Life Update

PSA: I’ve officially moved to the States. 

I KNOW. Sooo, I definitely didn’t think I would be living in the States again… at least, not for a while. Things change, circumstances change, and I have changed my mind. 

It all started like this: When I was told in September of last year (2020) that I had to move to Oviedo, Asturias in Northern Spain and leave my FAVORITE city- Madrid, I thought my life was going to be over. It was either move to the North and keep your visa, or move back to the States… obviously y’all know what I chose. 

However, I was like… what do you mean I have to move to (yet another) place I have never been to, leave a CITY and move to what I thought was a town, not to mention the weather is cold and rainy for most of the year, make new friends, and start ALL over again… during a pandemic?? 

 Yes, I experienced everything from not being able to step a foot outside after 10pm, bars and restaurants being shut down, couldn’t hang out with more than 6 people at a time, not being able to leave Oviedo or travel… even WITHIN Spain. Throw in finding out that I am now randomly allergic to nuts, should stay away from consuming excess amounts of onions and tomatoes (wtf?) and refrain from drinking wine (FAT. CHANCE. in SPAIN???) and having to go from teaching high school students to being placed at an elementary school; yikes. Needless to say, this year was really tough; I faced new challenges and was thrown in every which way. When I was at the lowest I had been in a very long time, I decided that throwing myself endless pity parties wasn’t going to get me out of this funk. 

Deciding to suck it up and explore this new place, I rediscovered my LOVE for hiking (I lived in the mountains and really close to the coast) I made really amazing friends who I wouldn’t have been able to survive quarantine without, learned how to pour sidra like an Asturiana, learned that I loved teaching little kids (so fun!!) lived with several roomies, learned how to surf (albeit, not the best) but most importantly I rediscovered myself. I incorporated more fitness and healthy eating habits into my daily life and fell in LOVE with Asturias (Did I mention I also turned 30?!) 

I am ready for this next chapter in life, full of many more growth opportunities and adventures. My love for travel is as palpable as ever, although this reverse culture shock has got me buggin’ out (driving everywhere and following a GPS?!)

Follow along as this Colombian-American chica learns how to reacquaint herself in American culture with a few bumps (and glasses of wine) along the way!