From Goodbyes to New Hellos

May 28, 2025 

Woke up bright and early to meet in the hotel lobby at 6:45 a.m.—a bittersweet morning as we said our final goodbyes to Morocco. I felt a wave of emotion as we said goodbye to Hakim, our friendly bus driver, and Oussama, our incredible ISA representative who had guided us with care and friendliness throughout our Moroccan journey. I’m so grateful he was part of this experience and couldn’t wish for a better representative. 

Me with Oussama:)

Our next adventure awaited in Spain. We took an hour-long ferry from Tangier to Tarifa, Spain at 9 a.m., and although I was exhausted, excitement kept me wide-eyed. After arriving, we took a two-and-a-half-hour bus ride to Málaga. I slept most of the way, knowing we had a full day ahead.

Once in Málaga, we met our new ISA representative, Iker, and checked into our hotel. By 4:30 p.m., we were out exploring the city. We visited the Alcazaba and the Teatro Romano, two breathtaking landmarks that brought Spain’s layered history to life. It was surreal standing among ruins that have witnessed centuries of change.

The Alcazaba and The Teatro Romano

While our tour guide was explaining the Cathedral’s architecture, something unexpected happened—a local approached him and told him about a free organ concert happening there later that evening. This small act of kindness completely changed our plans in the best way.

Before the concert, Iker, our ISA Spain representative, took us to a popular ice cream shop known for specializing in the flavor Málaga. Since we were able to choose two flavors, I picked Málaga and Crema de Café. The Málaga signature flavor is made with sweet wine and raisins. We strolled through one of the city's most popular streets, buzzing with life. Iker showed us how to navigate the local bus system, and while I’m still a little nervous about getting off at the right stop, I see it as part of the adventure. I’m excited to learn how to navigate the city better.

The Streets of Malaga

The organ concert turned out to be an amazing experience. The music echoed beautifully through the cathedral’s walls, creating a peaceful and soothing end to our day. It's funny how the most spontaneous plans often become the most memorable.

The Cathedral

I closed the evening with a relaxing dinner at a local restaurant with other students. It was so nice to take some time to unwind and take everything in—just six of us laughing, sharing stories, and savoring our meals. As our journey winds down, I feel a mix of gratitude and disbelief. I promised myself I’d soak in every last moment—and I will. This day reminded me that even after goodbyes, new hellos bring their own kind of beauty.

Signing out,

Paulette Fernandez