Andorra Highlands

April 13, 2018

Journal

Andorra is the 16th smallest country in the World – so small it’s often overlooked as a travel destination. So needles to say we were quite amped to discover what these highlands in the Pyrenees had in store for us.

With it’s roughly 77,000 citizens Andorra is a perfect place for people with tendencies towards crowd-fobia. It’s capital, Andorra la Vella, is the highest located capital in Europe at 1023 meters above sea. Perfect for our basecamp, with many accessible day hikes.

This day, our first, we set out without knowing where we would end up. A recipe for thrill and suspense we’re very fond of. Nowadays we have so much technology serving information that the magic of the unknown has in some way faded from our experience. Not knowing what you’ll discover builds excitement with every step – ‘what’s around that corner?’ or ‘what hides behind that hill?’ – are questions filled with energy helping you keep your pace.

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”

So happily we pointed our noses towards the unknown and put one foot in front of the other. The weather shifting it’s appearance with the landscape. Luckily we had versatile jackets keeping us sheltered from the transitory winds and light showers. After a couple hours we reached a basin, laying cooly between the rocky surroundings. Shadows dancing with the ripples on it’s surface.

We sat and took in the view a moment before concluding that we we’re happy with this discovery and decided to call it a day. Shuffling back on the rocky path down to the valley and the city below, we loudly started to fantasise about the the national dish ‘Escudella’, a hearty stew from broth with pasta, vegetables and a variety of local meats. Traditionally made with whatever is available the authentic recipe usually serves a delicate mix of white and black butifarra (sausage), chicken, veal, homemade meatballs, pigs’ ears, snouts, and trotters. Salivating like dogs we howled and laughed at the splendidness of life.

spring

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”

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