Down to the wire.

Ten days left in my study abroad experience that has been unlike anything I ever thought I would do in my life. Heading into the semester I had heard so many different perspectives from so many different people about what to expect and what it will be like, and now I can confidently say there is no amount of mental preparation or explanation that could have begun to prepare me for this semester.

Every single day has been an adventure. Living in an international city for over three months I've realized there is quite literally always something to do. Regardless of your mood, your ambitions (or lack there of), you desire to spend money (or lack there of), I found it impossible to be bored. Adding traveling into that made this all the more true.

As the weeks have begun to wind down my desire to make the most out of every day and hour has increased ten fold. The realization has set in that Madrid, a place I will have called home for more than 100 days when all is said and done, will no longer be a part of my daily routine. There is no doubt in my mind I will be back to visit someday to revisit friends and memories, but not knowing whether that will be next year or 10 years from now is making this goodbye very different than the one I said to the US in September.

Things during my time here that have become daily occurrences will soon be memories that I will not have the opportunity to relive for an indefinite amount of time.

I have one more day of classes left in the semester. I then finish up with one paper and two final exams, at which point in time my spanish learning experience will come to a close.

I figure I have one last post for the semester: My end of experience final thoughts and wrap-up piece that will mostly be written on my plane ride home.

This semester has been like something out of a dream and I could not have asked for more. I feel as though I've squeezed all I can out of these first 12 weeks and now I've got to do the same for the penultimate and ultimate.

Looking forward to coming home for Christmas and being back stateside, however, the nostalgia for Spain and Europe has already begun to sink in.

One of my new favorite cities in the world (Parte Dos)

Don't mistake it, this title was certainly not for a lack or creativity nor was it a typo. But rather I wanted to express how truly amazing this semester has been. The fact I can say I have been to, in my opinion, two of the greatest travel destinations in the world within one month of each other is remarkable. I think that shows what kind of semester this has been for me.

In case you hadn't already seen the photos (which are worth checking out) I went to Amsterdam last weekend. Those who know me know I am a first impression kind of person. The first thing I see when I put my foot in another country says a lot about how I will remember it. And Amsterdam, like many other countries in Europe, was like taking a journey back in time.

The train station is centrally located to the city and upon walking out onto the street for the first time you're greeted my cable cars (no metro because it is essentially a floating city), bicycles, cobblestone streets, bicycles, old Dutch-style houses, bicycles, and canals. Oh, and lots of bicycles.

Know for having more bicycles than people (seriously, look it up) Amsterdam is the biggest bicycle city in the world. It seemed as though it was legal to lock a bicycle up anywhere as the bridges, light poles, and bicycle rakes were covered in old, unique looking bicycles.

As you work your way away from the train station you get closer to the center of town where everything is happening. It's impossible to get lost for several reasons: every building looks different in its own way but still manages to have the same classic feel to it, the streets are laid out in what I would consider to be a NYC layout, and every third block has either a vertical or a horizontal canal. To figure out where you're going look on a map, count the number of bridges you have to cross and you're there.

It's equally as beautiful a city at night as it is during the day. Whether the canals are lit by sunlight or street lights you can't help but take our your phone to take a picture every time you walk over a bridge. Locals ride their boats down the canal and canal tours are even available for relatively cheap.

All this and I haven't even gotten into the delicious food, the number of museums, and the unique experience of the Red Light District. I'll make it quick…

Food: Thick-cut French fries covered in an array of sauces, amazing Mexican food, Argentinian Steak Houses everywhere (still not sure why), and they claim to have some of the best Chinese food in the world.

Museums:

-We started at the Anne Frank House Wednesday night and were absolutely blown away. It is the most emotional and rewarding museum you will ever enter. Simply reading about the tragedy her and her family endured does not do their horrific time justice.

-Thursday we visited the Van Gogh Museum, which I quickly dubbed the Van (don't) Gogh Museum. Apparently "Starry Night" is in New York, which was a huge disappointment. Secondly, it cost more than it should have for a 45-minute walk through of a museum that included still lives and scenery paintings. I think I could've learned more by reading his Wikipedia page. Still, however, I am glad I went so I can say I did and now I know I never need to go again.

-Friday was by far my favorite when we went to the Heineken Experience. It is actually really difficult to describe what made it so great other than to say they showed me the old factories and took us through the entire process of making their beer step-by-step. It was a great experience and I will forever feel like an expert on Heineken.

The Red Light District:

-Something you only ever hear about in pop culture that was truly something to experience because of how unique of a concept it is. As you walk down the streets you are constantly passing large doors and windows lit in red. Through the windows you see prostitutes attempting to lure in customers. I was actually very surprised to see that most of the people walking around were doing exactly what we were: acting like tourists and taking in the experience of a lifetime.

All-in-all Amsterdam was a unique city with an incredible vibe, nice people and a city you cannot experience or see anywhere else in the world. I am already looking forward to going back.

And hey, the flight wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would - always a bonus.