Monday, May 19, 2025

From the USA to Spain: Our Journey Begins

After months of preparation and anticipation, today is the day our Mediterranean journey begins!

Today looked differently for everyone, as we were not all taking the same flight to our first destination, Madrid. Kacie and Jemma left Philadelphia a day earlier and were already waiting for us in Madrid. Most of us were joining Dr. Pitamber and Wen Ting Ooi, on their flight from Logan Airport in Boston at 9 in the evening. Ana and Grace took earlier flights that same day and met us at the Madrid Airport.

Dr. Pitamber and Wen Ting Ooi heading to the gate at Boston Logan

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Photo by Wen Ting Ooi

Before I left for the airport, I spent my last day running a couple of last-minute errands to grab bandaids and laundry detergent and finishing up packing. I tried to keep myself busy and distracted because I was anxious to get to the airport and get going! Eventually, my mom gave me a ride to the bus station. We said goodbye and she wished me well on my adventures! This blog will serve as a wonderful way for her to travel along with me.

Paulina saying goodbye to her mom!

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Photo by Paulina Allen

After arriving at the airport and making it through a fairly short security line, I joined the rest of our company at the gate. We spent the time before our flight getting to know each other a little bit further before our month-long journey together. Several of us had hardly interacted outside of our Pre-Departure Orientation meetings. Some of us got a jumpstart on our homework, I took some pictures for the blog and we discussed our thoughts and feelings about the trip – our various worries, but mostly things we were excited about! For me, I talked about my excitement about the Byzantine architecture we will see in Turkey! Others mentioned flamenco shows in Seville, beach days in Cadiz, and rare glimpses of modern art in this medieval art history class!

Ari and Carson hanging out at the gate!

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Photo by Paulina Allen

After an hour or so of chatting it was time to board the plane and begin our adventure. At the end of the day, on our flight to Spain, I couldn’t quite fall asleep because I was too busy wondering about what our trip would be like. What will the atmosphere of Madrid be like? Who will we meet? What will the fun experiences we share look like?

It is an exciting feeling to be at the beginning of such an opportunity to travel and learn more about the world! I couldn’t wait to see how each moment would unfold and shape the memories we’d carry home.

Departing from Boston, Logan