If I could go anywhere this summer, I would go to Santander, Spain. I fell in love with this city in 1998. I was lucky to return there in 2000 and it was even better!

In 1998, I was a student at the University of Michigan, studying to be an English teacher. A dozen of my classmates and I traveled to Spain to study Spanish during the summer. My plane had to make an unscheduled stop in Portugal! Very scary!

Eventually, I arrived in Santander. The people were warm and friendly. The water was warm and inviting. And the sand was warm and— actually, the sand was hot. OUCH! But with sandals and towels it was just right. School was interesting and I met a great Spanish friend.

I got to see him again two years later when I returned. I was very lucky and the night I arrived there were fireworks on the beach. They were so low I could feel the sizzle and pops! But it was so fun I didn’t mind.

If I could go anywhere this summer, I would go back to Santander, Spain. I would see my old school, my friend, and hopefully some fireworks on the beach!