EXL 300

Travel Bug Bites

I arrived back in the states about a week ago, and looking back now it almost doesn't seem real. I've been working on putting my pictures onto cds so I can take them in to get developed, and I'm really having a hard time fathoming that I was actually behind the lens taking the photos. The 12 Apostles, the Sydney Harbor Bridge, the Melbourne Cup-- I really can't believe I got to see and do so many amazing things in such a short ammount of time. Traveling was easily the most exciting and rewarding part of the semester-- I met so many amazing people by just sharing hostel rooms (and some goon haha) with them. I read somewhere once that the most interesting 20-year-olds don't know what they want to do with their lives, and some of the most interesting 40-year-olds still don't-- and I have to say I agree! Traveling is easily the best way to meet awesome people-- I've got couches to stay on all over the world! And I've really learned so much about myself, I've got a completely different outlook on life than I did prior to my semester abroad. There are so many amazing places I want to see and things I want to do-- I'm already looking into another semester abroad! The travel bug has definitly bitten-- and there is no cure anywhere in sight!

London

Advertising in Sevilla

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If the picture doesn't show up, then it is a picture of the Plaza de Cuba. It is an area with heavy traffic and lots of pedestrians. It is surrounded by four buildings. On top of each building is a huge advertisment for a typical product in Sevilla: beer, cell phones and newspapers. Tio Pepe and Cruzcampo are two of the most popular types of beer in Sevilla. Vodafone sells mobils and Diario de Sevilla is a well known newspaper that is handed out free on the streets every morning. What I like about this picture is how these four giant neon signs sum up life in Sevilla. The people of Sevilla are proud of their beer, all have cell phones and every morning when I walk to school I can find at least ten people reading Diario de Sevilla.

El Toro

Bullfighting is one of the most unique aspects of Spanish society and also one of the most famous, but it is surprising to see how heavily this diversion affects Spanish life. There are countless bars in Seville that have bullfighting themes with mounted bull's heads and pictures of matadors hanging on the walls. Practically every store has some sort of object that portrays a bullfight, from painted tiles and fans to bull-shaped statues and bottle-openers. It is always more prevalent in the tourist zones, but even areas that are not known for their tourism have bullfighting-related products. There are some parts of Spain where the bullfight is losing its appeal amonng the people, but for the majority of the country its influences are as strong as ever.

The New & Improved Me

Wow I've learned so much it's gonna be hard to sum it all up. Through my time in Australia I've learned to open up earlier and easier to people; to allow myself to meet new people and be comfortable with myself. I've learned to relax a bit more and take life as it comes. Life doesn't have to be a pressure cooker, we put the lids on ourselves. I've learned to accept even more people of different cultures and races, and now appreciate the diversity we have in the US. I now remember to take the little things for granted; a conversation, a sunset, a corny joke, or someone's laugh. I've reinforced the fact that I LOVE to travel and see new places and also that Australia is way to big to conquer in one year lifetime rather than 6 months. And finally I've learned that Australians are competitive but stewardly, hard-working yet laid back, and really just live life to the fullest. They take every day as it comes and make the most out of it. That's something I will try to implement in my life. Oh and I met a ton of great people, Australian and non and have a greater respect for where each person comes from and how that makes us all unique. I'll never forget any of them.