I won’t write anymore today, but I wanted to share some pictures from my hike!
nature
OPORTO, PORTUGAL
I’ve been so busy recently that I haven’t had a chance to write, but I’d like to share some pictures from Porto!
ENJOY!
And tomorrow I’m off to Marrakech!
Welcome to the Motherland part 2
Cześć koledzi! (Hi friends!)
On Thursday morning I woke up to slight sunshine and only a slight breeze, so I decided to go for a run. The air was still brisk, but it felt good to move my legs after so much traveling.
I decided to go up, like I said there’s only one main road so you either go “do góry” (up) or “na dół” (down). And when I decided to go “up,” I also decided to go uphill. At moments the trek was terrible and I regretted my decision, but every time I needed motivation to keep going I just lifted my head and looked around. Living in the mountains is a double edge sword. The terrain is physically tough, but the views are breath-taking. Certain parts of the hills were still covered in a white blanket of snow, creating a beautiful contrast. And the way back was much easier, straining my muscles in a different way — forcing my body to heel at the decline.
When I arrived back home, my aunt and cousin were busy baking for Easter. Not wanting to disrupt them, I decided to go for a bike ride. I bundled up again and headed for the door. Again, the fresh air felt great. The view was beautiful, and this time the hills were a lot of fun. I decided to take a ride to my sister-in-law’s house which was about 10-15 minutes away.
At first, I was hesitant to enter since I haven’t seen her parents in a long time and maybe they wouldn’t recognize me, (I wasn’t sure if they even knew I was in Poland,) but I decided I’m almost a grown-up now and have to face possibly awkward situations. So I walked up the driveway, and there I saw a lady standing in the window waving me in. I ended up having a great visit, lots of herbartka (tea) and some delicious rosół (chicken soup). After about two hours, I got back on my bike and peddled up the very large hill I flew down earlier. (I’m proud to say I almost made it all the way up!)
By the time I got home, it was already time for church. (It was Holy Week — meaning church every day until Monday. I have to admit there was a lot of internal contemplation during these hours of church. Questioning the purpose of it all and if it was legitimate, but check out my next post to hear more about that.) At this time, snow was steadily falling again. Instead of walking, as we normally would, my uncle dropped me and my aunt of at the church. I’m going to justify the lift by all the other physical activity I did earlier that day!
That evening, we spent the night around the table sitting and talking. It wasn’t anything ground-breaking, but it is moments like that where you can appreciate having a good family.
“Family is not an important thing. It is everything.” – Michael J. Fox
During this break, I’ve been reading Living Christ Living Budha and it has invited me to think a lot about life and what it truly is. I think we can each define it differently, but I like to think that the elements important to my life are my spiritual and mental self. To take care of both, it is important to take care of our physical bodies. When we are physically fit we have the capacity to better both our mental and spiritual selves. When we are healthy and strong on those levels, loving ourselves, we can love others.
There’s four days left in Poland! Check out my upcoming blogs to find out how they went!
Current day update: the weather in Salamanca is perfect! I can’t believe I was in the snow just a day ago. I went on a run this afternoon and the smell of spring filled my lungs, motivating me to keep going.
Tomorrow I leave for Porto. I can’t believe how time is flying!
Xoxo,
K
Taking it to a whole nother level (or altitude)
Hola friends,
As many you know, last week I hiked the Quintar Mountains (at least one of the many of the range). It was an absolutely incredible experience that I will never forget.
During our long trek, my friends and I were discussing what a difficult, and nearly impossible, of a task it is to explain and accurately describe one’s experience in nature. Today I will be daring to take on that exact task. I am fully aware that there is no way I can transcend what I felt at the peak to you all, but I will do my best.
My experience began even before I stepped onto the base of the mountain, or even onto to the bus. When I was signing up for this trip, neither I nor my roommate knew what we were getting ourselves into. Not until after we paid did we look at the packet of information. This excursion required you to have hiking boots, a hiking stick, and other things that I did not have with me in Spain nor at home in the USA. (My family is Polish and when we go to the mountains we hope to have sneakers without holes and some Milka chocolate to give us energy.) The packet also explained the trail, but it was all in Spanish which required too much effort and energy to fully understand, but I did see 20 km. I’m pretty sure I never hiked anything close to 20 km before in my life, at least knowingly.
Distraught by what we got ourselves into, we went home crying to our Senora. She read over the packet with an expression that scared us even more. She told us it definitely would be a tough hike, and that was the breaking point for my roommate. She decided she would not be going. As for me, I knew I wanted to take on the challenge, but then again I had none of the equipment. My Senora then offered to ask her cousins if they had the equipment I needed.
A couple of days later, she came into my room with a full bag of gear. She found me a proper jacket, boots, and a hiking stick! I was, and still am, so appreciative of her. It definitely was not part of her job description to help me to this extent. This small act of kindness I will never forget. She reminded me how the little things can make all the difference to someone else.
Then it was finally the morning of the hike. I had to get up at 4:30, which is the same time my roommate was getting home. (Oh my to the Spanish horario.) I didn’t sleep much — waking up every hour, nervous that I would not hear my alarm. As I walked to the bus stop, the streets were still full of people – most not even going home yet, but just to another bar or club.
We finally started hiking at about 9:30. It was a cloudy morning, but not cold. There was a soft mist, but not unpleasant. We started on an easy trail, which would be like any other forest preserve. Once we started hiking, I felt much calmer. I knew I could keep up with ease. After about an hour, we started on a tougher route. The incline got steeper and the path rockier, but nothing too strenuous. The beautiful scenery definitely helped the time pass quickly. There were tall trees surrounding us on both sides and a river that we walked alongside. The air smelled fresh and clean.
After about two and a half hours we hit snow. At first just a little, but then the entire path was covered with a white blanket. I walked in the footprints of the person in front of me, making the journey through the snow less difficult; however, I had to keep my head down a lot in order to not fall! Whenever I got the chance to look up, I was amazed by what was around me. It’s flabbergasting to think that no one created any of it. It was “all natural,” and so inspiring.
After about four hours and a couple of breaks, we broke through the tree-line. We were no longer walking through the forest but through open terrain. The snow got deeper and the wind got stronger. Luckily the sun was starting to break. This part of the hike definitely got tricky. The higher we got, the slushier and more slippery the snow was. It became evident that hiking boots and a hiking stick were definitely necessary. This part of the journey took about an hour and a half and it was one hundred percent worth it. The views were immaculate, and they were even better from the very top.
When we finally arrived, which was what all our hard work was for; the clouds opened up and offered us a beautiful view of the mountain range. We were literally standing amongst the clouds. The intensity of white was blinding. The wind was strong and the air was cold, but it was all worth feeling like we were on top of the world.
The climb down was much quicker, but just as interesting. Once we escaped the fields of snow, we went down a luscious path filled with greens. I still can’t believe the various terrains we encountered that day: dirt, grass, snow, water; I felt like we experienced it all.
The hike took about nine hours. Nine hours sounds like a dreadful amount of time, but I appreciated every 54000ish minutes of it.
Dear Diary
Dear Diary,
Today’s an absolutely beautiful day — 68 and sunny. The streets are filled with families going for walks, bike rides, or jogs. I’ve spent the afternoon lying next to the river reading. (We all know how much I love the sun and being outside.)
At moments, these past couple of days were emotionally tough for me. For the first time since I’ve left home, I spent an entire weekend in Salamanca. A lot of my friends were away traveling, so I was left with a lot time alone. The days passed by quickly, and I wasn’t ever “bored,” but I think the loneliness was getting to me and I started missing home.
Some things I miss are:
- Making my own breakfast (which consists of something other than processed sugar aka toast and cookies)
- Peanut Butter (I’ve been missing this forever so if anyone is feeling generous and wants to send some my way I would not be opposed)
- Watching TV with my friends and just “hanging out” in the comfort of my own living room
- Sunday mornings at home with my family.
- Hugs and cuddling, especially with my girls. Lidia always wants to cuddle and when Celina tells me she loves me my days always gets so much better.
