Malllllorcaaaaaa! You could say, I had been overly excited about this trip for about a month, but when it finally arrived it was bliss!
Kristin’s birthday is in June and we decided to take a trip to the island for a fun girls weekend. It just so happened to fall on the first weekend of my summer vacation! So it was a perfect start to summer fun!
After an emotional last week at school, I did not want to dwell on saying goodbye too long. So, I am thankful this trip lifted up my spirits.
It was hard to say goodbye to all my teachers and students. I have built great relationships with many, and I am so lucky to have had such a positive school experience at Juan XXIII Primary School. I will never forget my time here, nor will it not hold a special place in my heart. Those kids stole a part of my heart, and I’m pretty sure I’m not getting it back.
My last day was Thursday, May 31 and then Friday, June 1 I headed to Sevilla to meet up with the girls. I met Kristin at the train station in Sevilla, and it was like we were back studying! Crazy feeling, being in your study abroard city after studying abroad!! I still feel completely at home in Sevilla, but I think it will always be like that.
We got on the usual 32 bus and we went to school! So nice to see some familiar faces of the staff and the new, but exciting changes to the school. There are several different groups of kids this summer there for Summer I and they have diverse schedules. Made me super thankful to have my study abroad family. We are soo different, but we were always together. No one could understand how such a small group of 60-80 college students from different lives could become a family away from home, but we could.
After seeing the school, we went to Darthe to see my bosses! I had come the day I arrived in September and saw one of my bosses but his wife was not there. So, thankful she was there this round! Kristin and I had some Tintos and reminisced on how life was, is, and everything in between. I loved catching up with my boss, Ava, and get her sons phone numbers to meet up with them before I headed to Mallorca the following day.
After our stroll down memory lane, we headed to the hostel to check in. At this point we were starving, so we headed to Nervion for some lunch. FYI: Just because I speak English with my friend does not mean I don’t speak Spanish as well. Our waiter turned out to be super rude, but I got that change. No worries Daddy, I am still fiesty in Spanish! Haha
We had lunch at the mall, so we walked around in hopes of finding a book store or some sunglasses, but those were my necesities before leaving Sevilla. As you would imagine if you have ever shopped with me, I was a fool with the sunglasses. Found a pair and then we headed to Happy Hour in hopes of seeing our favorite waiter, Tino!! Sadly, Tino was not working that Friday- soo weird without him at TGIFridays!! Despite the absence of Tino, Kristin and I still managed to have a great time and we proved to ourselves once again that the game of people watching is always worth it!
Of course we made a quick stop at my favorite Corte Ingles for a book for my Abuela. After buying the book, we got on good ol’ 32 bus back to the hostel to put the book up and go to dinner before our flamenco show, just like old times!
Dinner was at a place I actually had never been, surprise surprise! Levis en Sevilla, really good- but be careful with the garlic, they realllly like it there. Then we meet up with some of the girls, Emily and her cousin, Frannie-yes yes I am completely aware of the same name situation, never in my life. But she worked that name well, I completely love her and her sweet heart! We were soo death at the flamenco show, and I was still not feeling that feel from dinner so we went home before the show was over. It was nice to go to a place we went to regularly just to chat and have girls night. I miss you Denae, and I cant wait to see you so soon and hug KING-that sweet baby boy!!
The next morning I had plans for breakfast with one of Ava’s sons, Jairo. It was so great to catch up, and find out he learned English! So sweet to hear how well he was doing!! Before we knew it, it was time to end to Mallorca!!
Mallorca was absolutely what you would expect. Gorgeous. Precious. Clean. Natural. Clear Waters. Absolutely a wonderful place to be in, visit, and devour. Go. Just go.
The first night we meet up with some of Kristin’s friends for some tapas and a good time. It was a lot of fun to make new friends, as always!!! We had some great food and company, good night minus being completely exhausted. The following day was Kristin’s birthday!! We rented a car and drove to Valldemossa and Sollér. It was a windy ride through the mountains and we had a lovely picnic with a fabulous view. We reached the Port of Sollér before sunset and it was breathtaking. We had some good laughs, played in the sand, and went in the water in our dresses! We were simply so carefree and loving life.
 |
| Valldemossa |
 |
| Carpe Diem |
 |
| The girls. Frannie, Emily, Kristin, Lauren, and I. |
 |
| Valldemossa |
 |
| Valldemossa |
 |
| Valldemossa |
 |
| Valldemossa |
 |
| Lauren and Kristin. Valldemossa |
 |
| Love Diversity of Languages |
 |
| Chatting with the sweet old man in Valldemossa |
 |
| 1 euro Naranjas, yes please! |
 |
| Driving along the coast |
 |
| Picnic date |
 |
| Our Car! |
 |
| Port de Sollér |
 |
| Port de Sollér |
 |
| Port de Sollér |
 |
| Port de Sollér |
 |
| Port de Sollér |
 |
| Frannie, Emily, and Lauren on the beach. |
 |
| Kristin and her new friend who I chased after so she would not go unattended in the street. She was super chatty! |
 |
| Lauren! |
 |
| Have I said the water was crystal clear? |
 |
| The girls loving life. |
 |
| Toes in the sand. |
 |
| 2 palms=2 hours until sundown haha! |
 |
| Loving life. |
After we drove home, birthday girl did not want to do anything for her birthday night but shower and bed. So as she showered we made tapas and a cookie cake for her, to surprise her! It was super sweet and she loved it as did I with my Momosa!
Our next full day we kept the car for another 24 hours and drove to Pollenca, the northern point. The beaches were incredible! From the cliffs and crystal clear waters, who wouldn’t like it?!
We ate lunch in Pollenca and I had “Pez Espada” (swordfish). It was ridiculously good, just try it before you die if you like fish.
 |
| Pez Espada |
 |
| Pollenca |
 |
| Pollenca |
 |
| Pollenca |
 |
| Pollenca |
 |
| Everytime I look at these pictures, I still can't believe this place is real:) |
 |
| The girls on a cliff. |
Sadly, Lauren had to leave that day because she was flying home to Jersey . So we had to take her to the airport that afternoon. She was so much fun to be around on that trip, and I hope to see her sometime in the states!
After dropping that sweet girl off, we drove on to Cala Pi for a full on beach day!! Were we ready for the most gorgeous views ever? NO! I still cant even try to put into words how unbelievably breathtaking every direction of Mallorca is.
 |
| Cala Pi |
 |
| Torre |
 |
| Cala Pi |
 |
| Cala Pi |
 |
| Cala Pi |
To end our day we went on a search to find the San Salines “Faro” (lighthouse). Mallorca is like a mini Barcelona with its art influence and culture. At the Faro, people had made mini “faros” that reminded me of Gaudi’s artwork. I love Gaudi and think he is brilliant, though some of his art is gothic.
 |
| San Salines Faro |
After returning to Palma that night, we got ready for dinner with Kristin’s friend once more. Alison took us to a tapa place that was really good, sadly I don’t remember the name. We had great food and interesting conversations in Spanish and English. Life was good.
The following day went by so fast that all I remember is being at the airport for 3 hours waiting for my flight. Then a 1.5 train and a 1.5 bus ride. Putting me in Barbate around 1130pm, and making me a tired/cranky Fran! I was extremely exhausted, but I still got up the energy to skype with a really good friend, Jaclyn. I am so happy for her, because John, her husband, is home for some R and R! Thankful for all of our men and woman who serve for our country! I pray you stay safe and know we love you!
In the end, I'm thankful for a good time with some new friends from this year and another birthday worthy of celebrating!!
No comments:
Post a Comment