MADRID, Spain– She sat reclining in a café chair, lazily sipping un batido de chocolate as she motioned me over for a long overdue conversation. For years people wondered where in the world was Carmen Sandiego, but she has nothing on North Penn’s Taylor Young.

Last semester in early September, Young, a current junior, was missing in action as the fifth exchange student to study abroad in Europe. By the time she got there, this small identity crisis foreshadowed yet another disappearance of our beloved Knight Crier staff member.

Devoted Knight Crier readers will recall a blog written by Young that was supposed to detail her experience abroad, but the posts have stopped mysteriously after October 2nd. Surely there had to be a story here, so fearing the worst but hoping for the best, I booked a flight to Madrid over Spring Break to begin my search for Young.

Much to my surprise, Kate’s Korner is the most-read student column in Spain, and my fifteen minutes of fame every Tuesday resulted in a stellar reception at the airport. With my Knight Crier pass wrapped dangerously around my neck after an eight hour flight in such a way that everyone else considered haphazardly journalistic, I was ushered through customs with cheers of “Vive la Korner.” But I knew I couldn’t rest on my newly discovered laurels, no. This journalist was on a mission of a different kind, one which would force the pope and reckless driving to the backburners.

The long flight allowed me to methodically plan my search, which consisted of calling “Marco” through the streets of Madrid, desperately hoping for a “Polo” that would shake windows and rattle rooftops. Unfortunately, after three hours of fruitless vocal exercises, I was terribly thirsty and still sans a journalist. My hand had been forced, and I stopped for a milkshake.

“Polo,” said a voice so quietly, confidently, that I dropped my milkshake out of respect. I knew I was in the presence of Taylor Young.

She pat the vacant chair next to her, patiently waiting until I organized my three voice recorders, two notebooks, color-coordinated pencils, and flagged down a waiter to balance my laptop. As a fellow journalist, she could recognize the importance of not wanting to miss anything crucial. Tears welled in her eyes at the familiarity of my set-up as she slowly began her story.

“I am delicious,” she began, “but my life is hard now. I don’t ski anymore because I’m slapped by my peers. I know they will laugh at how silly I’m being.”

The truth is, Taylor’s blog ended in October because by that point in time, she was completely immersed in her new life in Spain. So much so, that she forgot how to write in English and didn’t want to risk the judgment of her friends back in the States. Even our interview was entirely in Spanish, but the AP life has prepared me to translate her statements effectively.

“I miss the mail,” Young continued, gazing soulfully over the beach. “I didn’t know full comprehension would mean tickling plants, but regardless I would still do it every December if I had the chance. It’s all about the experience for me. I’ve forgotten so much already, and I can’t wait to tell my mother.”

In regards to her family life, Young wanted everyone to know she is perfectly safe and adores her host family. She said nothing, however, about missing Knight Crier, but it could’ve been lost in translation. Nobody is perfect.

“They keep the refrigerator in the bathroom,” she explained of her new routines. “But even without English, I can whisper to animals. My host family has encouraged new hobbies, and though I still write sometimes, I’ve taken up recreational swing dancing. It’s hard without feet, but they let me use my hands.”

It was clear that Young has assimilated seamlessly into Spanish culture and plans to take full advantage of any and every opportunity that comes her way. We had a teary goodbye, but she agreed to see me off on my jet ski.

“I promise to stay up late!” she called from the dock, waving. “And I’ll see all of you soon!”