Ski Trip Andorrrrrrra!

I had been yearning for one of those moments when you sit peacefully as the snow flakes fall, gazing over the mountains in the distance, with warmth and a loved one nearby.  As destiny would have it, my loved one has friends with a home near Andorra whom kindly invited us for a weekend to go skiing between Christmas and New Year's Eve.  Yeah!

In case you don't know (I didn't), Andorra is a small country between Spain and France high in the Pyrenees mountains (marking the 20th country I have visited).  It is about a two and a half hour drive from Barcelona, where we began and ended this getaway.  After the flight in, we grabbed our little van and some friends and began the trek North. 

I haven't skied much in my life.  I've gone on a couple trips in Wisconsin, but that is a bit like saying you have experience in Formula One racing by riding go karts once.  Nonetheless, I was game (especially since this got me the serene moments I longed for ... albeit in between bouts of life-threatening panic and aching body parts).

We rose early in the morning to drive to the resort high, high up in the mountains, crossing the border into Andorra.  The first day was bright with blue, blue skies and warm temperatures.  Glorious!  The first run I attempted was way out of my league and I spent more time on my bum or "snowplowing" as slowly as possible to get me to the bottom.  Ugh.  Considered giving up.

After examining the map and identifying some blue hills to try, I was back in action and built my confidence over the course of the two days on the mountain.  I slowly identified what I was doing wrong, made some attempts at slopes that had leg-breaking potential, and ultimately felt like I made great progress.  As I took my breaks on the long runs gradually down the hill, the sights were breath-taking, and thanks to a nice gift from Nielsen we had a video camera to capture some of the action.

 

Of course you are exhausted after skiing all day, so we spent quiet evenings in the nearby small communities.  Of particular excitement, we went for a late dinner at a nearby farmhouse that sourced most of their food from their property.  There was warm chicken soup, Spanish cured meats and chesses, the customary pan con tomate, and I had roasted chicken to die for.  So good ... now get me out of these ski clothes and to bed!

 

On day four, we had breakfast overlooking the mountains, drove back along the cliffs and rolling hills to Barcelona, and spent one more night outside the city in front of a warm fire in the fireplace after a wander around the small town of El Vendrell.  The ocean side drive to the airport was icing on the cake.  Sooo good.  What an end to 2013!

 

SLIDESHOW!

 

Christkindlmarkt, Vienna

Unfortunately I wasn't able to get this posted in 2013, as I only had 12 blog posts throughout the entire year and hadn't posted anything since July, and this would have boosted my total.  I am back at blogging again and hope to keep up documenting my travels and thoughts in 2014.

Rathausplatz ... the main market

It is true that my personal travel slowed to a halt for the second half of last year, partially because business travel was constant and partially because a particular someone has made me want to be home in London more often.  I kept up with what wonderful food I cooked, shopped for, and ate in real time on Facebook and Instagram.

I had a gloriously long, calm year end break.  Christmas in the middle of the week actually works out quite well, giving you two weeks off for the holidays.  Having celebrated in the US a bit early this year, I had some time on my own to revel in the Christmas spirit in Europe.

One afternoon while searching for the best Christmas markets in England, I kept coming across sites ranking those in Europe - the pictures of Vienna are simply magical, often ranked as the #1 destination.  Since I've moved to this side of the pond Vienna has been my dream Christmas market trip, and well I ended up Googling tickets and booked impromptu for that weekend.  Why not!?

Have to have some mulled wine!

I flew in the Sunday afternoon before Christmas and left Monday evening - 24 hours to cover as much of Vienna as possible!  Cute little chalets all lined up inside the city's squares selling glittering bobbles, intricately decorated gingerbread cookies, jewelry, and beeswax candles.  Smiling, smiling, smiling in the crisp air.

And of course the fooooood ... Austria is known for their local versions of "speck" ham and tangy, melt-worthy cheeses.  The pretzels were bigger than your head and laced with any sweet or savoury one could desire.  I popped warm roasted chestnuts in my mouth as I cheerfully walked up and down the lanes.  After resting the feet and back with a chilled glass of local Riesling, I relaxed in one of the best wiener schnitzel houses in Vienna for dinner (it is the national dish!).  With a side of warm potato salad you can't go wrong!

Early to bed, and early to rise to spend a full day first visiting the glorious food market a few metro stops away (feeling proud conquering yet another city's public transport system!) followed by more Christmas-y goodness.  LOVED this market (currently ranked #3 after Barcelona and London on Sarah's list).  Frazzled shoppers queued for fresh fish, cheese, and produce in anticipation of making Christmas dinner.  It was the day before Christmas Eve and the energy was invigorating ... no matter where you live, the holidays bring a shopping frenzy!


Visiting some of the local wine shops it dawned on me that Riedel glass is Austrian (that is a link to some pics). They are some of the best wine glasses on the market, and have price tags to go along with the reputation.  However, being here in Austria (and with holiday sales!) they were less than half the price they are in London and I just couldn't contain myself!  Six large, beautiful, bulbous red wine vessels were in my shopping bags before I knew it!  Wait ... how am I going to get these on the plane?  Ahh, where there is a will there is a way.  Made it home.  What a splendid trip.  SLIDESHOW!