Moving to Madrid

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photo: DhiLung

Nothing can explain the way I feel when I see the golden sun sweep over the heavy grape vines of October in California’s central coast.

There aren’t words poetic enough to explain the tranquil beauty of the gorgeous Pacific waves crashing on our shores. No foreign place will ever make my heart sing the way it does when I wrap my arms around my best friend in our home town. So why am I getting on a jet plane in 17 days? More importantly, why are all my belongings in a suitcase?

Because I am moving to Madrid, Espana! Why? Why not? I’ve never been an English teacher before. I’ve never lived in a city of 4 million people. I’ve never lived in a country where English was not the first language. I can guarantee I will learn something new every single day. I know it won’t be easy- I am prepared for it to be uncomfortable at first. I know there will be days when I want to curl up into a ball, hide in my flat and watch English television all day. I also know that I will be smarter and stronger at the end of this experience. Like my old friend Winston Churchill said “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often”. (Not that perfection is what I am expecting of this experience, cause that would just be boring.)

When I close my eyes, I see the cobblestone streets of Madrid- I see people walking their dogs in the morning and rolling their shop doors shut in the afternoons for siesta, I see elderly couples holding hands in Retiro Park, and I see myself breaking my ankle wearing Euro shoes. (Seriously, how DO they do it?) I want that to be my reality, except for the ankle breaking thing.

So to all my dear friends and family on the Central Coast, thank you for the huge and warm welcome home- I hope to return the favor to each one of you in my new home- Madrid! (okay, not EVERYONE is invited to Madrid, just the special people.) I know I’ve been slacking on the blog, but I kinda have been planning a trans continental move… so gimme a break. I promise many life updates and to keep the travel bug alive and well.

Wish me luck!