The vacation was supposed to change my life, and it did, but not in the way I expected. After realizing that the European backpacking dream was not as entertaining as it sounds, I decided to use the little bit of money I had left on a wine tour because misery is better with wine. I saw the advertisement for the tour on my way through Segovia and the thought of drinking Spanish wine was tantalizing. Not to mention the sign was fairly persuasive as well: The best way to unwind is to drink some wine. For more information visit winetourismspain.com. Who could resist?

It was pouring that day, strange in my mind because I thought it only rained in the plains. I always loved the sound and sight of rain, well at least when I had a covering over my head. This seemed different, though, peculiar. I felt goosebumps rising on my arms even though the room was stifling. I looked around wondering if anyone else was experiencing the same unusual sensations, but no one was paying attention to weather. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blasted the doors open, allowing the precipitation to come inside. Somebody quickly closed the doors, but they couldn’t keep out some of the rain. The water started to slither on the ground until shapes of animal-like creatures formed. Other visitors now noticed the eerie events and panicked looks spread across their faces. No one knew exactly what was occurring, but the rain had transformed into some sort of organism. An unusual organism. An unearthly organism: aliens.

Aliens? I had no idea how that idea crossed my mind, but it appeared accurate. The perception of them wanting to attack Earth seemed legitimate since these creatures were speeding around the winery, damaging the walls and creating widespread chaos. Everyone was running to the exit, desperate to protect themselves, pushing each other over and causing the wine bottles on display to topple over. White and red liquid stained the floor and leaked onto the bodies of some of the aliens. Instantly, the raging beasts became docile, as if the wine was an antidote for their madness. I picked up other bottles and pitched them at the remaining creatures, hoping the same effect would unfold. And it did. Right before my eyes, the once crazed aliens became as tame as household pets and slinked away to the outside. The rain engulfed their bodies and just like that, they were gone. A huge wave of relief passed over me, until the manager of the tours came out and saw me standing in the empty lobby with broken glass and wine all around me. The witnesses had fled, so I had a plethora of explaining to do and no exact knowledge on the situation. Sometimes I still wonder what really happened that day, but all I can say for sure now is that yes, the vacation did change my life.