Mastering Travel and Tourism

The past six months have been filled with an insane amount of writing. Ironically, none of it was for the blog.  I kept quiet about it, but in early 2015, I dedicated time and resources to a cause that I felt would help me to achieve a longtime goal of living in Spain. In the end, it simply didn't work out. The disappointment was devastating and left me feeling wounded.  Eight months passed before I was finally able to overcome my fear of trying again.  It was at that point that I began to ask myself what it was that I was most passionate about.  Travel and tourism.

Midtown Atlanta

For many years, I'd felt the desire to return to school and pursue an advanced degree.  Unsure of the course of study, I threw off despair and attended graduate school fairs and networked my way into information sessions.  With every handshake, the conversation would always shift to travel. Then came the handshake that would change the course of my life.  It was an admissions representative from a university with a tourism administration program.  I was floored when he revealed that the things I loved: travel, tourism, hotels, and events such as music festivals, all fell under the umbrella of hospitality. In the end, I chose not to apply because the program would have required me to relocate to a city that I wasn't thrilled about residing in. But never will I forget the guidance he provided. Soon after, opportunity arrived in the form of a highly ranked hospitality program at a renowned research university in Atlanta. And after dedicating months to the rigorous application process, I officially became a 2017 candidate for a Master of Global Hospitality Management.

Buckhead District

I'm proud to say that I'm well into my first semester and thriving.  It feels amazing to pursue my master's in a city that is often referred to as the hub of tourism in the southeastern United States. Through this experience, I've learned that life isn't meant to be one dimensional.  I'm a solo traveling corporate girl by day and college kid by night. Other than dedicating all of my spare time to reading, writing and researching, not much has changed.  I still travel, only now it's through the pages of hospitality and tourism textbooks. Reading case studies on my favorite hotel groups, presenting on the Cruise Industry and acing a midterm project on France have definitely helped to keep my mind off of the fact that I haven't been on an airplane in months.  It's not easy.  But, this experience has taught me that in order to possess a lifetime of travel, I have to temporarily set aside my desire to travel.  ♥︎

Three Reasons People Are Afraid to Travel Solo

I remember the day I boarded my first international flight.  I was a nervous wreck headed to the capital of Catalonia on my own.  Adding angst was that fact that I was alone.  In a futile attempt to calm my nerves, I arrived at the airport four hours prior to departure.  Having waited nine years to realize my dream of studying in Spain, turning back wasn't an option.
  

Flag of Spain

The story ends well. Spain reignited my passion for art, history and travel. Ultimately becoming the foundation for this blog.  As a solo travel warrior, I often meet people who wish they could do the same. When asked what keeps them from traveling alone, they begin to rattle off reasons why they're afraid to travel solo.   

"I'm afraid of not having someone to talk to."

When it comes to solo travel fears, I've heard them all.  But, this one holds the top spot on the solo travel fear list.  What surprises me the most is that it always comes from a seemingly outgoing person. The type of person who enters a room and by the time they leave, everyone knows their name.  It boggles my mind that this person lacks the self confidence to travel solo.  It's almost as if they don't trust themselves to meet people while traveling.  An effective way to test the solo travel waters and ensure tons of enlightening conversation is with a volunteer vacation.  I've experienced two amazing volunteer vacations; as a Hurricane Disaster Relief Agent here in the States and as an English Language Assistant in Spain.  With both, my days were filled to the brim with amazing encounters, all the while feeling as though I'd made an impact on someone's life. One might find it hard to believe that I'm extremely reserved and have to work at being outgoing.  If I can step off an airplane not knowing a soul and walk away with lifelong friends, anyone can.

Volunteering as an English Language Assistant in La Alberca

"I'm afraid of feeling lonely."

Loneliness is a part of life.  Nothing changes your perspective on loneliness like being in a room full of familiar faces and still feeling alone.  Better to be lonely walking along the Champs Elysées than posted up at a club full of frisky men who keep "accidentally" brushing up against you.  There is, however, a cure for loneliness while traveling. It's called a bike tour, food tour, or walking tour. Tours are a simple, yet entertaining way to meet others. I prefer walking tours because they tend to be less expensive and often times have a "pay what you feel" rate. Whatever your vice, there is a tour that caters to it.  Go ahead...book a tour, or two or three.

