Pensive Musings

So it's my last day here in Sevilla.  I've lived here for seven weeks.  But is that right?  How long do you have to be somewhere before it's living?  Maybe this is just a long visit.  I've learned enough Spanish to lose my French, learned enough Spanish to lose my French, learned enough about myself to know that I'm still me.  Just me.  As life-changing an event as living abroad is, I've come to find out that your core remains the same, maybe just a bit stronger, more solidified.  

I've learned that while the world thinks America and its people are the most racist, they need only look at other cultures to see that they all have close-minded people in our midst.  I've realized that as much as I love traveling, I love my family more, and that it will always be hard for me to be away from them.  There are beautiful people everywhere you go in life and they all have a unique and fascinating story to tell you if you only give them the chance to speak.

Tomorrow I leave for France to see if it is as beautiful as I left it.  My adventure is halfway done, but it feels like it just began and should be over as the same time.  Traveling alone makes you stronger, makes it easier to face obstacles without a solid shoulder to cry on.  It makes you realize that as hard and trying as something may seem, you've seen harder and made it through worse.  

So I will keep walking with my head up and determination in my step until my journey brings me home.  And I will love every moment of it.