Dinner with Mum, Stary Sącz, Poland, May 2025

After several unforgettable weeks travelling through Poland, Malta, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Czechia, and Portugal, it’s time to return to Caracas. These final days of the trip have been filled with quiet emotion—meals with Mum, farewell walks through Nowy Sącz, a last visit to Paweł and Kasia, and a perfect pause in Lisbon before boarding the flight back to Venezuela.

Yesterday, Mum and I had our last meal together in a small restaurant in Stary Sącz. The atmosphere was peaceful, the conversation warm, both of us trying to savour every moment before goodbye. We wandered through town afterwards, soaking in the spring air and that soft melancholy that always comes with parting.

These last days were filled with small rituals: shopping for a few last things, one more stop by the river, sitting on our favourite bench in the sun. The ordinary became sacred simply because it was shared.

But this journey wasn't only about goodbyes. It’s been a spring rich with discovery and joy.

🇵🇱 Poland: Our time in Poland was deeply grounding. From the charming spa town of Krynica-Zdrój to the familiar comforts of Nowy Sącz, it felt good to slow down and be home. We explored Kraków during Constitution Day, wandered through Wawel, and shared long lunches in the old town. Spring in Poland is always special—alive, bright, and hopeful.

🇲🇹 Malta: From Kraków, we flew to Malta for three full days of Mediterranean sun and history. Valletta’s golden stone streets, the vibrant harbour of Marsaxlokk, and the clear waters of Gozo and the Blue Lagoon left us speechless. Mum especially loved the contrasts of Malta—how modern life wraps itself gently around ancient sites, and how every corner holds a story.

🇺🇿🇰🇿 Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan: Then came Central Asia—Tashkent’s calm elegance, Samarkand’s majestic mosques and madrasas, Shymkent’s sincerity and soul. For both of us, it was a completely new region, and we were amazed at every turn. Registan Square, the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, the lively conversations with our guide Larisa in Kazakhstan—these are moments I will never forget. Mum kept saying she never imagined she would see these places, and watching her light up with wonder was one of the greatest parts of the trip.

🇵🇱🇸🇰🇨🇿 More time in Poland, Slovakia and Czechia: Back in Poland, we welcomed Leo for a few days—a visit that added a special layer of joy to the entire holiday. It was his first time in Poland, and we were eager to share some of our favourite places with him. We spent time together in Kraków, walked along the Vistula River, visited Wawel Castle, and introduced him to the vibrant cafés and history of the old town. We also travelled to Morskie Oko, then crossed into Slovakia to hike in the stunning High Tatras. Experiencing the mountains together, surrounded by spring greenery and snow-capped peaks, felt both refreshing and deeply grounding.

We later visited Žilina, a lively and welcoming city with pastel-coloured buildings, wide pedestrian streets, and a laid-back café culture that immediately drew us in. Earlier in the trip, while visiting Cieszyn, Mum and I walked across the Olza River to Český Těšín in Czechia. It was a simple, quiet town—peaceful, local, real. The act of crossing a border on foot and suddenly hearing another language, seeing different signs, and picking up a new rhythm of life added so much depth to our journey. It reminded us how rich and interconnected this region truly is.

🇵🇹🇳🇱 Lisbon & Amsterdam: And finally—Lisbon. Originally planned as a smooth final stop, this part of the journey was affected by flight disruptions. I ended up transferring through Amsterdam, which meant spending many hours at Schiphol Airport and arriving in Lisbon much later than expected. As a result, I had very limited time to go out and explore the city.

Still, I made the most of it. The experience at Amsterdam airport, though long, was not unpleasant—people-watching, wandering through bookshops, and simply taking a breath between chapters of travel. And once in Lisbon, even with the short time, I enjoyed the familiar air of the city, the tiled façades, the Atlantic breeze. It was also my first time travelling with my Portuguese passport, which added a layer of quiet pride and emotion to the experience.
 
Now, I’m preparing for the long flight to Caracas. I feel rested, filled with stories, and more connected than I’ve felt in a long time. There’s work waiting for me—intense and challenging—but I carry this spring with me now. A reminder of what matters, and how good it is to feel at home in many places.

More soon. For now, thank you, Poland. Thank you, Mum. And thank you to every person and place that made this journey so full of life.
 

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