Next Sunday I am finally making my way to Bilbao, Spain to spend 19 weeks working at a restaurant. I'm currently in vocational school in Finland, and in my final year of studying. All I have left is this placement in Spain, and I'll be graduating in the spring once I come back.
I've always been interested in travelling and learning about new cultures, so going abroad for a term or two seemed very natural. Spain has such a rich gastronomic culture, and the decision to go to Spain came without much thought. I also chose Spain so that I can dig up my long lost Spanish that I learnt during my gap year in South America, which by now is exceedingly rusty. Hoping to pick up the language quickly, and also might just pick up that dictionary again before I leave...
The restaurant that I'm going to be working at in Bilbao is called Andra Mari. It's located in the municipality of Galdakao, which is located in the Greater Bilbao area, in the middle of countryside surrounded by mountains. So it's safe to say the views will be pretty spectacular. Andra Mari has been awarded one Michelin Star, so I'm really humbled that they've chosen to take me on for the duration of my placement. I'm really looking forward to it; I'm hoping to learn so much, and I plan to milk everything I possibly can from it. And the food served there sounds pretty amazing too. I've been stalking.
As much as I'm looking forward to Bilbao and spending my spring there, I'll admit that it wasn't my first choice. Barcelona always had that appeal for me with it's great atmosphere, restaurants and general feel to it, but now that I've digested Bilbao for a few months, I'm really glad I'm going there. I've heard great things about it, and I got to go to Spain (and leave Finland, I'm not too good at staying in one place for long periods of time it would seem), so I'm all smiles here. And I'm also gonna say this now before I get a whole load of messages telling me to go to the Guggenheim there; I'M NOT INTERESTED.
It still hasn't hit me that I'm leaving in a week, but I am still quite pleased with myself that I've at least thought about packing and what I should take with me! I hate packing. Like really, really hate it. And now I have to think what I will need with me for almost 5 months, oh dear just the thought of this is making me feel sad. But I've gotten all of the paperwork done for it, so that's good, I've got someone to come and live in my flat while I'm gone, and I get to leave the slushy filled, wet street of Helsinki behind me for a good solid 134 days (yes I've counted).
As much as I go on about being glad to leave Helsinki and all that jazz, I am really going to miss my family and friends. No more movie night with tortillas, no more Glee marathons (thought my friends are probably relieved they don't have to hear anymore of rants about that show and me professing my everlasting love for Klaine), no more relaxing and enjoying each others company, no more going to over to my Grandparents' place for experimental duck cooking. But you needn't worry, I am coming back on May 26th.
But if you miss me, you can always listen to this gem, and think about me sitting underneath the moon with a beer.
And Williams deserves a medal for this.
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