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



Gaining experiences and facing new challenges
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. 


 
 
 

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