A day trip by bus from Barcelona,
gazing out a window,
thinking of home.
We approach a mountain, and,
much as I do in Canada,
I scan the slopes to try to guess
which way the highway will turn
to push up over the summit.
But this is Europe,
so we drive straight through the mountain.
I see the reflections of my bus mates in the glass
as we glide through the tunnel.
In Andorra la Vella,
I do not pull out a map.
Instead, I follow the Gran Valira River
until I get to the marketplace,
where I am surrounded by thousands of tourists,
here for the low prices.
I push my way uphill,
marvel that a soccer field could be built on this terrain,
and marvel further that Andorra,
a country of 82,000 people,
has a competitive national soccer team.
When I meander high enough to reach
the most expensive and commanding of the city’s houses,
I sidle onto a hiking trail.
I do not know where it goes,
but I follow it until I come to a stone bridge,
blocked by a medium-sized black and white dog.
I aim to pass him,
but he steps in my path,
challenging me.
I am amused,
retreat to give him his victory,
sit on a rock near the bridge,
down some water,
and wait.
In a minute, the dog’s female master arrives,
crosses the bridge, smiles at me,
and her dog follows, looking back
over its shoulder to ensure I am not a threat.
The trail is well-maintained,
follows the ridge above the city,
and I enjoy shuffling my feet
through fallen autumn leaves.
I reminisce about my childhood,
leaping into leaves that my father
spent all morning raking into a pile.
At a bench, I sit and
gaze over the countryside.
Several hikers pass by;
one greets me in a language I don’t understand.
Was it Catalan?
I’m not sure really why I came here,
to this country.
I remember I wanted to see the mountains,
walk along some paths.
It’s what I always want to do,
either at home or in a new country.
Did I wonder if Andorra was any different
than France or Spain?
My memory is fuzzy,
but I decide it doesn’t matter.
I am in my element,
in the hills,
on a trail,
during my favourite season.
I am content.
And that is enough.
