[Click here to read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, and Part 8]
On August 16th, I returned to my beloved Spain after two weeks of being in my birth country. As soon as the airport-city shuttle bus spun into motion, I felt like I’d jumped into the arms of a long-lost lover.
I was home.
Continue reading “6 Years Ago, I Moved to Spain. You Won’t Believe What’s Happened. [Part 9/9 – Year 6 and Onward: There’s No Going Back Now]”
[Click here to read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, and Part 7]
A plethora of American accents buzzed through my ears while I was still in the Barcelona airport. I guess that’s what happens when you fly on American Airlines.
I came back to the United States after being awake for nearly 24 hours.
I saw my mom for the first time in two years. I saw my brothers for the first time in five years. I met my nephews for the first time, one of which was my godson. I wondered what they’d thought of me—this aunt they had heard about and seen in photos, who didn’t live in America, was finally in front of them.
Continue reading “6 Years Ago, I Moved to Spain. You Won’t Believe What’s Happened. [Part 8/9 – Return to Michigan]”
[Click to read Part 1 and Part 2]
In fact, doing anything that wasn’t staying at home was often illegal.
First, the government restricted movement outside of Madrid due to rising covid cases.
Then, there were curfews and limits of how many people could gather in a group at a time.
Continue reading “6 Years Ago, I Moved to Spain. You Won’t Believe What’s Happened. [Part 3/9 – Year Two: So Lonely My Bones Hurt]”
My plan was to stay in Spain for one year. I thought it was my only opportunity to live in Europe. My goals? Travel. Party. Make a bunch of friends. Fall in love. Try to enjoy teaching again.
It was August 2019, and I had 7 months left of being 29. 7 months left of society still thinking I’m young, beautiful, and a ravishing rebel without a cause. I figured that, once I turned 30, society would deem me overnight old, ugly, and irresponsible. What would I do when I turned 30 and my visa expired? Where would I live? Who cares when you’re in Madrid and the wine is cheap, the men are beautiful, and every day feels like a dream?
Madrid was my oyster, and I was grabbing as much as I could, headfirst and hands full. Every date, every drink, every discoteca, every experience–it was mine for the taking. And oh, my, was Madrid gorgeous.
Continue reading “6 Years Ago, I Moved to Spain. You Won’t Believe What’s Happened. [Part 2/9 – Year One: Feeling So Gatsby]”
The night before I left for Spain in August 2019, I felt furious with myself.
My childhood bedroom looked like a Midwestern tornado had pillaged my closet, bookshelf, and drawers. An overweight suitcase sat at the foot of my bed. I’d find out in a few weeks that I wouldn’t even need half of the shit I packed.
Continue reading “6 Years Ago, I Moved to Spain. You Won’t Believe What’s Happened. [Part 1/9 – Pre-Departure]”
Inspired Around the World 