Adeu, Barcelona

I have 3 more nights left in my new/soon to be old, but definitely favorite, city. As Adam plays the guitar, my mind and thoughts just keeps racing about the 11 months that I've spent in Barcelona.

It's unreal to think about everything that I've accomplished and every opportunity of new experiences that have been presented to me. Before August 16th, 2007, never had I left the United States...I've never even been to Mexico, shame. Before August 16th, 2007 the world seemed to me a huge unknown mass, now after traveling through Europe for 11 months, it seems even bigger. I am more certain than ever that travelling has to be and will be a big part of my life. I've only now had a small taste of what's out there, of what's waiting for me, but it is enough to keep me exicted to continue moving on with my life, and growing into the person who is: Karli

Claro, I've been blessed with the opportunity to live over seas, but more then anything, with an extremely supportive family who has financially sacrificed their own desires to see the world and instead live it through my stories, blogs and fotos. I hope that with everything that I have learned and gained while being in Spain for a year, as a daughter, sister and friend, will be able to give back some piece of something to benefit those who have supported me thus far.

Now, I will just re-cap a few incredible memories that still seem so unreal to myself...

All of the amazing places I got to see this year...
France: Paris
Italy: Rome, Florence, Milan
Spain: Barcelona, Madrid, Zaragoza, Valencia, Dénia
Balearic Islands: Ibiza (Ibiza City, Cala Vincent), Mallorca (Palma de Mallorca, Alcúdia), Menorca (Ciutadella, San Tomas, Mahón)
Portugal: Lisbon, Sintra
Andorra
Hungary: Budapest
Austria: Vienna, Salzburg
Germany: Munich, Füssen
Czech Repulic: Prague
Netherlands: Amsterdam

Sky diving over the Mediterranean

Snowboarding in the French/Spanish Pyrenees

Primavera Sound music festival: Seeing Swell Season, Portishead and Cat Power live in BCN!

Taking classes at a Spanish University

Learning how to (sorta) cook

FC Barç-Euro Fútbol matches (2!)

Surviving in a different country without my family on speed dial

Writing over 100 pages combined of essays in Spanish

And much, much more.


Thank you Barcelona, for everything you've given me...
lots of new friends, Xibeca, mullet appreciation, new acquired tastes for things like: ham, olives and pretty much everything lacking a strong flavor, Shwarma, Bicing! Nap-time in the middle of the day but mostly, inspiration to continue taking every opportunity to travel and see our world, it is here for all of us to explore!

Next Euro-trip will definitely be devoted to Spain travel because as I think back now, I was so excited with all the places to see that I sort of forgot to explore my own country! But now, I have a better idea of how to do it and am looking forward to coming back to utilize Spanish again, and of course, be in Barcelona once more.

Until then, GO SPAIN EURO-CUP 2k8!

Adeu, Barcelona, i bona nit.