My sister gave me this luggage tag as I was packing my bags for Barcelona 4 months ago.
I burst into tears and pretty sure begged my parents not make me go.
I wanted more than anything, for someone to say,
"Sorry you can't go.
You have to stay in the comforts of your own home, surrounded my your loving family and wonderful friends, in a country where you speak the language and feel safe and comfortable."
I was terrified.
Terrified for a lot of reasons
Missing my family, friends, unsure of what my plans were, how I would make friends, not speaking the language, where I would live, etc.
But mostly I was scared because I knew that no matter what my experience was in Barcelona,
I would not be quite the same person when I returned.
Because experiences like this change you.
Probably not enough for anyone else to notice. But I do.
See ya in California!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Probably not enough for anyone else to notice. But I do.
See ya in California!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
31 comments:
What an amazing luggage tag! I completely agree with the quote - extended trips away from home give you a new perspective, and you can't help but change!
http://bethesong.blogspot.com
No way! Are you already headed home for good? Feels like you just got there! {says the girl who has done zero traveling in the last 2 years :D} Can't wait to hear about all the lessons you've learned and ways you've grown :)
Love your luggage tag - I want one! Have a great flight and can't wait to hear from you once you're back in the states!
xxx
Jenna
Such an awesome experience! So glad you went and had the time you did! I am sure it is something you will never forget...
Welcome home!!!
i love that luggage tag! and love that you took the risk and just went! i'm sure you are so happy you did and i am a firm believer that traveling and seeing the world changes you. for the good. makes you learn more about yourself. things you make have never learned in the comfort of your own home. so congrats! and excited to have you back in the US! xoxo
Yay you're coming home! =)
And you made it. I bet you made some amazing friends and changed a lot (for the better) weee!
Now when do we get to have a Disneyland date? FYI Disneyland upped it's ticket prices and that ish is crazyy now. Oh well, I guess it's worth it... =P
Have a safe flight home
xo
Your family is so sweet. Even through the worries I bet the experience was worth it. Have safe travels home!
Now I want that tag... so perfectly and beautifully put! Safe travels home darling. I've enjoyed reading about all your travels these last couple of months so much.
so what you're saying is now you can easily drink us under the california table?! whereas before, we would have outdrank you 10 to 1?
luckily for you, i can handle this change..
AND, even MORE lucky for you, i am born and raised in SoCal, so yo sabo un pequito espanol (muy bien, no?!)
but if what you are saying is now you are uber boring, with boring stories, and no pictures to share, and have no affinity for disneyland or beer anymore... well then, i say GOOD RIDDANCE.. spain can have you for all i care!
.....
but i DO care, so please make the first couple of options the ones you are talking about, got it?!
oh.. and PS... guess who's going to dland today?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
booyah!
she's coming home!!! yaaay!!! hope your travels home went smoothly. Can't wait to have you back in California! :] and like the rest of the girls said... DLand!!! :]
I need a luggage tag like that, because no matter how often I travel back and forth between California and Europe I change and need to be reminded of that on a daily basis. I often forget and it doesn't matter how many times you leave and return you always leave a piece of you behind...and you bring a new one with you. I know I have changed. My friends will agree to this. And I know, you'll bring the best in you back to California because I believe Spain has changed you - positively of course!!!
xoxo
change for the better!
oh hey, i'm going to be in california at the end of june, all along the coast actually, of course including san fran! i'd love some tips or suggestions!
feel free to email me!
hollyostler@live.com
your spain pictures have me convinced we will be travelling there this summer. safe travels home!
I CAN"T wait to see you missy!!
Have a safe journey home!!
I love that quote. A professor of mine told me that living abroad changed her in ways she could pinpoint, and also in ways she never could. I have also found this to be the truth. I'm sure you learned some amazing life lessons and learned a lot about yourself too. Have a safe trip home and a lovely time embracing your family and friends :)
When I came back from my semester abroad I was afraid that nobody else would recognize the change I saw in myself, but actually several of my friends commented on how much more confident I seemed. It was reassuring to know that others saw that change as well.
Have a safe trip home!
aweee you're coming back to california!! and you really made it through this amazing journey and probably came out much more amazing than you were before. And you survived through all the homesickness and were able to have an experience that many only dream to have. Oh the places you have gone!
Hope you have a safe trip home and enjoy being back in your world of comfort! :)
I can't believe how fast that went! I can't believe it's already over!
Welcome back!!
Oh my gosh, LOVE that bag tag. Something inside of me is telling me that I NEED it. Do you know where your sister got it?!
Great quote!
@Katie Marie: The tag is from an etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/OfTheFountain
I'd love to borrow your photo here for a blog I'm doing next week if you don't mind!
~Tiffany
http://tiffanyd22.blogspot.com
I have to divide my life between Spain where my boyfriend lives and Estonia where is my whole family and friends. Sometimes it's really difficult for me because it doesn't matter where i am i always miss something awfully...eather my family and friends or my bf and spanish friends.
I'm really happy that your stay in Barcelona was so eventful and nice!
i can't believe your time abroad has come to an end! i loved every minute of your pics, but i bet your so happy to be back! welcome home!
Time flies, huh!?! Well, I will miss (very much) all your gorgeous Barcelona (and around Europe) posts and pics. But I'm sure it will be great to be home. Welcome back. :)
I applaud you for having the courage to take the leap you did. You will never regret traveling and having these experiences. Good for you girl!
http://theroadlesstraveledtoday.blogspot.com/
But for the better, yah? Cheers to your return :) California feels good, doesn't it?
You are so inspiring for taking this leap of faith and going! I just recently made a decision to move to Italy to teach English and I have all the same fears that you talked about. Im nervous to go but know that it will change me for the better! Love reading your blog!! :)
Ashley
www.everythingwithbowsribbonandlace.blogspot.com
i have goosebumps reading this. i'm so proud of you! experiences like this do change you, open your eyes, and let you see the world in a totally new light. so happy you had the courage!
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