Back to Reality

Flying back from Spain, particularly Barcelona, I have gone through a whirlwind of emotions.  Though I am glad to be able to see my family again and return to UCF, I can’t help thinking I am leaving something behind.  It has been my dream to travel to Spain and experience the life of the Europeans, to live a life in a place with so much history that you can feel it as you walk down the street.  It has been my dream to see majestic, intricate, beautiful structures built so long ago.

However, one must remember that Barcelona’s history also contains a twist.  There is so much history to it, however, only recently has it become the tourist spot it is today.  With the ’92 Olympics came new beaches, new metro stops, new buildings, and a new economy.  One can even argue that it is because of the revamp that Barcelona’s economy is one of the strongest in the country.

As I remember my last night in Barcelona, I am also reminded of the mix of old and new.  The last thing I wanted to see in Barcelona was the fountain show at la Plaça de Espanya.  This fountain has been there for centuries; however, during this show, the water in the fountain is cast by different lights to the song made for the 1992 Olympics by Freddie Mercury.  The show was absolutely stunning and I was amazed at how many people were also enthralled with the show, both locals and tourists.

Barcelona is a melting pot of the old and new, Spanish and the surrounding areas, and citizens and visitors.  Barcelona has become apart of me and there are many beautiful sights and feelings that I will never be able to forget.  Going forward, I know that I will always have the connections I have made, and I have impacted the people I have met as much as they have impacted me.