Un pie malo

My friend Rachel has been having some problems with her foot and decided to go to the hospital today to get it checked out. It was a little swollen but we didn’t think it was that bad. She has been walking on it and has had some history with this foot. She was there for hours, seeing numerous doctors, none of which spoke English. Oddly, they also made her sit in the morgue with a bunch of uncovered dead bodies. Is that normal in Spain? Or just something they do with Americans?
Rachel is honestly the strongest person I have met. After hours of confusion and complete cultural shock, she found out she broke her foot in two places. They casted it and she will need to have surgery in two weeks. The doctor also demanded that she be on bed rest for the next three weeks. In our group, Rachel has been the explorer. She walks everywhere and is constantly on the go. This news has definitely been a shock and is not being taken lightly.
Although Rachel was a little upset, which should be completely expected in her current position, we had an awesome, memorable night. Erin, Jody and I ran to the Corte Ingles, a huge chain store here with everything including clothes, home goods, and a supermarket, and found every imaginable junk food and Rachel’s favorite foods. We arrived at her apartment and sat in her room pigging out and making each other laugh. Tears plus laughter can sometimes be a good combination.
Yes, I’m in Barcelona and just had one of my best nights sitting in a small room in the home of an older Spanish woman who speaks no English. It’s hard to imagine that just two weeks ago I knew nothing about these girls. Maybe it has something to do with experiencing a whole new culture together that has bonded us in such a short period of time. We have become so close and I know that I can count on these girls for anything. Life isn’t always about what you’re doing, but rather who you’re with and the memories you’re making with friends. Don’t take anything for granted.
Please pray for my friend Rachel and her foot! Let’s hope she has a fast recovery and is back in action soon!
Off to Girona for the day, more pictures coming soon! (I will also figure out how to make the slideshow bigger, still learning how to do this.)