March 30, 2026
Slipping Through My Fingers
To ask me to summarize the joy I’ve experienced over these past seven months would be asking me to fit an entire journey onto a single page. It’s nearly impossible, but I’ll do my best to put into words even a small part of the experiences I’ve been fortunate enough to have. I say this every month, but somehow, each one continues to surpass the last. Things feel more normal, more natural, and more fulfilling with time. In short, the place I am in has to be felt to be completely understood.
At the end of February, I embarked on an adventure that most exchange students in Spain wait for: the Spain tour. On this trip, we visited stunning parts of Spain, to include: Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Granada, Córdoba, Alicante, and Valencia. Some of the highlights were entering the Royal Palace in Madrid, seeing the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, touring the Real Alcázar in Sevilla, visiting the Alhambra in Granada, the Park Güell in Barcelona, having a beach day in Alicante, and going to the aquarium in Valencia. The travel agency made everything practically seamless and ensured that we were all safe and content. Our itineraries were full every day, but that didn’t stop us from making time for lots of photos and a few sweet treats along the way. I especially enjoyed getting to travel with students from other districts across Spain, where we formed friendships and endless memories. I’m really glad this trip wasn’t limited to just my own district. Also, one thing I came to appreciate on this trip was how we changed roommates in every hotel. At first, I thought this idea was kind of silly and a little aggravating. However, after experiencing it firsthand, I can say that I truly enjoyed it. I was able to room with and become friends with people from all over the world, and that in itself is a huge blessing.
Once I returned home from the Spain tour, I repacked my bags and washed my clothes. The next morning, I left for my class senior trip to Prague, Budapest, and Vienna. I must say, all of these cities were beautiful, each in their own way, although nothing like Spain. In Budapest, we toured the inside of the Parliament building and later went on a boat tour along the river, where we saw gorgeous views of the palace. It was so impressive. You never truly realize how breathtaking something is until you see it in person with your own eyes. In Vienna, the Votive Church was my favorite. It’s astonishing in person and surrounded by a beautiful green park. The atmosphere in Vienna seemed very calm and tranquil, and the weather made it even more enjoyable. In Prague, I really enjoyed touring Prague Castle, one of the oldest castle complexes in the world, seeing the beautiful bridges, and the famous Astronomical Clock, which performs a small hourly show. I also turned eighteen on this trip, and it was a birthday I will never be able to forget, nor repeat. One of my favorite parts of the trip was getting closer with my friends from school and having quality time together, which is truly priceless.
Shortly after this trip, it was time for Las Fallas in Valencia. The Fallas are fiestas that take place over one week in March. During this time, there are giant statues as tall as buildings that are built and displayed throughout the city, and at the end of the week, they are burned. To be honest, I was so surprised by the amount of fireworks, tourism, and energy throughout the week. Valencia was packed with people from all over the world. Every day, there was a mascletà, which is a type of firework show, but one hundred times louder. It was so loud that you had to open your mouth so your eardrums wouldn’t hurt, and you could literally feel the vibrations throughout your entire body. It was super powerful, but the energy and excitement during the mascleta was unmatched. One of the most beautiful traditions was seeing the girls dressed in traditional Valencian dresses. These dresses represent the region’s history and culture, and many of the girls carried flowers to an event called the Ofrenda de Flores. The thousands of flowers are used to create a massive, detailed structure, which holds deep religious meaning. There were also parades, music, and constant celebration. I’ve noticed that Spaniards always seem to have a reason to celebrate something, and I think that is really special.
The last weekend in March, Rotary had an event in Murcia, where many people from my district met up, watched processions, and had a sleepover. Here, Holy Week began with Viernes de Dolores (Friday of Sorrows), marking the start of the celebrations leading into Palm Sunday. That night, we saw a powerful procession representing Jesus’s journey to Mount Calvary. People carried massive, heavy figures on their backs as they walked barefoot through the street. I got chills watching the procession because it feels completely different when you witness such a powerful moment in real life. We also went to the top of the cathedral and saw beautiful views of Murcia. On Saturday, we went to a nearby town for a classic car show, which was something new for me, but we had a great time on the beach and eating paella. That evening, we went on boats in the river which was absolutely beautiful. On Palm Sunday, the Procession of the Palms took place following the church service we attended. Lines of people walk along the street with huge palms in their hands as people sing and smile with joy. It was beautiful to see crowds of people gathering for something so special. The detail, dedication, and emotion behind these traditions were something I won’t forget.
As I reflect on this month, it feels like time is fleeting faster each time I sit down to write. Maybe it’s because I know the clock is ticking and my exchange year is beginning to come to an end, or maybe it’s because my cup runneth over with blessings, too many to count. Perhaps, it’s both. I am reminded that I could try to hold onto the air as tightly as I possibly could, but at the end of the day it’s air and it slips through my fingers no matter how hard I try to grasp it…that is time to me. At this point, I am really trying to take in every moment. I know I said that at the beginning of my exchange, and I did. However, I’ll admit that at times later in the year I started moving too quickly, sometimes skipping over moments that deserved more reflection and gratitude.
It’s hard to believe that for seven months, I have been living outside of my comfort zone, which has now become comfortable for me. I’ve lived in a constant state of growth and change, and with that has come so much joy and peace. People tell me it will be hard for me to leave and return home, and while I know that’s true, I also know that Spain will always be a home to me. It is what shaped me, changed me, and taught me more than I ever expected during my senior year. It is where I learned how to grow on my own, without the constant influence or pressure of others. It is where I started speaking a non-native language every day. It is where I was placed with a loving family who made me feel at home from the very beginning. It is where I made big-girl decisions and learned how to adapt in unfamiliar situations. It is where I made lifelong connections with people from five of the seven continents. And more than anything, it is where I developed a deeper relationship with Christ and became a version of myself that I never would’ve become without this opportunity.
Blessings upon blessings! I’ll see you all next month.
Hasta la próxima,
Rilyn