vale.
Vale has many different meanings in Spanish. In Spain, it means OK. It can also be translated into worth, something of value. It can also mean coupon, voucher, or token. It just depends on the context, the tone, and the country you are in. For context of this blog. I will be referring to the meaning of VALUE. The quality time I spent in Spain was so valuable. More specifically…the time spent with my beautiful mother.
The moment I told my mother about my plans to go to Spain, she expressed her desire to join me. Before I left, we booked her flight, arranged our Airbnb stays, and planned a trip together to coincide with the end of my Camino journey. It would work out perfectly to coordinate her bringing me some important items (ex: laptop and cute clothes) and to build in some relaxation after more than a month of constant movement.
finished walking.
I took a bus from Muxia, a small coastal town on the northwest corner of Spain where I finished my 39th day of walking, back to Santiago de Compostela to catch an afternoon train to Madrid. I had a few days prior to my mother’s arrival to explore and DO NOTHING. It was a strange feeling not having to wake up at 6am to start walking. But of course, Madrid is a huge city, so trust me when I say, I still did plenty of walking.
My legs and body were confused. They were restless – if I wasn’t walking 10+ miles a day, I was doing something wrong. So, each day I walked. I walked to the different neighborhoods, I walked through different shopping centers and crowded streets, I walked through the parks. I walked to the salon to get a pedicure and massage. I walked to Starbucks (don’t judge me). I walked to meet an old PepsiCo coworker, Erin, who moved to Madrid years ago and catch up on each other’s lives from the past decade. I walked to pass the time. I just walked.
One of the most memorable experiences I had in Madrid was attending a Real Madrid game. For my American friends, this is a historically good and popular soccer team. In Latin America, we call this sport futbol – confusing I know. An Australian friend I met on the Camino mentioned he’d be in Madrid at the same time and wanted to catch a match. I eagerly jumped at the idea, and we bought tickets – though not in the same section. Having attended hundreds of sporting events before, I didn’t think this would be a problem – but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
First of all, the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, is massive – seating an impressive 83,000 people. Entry is strictly regulated, with guards ensuring you enter through your assigned gate and proceed directly to your seat. Once seated, you’re expected to remain there unless heading to the restroom or grabbing a snack. What stood out to me the most, however, was the absence of alcohol. That’s right – a sports venue without alcohol. As it turns out, this policy was introduced in 1992 to comply with Spanish law, aimed at ensuring safety and order during football matches.
I entered through my designated gate, as did my friend, and we headed straight to our seats while staying in touch to figure out a way to meet up inside the stadium. However, the guards were incredibly strict about enforcing the rules. The only way for my friend to reach me was to navigate through hundreds of people directly via the rows of seats, as access through the regular entrances required showing your assigned ticket. Despite the challenge, he managed to make his way to my section after saying ‘excuse me’ countless times. We enjoyed the second half of the match together. It was truly an unforgettable experience. Real Madrid won, and in true Spanish fashion we celebrated the victory into the early hours of the morning.
madre.
After a few days in Madrid alone, it was time for my mother to join me!! We had 10 days together, five in Madrid and five in Valencia. I met her at the airport in the early morning to ease her anxiety of flying solo. We made it to our Airbnb in the early afternoon. We were two blocks from Plaza Mayor near all the action. We had a sizable kitchen to cook several meals a day. We each had our own bed. We were set up for success.
What neither of us knew was that the week we were there was during the Hispanidad Festival, also known as Día de la Hispanidad or Fiesta Nacional de España. Wikipedia tells me this is Spain’s National Day celebrated annually on October 12. It commemorates Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas in 1492, symbolizing Spain’s historical and cultural ties with Hispanic countries worldwide. Because of this, the city was packed with tourists – more than usual – with people from all over to enjoy the festivities.
Throughout the city, large stages were set up in plazas, hosting a rotating lineup of artists, musicians, dancers, and unique performers from early afternoon until late evening. My mother and I enjoyed a lively dance performance, a Reggaeton DJ set (my mom lasted about 20 minutes), and a few local musicians. On the final night of the celebratory week, a spectacular fireworks show lit up the sky outside of the beautiful Palacio de Cibeles. I walked over to watch it after tucking my mom into bed.
Each morning, after cooking a savory breakfast, our favorite joint activity was finding a local park, strolling through it until we found a grassy area for me to do yoga with a nearby bench for Betty to read. Retiro Park, which reminds me of Central Park in NYC – one of my favorite places in the US – was beautiful. We spent an afternoon strolling around the magnificent Prado Museum. We did a historical walking tour of the city. We watched the sunset on the hill near the Temple of Debod. We watched a spectacular and traditional Flamenco show at Tablao Flamenco. We ate our way through the local mercados of San Miguel and Anton Martin on a food tour. We ate delicious tortilla de patatas (my fav) and paella and tried the famous churros from the Chocolateria of San Gines. In just five days in Madrid, we managed to pack in an incredible amount. The city is vibrant, diverse, and brimming with endless activities. Known for its vibrant cultural and lively nightlife (this part is optional), Madrid truly offers something for everyone. It’s a destination well worth visiting! I am so glad I got to experience it with my mother.
coastal spain.
Valencia, our next destination, is a breathtaking city on Spain’s eastern coast. Known for its historic architecture, long white sandy beaches, and the birthplace of paella, it serves as the capital of the Valencian Community and home to nearly one million residents. With a growing influx of visitors each year, the city continues to captivate travelers worldwide, my mother and I included!
