I can honestly say Ive never felt more comfortable in my skin before.
I just know that one day Ill move there and marry a Spanish woman.
I couldnt explain why, and I still cant.
Camille Minouflet
I just had to go to Spain.
The fact that I couldnt explain why was precisely why I felt the calling was real.
All of the seemingly practical things in my life the things Ioughtto do were easily explainable.
I had just graduated from university.
It was logical that I should find a stable job with good benefits and a 401k.
I was working for my dad at the time as an electricians apprentice and I was struggling.
Camille Minouflet
I only stayed because I needed the money and because I love my dad.
He was completely understanding when I told him I had to quit.
If I stayed in the United States, life would have been, well,predictable.
It felt like trying to force a square peg into a round hole.
It wasnt going to be enough for me.
My parents came with me to the airport to see me off.
When we got to the security check, my mom had tears in her eyes.
It was time to say goodbye.
Honey, have the time of your life she told me.
As much as it may have hurt, she never would have allowed me tonotgo.
When I first arrived in Spain in late August, it was a shock.
It was also hot.
I mean,hot.
One hundred and ten degrees Fahrenheit and no breeze hot.
So hot that you cant sleep hot.
I began teaching at a bilingual high school in Madrid.
I was one of the lucky ones.
Most of the time, I felt like a real teacher.
Some people in my teaching program came to Spain mostly to travel.
They would use it as a springboard to Ryan Air jet set to a new European city every weekend.
That looked like fun, but I was determined to be in, travel around, and explore Spain.
The traveling I have done has been mostly within Spain.
Its a spiritual experience if nothing else.
Learning the Spanish language proved more difficult than I assumed it would be.Muchmore difficult.
Spaniards, especially those from Madrid, speak at an incredible rate.
The sheer quantity of words fit into one single sentence is mind-boggling.
Whatever this beautifully unintelligible conglomeration of noises and throaty sounds is, I thought, it isnt Spanish.
Ive stuck with it, though.
Ive made a point to speak the language at every available opportunity.
Ive also been taking Salsa dance classes every week.
At first, it was just a fun way to take part in one of Spains many cultural traditions.
But little by little, it began to take on a life of its own.
The sensation of your and your partners body moving in rhythm is electric.
When danced well, its sensuality, intimacy, and grace in motion.
I can honestly say Ive never felt more comfortable in my skin before.
Spain has a way of giving people permission to relax and be themselves.
The contentment is palpable here.
I can feel myself blossoming and thats the most fulfilling part.
Ive made some great friendships, and a handful Im certain will be for life.
But life is a revolving door, people will always be coming and going.
I have to accept that some people in my life will be marathoners, others will be sprinters.
Thats another embarrassing story for another day, though.
For now, Ill just say that shes one of the best things to ever happen to me.
These are a few snapshots of my journey here so far.
Its gone nothing like how I expected it would.
I still struggle with the idea of moving back home.
I think there will always be a pull to return to where things are familiar.
Before I knew it, I realized we had been having a whole conversation in Spanish.
The language came pouring out of me in a way I never imagined possible.
I couldnt recognize myself as the person who used to be afraid to order a coffee.
In that moment, I didnt feel like a tourist anymore.
I didnt feel American, but I didnt feel Spanish either.
When I came here I spoke almost no Spanish.
I was an outsider.
Thats the hardest part.
Then I could just get on with my life.
But love makes us do crazy things.
This might be the start of a brand new life.
It wasthe peopleI fell in love with.
Well, I left the whole damn thing here.
And if She offered it back to me, I wouldnt take it back.
Not for one second.
