When I moved back to Spain after ten months in Alabama, I thought that in some kind of way I was ready. I was excited to be home, to hug my family, and eat my favorite foods. But pretty soon, I realized there were some things I really missed. Apart from the obvious, like my friends and host-family, I’m talking about the oddly specific things that made everything better.
I couldn’t really fit a gallon of diet dr.pepper in my suitcase, but if i was able to I definitely would have.
So, here’s a list of all the things that I would like for Spain to start having, for all of our sakes.
My dream food:
I’m not saying Chick-fil-A changed my life… but I’m also not saying that it didn’t. The first time that I went to Chick-fil-a, I fell in LOVE. There’s been countless times where I’ve begged people to take me there, from my host-dad, to my soccer coach after away games…
And then there’s Sonic. To be honest, the food is questionable, but THE DRINKS? Some would say life changing. Where else can you get a slushie in any flavor combo, half priced if you go at the right time and brought to you by someone on roller skates?
Spain may have better bread, but Sonic has happy hour so imma just call it even.
The unexpected confidence boost:
In Alabama, people will talk to you everywhere. I’d be walking around the halls and people that I had never talked to before would stop me to compliment my shoes or my hair. Strangers at Walmart would smile and ask me how I was doing. And without realizing it, I started responding with the same kind of energy.
The more I leaned into that friendliness, the more confident I became. I started speaking up more, not feeling embarrassed when my Spanish accent slipped out. So basically, people in Alabama are SO sweet, and will always go out of their way to compliment you, and I would definitely love for Spanish people to start doing that.
The school spirit:
At some point I might have been a little of a pep rally hater, but I promise it’s just because it was SO hot in that gym. Like, why was I having to cheer while actively melting? Now I’d go back in a heartbeat.
The themes for Friday night football games were so much: neon, camo, cowboy… you name it. No one held back.
And I miss school merch! Class tshirts, sports warmups… I still love wearing them. Something about them just gives mystery American girl vibes.
So, there are some things you can squeeze into a suitcase, like Chick-fil-A sauce packets (don’t ask), my yearbook, and a bunch of school merch. But the best parts of Alabama? They don’t really fit in a suitcase.
I wish I could’ve packed the best, most kindest friends ever, the feeling of walking into school and actually being excited, and the whole energy of a football game night or how people compliment your outfit just to be nice.
Those little things are the ones that I miss the most.
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard”
A. A. Milne.
🧃🏈🇺🇸
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