If I'd known what was coming, I probably wouldn't have done it

Gaining experiences and facing new challenges

I first came up with the idea of spending 4 weeks in Spain while watching “Michael Portillo in Andalucia” last summer. I could only see my accommodation in a beautiful, white-walled village, perched on the hillside with amazing views and blue sky, soaking up the culture, food and flamenco music. I had last been to Andalucia over 30 years ago, and I’d forgotten how much I loved the area. I couldn’t bear the thought of another prolonged grey, damp, cold winter in England.

In preparation, I started learning Spanish on Duolingo and listening to Paul Nobel on Audible. I wanted to try out the work/travel combination. My excitement was building as my departure date drew nearer.

The reality, though, was very different. 

It wasn’t the relaxing, warm, exciting adventure I had envisioned. It did, however, turn out to be insightful, empowering, and confidence-building.

I found myself facing challenges alone.

• Nobody spoke English, so I had to use what little Spanish I knew.

• Not venturing out of the apartment for 24 hours due to heavy rain, with only a couple of books and my laptop for company, I was forced to spend more time with my own thoughts.

• Going straight into city traffic with a manual rental car late at night.

• Everything shut down between 2pm and 6pm. Places became dead.

• The lack of variety of food.

• Spending the evening with no TV as it was all in Spanish!

However, there were huge benefits.

• I got to try out my Spanish.

• I saw far more of the culture and the Spanish way of living.

• I had experiences that would never have happened if I had been travelling with another person.

• I was able to examine my life back in the UK from the outside in and see a different perspective.

• I was forced to adapt and adopt new habits due to the different lifestyle in Spain.

• I came back to the UK feeling more energised, confident, positive and relaxed. My business started to thrive. I had far more insight into the Spanish culture than one week would have given me.

Would I do it again?

Yes! Travelling offers more than meets the eye and I am already planning another 4-week trip for next year.