26 Things I Learned On My First Trip Abroad
(a.k.a. Lessons Paid for With Jet Lag)
Intro:
In mid-November, my husband and I traveled to Barcelona, and our two adult children met us. What an amazing place to experience for my first trip overseas!
Travel has a way of stretching you—your legs, your patience, your sleep schedule, and sometimes your theology. This trip came with beauty, exhaustion, laughter, some culture shock, and more lessons than I expected.
Here’s a list of things I learned along the way—hopefully it will bring you a few smiles! I’m grateful for the journey, and for the grace that carries us wherever we go.
26 Things I Learned While Traveling Abroad
Say yes to exploring a new country. You may never get this chance again. Also, future-you will regret it loudly if you don’t.
Avoid Newark Airport at all costs. This is not advice. This is wisdom.
Avoid airline bathrooms on long-haul flights.
Avoid. Avoid. Avoid.
(This plan will fail. Prepare yourself.)
Overnight red-eye flights are HARD.
Period. Enough said.
I will never stop looking or acting like an American tourist.
They spot you from a mile away. I can use all the Spanish I want—I still sound American.
(Also: yes, they always include the tourist tax. Yes, I pay it.)
City living is not for me.
I like space, greenery, and fewer graffiti-covered doorways and souvenirs of questionable taste.
Standing packed like sardines in the subway is not my idea of “divertido”.
Educational? Yes.
Comfortable? Absolutely not.
That said, the metro/tram/train/cable car systems are AMAZING.
You can get anywhere quickly.
Special shout-out to my kids for teaching us how to not get lost forever.
Metro doors have a “go” button.
And yes, it matters WHICH DIRECTION your train is going. Ask me how I know.
Tapas are brilliant.
Small plates = less commitment + more food sampling = travel win.
People-watching here is elite-level entertainment.
So. Many. Languages. Cultures. Fashion choices.
I appreciate daily bathing more than ever.
I will say no more.
Friendliness is contagious.
Sadly, so is grumpiness.
Choose wisely. You’re spreading something.
Homelessness exists everywhere.
This one hurts my heart.
Be prepared when someone asks for food or money.
Carry snacks. Carry coins. Pray for wisdom.
(Or be prepared to get cursed out. It happens.)
The art and architecture are jaw-dropping.
Centuries of beauty. Color overload.
Overwhelming—in the very best way.
Sightseeing = miles of walking.
Wear the GOOD shoes, well broken in. Not the new, “cute” ones.
You’ll be walking 15–20K steps a day.
At my age, a midweek retreat day is allowed.
Hotel terraces are holy ground.
The young adults can go climb things. :)
Your phone battery will betray you.
Bring backup batteries.
Bless my son, patron saint of extra cables and portable chargers.
Spanish is not Catalan.
But hand gestures are universal.
And smiling helps.
Breakfast at a 5-star international hotel is a cultural education.
I overheard conversations involving Persia, Greece, Egypt, India, executions (!), Afghanistan, the shah, the British Empire, and ayatollahs…
All before my second cup of coffee.
Planning tourist activities requires serious effort.
Kudos to my daughter, a veteran overseas navigator.
(Now I understand prepaid tours.)
Seafood markets will stretch you.
So. Many. Things. Staring at me. From. The. Sea.
Seafood lovers: enter boldly!
Seafood haters: maybe linger outside. . .
Paella cooking classes = a must!
Fresh sangria, GF bites, hands-on fun.
Be brave. Make the chicken paella.
(Yes, you’ll be mocked. Yes, it will still be delicious.)
My husband worked HARD most of the week while we explored Barcelona.
Classes. Presentations. Responsibility.
What a guy. We missed you, honey.
And finally—there’s no place like HOME.
Especially with your own bed, your own bathroom, and zero jet lag. 😊
For those of you wondering, yes, I have a bit more of the “traveling bug” now. ;)
So. Many. Pictures. (So hard to choose!)
From takeoff to touchdown, I’m thankful for the God who watches over our coming and going—faithful in every place we land.
“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:8, NIV)
For Worship:
Joyful Joyful by Casting Crowns— enjoy this upbeat re-make of a classic hymn :)
*Cover photo by Edison Trinidad on Unsplash; Barcelona photos from my trip pics.
*HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Hi Jen! As a TA, I enjoyed reading your post. You were spot on! I had to laugh because at first, I thought you were a client who I sent to Barcelona last year! It is a beautiful place in the world. Perhaps, your next trip could be Portugal. It is a growing place of interest with many beautiful places to see, people to meet, and great food to eat. Godspeed.
Jen, what an amazing trip! So glad you had this eye-opening opportunity. 😊
And I appreciate your helpful travel reminders- I’ll be traveling to Germany with my sister this spring to visit our brother. I’ve been there twice but each time is a new experience!