Free walking tour in Madrid

"I'm afraid of what people will think."

I've met countless people who go solo, but don't want others know.  Whether it's a concert in the park or dinner at their favorite restaurant, they are no strangers to going at it alone. Sadly, they're ashamed of their own tenacity.  Caring more about what others think than their own happiness.  Let's face it. We live in a society of labels.  Not the kind stitched inside the garments of your favorite designer.  But those unwarranted labels that we place on others because it makes us feel comfortable with unfulfilled areas of our own lives.  People love to label solo travelers. As you embark on your solo travels, you will experience labeling and name calling.  I've been called crazy, different, and independent. Over the years, I've learned to let these labels cascade down my shoulders as if they were a new silk pashmina scarf.  I refuse to allow anyone to make me feel ashamed for having the audacity to travel solo. For I know that beneath the surface of all the name calling is an individual secretly wishing they had an ounce of the courage that I do.

Standing tall at Los Cuatro Postes in Ávila.

Do any of these fears ring true for you?  If so, I'd love to hear from you.  

Tapas Tour | Mercado de San Miguel

We arrived one by one at the meeting point, Puerta del Sol.  Four friends and I. The night was young. The plan was simple.  Head to dinner at one of the hundreds of fabulous restaurants in the La Latina neighborhood on Calle Cava Baja.  In need of spirits, one of our own suggests that we stop for a pre-dinner drink at this cool market along the way.  Three hours later, we were still there.

Immediately upon entering Mercado de San Miguel, we order a bottle of Rioja wine from a vendor.  After the customary toast, we began to browse the market. Somehow, calling it a market seems grossly inadequate.

It was packed.  I mean, really packed!  My first thought was "I can't believe I've been in Madrid for six days and this is my first time here."

And no wonder.  Everywhere you turned there were fresh, unbelievably mouthwatering tapas.  Many of which were only one euro.  I made a beeline for the smoked salmon. Initially, I was a bit apprehensive.  Coming from the states, often times inexpensive equals low quality.  So was not the case at Mercado de San Miguel.

Stuffed with the freshest of lox, we came upon a stand selling what I thought were desserts.  I quickly learned that it was actually burrata, a soft Italian cheese consisting of mozzarella and cream, giving it the appearance of whipped cream. The cheese lover in me danced after one spoonful of burrata.

Then, there were the olives.  Huge olives served in a million ways.  I still think about the olives to this day.

Just as we finished the bottle of Rioja, we come across a vendor serving sangrias. Up until this point, I hadn't encountered many restaurants or bars promoting what's considered to be the typical Spanish drink.  Having been in Spain for two weeks, this would be my first sangria in Madrid.  Time for toast number two.

Refusing to end the night without dessert, we trolled the market for churros y chocolate. What a warm, rich way to end the evening.  On three...ready, set, dip!

In case you were wondering, we never made it Calle Cava Baja that night.  And guess what?  We didn't regret it one bit!  If you plan on visiting Madrid, Mercado de San Miguel should be at the top of your to do list.  Be forewarned, this is only a small sampling of what you'll find.  There were numerous vendors serving artisan breads, cheeses, empanadas, paella, pizzas, and fresh seafood. Don't expect to be able get a taste of all the offerings in one visit.  The selection is so vast that you'll have to go back time and time again.  ¡Buen Provecho!

Paris | The Layover

“Señora, hay una huelga.” 

My heart sank as I eavesdropped on the conversation between the woman in front of me and the Air France agent.  This was like a recurring bad dream.  I’d become all too familiar with the word "huelga" due to my time spent in Barcelona.  Unfortunately, it was back to haunt me. 

Huelga is Spanish for strike.  As luck would have it, The French Air Traffic Control was in the midst of an industrial dispute.  In a nutshell, my flight departing Madrid Barajas Airport would not be arriving in Paris at noon as originally scheduled.  It was delayed two hours.  In any other circumstance, two hours would be considered minor.  Except for one thing…I was only in Paris for 23 hours. 

A strike meant that every hour spent in Madrid was an hour less to be spent in Paris.  I mentally did the calculations.  By the time I claim my baggage, take the train into the city, check into my hotel, and grab a bite to eat, I would have three daylight hours left.  This is how the day unfolded…

I checked into Hotel Excelsior, a fabulous boutique hotel located in the 5^th Arrondissement.  I didn't know it at the time, but the bed would be Heaven sent at the end of the night.  I dropped my bags off and refueled at a café along the way. 

