I think it's time for a pros and cons list! As most optimists should do, I will start with the cons.
Cons:
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| Some gross, ugly graffiti. |
- The dad smokes, which I did not know before.
- The 6 year old was not very well behaved at times.
- The parents worked a lot, so I spent a lot of lonely days in my room.
- For the above reasons, I did not have the relationship with my host family that I wanted.
- I was a little disappointed by the landscape. It wasn't as pretty as I was expecting.
- The cities were GROSS. So much graffiti!
- Sometimes, I was lonely.
Pros:
- My Spanish improved a TON. I speak a lot more confidently now, even though I'm far from perfect still.
- I met some amazing friends in the ward that I attended. They were all so great!
- I saw some amazing things in Madrid.
- I had the best time in Toledo!! I didn't write a post about it, but just know that it was great.
Toledo! - When I went to Toledo, I went alone. I learned to be more independent.
- Though the host family situation wasn't ideal, I learned a lot about the culture from them and had good conversations.
- My testimony grew a lot from seeing the Church in Spain.
- I grew more confident in my ability to talk about the Church to people who don't know about it.
- I had fun! :)
If I had a time turner and could go back and do it all over again, would I change my experience? I don't know. I think I would change where I lived because of the smoke, but if I changed that, then I wouldn't have learned as much as I did. Or maybe I would have... I don't know. Regardless, I am not Hermione and I do not have a time turner.
It was hard, yes, but as I have mentioned, I have learned things that I will remember for the rest of my life! I really am grateful for this experience.
I am also grateful to be back in Provo for the summer. Let the good times roll!
PS: 59 days until I start my journey in the Disney College Program!! :)
