bus and went to the school cafeteria for lunch. We had pretty good sandwiches and just hung out until I had class. While I was in class, which I am getting so tired of – just drags on and on, Sara just wandered around, read, and people-watched. Also, we actually got some sun on Sunday – Sara got pretty red. But that was exciting. So after class she met me at school and we walked back towards Gros and stopped to get a few groceries on the way – for dinner we made a frozen pizza. And we just sat in the kitchen for hours talking to Kelly. Then Kelly and I did homework and Sara read and we listened to music. Now I'm just about to start class - Sara is just hanging out, it looks nice outside now. And we're going to my cafe after class to use wifi and relax. Tomorrow we're planning on going up to a small southern France town. Exciting!
Also, this is my last week of class! I can't believe it's already that time. I only have 10 days left here. It's gone by so fast - especially the past two months! Just can't believe it.
Anyways...more later.
Love, Jill
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