Hi guys!
Another day of classes went by and I cannot believe that I am already at Wednesday, time is flying. Today after classes Silvia asked if I wanted to meet up in the city center to go to dinner. My first thought was YES more friends! My second was, oh crap hope she's not a serial killer. I talked the second thoughts down and told both my mom and Jes that I was going out with my Italian friend (can't play it too safe?) and actually put a dress and makeup on for the first time in since coming to Spain lol! I know it doesn't seem like a big deal, but honestly it's so hot here and I spend so much time outside that I figure it's not worth sweating all the makeup off if I'm only going to go to classes and the beach.
The entire time I was in London, Jes would make fun of me because for the life of me I could not zip up my dresses by myself so I would keep having to ask her for help. I mean, I probably could have done it with a lot of struggling but why would I waste my time when help was literally right there. As you can imagine, this was a point on the road trip that the mums and Jes liked to make fun of me for and I would laugh along. Well guys, now I'm here in Spain alone and wanted to wear a dress. You can't see the smile on my face but I've got this huge stupid grin on my face because I zipped up by dress all by myself in less than five minutes! Obviously I had to take a photo and send it to Mumma Bailey, Jes and mom proving that indeed I was a capable adult. It's the small victories guys.
I walked to the bus station, and I don't know why this happens to me every single time, but I was on the opposite side of the street waiting for the crosswalk, and well that there was the bus I needed to take to get into the city center. So annoying haha! I mean it wasn't the end of the world because the next bus was only 15 minutes away, but I have yet to be on the right side of the sidewalk when the bus comes. Maybe one day....
I always travel with a ring that can double as an engagement ring when I travel alone, pro trip I learned from Jes. There were some annoying people on the bus and so I busted out my ring. Well, this system only works if you have a fake fiance in mind. Thanks to Jes, that afternoon I was happily engaged to Jorge, an entrepreneur in crowdfunding that was currently running a workshop in London for the week. Honestly, would have never thought to do that, but Jes always uses my alter ego Carlos the lawyer on her travels!! lol. The things we travelers do.
I got to the city center a bit early so had time to take a quick selfie before I met Silvia for dinner. We went to this restaurant called Pimi, which is really famous with the locals. Honestly it did not disappoint. We had shrimp soaking in butter and garlic, patatas bravas (which are fancy fried potatoes), and various other little things like olives, cheese, and bread. We talked about her job, which is AWESOME by the way. She works for the European Union Parliament and was telling me about how she negotiates with other countries lawyers and working with the dignitaries. She also speaks five languages...could she be any cooler?!
After dinner we walked around the city center and decided to go to a rooftop terrace bar. Ironically the one that had been recommended to her by a friend was exactly the one in the hotel mom and I had been staying at. The view was okay during the day, but absolutely spectacular at night! I called mom later and she could not believe that we had been right there and totally missed out.
Talking with Silvia was a bit like looking into a mirror of a future self. I mean she was telling me about her study abroad experience in Madrid when she was 20 and it paralleled my experience in Salamanca in so many ways it was a little bit spooky. We both have this love of travelling and exploring new cities. We know how to go on adventures alone but also how to share those adventures with others. Even though she's forty and married with kids, she still ventured off to Spain for work while her kids enjoyed the summer with their grandparents. I guess the both of us kind of march to the beat of our own drums but the tunes are similar. Seriously, she's the coolest Italian lawyer ever.
I absolutely love this picture of me on this terrace because I think it says so much more than any words could describe. I'm practically beaming. I just love being in Spain and I think about my younger self, the girl who would never say two words and kept to herself, and am just so proud that I could get to a space where I can so fearlessly adventure on my own and know that I'm going to be okay. And if my forties end up looking like Silvia's, I definitely wouldn't complain.
There was a blood moon out that night which only added to the magic of everything.
Before we knew it, it was midnight and we both had classes at 9 am! After a day of great conversations and food and laughs, needless to say I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. I can't wait to see what the rest of this week brings!
Miss and love you all,
Carolyn
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