- Going to church with my family and Sunday family dinners
- Fighting with my sister and telling her how absolutely crazy she is
- College basketball. This is a definite
- Going out and doing something other than eating and/or drinking. I think everyone knows I’m a huge fan of activities
- Feeling productive and doing things that are meaningful and impactful
I know I don’t want to come home, but a piece of home would be really nice right now. The weather is getting nicer and I wish my family and friends were here to enjoy it with me. I know my mom and I would be going for walks or laying outside for hours on end, reading or napping. I know I’d be going for bike rides with my friends of forcing them on a nature run exploring the outskirts of Manc city.
(A little piece of home)
It’s also tough for me to become accustomed to not having friends over. If I’m not out, (which includes either drinking or eating,) I’m usually at home. I usually don’t mind being alone, and sometimes even prefer it, but I’ve never been alone for so long. I’ve met so many people and have plenty of friends here, but I do miss having someone who knows me definitely and someone I can cuddle up to when I’m sad. I guess this shouldn’t come as a surprise to me since I live with three other girls, who are pretty much my best friends, and grew up in a house that was NEVER empty, but I guess it was something I never realized.
The other morning I also realized I was beginning to feel empty. I felt like I wasn’t contributing to society, living without a purpose. My friend Brooke told me that it’s part of the beauty of the experience, but I don’t think I’m at a point where I can appreciate that position. It made me realize that I am someone who needs to continually be inspired and to continually work towards achieving a goal. I guess these are things that are quite evident to other people, but not so obvious to myself. It’s funny to think that when one integrates themselves into a new culture, they learn more about themselves rather than about others. (this has at least been my personal experience, maybe I’m just selfish.)
This post sounds rather negative, but I am still absolutely loving my experience. I’ve even begun to acquire a routine. Salamanca it starting to feel like home. For example, on Friday afternoons I go on long runs and play soccer at 5. I’ve met so many cool people and its so much fun. I play with mostly guys, but there’s nothing new about that. I love playing with them because they respect me as a player. They don’t play different because I’m out there and they don’t hesitate to pass me the ball. Some of the guys are really good, and I love playing both with and against them because I know they are challenging me to get better.
I am also pushing my limits and distances when it comes to running. I’ve started running farther, and as I mentioned in a previous post — I’ve begun to run outside of the city. Fields stretch on end, and the views are absolutely breath-taking. I often take a long-break and just sit and look. These runs are method of self-care and are just a impactful on my mental-self as my physical-self. I want to push myself physically, but I am also using the run as a moment to release any negative thoughts and let my mind rest, wander and explore, or contemplate.
And yesterday, I spent the entire day outside. I was feeling emotional and decided to indulge myself with sunlight. I went on a long run and then met up with my friends to “bottolon” at the park. We had an afternoon full of beautiful views and real-conversation. There was no technology – just conversation and nature (and of course some wine.) It was a great afternoon that created many memories.
Despite an emotional weekend, I am so grateful to have this experience. Yes, I am happy that my Spanish is improving, but more important to me is the self-discovery journey I am on. The “average” afternoons I spend making strangers into life-long friends are the things I will never forget.
(But yes, I’m super happy that my Spanish is improving. Just the other day I went to the bus station to buy tickets for Spring Break and it was such a simple task. I remember when I first landed in Madrid and had to go through customs. It was such a stressful experience, and now I am feeling so much more confident with my Spanish and things like buying bus tickets or asking for directions is a lot less stressful.)
Hope you enjoyed this small insight into my mind and what’s going on with me internally, (if not… sorry and check out my next post about my hiking adventure!)
K
Running in a Cement Jungle
Hola amigas!
While most of you are stuck in the blizzarding snow, I’m #blessed and have the perfect running weather.
Read on to hear about my running adventures all over Salamanca and even some other countries in Europe!
On my first day in Salamanca, I was anxious after three days of not working out. I was in a strange city, living in a stranger’s house, with complete strangers. Once I unpacked my stuff, I decided I would head out for a run. The fresh air filled my lungs. I couldn’t believe that it was January and I was running outside, let alone in another city/country/continent. That day I was just glad I didn’t get lost.
