This weekend we went to Cordoba and Nerja to explore both cities and to enjoy the beach in Nerja. We left for Nerja around 10am on Friday and arrived around 1pm – After we checked into our hotel, we all got our beach stuff and walked to the beach. The moment we got to the beach and saw the water (something we all had been dying to see for the past couple weeks) a feeling of joy and excitement spread over us.
After a couple minutes of laying out towels and applying sunblock, everyone laid down and enjoyed the sun. It was honestly such a nice feeling to be able to look out over the beach and see everyone doing the exact same thing we were – relaxing.
After a while, Sarah, Maya, Austin and I decided to walk down the beach and collect pretty rocks that we saw along the way…OR at least Sarah and Maya did…Austin and I just sort of walked alongside them while they walked for a little bit, saw a shinny rock, bent down, picked it up – it was a cycle they repeated up and down the beach. As the four of us walked down the beach, Sarah and I talked about how much being here meant to both of us. I know I've said this before, but I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for both Sarah and Austin pushing me to fill out the application – which is something that I will forever be grateful for. I would have been so disappointed if both of them went on this trip without me and came back to school and started telling me what an amazing, life changing experience they had – I would have felt like I had truly missed out. Even though Sarah and I are pretty close, its moments like that walk along the beach that really make me realize just how close we really are, same with Austin. We might not always talk a ton, but he's really become like my brother and someone I truly feel like I can always rely on for either advise on something serious, or just for fun and laughs - we do both VERY well.
(Pictured Above: Me in front of the ocean and the mountains)
After our walk, I laid down and spent an hour or two of soaking up the sun. When I got up, I was ready to go into the water. I had walked in earlier and put my foot in it, but it was too cold to go in full body right away. This time, I walked right in and dove into the water and felt the familiar rush that comes over my body whenever I enter the water.
After a moment or two of being in the water by myself, Austin and Jill joined me. Together the three of us laughed and rode the waves until we were all too cold to stay in the water any longer. Being there, in the chilly water, with two of my good friends, I realized that my mind was completely clear of all the negativity that had clouded it for the past year. In all honesty, school has never been something I’ve ever been good at. I get by, but my grades have never been amazing. This past year, it got to the point where I was really down on myself and doubting if college was for me. I was worried that whatever I did, it wasn’t going to be enough. Even though school is hard for me, quitting in general, is even harder – I do not like quitting or giving up on things just because they’re harder than I was expecting them to be. Determined to prove to myself that I could pick myself up, I dedicated myself to my studies and scored my best academic grades since being in college. As I floated over the top of a big wave, I thought back on the moment I found out that I successfully pasted all my classes this year. I was in Puerto Rico, on a service trip with Austin and Sarah. We were in the car when the email that grades were posted was sent to us. I really didn’t want to check because I was terrified that I was only going to see bad news. Reluctantly, I logged onto my student account and almost broke down when I saw I passed all my classes. This internship, this trip and this whole experience in Spain has been such a gift and has honestly been such an awakening experience. Being here has taught me so much more about myself than I ever expected. I can’t begin to put into words how much better I feel about life in general, myself, and school. I’m so ready and excited to apply all that I learn during my time here, to my life back home.
After we got out of the water and laid back down for a bit, we all packed up our stuff and headed down the beach to a local restaurant that serves Paella. Paella is a very interesting dish – it is mostly made up rice, but can either have chicken, fish, shellfish, vegetables or all the above. The Paella we had was a mixture of chicken, and shellfish. After we were nice and satisfied from our lunch, we wandered back down the beach and camped out for another few hours. During that time, Austin and I crawled over rocks to a part of the beach that was hidden from view from most of the beach – not the most comfortable feeling when you’re barefoot.
After we explored, we headed back into the water. Austin had barely been in the water when he was taken out by a massive wave, that sent him head over heels in the water – this sight sent Maya and I into hysteric fits of laughter. Unfortunately for Austin, most of the people on the beach were laughing too. After Austin’s spectacular wipe out, we returned to the ocean. I was making my way out to Austin and Jill when I was hit by a wave which momentarily stunned me. Just as I finished whipping the water from my eyes, I looked up only to see yet another huge wave, bigger than the last, breaking on top of me.
Around five thirty, we all packed up and headed back to the hotel, to enjoy the rooftop hotel and to have some down time before dinner. I can’t begin to describe how good that shower felt – the water pressure was PERFECT. I felt so squeaky clean after that shower. Later, we went to a restaurant in Frigiliana and had an amazing dinner overlooking a beautiful view of the city as the sunset lit up the sky.
After dinner we drove back to Nerja and got ice cream and then hung out by the ocean for a little bit, listening to a woman play the violin while we enjoyed the sea breeze. In the morning I got up, took another hot shower and then once Austin woke up, we walked down the street to get breakfast. After breakfast, we drove to Cordoba and saw both the archaeological site and the old mosque – both were absolutely incredible.
(Pictured Below: MOSQUE and Archaeological site)
