The Azores — Sao Miguel & Santa Maria: A land lost in time

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Maybe I took Emerson’s words too literally, but for my first destination in Europe I set out to the Azores, a Portuguese archipelago that just opened its doors to tourism eight years ago and teleports you to a land before time.

The People

The Azorean people respect nature and tend to their land like responsible stewards, making every effort to be clean and sustainable. People here are happier than in New York, unbothered by anxieties about the future. Tropical storms devastate villages, threats of volcanic activity are on the rise, but the Azoreans are spectacular at enjoying the gifts they have, realizing we are all specks in the giant, indifferent universe. Life here is about all the moments between the moments.

I met some amazing visitors on this trip. There was George, an AI scientist and professor from the Czech Republic visiting for a conference, Terry, a D.C-metro “cool aunt” who had finished a 600 km pilgrimage through Portugal and Spain (following the path of The Alchemist), and Gabby, a loquacious Romanian-English woman who was visiting Sao Miguel for spiritual and energetic purposes.

The Places

Even though Sao Miguel Island is 10 km from south to north, and only 50 km east to west, this island has some of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth…