Travel changes us in ways large and small. These stories explore how intentional planning, mindful traveling, and meaningful reflection can evolve a trip from a checklist into a transformational experience. Read more stories of mindful travel.
Planning Intentionally
When my amazing friend of 25 years, Tony, proposed a remote work trip to the Basque Country of Spain, my reply was: “When are we going?!” A year earlier I wasn’t thinking about international travel or I would’ve needed persuasion; now I wanted to be a propelling force to get there. Tony and I had worked together in Hawaii and had traveled elsewhere in the United States, so I knew it would be great social vibe and would fulfill visions of combining friendships and traveling (and going abroad minus the isolation—vital as it turned out below).
I could eat at Michelin-star restaurants for the first time. Combining that with tours, museums, and cheesecake would help me soak up Basque culture. Accomplishing these goals would create lasting memories and make positive impacts on my life, all while spending time with a longtime friend.
Traveling Mindfully
Three-Michelin-star restaurants were a big reason Tony zoomed in on this region. While my aversion to $500 meals means it’s unlikely to become my new lifestyle, I was totally on board to do this. Arzak and Martin Berasategui in San Sebastián were absolutely highlights of my trip. The food and the service were beyond top-tier. Tony’s No. 1 experience was dining at Azurmendi in Bilbao alone because …
I had gotten violently sick (unrelated to above) and needed an emergency room. Without me saying a word, Tony came up aces. While I was “busy,” he researched insurance details, found the best medical facility, and got us there. Doing all that while in the throes of sickness might’ve been too much for me. Once the anti-nausea IV kicked in I started to recover. And it wouldn’t have happened without my friend.
Thankfully that only put a small dent in our trip. We worked swing shifts, ate delicious Basque cheesecake, attended a fun Basque soccer derby, took a scenic wine country tour, and hung out with Jeff Koons’ monumental “Puppy” together.
Reflecting Meaningfully
I got a monkey off my back by returning post-divorce to a beloved continent and country for remote work, another step in processing that grief. Not that I had any question, but I confirmed that traveling with a friend was a great way to see a new part of the world alongside someone awesome.
An unplanned thing that left me and Tony looking at each other going “wow” was how excited shopkeepers were when we said thanks in Basque (“eskerrik asko”). Their faces transformed with genuine smiles. And it changed how I considered pride of culture. It helped me see (not just conceptualize) how some Basque people are proud that their language survived the attempted purge during the dictatorial Franco regime.
Most importantly, this trip reinforced how much I appreciate this friendship, especially with Tony looking out for me when I was so sick. What began as a question of when are we going turned into an answer of what it means to have someone who will show up for me when I need them.