Viaje a Salamanca-Trip Expectations

It's my first time travelling to Spain (or even Europe),  and I could not be more anxious and excited. You'd think I would at least have some sort of knowledgeable expectations or a mind at ease since I am fluent in Spanish, but I honestly have no idea what to expect for this trip. I can only imagine how incredible my meals will be, or how breathtaking the paintings of the Prado Museum will be, or how ancient and majestic the buildings will be, but the truth is I really won't know until I see (or taste) all of these famous Spanish trademarks in person. Because I already have a considerable chunk of the Spanish language down (with maybe a few grammar errors here and there), my focus on this trip will be to enrich my cultural awareness and be able to notice as well as appreciate the differences in the way Spanish people go about their daily lives vs. Americans. Not only do I hope to learn about culture, but I also expect to learn about history while I am traveling abroad. Reading about events of the past in history class or textbooks can be very enlightening, but I think that actually walking through places and buildings that have been alive for hundreds and hundreds of years will definitely allow me to really experience those crucial moments in history that make Spain what it is today. I truly believe and hope that this experience will enrich, open, and introduce my mind to a bigger part of the tiny bubble I have lived in for the past 17 years. More to come soon... Eugenia S.