A Few Quick Thoughts on Living Abroad

After almost two months of living abroad, what I know for sure is that I easily got used to it. It doesn’t feel like anything special anymore and unfortunately I already take most of it for granted.

I see mostly the same scenery everyday and it became much harder to get lost on the narrow streets of the historic city centre. I pass through an amazing square (Plaza de España) and park (Parque María Luisa) every morning and every afternoon while biking on my way to and back from school. It’s even more beautiful now in spring, when everything is blooming once again and the trees are burdened with pink flowers and white doves. And the streets are almost all without exception filled with a sweet smell of blooming orange trees, that is just amazing. I don’t remember ever visiting a city that had every corner such beautifully scented.

But I got used to it. Not bored, not at all. Just used to it enough that I fail to appreciate it as I should, unless I force myself a bit to focus and be more self-aware. It sucks realising that things lose their special something once they become an integrated part of your life. Every time I stop observing and enjoying the little things, I try to remind myself that my time here is limited and in a few months I’ll be heading back home to a totally different, less colourful and less nicely scented town.

The comparison makes it better, you know. I realise that as much as I miss my home and my family and despite all the little shortfalls that I bumped into the last weeks, I love being here. I like Sevilla a lot and I know that next autumn I’ll be missing it like hell along with all the places, people and experiences I’ll be leaving behind.

As cliché as it sounds, do enjoy every moment with your dear ones and every cute little thing that comes your way! Open your eyes and try to discover more of the places surrounding you. Believe me, I’m working on it as well and if I’m trying to learn something here to take it with me for a lifetime, this is it.