Day 1 | Thursday | October 26th 2017 | Nikko

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Ireland has been combating some pretty crazy weather lately! While we survived ex-hurricane Ophelia, not even a week had gone by when we were faced with Storm Brian. And did Brian sure cause us some problems…

The rail systems throughout the country and cheap student-priced tickets make it super easy to travel outside the ‘concrete jungle’ of Dublin and to the other wonderful counties of Ireland. This past weekend some friends and I decided to make a journey out to the ‘real’ capital of Ireland, Cork!

This past Sunday, I spent the entire day roaming the streets of Barcelona alone, exploring what has become one of my favorite places in the world. Maybe it was the sunny, warm weather, or the indescribable gelato that brightened my spirits, but this day was an amazing reflection as to why I chose to come to Barcelona and why I am so glad that I did.

“We have set out on a quest for true humanity, and somewhere on the distant horizon we can see the glittering prize. Let us march forth with courage and determination, drawing strength from our common plight and our brotherhood. In time we shall be in position to bestow upon South Africa the greatest gift possible - a more human face.” –Steve Biko, “Black Consciousness and the Quest for a True Humanity” 

It’s kind of sad to say that I’m officially in the down turn of my time in South Africa. I have just five weeks left here, and some things are already ending. I do miss some things about home, but I’m nowhere near ready to think about leaving yet. 

Sleeping near the ocean is very difference from sleeping in Tiputini. In Tiputini, I was lulled to sleep by the sounds of the forest. Frogs and insects harmonized under the mood and brought the forest to life, even late at night. It was soothing, and I would quickly fall asleep. However, near the ocean where the salt water burns your insides, it made different sounds. The waves crash onto the beach, then make a quiet retreat only to return later. Crickets can be heard rubbing their legs together and the breeze finds its way through the window.

As October draws to a close, and as the fall weather finally begins to settle in, I’ve had some time to comfortably reflect on the the last two months of my life spent here in Spain. A lot of my time thus far has been dedicated to learning Spanish, getting accustomed to a routine of spending time in classes, with friends, and taking various excursions on the weekends, while also trying to absorb all the inspiration I get from the people, places, and art that I see.

We climbed up the staircase with colorful ceramic tile designs lining the narrow walls and we emerged into the bright sunshine of the restaurant roof. Three black cats played in a patch of shade as my 4 girlfriends and I tried to hide from the sun that hovered over us with what seemed like all its blazing might.

I got stung by a jellyfish at the beach last weekend. I was relaxing with friends in the lovely waves of the coastal town of Canoa when a blue creature made contact with my fingers, and I started cursing and screaming loud enough to attract stares from my fellow beach-goers. I lost feeling in my left hand for several hours and had shooting pains all the way up my arm. I am fine now, although the marks are still visible on two of my knuckles.

It wasn’t exactly how I had planned my beach vacation.