¡España! We could learn a thing or two

When I was in high school, I went with a dozen classmates to Gijon, Spain and we each stayed with a different family. I had never been out of the country before. As the plane flew over Spain, I watched awestruck, I was about to land in a new country! My appreciation for the opportunity was immense. When I met my Spanish family, they immediately made me a part of their family. They wanted me to experience their country and their province on a deeply personal level. They loved teaching me about their culture. My time in Spain with that family was a pivotal moment for me. A reminder that the right people at the right time can make an experience exceptional.

"Travel is not a reward for working, it's education for living" Anthony Bourdain

When my kids were in 5th and 2nd grade, my husband and I took them to Gijon to visit the family I stayed with back in high school. Not surprisingly, their kids were wonderful and immediately pulled my kids in and took care of them. They created that same a sense of belonging for them and the opportunity to experience Spain from a local perspective.

Last week, my daughter Gabrielle joined my husband Gideon and me to visit our family in Spain. Once again we were transported to a place of love and care. Our happiness and comfort was their top priority. Being with them reminded me of what matters in life. Connection, Belonging, Kindness, Conversation. We sat around the table with them multiple times eating delicious food, trying food that was a little out of our wheelhouse, and talking and talking and talking. There was no rush as we were eating–the restaurants brought the food out slowly, a little at a time to allow for time to enjoy food and conversation. There was no diet talk. We savored the food and the conversation. Spaniards have a lot figured out.

What I learned on this trip:

-Maintain important relationships in your life even if you can’t be together as much as you would like.

-Food is joy. Food is connection to a culture, to friends and family and to nourishing ourselves

-Learning a new language is a kindness. Their ability to speak English with us was nothing short of miraculous. Our attempt to speak back was so appreciated, I only wish I could have done a better job of it.

-Delight in what is the same and grow from what is different. We had a ton in common with our Spanish family which allowed the conversation to grow organically. And the differences we discovered opened our minds to something new.

-Jet lag is a hassle, but being in a different time zone shakes up the brain in a good way.

-Everyone travels differently- do what works for you.

What does travel mean to you?