The hotel was in a prime location in The Latin Quarter, less than a block away from Luxembourg Garden.  

A few blocks away from Luxembourg was The Pantheón.  I wasn’t pressed to go inside, so I settled for a photo of the outside and continued to wander. 

It was time to head to the Eiffel Tower.  I took the wrong train.  Twice.  Having just mastered the Madrid metro system, this was a blow to my traveler ego.  Not only that, I’d lost valuable daylight hours.  It was now dark.  I would have to break my solo travel rule of never wandering alone at night.   Forty-five minutes later, I arrived at Tour Eiffel.  She was everything I expected her to be and more.

From there, I crossed the River Seine, headed north on Avenue George V and turned left onto Champs Élyseés in search of the main reason I came to Paris.  

As a lover of monuments and triumphal arches, seeing the Arc de Triomphe definitely made all the agitation, irritation, and frustration worth it.  

Would I do it again?  Absolutely!  I wouldn't change my decision for the world. But, would I recommend short layovers for first time visitors to Paris?  Nope! Learn from my adventure. Give yourself at least two days in Paris on your first visit.  That way, when you encounter things like strikes, out of date maps, and metro stations that close early, you'll always have tomorrow.  

Have you experienced Paris in a day?  If so, I'd love to hear from you!   

Study Abroad: Inside La Escuela don Quijote

Let's take a tour!

Located in the L'Eixample neighborhood on Carrer Mallorca, don Quijote is in a very unassuming building.  It's easy to pass by if you're in a hurry.  The school has multiple levels with an abundance of modern classrooms, lounge areas, and a computer lab.  The first thing you’ll notice about don Quijote…it's pristine!  

 

School Entrance on Carrer Mallorca

New students begin class on Monday and are required to take a written and oral placement exam on the first day.  After exams, you learn whether your classes are from 9am – 1pm or 3pm – 7pm. Placement levels range from A1 (Beginner) to C2 (Fluent).  I’ll never forget the oral exam administrator asking me (In Spanish) “Why are you here?  You speak so well.”  It was a valid question.  But, the reality was, I was losing my Spanish.  I rarely spoke Spanish back home in Atlanta.  An hour later, I was placed in level B2 (Advanced) classes.  Not bad for a girl who rarely used her Spanish and had been out of college for nine years.  I’d been praying to the grammar gods for morning classes and my prayers were answered.  As an added bonus, complimentary culture classes were offered from 1 – 2pm.  The teachers and administrators at don Quijote understood the importance of balancing class work with culture and the history of Barcelona.  I can honestly say that my teachers were the best in the world!  You know who you are!

Lounge Area

The school partners with an incredible tour company, Insolit Tours.  Each week, a schedule is posted of the daily tours.  Every tour begins at an easily accessible metro station and is led by an experienced guide for a nominal fee.  I was so pleased with the company that I went on four of it's tours:  La Sagrada Familia, Parc Güell, Palau Reial, and Tibidabo.    

Weekly Tour Schedule

During my time at don Quijote, I met the most diverse group of amazing individuals from Brazil, Germany, Hungary, Russia, Switzerland, and the United States.  Many of whom were traveling solo just like me.  Although we live in different corners of the world, many of us remain in contact today.   

 

Classmates

The school had four housing options:  apartment (single or shared), dormitory, home stay, and hotel.  I decided against a home stay because they come with house rules no matter your age.  A few of the apartments didn’t have a/c.   Dormitories....um....no thanks!  So, Hotel dQ it was!  The hotel is located on Gran Via de las Corts Catalanes, a main thoroughfare close to Passeig de Gracia, a major shopping district.  Students could also select a meal plan option of two or three meals a day at a variety of restaurants in the neighborhood.  The hotel came with all the creature comforts one would need EXCEPT for close proximity to the school.  The walk to school everyday was 18 blocks each way.  Sacrifice was the name of the game.

    

Hotel dQ is now Hotel Indigo

My Room

My Bath

View of the pool and terrace from my balcony

When I compare my study abroad experience to those of my friends who studied abroad before graduation, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world!  I'm confident that every trip to Barcelona hereafter will include a reunion visit to don Quijote!