My Year of Travel
Week 38: Every Friday, receive weekly updates on my travel adventures!
My Year of Travel Newsletter
Join me on my third year of traveling full-time as I pivot from my two years of sailing into a career in writing.
September 20th, 2024
Hello, Fellow Travelers, and Happy Friday,
I hope you all are having a wonderful week!
Last week, we left Germany to attend a conference in Andorra. As Andorra doesn't have an airport, we spent the night in Barcelona. Then, on Thursday, we drove to Soldeu, a village and ski resort in the Pyrenees mountains.
We took the scenic route and stopped in a few towns along the way.
It was my first time in Andorra, and I loved the mountain views. We stayed at the Sport Hotel Hermitage & Spa, known for its fantastic spa and beside the slopes.
But, for privacy reasons, you cannot take any photos in the spa. I learned this after taking this photo and was asked not to take it anymore by one of the staff.
While I understand the reason, it is hard to resist. The facilities are beautiful and picturesque, and the lighting and mountain views are incredible.
So, I spent my weekend writing and enjoying the spa.
After the conference, we headed back to Barcelona to hang out for a few days before our flight back to the States.
It has been twelve years since my first visit to Barcelona, and I was so excited to be back.
I first visited Barcelona during spring break, the semester I studied abroad in Italy. I didn't know much about the city then, but Barcelona is a place you can't help but fall in love with.
We rented an Airbnb next to Sagrada Familia, and I didn't want to leave.
It is impossible not to be in awe of the church—a structure they have worked on for over 135 years. Antoni Gaudí, the project architect, lived only to see the completion of the bell tower. But next year, his dream will finally be complete.
In Spanish fashion, we had many late nights as we met with some of my partner's friends who live in the city for dinner. At one of these dinner dates, I was surprised to meet the woman whose studio does the lighting for Sagrada Familia. My "shiny life syndrome" appeared, and I was jealous of her job. Until she confessed that while it was fulfilling work, she envied my ability to travel.
My photo of Sagrada Familia doesn't do the structure justice; it is meant to be observed in person. I also spent more time staring at the church than trying to take a great photo.
Even though we were only in Barcelona for four days, I am grateful we were there. My partner and I loved it so much that we discussed spending more time in the city. Though we are still determining when we can do that, I look forward to the opportunity. I would love to take a few art classes while we are there.
But for now, we are back in the States and going to Vancouver to join our cruise to Japan!
It will be my second year visiting Japan, and I can't wait to see what's in store for us.
Thank you for reading!
Tell me, Substack Reader, what travel plans are you working on? Comment below!
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I hope I have inspired you to pursue your dreams and that you will stick around to see how my journey turns out!
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