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TRAVEL
Five Hours on The Train & I’m In Another World
Experiencing Europe’s varied cultures is just one of the joys of moving abroad
It’s early morning in Haro, Spain, described as ‘the capital’ of the Rioja winemaking region, but a place I’d never heard of until my daughter included it in the itinerary of places to visit during a two-week visit to Spain.
Four days ago, I took the train from Montpellier in southern France where I live to meet Carolyn and her husband, Bill, in Madrid. They’d flown in a day earlier from their home in Washington State. A vacation, but also an exploration of possible places to relocate. Their intention is to start a new life chapter in Spain — they haven’t yet pinned down a location to call home.
I’m along for the ride and to mention as frequently as possible without being downright irritating (I may already have screwed up) that moving to France from the US eleven years ago was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. They prefer Spain to France — absolutely fine with me. A few hours away by train is infinitely preferable to a transatlantic flight back to the States.
