Andorra
Last Week on the Road
My Epic Journey So Far
Today’s Weather Report
Day 33 on the road, and I find myself in Andorra, facing light rain. As a gnome, I’m not exactly built for swimming, you know! It’s a cool 13.09°C, feels like 11.68°C on my ceramic skin. Humidity is 47%, making my pointy hat feel slightly damp. Wind speed is 3 m/s – just enough to give me a good blow-dry! Not exactly gnome-friendly weather, but hey, at least it’s not a bird attack! Weathering the world, one garden at a time. #GnomeAdventures
Truffle Trails & Gnome Tales!
As I meandered through the scenic roads, one observation struck me like a flamenco dancer’s heel. Did you know that the region is famous for its unique black truffle, or as they say in Spanish, “trufa negra“? There’s a certain magic in the air when you see these culinary treasures unearthed from the soil, a testament to the rich biodiversity of this land.
During my travels, I’ve covered a whopping 886.6 kilometers in the past 32 days, from the rustic charm of Beteta to the coastal vibrancy of Santa Eulalia, and then to the historic beauty of Montalbán and now, the tranquil serenity of Andorra.
As I sauntered into Andorra, I was greeted with a different dialect, Catalan, which gave me the opportunity to add a few more phrases to my gnome vocabulary. As the locals say, “Una llengua no es suficient” which translates to “A language is never enough.” Very fitting for a gnome like me who is always on the move.
As I end this post, I can’t help but remember a famous Spanish proverb, “No hay camino que no tenga fin“. It means, “There is no road that doesn’t have an end“. Quite a deep thought for a gnome, eh? But remember, the end of one road is simply the beginning of another. So, stay tuned for more gnome-sized adventures!
Hasta la vista!
Wandering Andorra’s Streets
Gnome’s Quaint Palette Mishaps
Painted en plein air while taking in the sights of Andorra.
— Oliver the Gnome, aspiring artist
Andorra: Gnome’s Roman Holiday!
My first fascinating find was the Church of Santa Coloma. Aged over a thousand years, it’s one of the oldest in the country. Inside, I was awestruck by the intricate Byzantine frescoes. Ah, if these walls could talk! As the Spanish artist Pablo Picasso once said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
The second gem is the local lingo. They speak Catalan here, not Spanish! It’s a delightful surprise. A local taught me to say, “Jo estimo Andorra” which means “I love Andorra”. If only the great Spanish poet Federico García Lorca were here to pen a verse on this!
Andorra, you’ve charmed this grumpy gnome. I’ll be back for another visit, and that’s a promise!
Pyrenees Patty: Crispy, Crunchy, Contento!
Hola from the heart of the Pyrenees, Andorra! Today, I’ll share a local recipe for a traditional dish called Trinxat de la Cerdanya. It’s like a Spanish hash brown with a twist.
You’ll need patatas (potatoes), col (cabbage), tocino (bacon), ajo (garlic), and sal (salt).
First, boil the potatoes and cabbage. Then mash them together and shape into a large patty. Fry the bacon and garlic, and then add your patty. Cook until crispy and golden, flipping once.
As they say in Spain, “Barriga llena, corazón contento”. Translation: “Full belly, happy heart”. So, get cooking and enjoy this hearty Andorran delight!
Adiós for now, friends – the road beckons! Stay tuned for more from your favorite grumpy, globe-trotting gnome!
Gnome’s Guide to Andorran Antics
See you tomorrow!
Around the World on Foot, in Many, Many Days 