The Quarantine Diaries 25: The Memory Collector

I’ve always loved to travel. As a child, I used to think of myself as ‘The Memory Collector,’ taking something unique and memorable away from every travel experience. It’s ironic, then, that I boarded my first plane at the age of 22! I think I’ve more than made up for lost time since then.

I was feeling a little sad at the thought of leaving behind my happy memories of Spain, so over the weekend I set myself the challenge of going through all my photos from the last two years and making them into albums. This was no mean feat, but it was a wonderful exercise in reflection, from which I gained much gratitude for the memories I’ve collected over this time.

Where I’ve come from

Of course, it’s not where I come from originally, but I have many happy memories of Catalunya. Barcelona is a diverse, vibrant and enchanting city, like a patchwork of villages each with their own distinct identity stitched together into a unique, irreplicable whole. It’s where I started blogging: if you’re interested, you can read what I wrote about Barcelona here. It’s also where my second son was born, within site of the Sagrada Familia, so it will always be a special place to me. In addition to Barcelona, Catalunya has a multilayered rich history and stunning natural scenery from the Costa Brava to the mountains of Montserrat and Montseny. If you haven’t visited yet, I’d highly recommend it. (And no, I’m not employed by the Catalan tourist board…)

Where I am now

Before I ever came here, I knew the Costa del Sol by reputation: tacky tourist destination of Brits abroad who basically want Britain in the Sun. I never did grow to like the holiday resorts. But the Costa and Andalucía as a whole is so much more than the sum of its notorious tourist traps. From the quieter coastal areas South of Fuengirola to the breathtaking mountain scenery of the Sierra de las Nieves and Sierra Nevada, I’ve come to love this area too. Let’s not forget those Warm Saharan Winds of course!

Where I’m going to

I’m lucky that Slovenia is already something of a second home to me. I’ve been there many times with my husband to visit his family, and it’s a truly beautiful, unspoiled gem of a country. With a population of just over 2 million, it’s a meeting point between Eastern and Western Europe, with the Mediterranean sun added in. It’s also a natural paradise boasting almost 60% forest cover. I have many happy memories of holidays in Slovenia, particularly in the Northern Alps and Ljubljana, the enchanting capital city. I’m very lucky to have the opportunity to go and live there with my family.

Grateful for the memories

I used to suffer from an excess of nostalgia: in the past, I’d always be looking back and mourning what I’d left behind. I’d complain that I was always on the move. But recently, I’ve learned to see things differently. If I hadn’t moved around so much, I wouldn’t have collected so many rich memories. I wouldn’t write as often, or as well. If I’d stayed in one place, I’d have the same perpetual backdrop, punctuated here and there by memories of holiday travel. But to live in a place is to grow into it, until it becomes part of the landscape of your soul. This is what I take with me on my journey.

Have you lived in many different places? Is there anywhere you would really like to live? Share your memories and dreams below, and have a wonderful day, wherever you are 🙂