And so it begins...

Thirteen hours of travel time later, I was found sitting in baggage claim praying that I was in the correct terminal.  At last, I saw Kenz walk through the glass doors, and our journey just a short four days ago began. To say I still feel as though I am living in some sort of dream would be an understatement. From the very moment I arrived, I knew that my perspectives and outlook on the world would never be the same. Whether it's the frustration of the poorly placed light switches (don't even get me started) or the fact that Spain is made up of some of the nicest people I have ever encountered, either way, this experience holds great impact already.

Shortly after Kenz and I were reunited, we headed to the first place we would be residing. We met Milena and her daughter Aurora, and knew that our stay in Barcelona would come with ease. She immediately sat us, offered us coffee and tea and showed us a map of Barcelona. In between Aurora's sweet questions and silly facial expressions, Milena patiently helped us plan out exactly what we would want to see in just two days. We spent the first part of the day exploring Barcelona on our own, and then headed to take a free tour offered online. This is where we met Ruben, our tour guide, that gave us a private two and a half hour tour of a city he has great passion and love for. The history we learned in this short time gave us greater insight into how Barcelona began and how it has been shaped into what it is today. 

After merely scratching the surface of a beautiful city, we boarded a plane to leave for Austerias, where Miguel was awaiting our arrival. His love and excitement for touring us around his homeland has been abslolutely contagious. His family has welcomed me with open arms, regardless of the fact that our communication has been mostly made up of smiles, head nods and my broken vocabulary made up of a few terms that most 5 year olds would be proficient in. Miguel's friends graciously speak to me in English, and it always amuses me at how well conversation and laughter translates even with a language barrier. Between Miguel and his family and friends, I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such a lovely group of genuinely kind people. 

In between the new food and drinks I have experienced for the first time, I am overwhelmed with the constant feeling that I need to appreciate and take in every single thing I encounter. It's easy in Europe to find yourself walking down another gorgeous street, lined with multi-colored buildings with "La Vie En Rose" softly crackling over the speakers, and to become numb to the beauty and culture constantly surrounding us. Due to the inevitable fact that I am unable to understand the language, nor can I respond, I have the divine ability to take in everything else happening around us. Never before have I paid so much attention to facial expressions, intonation and everything that shapes the beautiful ability for people to communicate so freely. To my dear family and friends following us, here is just the beginning of an amazing two months to come with my best friend, cousin, and ideal travel partner.