Why you should/shouldn´t travel with me.

So I know it has been a long time since I´ve posted but believe it or not its because i´ve been busy (yeah, what the heck right? Its summer) … (I have adopted 40 people from the CEA program to mentor, disciple, and teach leadership skills to occupy my time) and not just lost somewhere in Spain – as that would be expected by now.

“I am learning discipline, expanding my memory, and punctuality”
- That is actually a self quote at dear ol Beckham’s birthday party.

However, it is almost impossible for me to wake up in the morning to go to class (especially after hitting the discotecha hard with zach until early morning… and that black vodka drink haha jk …. … …….. ), I constantly forget where I am in the city (but good thing Alex and lonely planet are BFFs), and well, I am becoming more punctual I think, although the remnants of antipunctuality (Africa) has deterred me a bit.

With all that said, Spain has been a wonderful place to refine my skills so that hopefully afterward, when I return to the states, Beckham will finally accept me. For example, this weekend…
Flying by the seat of my pants (and Chelsea’s) I decide to go to Valencia which is another beach city on the coast of eastern Spain. Beautiful. I leave the two points which complete my equilateral triangle (Cody and Alex) at home and embark with John Alford and some other CEA friends (the ones that will be co-chairs next year) to the “City of Bats” … by myself. Yeah, so I wasn´t able to buy the ticket in advance so I had to wing it and go to the station the morning of and try to find a ticket (John and the others had purchased theirs weeks ago and were well on their way by now). But I do get a ticket! I think… upon reaching the station, my Spanish senses tingle and I approach a random ticket counter. In fluent español, I say “I want to go to Valencia por favor” (yup, just like that) and get handed a ticket. Cool, thanks God. On the ticket the only things displayed are the date, how much I paid, and that I’m going from Barcelona to Valencia. I turn around to see an array of platforms of which I have no idea which one to go to and of course I’m oblivious to the departure time. Oh. Well, after many charades I find myself on platform 9 waiting for a 9:30 train. At around 9:45 the monitors flash with an attention disclaimer. After staring at it for about 15 minutes, I decipher that there has been an accident and that my train will be delayed. So after waiting in uncertainty, sweating with nervousness, I make friends with a group of musician that speak English and who are also going to Valencia!

Thank you God number two.

They then tell me to hop onto a train with them which was on a different platform, which I do, of course. Don´t worry guys, I asked them if they were sure first. After boarding the train my senses tingle again and I am positive I’m on the wrong train. As I get up to get off the train, the doors close and the train starts to move. So, I’m panicking again – more sweat stains. In my dire situation, I pray that it works out somehow and right before I begin to black out, my phone rings and its John.
“hey, did you just get on my train?”
John’s train apparently was delayed as well and as they passed through Barcelona Sants (my train station) a large group of people boarded, including a group of musicians and a totally oblivious kid with a neon hat.

Thank you God number three.

Anyways, I would totally recommend Valencia. Its history is incredible which is matched with its great cuisine and attractions. The hostels there are nice too and people are friendly. I ended up running into my musician friends again whom I thanked over and over again.

Thank you God again and again.

The train ride back was not nearly as exciting except for the occasion where I offered the scary man sitting next to me candy so he wouldn’t rob me. He didn’t rob me. I was missing Alex and Cody by now and was ready to get home.

With all this adventure, it is good that I have The Pug where positivity and negativity (not talking about me and Alex) clash into a chaotic, yet harmonistic aurora borealis where I can lay my weary head.

It was good seeing you Thomas and I’m more than excited to Paige and Katherine soon!

Safe and sound,

Max