Me Voy

My fingers grip the top of our old mahogany railing and I can see that the heavy duty zippers on my over sized blue duffel bags are being stretched to their limits. My luggage is packed and it sits so patiently in front of our red door at 476 Canton Street. Contained in the bulky bags are my collections of eclectic things and unnecessary clothing that I insist on bringing along. But unlike my neatly packed luggage that will sit still until further notice, my brain is scattered and anxiety keeps my fatigued body alert. My nerves, however, are perfectly understandable because in a few short hours my blue duffels and I will be returning to Spain's bustling capital to begin my second year of college. Departing from Logan airport will be a bit easier this time around since I know what to expect; I have a grasp on the Spanish language and I know that I am returning to a romantic culture and a close knit college community. This year I have fewer worries about adjusting to Spain's lifestyle or about making friends, but one task that never gets easier is saying goodbye to my family. I always get a sick feeling in my stomach the moment that I disappear behind the security gates and the sad smiles and frantically waving hands of the Gillooly clan fade from my sight. Those first sixty seconds past the gates are the worst; I feel alone and frighteningly independent. But soon after, that loneliness turns into a rush of excitement, thoughts of the world that awaits and the exotic adventures to come out way any sadness that remains in the back of my mind and in the bottom of my heart. For now those emotions will be put on the back burner because today I am the luckiest girl in the world. I am going back to the vibrant, historic, and modern European metropolis of Madrid to spend another one of the most memorable years of my life.