It's Not Goodbye, It's Hasta Luego

When I arrived here to Oviedo, I didn’t have many expectations. I had never been a teacher, let alone in a foreign country in another language, and my level of Spanish was rudimentary at best. I looked back on my years in High School and reminded myself that those years can be the most exceptional, and at the very same time, most difficult moments of our lives. Keeping that in mind, I knew I would be better off expecting nothing more than to take every moment as an opportunity to meet great new people and have new experiences. As with any travel experience that ensures personal growth, I hoped to be challenged to work and live outside of my comfort zone.
The Head of the English Department at IES Santa Barbara, Paco, greeted me on the first day with a warm smile and open arms. He made me instantly feel comfortable and gave me an overwhelming feeling of assurance that we are all here to learn something and to have a good time along the way. The same, and more, can be said for all my fellow teachers and I was extremely happy to have been welcomed in as if I had just found an adopted family. Every day was a pleasure to come to class with their ever-smiling faces and genuine concern for my well-being. As my salud echoed within the enormous sidra barrel where we feasted during my goodbye dinner: “Vuestros espíritus son como la felicidad personificada... Que quedemos cerca de corazón para siempre! (Your spirits are like happiness personified... May we stay close at heart forever!)”

Saying goodbye to them and all the students here has been the most difficult part of the journey. Comments from students like: “Why aren’t you coming back next year?... When will we see you again?... I will always remember you! and… I love you”, seem to cement the experience into my everlasting memory. One class even surprised me with a goodbye song that they wrote and sang while one student played the bass:

"We are very sorry, You're going away.

You are really amazing, We love 'Ryan Says'. (yknow like Simon)

You went to Morocco, You traveled to Rome,

You are going to India, But you love Spain.

We are your fans, And also your friends.

You are very funny, And we love your games.

We'll never forget you, You'll be in our hearts.

And now we tell you, Goodbye, Goodbye,

Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye,

Goooooooooooodbyyyyyyyyyyyyye."

These last few days have been filled with despididas (goodbyes), as we hike, dine and burst into laughter while reminiscing with our friends and colleagues over the months that have flown by. Their generosity and genuine care for our well being have made Spanish people go down in (our) history as some of the kindest most welcoming people we’ve met along our journey.

In case they happen to be reading this…
un otra gracias enorme de nosotros!!!

“La lectura es el viaje de los que no pueden tomar el tren;

Reading is the trip of those who cannot take the train.”
-Francis Croisset