a whirlwind

I HAD MY FIRST VISITORS I HAD MY FIRST VISITORS I HAD MY FIRST VISITORS I HAD MY FIRST VISITORS

After only 8 months of living my life in Valencia, I finally got to give a full explanation of how happy this place and these people make me in the best way I know - introducing new people to my original people and showing my places.

Grammy and papa were able to see my new city finally and I can only hope they loved it as much as I did. We skipped the touristy parts and headed straight to where I am everyday - the school. AND IT WAS EVERYTHING I COULD'VE HOPED FOR. The kids were so excited to meet them and were able to practice their English with them and ask them all sorts of questions. They were able to meet the teachers I work with and they met 1 family member from all 3 of my host families. I was overjoyed to share my people with Grammy and Papa and it brought me so much joy to see the instant connections.

once a teacher, always a teacher

It made me that much more excited for my family to come in one month and 3 days!!!!!

 

my favorite beers, at my favorite bar, taste even better with these two

Just three days later, my human came to visit. After almost 9 months, it was as if nothing had changed and it was everything I needed. My heart is so full. 72 hours with her is never enough but was so so good. She met my families and got to see my life. I was finally able to explain why Spain has been so good for me and how amazing this experience has been. There are no words for the love you feel when you meet these families and the joy that comes when you have 10 year olds so excited to see you every day. She was able to meet my kids and was able to talk with them and teach with me and they immediately fell in love with her (like I knew they would) !!! Seeing your people from home immediately connect with these new families is so heartwarming - it's like a pat on the back. Also listening to everyone speak Spanish was exactly how I imagined it and so good. Hours spent on the beach, wandering the city, dancing, and enjoying life was exactly what I needed with Marcela.

~~~ Aqua de Valencia ~~~

These visitors couldn't have come at a better time. After a perfect four days in Copenhagen with an old friend and a new friend and a great spring break in Vienna, Ljubljana, and Pellestrina!! The countdown for mom, dad, and sis to join me begins!!

Malmö, Sweden ~ a 30 minute train ride from Cope