ALICANTE, Spain – It took a month in Alicante, Spain, and a cruise through the Mediterranean, but I finally had my first study abroad epiphany. I realized I’m only twenty years old and in Europe, that means anything is possible.

It was in Greece that I officially shed my 20 going on 40 mind set. It was the second port of call, at Katakolon, Greece. My friend Hayley and I knew it would be one of our favorites because we love history and ancient mythology.

But we never made it to Olympia – the weather and two very attractive cruise staff members had other plans for us.

Rafael (from Brazil) and Stefano (from Italy) were both a head too short to be our type, but they were both exotic, fun-loving and ready to pick up the bill. Hayley and I both have boyfriends and had no intentions of doing anything that would compromise our current relationships. Also didn’t have any intentions of telling our new friends that we had boyfriends.

Needless to say, we were walking a thin line. Rafael worked in the ship’s spa as a personal trainer. Stefano was the spa hairstylist. Stefano was in love with my naturally blonde and curly hair. His English skills covered every pick-up line in the book but faded from there. He called me Marilyn Monroe. I’ve never really thought I looked like her but I do have beauty marks on my face and I’m American. Close enough.

The miniature men knew where to rent Vespas for the morning. We started driving through the small Greek town, then through a neighborhood and finally we were surrounded by the countryside. Rafael led us to a small beach resort where we could swim and hang out. Hayley and I swam while the miniature men strutted about and tanned on the beach.

Then it started to sprinkle. At this point, we thought we still needed to see Olympia. Against Rafael’s suggestion to wait out the rain at the beachside resort, we hit the road.

We drove until the sky began to fulfill its promise and unleashed a warm, heavy rain shower. The miniature men dragged the motos to the side of the nearest street and we took cover in a little cabana. Heedless of the rain, Hayley and I stripped down to our swimsuits and ran into the ocean. We swam in the warm water and waved to the miniature men who were no longer strutting about, but stayed undercover.

After our swim, we came out of the warm water and a cold breeze immediately told us that swimming in the rain really was a crazy idea. It continued to pour and we had no chance of drying off. Stefano kept joking that the nearest house was his and we eventually walked up to the front door. The elderly Greek couple that lived there let us stay on their porch, which was a much better place to avoid the rain.

Finally, the rain stopped. Unlike in the Pacific Northwest, the sky cleared too and the rainstorm came and went all in an hour. We drove back to town and there was no time left to visit the ruins of Olympia – which is considered the only attraction in the small port town and the only plan Hayley and I had in mind.

Our plans had fallen through, but that was my favorite day on the cruise.

Plans can be effective and necessary at times. I used to think they were essential. Studying abroad and absorbing the local priority that life should be lived for pleasure has made an impact on my perspective. It’s a positive change, but one that will have to compromise with my “real life” when I go back to WSU. Hopefully a balance between Erica the planner and Erica the adventurer is in my future.

At this point, the peak of my freestyle attitude, all I can say is, “Que sera, sera.”