Hasta luego, Pucela!

Where to begin?

The last month has been a complete blur. A lot of fun (which was great) and a lot of saying goodbye (not so great). From all the moving around I've done in last couple of years I should be an expert by now but the truth is it hurts every time. On the plus side, my last two weeks in Valladolid were crazy and amazing.

After I said goodbye to Ribera de Castilla I also had to say goodbye to my private lesson students, the sons of one of the math teachers at my school (who are the sweetest young men ever and who sent me off with flowers and chocolate) and the daughters of the one of the vice principals at my school, who I am particularly fond of. They reminded me so much of myself when I was there age and I liked that. The older one, Delia, is 18 and headed off to university next year. She asked if she could take me out for a beer to say goodbye, to which I replied, "of course! and oh my God I forgot you can drink. I'm gonna miss this country!"

I had another nice farewell from one of my 3rd year (freshman) students, Inés. She had been to Wisconsin before as part the same kind of exchange as I did with Marta when I was in high school so she was always very nice and interested in me. Her family was equally as wonderful. Her parents told me that they had the same job as me when there were my age in France so they had wanted to invite me over for a long time. Really cool people. Also their father is a musician and he was telling me about some of his international work and how he is looking for an Indian drummer of all things, which was the weirdest coincidence ever because my friend from the Academy who is from India is a musician, specifically a percussionist. So of the 5 people I know in Valladolid I did some successful networking!

Speaking of the academy, my last weeks there were really nice.

I helped the older kids to prepare yet another play and this time I was around to see them perform (last semester I was home for Christmas during the show) so it was really nice to see them in action. I was so proud! We also had a little farewell gathering the last day and our boss, Ana María, invited us to a drink. I loved it. I will really miss her and the other teachers.

What else? More than anything I enjoyed my last days with the wonderful friends I made in Valladolid (also known as "Pucela," but nobody knows why).

When it was time for me to pack my bags and go, all of them--Leto, Octavio, Rubio and Yovana-- took me to the train station to say goodbye. They carried my luggage and put me on the train headed north. It was a very poignant moment for me. One where I realized how lucky I was to have met such great people. And even though I had a rough time in that city in the beginning, in the end it was worth it, just to have the pleasure of being their friend.

After a tearful goodbye I arrived to Pamplona in time for the Running of the Bulls. And no, I didn't run, don't worry. But the party is something else. Actually, it's still going on. It's starts on July 6th at noon with a toast outside of city hall (with thousands of people cramped into the tiniest plaza ever) and ends on July 14th at midnight with a farewell tune.

There are so many people roaming the streets of downtown Pamplona from all over the world (Spain, France, Australia, USA...) and all with their white clothes and red kerchief. I loved dressing up like a Pamplonesa. I also liked participating in the festivities, but I haven't gone every day. I can't handle so much "fiesta" (as much as I try, I'm not Spanish)! So, in between hanging out with my Pamplona/Chile friends and hitting up the party I've gone to the beach a few days, including a border-hopping day trip over to the French Basque country, more specifically to Biarritz. First time in France! It was amazing.

One thing I found out is that I really have to work on my French skills before my Eurorail trip... which, I leave tonight! The perfect way to finish my year abroad. We're flying overnight to Amsterdam. Then Brussels-Bruges-Paris-Milan-Venice-Florence and Rome to finish off and amazing 3 week adventure. Staying in hostels and traveling by train. Kind of like what we did in South America. Only this time we are 2 years older and 2 years wiser so I'm expecting an even better time :)

I'll see you all when I visit home in August! I say "visit" because as most of you know I petitioned to renew my grant for another year and was accepted. I've been assigned to a high school in Vitoria-Gasteiz, capital of the Basque Country, and I've decided to stay for one more year. Looking forward to the new and exciting challenges the round 2 will bring. For now I bid you adieu. See you in 3 weeks! Love you and miss you!

Besos,

Katie