Intercambios and interested program members met at the Mercado Central stairs and headed to Zumba class. A little more party-style than Southwestern's zumba class, but still energizing and fun. We danced to some Spanish songs, a Korean song (to our surprise), Timber (to my delight), and closed off with brief pilates.
I miss my gym membership in Austin.
We returned to the stairs to eat donuts and drain water bottles that the program coordinator Marisa kindly bought for us. It might be the last time I ever see the intercambios. I momentarily regretted my muffled contact with them. But I reminded myself that I can't change that I'm introverted and that no experience is perfect.
I'm not sure what the pre-excursion process entails. I hypothesize it includes:
Checking weather- Madrid will be dry and 100+ degrees. Just like Austin.
Packing- I have a small suitcase, a backpack, a purse, a lunchbox, and a 1.5 liter water bottle. I hope I haven't overpacked.
Lists- hotel/hostel addresses, sites to see, things to bring
I hope that everything goes smoothly, so I make lists and check and recheck my baggage. Preparation is the antidote for worry, in my opinion.
Regardless of what happens when I leave for the train station tomorrow, I will have learned a lot just in intending to travel alone. I will have expanded the diameter of my comfort zone far more than I had ever anticipated.
I miss my gym membership in Austin.
We returned to the stairs to eat donuts and drain water bottles that the program coordinator Marisa kindly bought for us. It might be the last time I ever see the intercambios. I momentarily regretted my muffled contact with them. But I reminded myself that I can't change that I'm introverted and that no experience is perfect.
I'm not sure what the pre-excursion process entails. I hypothesize it includes:
Checking weather- Madrid will be dry and 100+ degrees. Just like Austin.
Packing- I have a small suitcase, a backpack, a purse, a lunchbox, and a 1.5 liter water bottle. I hope I haven't overpacked.
Lists- hotel/hostel addresses, sites to see, things to bring
I hope that everything goes smoothly, so I make lists and check and recheck my baggage. Preparation is the antidote for worry, in my opinion.
Regardless of what happens when I leave for the train station tomorrow, I will have learned a lot just in intending to travel alone. I will have expanded the diameter of my comfort zone far more than I had ever anticipated.