Last-Minute Trip to Spain
As graduation quickly approaches, I promised myself I would make the most of my senior year here at KU, soaking in moments with friends and saying yes to every opportunity. As my roommate and I sat around the kitchen table discussing a potential trip over winter break, I almost laughed when she suggested a trip to Barcelona, Spain. After a deep dive on the details, what started as an unrealistic idea slowly turned into us booking flights and telling ourselves that money comes back.
A few short weeks later, we flew from JFK to Amsterdam for our first flight. Our two-hour layover was quickly shortened by multiple delays, leaving us with little to no options. With slim hopes of catching our connecting flight, we took off running through the Netherlands airport. I always swore I would not be the person that sprints through an airport, until I found myself in that situation to which I took off with no shame. Our spirits remained high as we watched our flight take off without us and quickly got to work on how to get ourselves to Barcelona. We finally touched down in Spain after not sleeping a wink and began our adventures which included lots of great food, hikes, beautiful architecture, and museums. We encountered quite a bit of rain, but we persevered and made the most of our time, enjoying what Barcelona had to offer. All our troubles were worth it for some of the breathtaking views we were fortunate enough to see. The Sagrada de Familia, Park Güell, and Montserrat are must-sees as pictures simply do not do them justice. We hiked to the Bunkers del Carmel where we were able to see the entire city and even had a local cat join us for part of the journey! Each day was full of adventure (and 30k steps!) that left us quite exhausted but enjoying every moment. We finished our nights off with some delicious paella, churros and chocolate and walks to the beach.
Unfortunately, our flight troubles did not end on our way to Barcelona, as our flights were also cancelled on the way home. My limited experience being out of the country was truly being tested as we attempted to rebook our flights in a different country with unfamiliar languages. After a lot of customer support and help desks, we embarked on our 24-hour journey home. I caught up on some long overdue reading and mediocre movies, patiently awaiting a warm home cooked meal after a long travel day.
While traveling can be one of the most rewarding experiences, there is nothing quite like being home and I was grateful to be back and preparing for my final semester at KU. I learned that sometimes life is about being spontaneous, living in the moment and taking advantage of opportunities. I think some of my best memories come from those last-minute decisions and leaps of faith. As someone who is diligent about saving my money, I think there is a balance to preparing for the future but also not letting opportunities pass you by. Let yourself book that flight, take the weekend trip, or try the new restaurant you have been meaning to get to! This once in a lifetime opportunity is one I will always be grateful I took the leap of faith on.
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Ticket #T010445
