Lee Anne and Davey came to pick me up from Salamanca and meet Marianna and David. Marianna, David, and I walked to pick them up from the bus station at 11:30. I was so happy to finally see familiar faces and forgot how much I actually miss everyone at home. Marianna kept asking me on the way there if I was "nervous" to see my family…she let me know she was both excited and nervous to meet her heartthrob, Dave. (She even picked out a special outfit for the occasion…) After we met Lee Anne and Dave we walked around the city. Marianna and David left us so I could show them the Cathedral, Plaza Mayor, and the University. It seriously was REALLY WEIRD hearing English at first and it took me a while to get used to speaking in English again. I found I would look at Dave and start speaking in Spanish, half way through my sentence I would realize it and switch over to English…never thought that would happen!
We all met up at 1:30 to go to a nice final lunch. Louisa met up with us and joined us for lunch too. Marianna had a wardrobe change; obviously a she needed a new outfit for lunch. We went to a really nice restaurant in Salamanca and shared a traditional Spanish comida. Marianna and David practiced speaking English, and Lee Anne practiced her Spanish, Davey, well he tried to speak Spanish ;) After lunch Louisa left to catch her flight to London and we all went to get coffee on a terrace in the Plaza Mayor. It was really nice to spend time all together and be able to share part of my life for the past 2 months with my dad and sister. I also was really excited for Marianna and David to meet them in person, because of course we always talked about my family and friends back at home and I constantly would show them pictures. Dave brought water bottles for Marianna and David as a little gift for taking such good care of me. They both were really excited about their Camelbak water bottles just like mine, a very "American" gift.
After coffee Dad, Lee, and I visited one of my favorite spots in Salamanca, the gardens featured in the book La Celestina. It is a beautiful garden that overlooks the city and lovers come and leave a lock on the well to represent their unbreakable love for one another. We visited a few other sights in Salamanca and then returned back to my house to grab my bags and head for the train station. I enjoyed showing Lee Anne and Dad my room and house. We sat for a little bit and had water and visited with Marianna before leaving. Marianna gave all 3 of us gifts too! Lee Anne and I both got earrings and Dave got Jamon Iberico, the best ham in all of Spain! Marianna called us a cab and waited with us until the cab came. It was a tearful goodbye, for all of us, even Lee and Davey, imagine that! Marianna reminded me I needed to think of my mom, stepdad Snoopy (or Charlie Brown, she forgets a lot), my abuelo (grandpa), Terri (with the "r's" rolling off her tongue) and all of my other friends and family I have waiting for me back at home. We said our final goodbyes and headed on our way. Of course I miss you all but I never wanted to leave Salamanca, my little family, my little house, and my simple life in the best city in the world. I know I will go back to Spain as soon as I can and Marianna promised me a traditional Spanish meal and a bed whenever I need one.
I can't believe how fast 2 months went by, I feel like I had just got to Salamanca and before I knew it I was heading home. I learned so much from spending a summer in Salamanca and it truly was the experience of a lifetime. I know I will miss my little family, my friends, my siestas, the coffee, the chocolate, the tranquility (or maybe laziness) of Spanish life, and how everyone seems to truly enjoy and appreciate the beauty of every moment. It definitely was the best summer of my life and I will always remember the good times I shared with friends and family in sunny Salamanca.
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