I had asked if Allison would mind coming to mi casa to help me pack and to take a photo of Ileana, Elena and me. She wasn't exactly helpful in the packing department, but she did join us at la mesa para la comida, which was a nice way to spend my last real meal here. Then she snapped a few photos of mi familia before heading to her own casa. We said our goodbyes before she left, but it's a bit of a consolation that we are at least headed back to the same country with the possibility of seeing one another in the future (additionally, we plan on BBMing on the reg).
When I came back up, I presented Ileana and Elena with some cupcakes I'd picked up from las Manolitas for them to enjoy. Then Elena gave me a photo frame. I told her I was going to put the new photos of us in there, but she said she bought it with the intention that I would put a photo of my boyfriend and me in there, which was a very sweet thought. Elena had to go back to work and then planned on spending the night out, so we said our goodbyes then. She said many kind things; she wished me luck in the next semester, told me to enjoy my summer, and then said that if ever I wanted to come back "siempre tienes su casa aquí" which means "you will always have your home here in Spain". Later in the evening, Ileana and I sat down for my last dinner and she helped me weigh my luggage to make sure I didn't get charged with any ridiculous fees. Then she headed off to bed and we said our goodbyes. She said a lot of things like Elena did, including the part about always being welcome back into their home. At this point, of course, I got a little teary. I feel so blessed to have been put in such a warm, pleasant homestay experience, and I will never forget my time spent here in Spain with such great people.
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