Final post

So its all over. I've been home for six days now after checking out Freiburg, Germany for four, and I got most of my pictures up, how about that! Freiburg was a very nice town - Madison-sized, with a good feeling of history (but also of modern character). The cathedral there was gorgeous, and the old streets of the city (plus a city-wide canal system) weren't too shabby either. I once again reconciled with my good friend Mike - stayed in his apartment, went out with him and his friends. A good time.

But now lets look back at these two months of glory. While they may not be effective, and don't tell the story, I have to say I am a fan of lists, and will make one here (though in no particular order).
Top Three: Barcelona, Paris, London

Barcelona, I fell in love with. I went from being amazed by the city (first 10 days or so) to a state of mind where I really felt comfortable living there. I found good niches - walking down the Passeig de Sant Joan if I needed a stroll, eating a bocadilla sandwich) at the bakery across the street from my school. Even though I was only there for 5 weeks (6 including my hotel stint) I felt at home there. I truly will miss it, but without a doubt plan to return (and not just for a four day vacation or something).

Paris was wow,wow,wow. Was completely amazed for the four days I was there. I could have spent more time, and spent them simply lounging about the city, sitting at cafes, relaxing, etc. The ambience it gives off combined with the history, architecture and presence of museums is unbeatable.

London is somewhere inbetween those two. I saw plenty of sites, but after a full week there, I was just starting to settle in. The last few days I found myself saying "I could live here." I definitely became attached to the city, and I think thats why I was down and out when I had to leave.

So thats enough elaboration on this "list." To be completely straightforward, studying abroad was the best thing I've ever done in my life. The second best thing I've ever done was deciding to go early and stay late. Best two months of my life, easily. The only thing I might change would be doing a semester abroad, or maybe even a year. My spanish skills were realy starting to rise at an exceptional rate right as we left, but all things considered, I am satisfied with the improvement I've seen (6 weeks isn't really all that much and I feel much more comfortable speaking now than I did in May). So to everyone who has read this, or been checking it every so often, I hope it was worth it. Hopefully you feel the urge to visit Spain (or anywhere across the Atlantic), and maybe you've learned something too? (that sounds so corny, but hey Catalonia is not Spain right?). Anyway, thanks for reading, and perhaps I'll see you in Barcelona someday.

-Matt