Highlights & Home Again!

Our Correspondent today is Abigail Witt:

After a rough morning of early wake up calls, rushing and waiting, and sad goodbyes, we were on our way back to the States.  Our first stop back in the US would be Charlotte, North Carolina.  Since I do not have the most exciting day to write about, I thought I would be more reflective about the experience as a whole.

During the nine and a half hour flight, I interviewed our group and asked everyone to look back and share what was their favorite moment on this trip.  For the majority of the students Lourdes was the clear highlight of their time in Europe.  Meghan, Alison, Jeff, Julia, Abby and Courtney liked the Candlelight Rosary Procession.  Alex Concepcion's favorite part was his spiritual bath in the miraculous waters of Lourdes.  Taylor and Maddy's favorite moment was also in Lourdes.  Their highlight was when we went down as a group to the grotto late at night to pray the rosary on the very spot where Mary revealed herself as “The Immaculate Conception” to Bernadette.

Amanda's favorite moment was in Nimes when she went to the top of the Roman amphitheater and saw the view.  Alison and Connor's favorite moments took place in Bilbao.  Alison liked the night walk by the river and Connor liked the day of free time when he went to the beach.  Erica's favorite moment was also at the beach but in San Sebastián. 

Kendall’s favorite moment was all the good vegetarian cuisine she got to try from the different countries.  Nina and Connie's favorite moment was the surprise appearance of the Spanish troubadours at our going away dinner.  Mackenzie's favorite moment was also during the last dinner; she loved how everyone sang and danced together.  She loved how close we all got through our time in Europe.  Similarly, Emma and Mackenzie enjoyed the bus rides when we all would sing together. 

The chaperones also shared their favorite moments of the trip.  Ms. Fraser enjoyed getting to know all of the students better and having a great end to her first year at Walsh Jesuit. She also liked eating squid in its own ink because it took her out of her comfort zone and was actually really good.  Mr. Marquard's favorite moment was in Manresa when the group did group prayer and reflection next to the River Cardoner.   For Mrs. Marquard it was seeing Ignatius' home, the Holy House, and our prayer and reflection outside the Basilica of St. Ignatius.  And last but not least, Mr. Bizga's favorite moment on the trip was waiting on the top floor of the Holy House to go into the Chapel of the Conversion and everyone fell into a spontaneous silence and deep prayer.  It could not have been planned was a surreal moment.

Although we all had our favorite moments, the trip as a whole could never be forgotten.  There is this bittersweet feeling of coming back to the US for all of us.  We all want to be back in our own beds and be with family and friends, but everything we experienced in Spain and France was amazing and we do not want to leave those experiences behind. 

We'd like to thank our amazing tour guide Susanna (Madre) and our bus driver José (Padre) who made the trip truly amazing.  After a long delay in Charlotte, North Carolina, we were finally made our way back to Cleveland to reunite with our parents and officially end our Ignatian Scholars Pilgrimage.  Getting home and seeing our parents was such an amazing feeling; but memories of Spain and France will always be in our hearts. 

Lastly, we would like to Shout out to all of our amazing blog followers from the Cayman Islands, India, Russia, Canada, Italy, France, Spain, the United Kingdom and most of all, our beloved parents and friends in the States.  This blog and trip would not have been successful without you.  Next year we will plan a reunion! Until then...