After two months, I’ve mastered the streets within the city and have become accustomed to certain routes. I know where it is steeper and where I can bypass the big hills for an easier run. I also know where there are flights of endless stairs and where I can go to avoid them.
I also have to walk up these stairs everyday to get home 😦 
(One of my favorite aspects of running in Salamanca, is that I know that my run never has to be the same! There are so many side streets I can take to change up my route; however, my favorite place is to run near the river.)
Salamanca is a beautiful, historical city but some days I miss grass and need to leave the hundreds of old, tall buildings. I’ve recently started running out of the city and have found some very cool spots. The scenery is absolutely beautiful, and even though the upward climb usually sucks, the views I get from the top are amazing. Past the fields I have a beautiful overlooking view of Salamanca. Some days I take a break and sit and look. It really is tranquilizing.
Don’t even want to think about what it took to get up there, but the view was so worth it. 
Thus far, I have ran in: Salamanca, Madrid, Granada, Seville, and Dublin! I’m hoping the list keeps growing!
However, some days I still want to work out but have no desire to run. I believe running is completely mental, and I do it because I like it. If I am not mentally prepared my body won’t go. And on those days I either do a track workout or a body-weight circuit in the park. I love incorporating nature and using my environment for my workout. Even though I won’t be with my team for spring season, I am working just as hard to stay in the game. I have ran 120’s twice (still can’t believe it myself) and try incorporating 16’s into a workout weekly. & shout out to all my teammates who are gonna kick ass this spring. Miss you guys!
(Who needs boxes when you have benches?)
I guess I have a hidden agenda with this blog – I want to demonstrate that it is completely possible to stay in shape while studying abroad (even without a gym membership!) I hope my fellow teammates will be able to experience the same amazing time I have had studying abroad, despite being student-athletes. I have also been playing pick-up games at the parks. I was nervous that I would not be allowed to play since I am girl, but all the guys have been super accepting and always let me play (they even pass me the ball without hesitation!)
And my second-hidden agenda is that girls can be strong too. I have definitely noticed more men running here than women, but that doesn’t mean that’s how it should be. As I mentioned, I do a lot of workouts at the park or at the track (public spots) and I definitely sweat a lot. I want women to stop being afraid of being sweaty in public, because girls “aren’t supposed to sweat.” Just because I sweat doesn’t mean I’m not feminine. I think being a woman definitely leaves the opportunity to be both. (I guess this spiel is equivalent to the fad that was raging all over social media where you had to tag 20 beautiful women. If you all can post insta posts without wearing make-up, you should also have the courage to get sweaty and not be embarrassed.)
(I actually took this running… #noshame #sinverguenza)
I am actually going on a 20km mountain hike tomorrow! Wish me luck!
Xoxo,
K
MOHER fun (Final Part)
Day 4
Hola amigas!
I hope everyone has had an amazing weekend and is ready to hear all about my final day in Dublin!
On Saturday, February 7th, we had to wake up at 5:00 a.m. (IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AWFUL compared to the normal 10 a.m. in Spain) to meet for our tour. Our excitement to visit all the cool sites definitely helped get us out of bed.
In all, it was a very long day. Keep reading to get a break down of all the places we visited.
(Of course, again, we had to rush to the bus stop because we were running late. I’m pretty sure this was the common trend throughout the whole weekend, regardless of the time of day and where we were going. However, I can proudly say we found the meeting spot without getting lost and we were actually the first group on the bus! J (#GirlPower))
First Stop: King John’s Castle in Limerick
On our way to our main destination, the Cliffs of Moher, we stopped in Limerick, Ireland. (Shot out to my teammates Sara Step and Anastasia Zacour who are actually studying there this semester, but I wasn’t able to visit L ) We only made a quick pit-stop in Limerick to take some photos in front of King John’s Castle. It was interesting to observe the distinct differences between the castles in Spain and in Ireland — the castles in Ireland are definitely much simpler.
Another thing that I noticed is how much I miss grass. The first thing I realized getting off the bus is how the air smelled. (At this point, I think my friends are beginning to think I’m super weird because I keep commenting on how the air smells differently at the different places we visit… but PLEASE tell me you understand what I’m saying!)
