Epilogue

Nick returned safely to his home in Ohio after a nice 9 hour flight and a transfer from Atlanta to Columbus. Upon his arrival were his parents, though a little late coming to the airport, but all matched up anyway.

Being back in the United States, after six long weeks abroad in Barcelona, Spain, Nick began the readjustment period. The jet lag wore off after the first two days, and the dietary dishes upset his stomach, but overall, the period was smooth and easy. Yet, there seemed something was missing...

I feel as though I left something in Barcelona, something I cannot elaborate on. I hiked up to Park Güell on the morning of my departure, and reflected and thought for a bit. I watched the sunrise come up, but it was not as spectacular as I thought it was going to be because it was cloudy and overcast. I couldn't stop looking, I had a 360 degree view of the city from the point with the three crosses. I kept looking over towards the El Prat area where the airport is, and I kept thinking to myself I would be in the air in a couple of hours, soaring back to the United States.

Once the sun illuminated a lot of the skies, I headed back down to the main entrance to get some gifts, and learned that none of the shops were open. I decided to wait, but learned that none of the shops were open in time for me to pick up souvenirs, a point that I regret, that I did not pick up any from before hand. I know I will be back, I simply don't know when, so until then, my stories here and pictures will have to suffice. I apologize to everyone, none of the stores were open and I was simply out of options.

On the flight I was relatively comfortable, and enjoyed some sleep and music, along with a movie and a half, along with nice conversations with a nice person in the seat beside me. Landing in the US, I went through customs, back through security at Atlanta (something very ridiculous) and waited on my flight to Columbus. I was glad to be back when I did get back, but I felt like I was missing something, and I still feel that way to this day.

I am working on adjusting back to the US culture and mindset, although it is really hard. Barcelona and urban life were so radically different that I feel as though I need it back again, simply for security. I miss the Metro and the adventures in an endless concrete jungle, but I like the open space, and the freedom I have now back in the states. Maybe I can find a nice combination here in a bit.

As for my Spanish skills, hopefully I can still practice them throughout the year, I really don't want them to vanish, and hopefully at Wilson I can speak Spanish with lots of people. Well, I'm back in the humid forests of Appalachia for a couple of days, and then its back to Ohio, then probably back to Appalachia again, and onward with my last year of college. We will have to see what happens after that, maybe I'll go back to Spain?

-Nick