“Slowing Down Time”
Vall del Madriu, Escaldes-Engordany
Solo hikes call for a self-timer picture!
May 3rd to May 7th, 2021
Tuesday
Time flies. How to slow down time? I heard recently the only way to do so is to step out of your routine, try something new, do something different.
It’s easy to save exploring for the weekends when you work during the week, but as I am more acutely aware of how my time is flying by in Andorra, I took advantage of the sunny Tuesday to do a hike on my own.
After my day in school, where I assisted in English classes and led my own conversation tables, I went home to change before heading off on the journey. I took a ten minute bus ride up into Escaldes, and from there I was so glad I found a path. But alas the success was short lived when soon I had to climb up a winding mountainous road with sidewalks! After about 15 minutes of this I found it: the Vall del Madriu.
There are many natural parks in Andorra, however, unbeknownst to me at the time, Vall del Madriu is actually the only one recognized by UNESCO. Not only is it of exquisite natural splendor, but it also has ruins of ancient farming villages.
After about an hour of hiking by the river and falls surrounded by mountains, I made it to Entremesaigues, a tiny rural abandoned village. It was so isolated I wonder why people would live there; probably to raise Cattle.
On the way back down, I took a different path that was much more foresty and green. I also discovered I could have come up in a way that avoided having to walk dangerously on the road. It was so lovely to be able to explore this spectacular natural heritage site that is so close to where I live.
Thursday
I also took advantage of my Thursday afternoon. I had a great day in school where I led a Kahoot and had an excellent group at my conversation table. To kill time between finishing at school and volunteering at the Red Cross, I walked from school. I’ve done this route a few times before and it never ceases to amaze me how beautiful it can be around the school with the mountains, the cobblestone paths, the pastures and the old stone buildings. I am definitely going to miss the commute and being surrounded by beautiful and old things when I return to the States.
Coffee with a view
When I came to the little courtyard across from Iglesia de Santa Coloma, a beautiful Romanesque church with a mountainous backdrop, I noticed there were some tables out and it would be the perfect place to stop for some lunch. I realized I didn’t have much time and only got a coffee and Tiramisu but I noted that I would definitely have to come back with friends or even my coteachers to get paella on a nice day.
View from my school. It looks much different in the Spring!
I love enjoying the little things and it’s crazy that I can have such a beautiful and enjoyable afternoon after being at work. The sunny weather certainly makes everything so much better!
Friday
On Friday, I planned to hike Les Pardines path to Engolasters Lake. However, after a mishap with the bus app, I ended up in the center of Encamp.
Encamp turned out to be the perfect place for a walk. I meandered the cute winding streets of the center town, and then walked up one side of Encamp’s valley. Then, I went towards the river where I saw a farm with dozens of baby goats and farm animals. I enjoyed a snack by the rushing river, heading back towards the center on the river walk.
Encamp
I found the “Cami Blau” or Blue Trail. As I was headed up, I encountered a group of my students! They seemed quite shocked to see me this far from the school on a Friday afternoon.
I made it up quite a ways to enjoy a precious view of Encamp’s valley. Springtime in Andorra is quite breathtaking and photogenic now that it’s mountainous hillscape is covered in greenery!
Not a bad way to get some steps and some sun in on a Friday afternoon.
