Leaving Alicante on The Day of Thanks

I can't help but feel just a little bit sad when it comes time to leave a new place that I've grown to love, but I suppose that that just proves that the experience was indeed quite spectacular!

Last night I had a charming late Spanish dinner with Carla, Juan, Debora (and her Ana), and Berna. Carla's apartment is quite beautiful, so well decorated, and she did such an amazing job with all the delicious food. So wonderful. Great conversations with great people.





As I noted in my last post about Carla's childhood home, she and I both have a thing for the movie "Some Like It Hot." Thus, this poster hangs in her apartment; she's a woman after my own heart.



She even included the last line from the movie as the last line of her thesis: "Well, nobody´s perfect." Hilarious!



Just a funny sidebar, she keeps this magnet on her refrigerator to remind Juan of her philosophy. Go ahead and laugh out loud...it's hilarious! :)



Gazing across the table, all of a sudden there was a toast to be made. Debora lifted her glass and we all followed as she toasted to my visit and for a a good trip for me on Thursday to Italy.

I met her eyes. She looked in and skipped the surface--a connection--and in that moment I realized that I truly had started friendships here. I came to Alicante knowing only one person (mi Carlita) but I am leaving Spain tomorrow with a dozen plus new friends.

Friends.

Truly, how lucky am I? I've spilled so much of myself onto their days and everyone has been so patient and kind. My only wish (really, the only thing I wish for whenever I'm getting ready to leave a new place and new friends) is that I had just a little more time, time to spend with the people who have endeared themselves to me. But, that's always the way it goes...at least for me.

Debora told me today that she´s certain that I will return to Alicante. I think she´s right.

So, what are my plans for Thanksgiving Day, you asked?
Well...

Tomorrow I will journey to my home away from home, Sansepolcro, Italy for Thanksgiving.

The Plan:

4:00am - Wake up. Seriously?
7:15am - Depart Alicante for Treviso, Venice

9:40am - Arrive in Treviso

Then I have 1 hour and 40 minutes to make my way, by bus, to Mestre Train Station and hop a train.

11:27am: Train to Arezzo, with a change of trains in Florence.

2:45pm (we hope!): Arrive in Arezzo and find my way to Sansepolcro, whether that'll be by taxi or bus we are still uncertain.
4:00pm: Hopefully be safe and sound (and exhausted :) ) in Sansepolcro.

I'll be in contact with Betty all day, who will be at the Palazzo, no doubt making preparations for an amazing Thanksgiving afternoon and evening of wonder! Wait for my post about Thanksgiving in Sansepolcro--rest assured that it will be magic!

So many things to be thankful for this year, don't you think? I love my friends. I love my job. I love all the changes that are happening in my life. I love the things that stay constant. I'm blinded by all the love in my life - I have so much of it. And I ache at the thought of the sublime adventure of everything that might be coming down the road for me. I'm grateful for this time in Alicante. For giving my brain a chance to exercise those Spanish language muscles. For the culture shock and adjustment. For the chance to spill myself onto the fabric of these new friends. To have encountered them. For all I've learned and can bring home to my job. For the benefits this trip will provide for our students in the future.

Thankful to be coming home soon to all the love I left there. Thankful to have made new memories. Thankful to have just been here. For the chance to see new things. Hear new sounds. And tuck all these new experiences into the photo album that I carry around in my mind.

What a joy Sansepolcro will be, and what memories Alicante will keep for always! Anyway, I suppose I should get to bed after going out for one last time with Carla and Debora - que flores!

If you´re reading this, just know, that on today of all days, I'm thankful for you!

Happy Thanksgiving! And whisper my name tomorrow over the feast of food and love that you'll enjoy with those closest to you, if you get the chance!

Vale. Adios, Espana!