180 days. Six months. One tiny suitcase, a backpack, and a world of possibility. We only have 15 days left. It’s hard to focus on anything. My mind is blown. Officially.
I won’t lie, I’ve listened to Rocky Mountain High by John Denver at least once a day for the past week. The more I think about it, the less real it feels that I will be home in two weeks. I’m longing for a Rocky Mountain sunset and a Colorado winter, but it’s near impossible to actually picture myself returning. It’s a constant emotional struggle to determine which feeling is the most prevalent: nostalgia, anxiety, or excitement. And though it’s the snow I have been dreaming about, I will be returning to the massive heat wave that has apparently taken over the U.S., further extending my seven month long summer.
I think my mother is the only one who is entirely happy with our stretch of heat and sunshine. I could count on one hand the number of days it has rained on us in the past six months, and my natural, blindingly pale skin has been replaced with a thick layer of lightly roasted brown cells.
Chasing the sun is not just about weather though. To me it has become about seeing a plethora of countries and being able to observe the similarities and differences of humanity and the separation of cultures during similar seasons. While some countries become quiet in the heat of the day for siesta, others become lively as people head out to ice cream shops or a beach to get a little color. While some countries have vegetables and meat laid out on the public sidewalk to dry, others have over-air-conditioned grocery stores with several stories worth of goods. And while walking down the street in one country, people may be draped in scarves and robes in hundred degree weather, while in others, shoes and shirts aren’t required in any setting.
Regardless of these differences though, my endless summer has also taught me about some of the cross-cultural similarities. One of which being the value in unity and communication. Everywhere we have visited contains a culture that has found unity in different groups: religion, family, tradition, etc. Though these communities are based around different social groups in all cultures, the common theme seems to be that these mini-communities boost power and growth in individuals while fostering an open platform for communication. In America where families don’t stick together for long, I never took much time to notice this, because we typically find these groups in school and work places rather than in a home, yet they are just as important as anywhere else. I have learned a lot more than just this small observation during this time, but as I prepare to head home and see all of my friends and then head to school, this thought has occupied a large portion of my mind. So naturally, it only seemed right to share it.
We do not know where we will be headed these last two weeks, though we are sure it will fly by and will be filled with reflection on our time spent together, and an attempt to soak up these last days we have as a family. If anyone has any suggestions on where we should head these next couple weeks, let me know. Otherwise, look out for a post about the past two weeks traveling around Spain with my best friend!!
