Alexi Knock - March 19, 20

Alicante, Spain Upon arriving in Alicante, the group thought it would be a mere industrial city. Around the bend, however, is where the magnificence dwelled. We spent a sunny afternoon browsing the street market and lunching outside. The beach bordering the city was lined with quaint restaurants, chocolate shops, and boutiques. While walking along a boardwalk that led down to the Mediterranean, I couldn’t help but think about what was happening right across the sea. We were dipping our toes in the same water where a war is being fought. European and American ships were using the Mediterranean in order to invade Libya and plan potential air strikes on the country. While we were eating lunch, American soldiers were fighting alongside the Allies. While we were touching the calm water, waves were being created by missiles just miles away. I was humbled by the events so much greater than myself being carried out within a seemingly short distance. It was almost difficult to appreciate the beauty around us knowing that others were in danger at that exact moment. Needless to say, I was extremely grateful to be on the Alicante side of the pond.