Friday, October 16th - Sunday the 18th

Pictures (along with some others of the sunset over Templo de Debod)

Before I came a friend who studied abroad last year told me about a church and Eric and I decided to check it out. From the first time we went I really liked it. The people are more friendly and welcoming than any church I have been to in the US, to be completely honest. They’re not tiny but they know each other and recognize when someone is new, and make an effort to greet them. We had at least five people tell us about Ignition, the youth reunion on Tuesdays.

Only the second time I went to church (and once to Ignition), I decided to go on their yearly church retreat. It was 65 euros, but definitely worth it (I slept there two nights and ate meals). Eric and Nick (who is in my class and came to church) also went, but I made an effort not to spend too much time with them and get to know more people.

The retreat was great. I was a little disappointed that there wasn’t more interaction or breakout groups (and often had trouble staying awake through the multiple two hour long sessions), but the guest speaker had a lot of good things to say.

I met quite a few people but really got to know one of the girls. She’s German and only added proof to my theory that all German people are amazing. (To be honest a part of me wishes I ha learned German and was studying abroad in Germany, but that’s another rambling blog post).

It was nice being out of the city. We were at some sort of retreat center in the mountains north of Madrid. There were trees and grass and the second night I laid on a bench for a few minutes and stared up at the vast sky full of stars.