These are the days that never die...

Pretty flower St in Córdoba
I saw a quote the other day that said "Travel is the lure of becoming our true selves". I can honestly say that though this entire semester has embodied this idea for me, that I can connect to the sentiment even more now after the conclusion of my two weeks of solo travel.

Waffle? Mushroom?
You decide but either way its pretty cool!
You know, it's kind of funny because for traveling alone, I felt incredibly connected to not only myself, but also to the plethora of amazing people that I met along the way. Fellow travelers and hostel employees, tour guides, or a nice server or bartender all alike made this trip more special to me than even the physical beauty that I was surrounded by.

I think when you are alone, you learn a lot about yourself, but also about the opportunities that we have everyday to meet and connect with new people, to have conversations about anything and everything and to connect within hours or minutes with people who will in somehow or another add something to who you are. I learned new perspective, shared travel stories, discussed cultural differences and laughed to the point of tears on a rooftop terrace with friends that I am not likely to forget. I found that by being open to new experiences, and by being friendly, you can meet so many people. Whether it was making small chat with my fellow riders in my BlaBla cars, getting an insider scoop to the city, hanging out with the hostel staff, making friends on walking tours, or joining people for tapas or dinner, I found that these little things made all of the difference in my experience. I felt rejuvenated and the extrovert in me was skipping at the opportunities everyday to meet new people.

Alcázar
I am obsessed with
La Plaza de España
During one of my last nights in Sevilla I went to a free flamenco show that someone had told me about. It was truly incredible. I couldn't believe how amazing and talented the performers were. I learned a word in Spanish that they use to basically describe the felling of passion that a flamenco artist has to have to perform. I am constantly learning beautiful words like this for sensations that we don't really have in English, often we just use other words to describe them. During the show, I met the nicest family that was traveling with their children, seeing I was alone, they invited me to sit with them through the show and it was another amazing example of how traveling alone opens so many doors to meet new people. I learned so much about them and their home and life experiences. I was also amazed because though their older daughter had no formal education in English, she was able to communicate with me because she watches TV and listens to music in English! It's incredible! I am growing increasingly interested in language and its power during my travels as well.

I loved all of the tiles in the Alcázar
Alcázar
Crest of the Alcázar
Mezquita
Sorry, not sorry
about my Chaco pics
I finished my trip in Sevilla by going to the Royal Alcázar of Sevilla. This is an old palace that like other great edifices in this region has switched hands from the Moorish to Catholic rule over the last few centuries. The beauty was again incomparable and my favorite part by far was passing time in all of the gardens, they were huge and so beautiful. It was crazy to think of all of the historical figures who at some point in history have walked those same paths, enjoying the same beauty. It was kind of surreal. The same feeling followed me the next day to Córdoba, where though I started the day in a bit of rain, the beauty and intricate design of the Mezquita (a mosque now cathedral), was enough to make the entire day trip worth it. I felt so small in such a grad and amazing place. It is incredible to me that these structures have been around for so long and to think about the cultural significance that they have had for centuries of people.

Every provence has it's own area in La Plaza de España,
so naturally I had to take a pic at the
Pamplona one!
Finishing my trip was bittersweet. I had so much fun during my travels and I met amazing people, but I missed my Spanish home and all of my Spanish "family" in Pamplona. I love how much I enjoy coming back, it really shows me how much this city and all of the people that I have been lucky enough to get to know really mean to me.

#lovemychacos
If you ever get the chance to spend some time exploring a city, a region, or the world by yourself, I really recommend doing it, in the end you have days, nights, memories, and new friends to think about for years to come.

Side note: I'm pretty proud of how far my Chacos have made it around the world with me and I shamelessly always take a Chaco pic when I go to a cool new place.