After a three-hour train journey, we arrived and dropped our things at our Airbnb before heading out to enjoy the beautiful day. Valencia’s charm is quickly apparent in its pedestrian-only streets, where every turn reveals a piece of cultural history. From majestic cathedrals and vibrant graffiti-filled alleys to scenic walking paths and parks encircling the historic part of town to bustling indoor and outdoor markets, the city offers endless exploration.
We spent the mornings in various parks (Jardin de Real and Jardin del Turia), visited La Llotja de la Seda museum, did a free walking tour to learn more about the evolution of the city , explored different neighborhoods of Ruzafa, Carmen, and EL Cabanyal, spent an afternoon at the Science Museum with its iconic architecture, and I took a solo trip to Playa de la Patacona – the closest beach accessible by a 45 minute bus – for a little sun and relaxation. We covered a lot of ground in five short days, but it was the perfect amount of time to explore the city.
On our last full day in Spain together, we made the journey to the National Park of Albufera and the small fishing village of El Saler on the southern fringes of Valencia surrounded by nature, beach, and a large freshwater lake. It took about an hour and a half to get there with a scarce bus schedule – meaning timing is everything. After a walk through the park, we ended up at the beach. I did yoga while Betty read, and we both enjoyed the sun on our skin and wind in our hair.
We ended our day in the small village town of Saler, or the birthplace of the infamous Paella. The word paella comes from the Old Valencian word for “pan,” referring to the wide, shallow dish used to cook the meal. It is also thought to have roots in the Latin word patella, meaning a flat plate. Paella was originally a humble, rural dish prepared by farmers and laborers in the fields of Valencia. It was a way to use local ingredients, including rice, vegetables, and whatever protein was available, such as rabbit, chicken, or snails. So naturally we had to try the traditional dish and it did not disappoint. We got both a seafood version as well as the original rabbit and chicken version. Both were incredible and we had leftovers to take home.
Luckily, we were in Valencia a few weeks before the floods and rain started on October 29th. Our experience would have been very different and plans likely would have changed. My heart goes out to those dealing with the aftermath of the natural disaster in that area.
sappy.
After a week and a half, the time had come to say goodbye. Our time together was perfect. We didn’t try to do too much. We didn’t do EVERYTHING together – we both need our alone time. We didn’t argue – too much. We didn’t have any travel issues – no added stress. We didn’t go hungry – that’s for sure! We didn’t get sick of each other. And we definitely didn’t sleep in – I bet you can guess whose fault that is. We also didn’t take too many photos, but the ones we did can be found in the gallery: https://thejenessentials.com/gallery/.
We did, however, eat delicious food. We did many various activities. We did lots of walking. We enjoyed each other’s company. We explored cities neither of us had been to before. We had a wonderful time together. This is our second international trip together (just my mom and I) and I know it will not be our last. I am so proud of my mother for getting out of her comfort zone and flying to Europe alone, trying new foods, walking more than she is used to, and being so generous with her time and money. I hope when I am her age, I am still exploring the world one city at a time.
the betty essentials for madrid and valencia.
In this edition of the jen essentials, I would like to highlight Betty’s travel essentials. I am sure you are sick of reading yoga mat on these lists so I will give you a break this time around. I asked my mom what 10 items were necessary to enjoy her first trip to Spain. Here are her responses:
- iPhone (for photos and to facetime my family back home)
- List of places to visit (my homework before the trip was to write a list of all the things I wanted to see in Madrid and Valencia so we could incorporate those into our plans)
- Journal (to keep track of our budget and daily activities as well as prayer requests)
- Groceries (I loved cooking in the apartment and eating out once a day)
- Earplugs and facemask (for sleeping more comfortably)
- Bible and books (to read during downtime)
- Good walking shoes (Jen let me wear her old Hokas and they were very comfortable!)
- Faith church podcasts (My church in Indy has a series called Faith Stories that record member’s inspirational and interesting testimonies)
- Energy followed by an afternoon nap (to keep up with Jen and her daily walking routine)
- A fabulous companion, translator, and tour guide (JEN!)
wrap it up jen.
When my mother is not visiting me somewhere around the world, we stay connected. She would face time every day if she could, but my travel schedule does not allow for that. We typically chat about every three days. She also has access, as does the rest of my family, to my very detailed spreadsheet of my travels so she knows where I am and where I am staying at all times. Which gives her peace of mind and is a good safety practice.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have the mother I do. While she doesn’t fully understand my nomadic lifestyle, she wholeheartedly supports it. I know I can cause her some anxiety – like when I casually message that I’ll be off the grid for three days on a jungle tour or hippie town without electricity – but I also know she’s ALWAYS praying for my peace and safety.
Her support goes beyond words; she’s even visited me twice in far corners of the world (Israel and now Spain). Traveling with her is a gift. She’s easygoing, adaptable, and a joy to explore with. I, on the other hand, can be a bit more difficult. Whether I’m spicy, hangry, or being particular about something (which happens often), she meets me with patience and grace. Betty’s ability to go with the flow and embrace all my moods is a truly beautiful thing, and I’m forever grateful for her.
Spending time with my MADRE in Madrid and Valencia, was memorable and added great VALUE to my experience there. Our relationship dynamic has changed over the years for the better and remains full of pure love and appreciation. My mother has become more courageous in this stage of her life. She is single, she is beautiful, she is independent, and she is ready for whatever challenge comes her way next. I guess I know where I get my adventurous spirit from. And for that I am forever grateful.
Up next: Canary Islands for beach, hikes, and what else – YOGA.
Until next time,
Jennifer