(in honor of my brother who sends me 8 articles a week saying how dangerous selfies are 😉 )
The drive through Limerick was also very cool. I enjoy seeing the different layouts of homes and towns across the world. I think the style of homes and their geographical proximity says a lot about the community and the society. Again, the town was very different than Salamanca. Salamanca is filled with cobbled roads, very little grass, and many tall apartment buildings rather than small single-family homes.
Second Stop: Cliffs of Moher
(Photo cred to @BrookeHarness)
Not knowing much about the Cliffs of Moher I did not know what to expect, but I was definitely pleasantly surprised. We got lucky and there wasn’t fog and it did not rain (however, it was cold,) offering us a beautiful views of the cliffs.
(Oh ya, it was super windy!)
For those of you who don’t know me quite as well, I am absolutely obsessed with natural wonders. I think it is so incredible that no one constructed the site or instructed the rocks to erode a certain way – it just happened. It is so incredible to see the different layers of rocks being exposed, creating such a beautiful site. I first had these thoughts when I visited the Igauzu Falls, and I must admit I think the Igazu falls still beat out the cliffs but that does not mean I do not recommend EVERYONE to go see the Cliffs of Moher.
I also very much appreciated sharing this experience with my friends, who I’ve just met in Spain but already feel like my best friends. (I really don’t know what I will do without them when I get back home.) At one point, Brooke, Ashley, and I were laying on our bellies on a slab of rock overlooking the water, and staring down at the immense distance between us and the strong waves below us. As we peered over the edge, I began to wonder what the other two were thinking about since I was having such distinct thoughts. Once we edged back, I asked them what they were thinking about and not surprisingly we were each thinking about different things. We were each experiencing the same moment but what we each personally experienced was very different.
(By the way: Brooke was thinking about her boyfriend and how he would have loved to see what she was seeing; Ashley was solely consumed by the site; and I, I was thinking about the rock breaking off and my body free-falling down into the water. Not too sure what that says about me! Haha)
Third Stop:
After lunch in a very packed diner, we headed over to a site near the cliffs. (Embarrassingly, I admit that I do not remember the exact name of site… Oops!) Oddly, I found these smaller set of cliffs more inspiring. I’m not sure what affected me, but the texture of the rocks that created the ground and the view from the edge of the cliffs stirred something inside of me and took my breath away. The ground I was standing on was once submerged and covered with water. It was mind-blowing to think that I was standing on a sea-bed that used to be so deep underwater.
Being there, in that exact moment, I felt so alive, so present. It’s a bit strange how these moments in life, solely views, can affect us. I believe these moments make up my life, these are the moments I will remember — this is what makes me happy, what makes me feel alive. I wish more people would find happiness with what is right outside their window rather than trying to feel something by buying expensive gadgets and luxury items.
(I am not saying buying things is bad because I’m guilty of having an iPhone and way too many clothes, and sometimes buying a new dress makes me very happy, so please don’t take me the wrong way! I just feel that many people seek happiness in the wrong things. So please, take a look outside your window and appreciate the beauty)
Also, I understand I am EXTREMELY privileged being able to travel so much and visit all these incredible places but nature and beauty is all around us. I oddly found more pleasure seeing the smaller cliffs than the famous, world-known, Cliffs of Moher. (Again, the Cliffs of Moher are BEAUTIFUL and I definitely think everyone should go see them if they have the chance!!)
Fourth stop: Quinn Abbey & the Chocolate Factory
Ok, I know this is getting too long now. This was also the point of the trip where we were all becoming very tired. Just wanted to let you guys know we visited the Quinn Abbey and then a Chocolate Factory.
I got the most delicious hot chocolate there! Yumm!
Thanks for hanging in there with me and reading this entire post! I know it was a lot, but my trip was definitely a lot and something I will never forget.
Check in tomorrow to hear all about my weekend in Ciudad Rodrigo celebrating Carnival at the Carnaval del Torro.
xoxo,
K
Salamanca, SPAIN. 