Andorra

Andorra is a small country sandwiched between Spain and France in the Pyranees.  Every Friday evening in the Winter, a line of cars like marching ants drive to Andorra from Catalunya, and every Sunday evening that same line of ants waits at the border to return to Spain.  People go to Andorra mainly for two reasons: the skiing and the shopping.  

Several weekends ago, my friends and I joined the ant procession to check out this tiny European country which is not part of the EU, yet uses the Euro as its currency.  They also speak Catalan in Andorra.

On Saturday, we took the funicular up to the slopes to Encamp.  It was nearly T-shirt weather down in town, so we were skeptical that any snow even existed above.  But we climbed 1,000 meters or so on the long funicular ride, and did in fact enter a Winter Wonderland above.

The slopes were mild, and most of the day we were stuck in the clouds experiencing some sleet, therefore I did not take too many pictures.  But the snow was soft, on the verge of spring slush. Then at 3pm, with an hour left to ski, the clouds lifted and the sun emerged, revealing the bowl of sharp, glaciated peaks that had been watching us closely all day. Gorgeous!

The town itself did not resemble a European ski village.  Many Spanish people flock to Andorra for the shopping alone, as everything here is more affordable.  It was strange to see a strip-mall feeling of modern storefronts filling the valley with spiky peaks looming behind. I didn't partake in the shopping.

Instead, on Sunday, some of us headed up to a hiking trail outside of town. 

Here we are, walking through the modern shopping streets to get to the trailhead.

This extremely modern-looking building is a thermal spa!

As we headed out of town, the buildings began to look more like an old European ski village.

Onto the GR7 trail...

It must rain a lot in these here neck of the woods! Moss galore!

Travis collecting some specimens for biology class (science teacher).

Winter melting away into spring...

My friends, Jessica and Tyler, making their way up from the stream...

Looking back into town...

Little mountain road back that way...

Back to town...

Tyler contemplating death metal, and the role it plays in mountainlife...

Thanks to Cachi and Julia for hosting us in Cachi's family condo for the weekend! Some much needed mountain air was inhaled and has been keeping me afloat...