Alicante, Spain

It's hard to imagine that in the last ten days I was both lying on the beaches of Greece and walking the streets of Spain. I have to keep reminding myself how incredibly lucky I am. Most people in Europe don't think twice about jetting off to another country for the weekend. I keep forgetting this is not going to be a long term luxury of mine, and I'm left with a bittersweet feeling. These past two months are still very surreal to me. Thanks again "Mum" and Dad for letting me experience this(Miraya said she likes when I do shout outs so I've decided to incorporate them more in my blogs). Moving on, our plane left Gatwick Airport around 6 p.m. on Friday. It was nice having the day to get ready for the exciting weekend yet it made us all the more anxious. I met Kara, Miraya, and Claire at Victoria station where we took the Gatwich Express to the airport. Security was quick and considering we had given ourselves ample time, we all shared some chips and salsa at a terminal Mexican restaurant. Unfortunately the portions were not the size of those at Los Rancheros or any other Mexian restaurant in America for that matter. However, it did fill us up enough for the time being. It was a 2 and a half hour plane ride but seemed much longer. We finally arrived though. After a bus ride, some phone complications, and few minutes walking aimlessly around a fountain, we found Claire's friend from home Jordan, who was gracious enough to be our tour guide for the weekend. She's studying through the same study abroad program as we are except in Alicante.

Gatwick Express

Gatwick Airport

Kind lady who let us use her phone

Claire and her amazing friend Jordan

It was around 9 when we started to head to Jordan's friend's place. As anyone who has been to Spain knows, the night doesn't begin till around 11 p.m. People began heading over not much later. It wasn't till about 2 a.m. that we actually went out. When in Spain, do as the Spanish do!

The fountain where we met Jordan

Getting ready to go out

The biggest jar of Nutella I've ever seen

And we're out!

1 Euro Mango slushi and Bailey's slushi

Miraya, myself, Claire, and Jordan in the streets of Spain

Dancing in the streets of Spain(roughly 3 a.m.)

Claire Bear

After getting in around 7 a.m., we woke up to our alarms four hours later. Needless to say we needed coffee.....

Uno cappuccino por favor

Lucky for us, we were there for the weekend of the Volvo Ocean Race, where sailers set off from Alicante and race around the world. It's an event that happens every three years. So Jordan took us to the port to check out all the festivities.

The port

How did my yacht end up in Alicante, Spain?

Walking to the port

The Volvo Ocean Race

Adios Ships!

What's a day in Spain without some horchata?

Art at the walk. It's a fish made out of beach shoes!

My study abroad experience is really maturing me

Kara: She is beautiful!

The wish tree

Bubble boy(one of the activities at the Volvo Ocean Race)

Fail.

The route of the race

Spanish street vendors

Sangria by the beach

Not a bad view

Sangria, new favorite drink

The Castle

Supermarket baskets

55 cent boxed wine

Although we tried, we could not take a siesta. So still on 4 hours of sleep, we went out to Tapas ready for night 2 to begin. 

The streets of Alicante

Poem on one of the Spanish street walls

Sangria again at dinner

Tapas: Prawns in garlic sauce

Squid

No words needed

After dinner, it was back to Jordan's friend's for more Spanish nightlife. The next morning, we took it easy. After some much needed coffee, we walked along the port again and went to see The Castle that overlooks the city. 

So before we knew it, we were on the bus back to the airport for a very long ride home. It was nice being able to travel to a place where someone, Jordan, knew the best places to see and do. Spain was beautiful, and this trip only made me want to see what the other cities have to offer as well. This weekend I'll be in Edinburgh, Scotland with my whole study abroad group. I'm hoping our itinerary includes going to see Nessie!We will see.