Swiss Thanksgiving, Madrid Spanish School & Road to Rome

Thanksgiving in Geneva, Spanish Lessons in Madrid, and the Road to Rome

After three intense weeks in Morocco, Europe offered a much-needed pause and a chance to reconnect with friends and family. This stretch of the journey took us from the cozy English countryside to the passionate heart of Madrid, before landing us in Switzerland just in time for a special holiday meal.

Part 1: A Taste of Home in England

We arrived at London Gatwick and travelled to Greenwich, where we were warmly greeted by Nicola’s sister, Jenny, and her family. After two months of hostels and travel, being surrounded by family, home-cooked food, and everyday routines was the break we truly needed.

• London Comforts: My first proper English meal—fish and chips with a cold pint at the Cutty Sark Pub—was a taste of contentment. We also caught the musical *Wicked*, and I indulged in roast beef with Yorkshire pudding.
• The New Forest: We escaped the city for a day trip to the charming New Forest. We rented bikes, got hilariously lost (always uphill!), and shared a satisfying lunch at the Queen's Head Pub, navigating streets where wild ponies and cows roam freely.
• Family Connections: Our final full day was spent in Birmingham, visiting my Aunt Fran. The time spent walking the city and sharing tea and stories was a truly meaningful connection before the next leg of travel.

Part 2: Spanish Immersion in Madrid

From London, we flew to Madrid. The timing was set because Nicola’s mom, Moire, and her sister, Jenny, were joining us; Moire was determined to finish the Camino de Santiago walk she'd started the year before.

Language School and Homestay

While Nic, Moire, and Jenny explored Madrid and prepared for the Camino, I dove into a week of total immersion:

• AIL Madrid: I took 25 hours of intensive Spanish lessons. By the end of the week, thanks to my encouraging teachers, I was managing conversations almost entirely in the present tense—a huge step up!
• Homestay: I lived with the Cabrera family (Nicolás and Celia). Nicolás made my breakfast and cooked traditional Spanish dinners nightly. The constant exposure made my Spanish improve quickly, and they made me feel completely welcome.
• Cultural Highlights: I sampled authentic local tapas, watched a passionate **flamenco** show, and, on a national holiday, watched a spectacular military parade with my host family—including the **muy rápido** elite forces.

By the weekend, Nic had returned from her Camino adventure, and we reunited over 1€ beers and **montaditos** (mini sandwiches), exchanging tales from our very different Spanish weeks.

Part 3: Thanksgiving, CERN, and the Eternal City

After Madrid, we flew to Geneva, Switzerland, for a short visit timed perfectly for Canadian Thanksgiving (October 14th).

• Swiss Thanksgiving: Our friends Bernie and Minoo (an amazing Persian cook) hosted a feast. We had turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy—a true taste of home thousands of miles away.
• Geneva Highlights: We visited the Jet d'Eau and toured the city's charming old town. My personal geek highlight was visiting CERN, home of the Large Hadron Collider. Later, we indulged in pure bliss at the Cailler Chocolate Factory tasting room.

The Road to Rome

Our final stop was Rome. We found a budget hotel in the quiet suburb of Ostia Antica, where we accidentally stumbled upon ancient Roman ruins that rivalled Pompeii. Despite navigating a public transport strike and protests, we managed a successful walking tour of Rome's highlights: the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain.

We eventually took the train to Civitavecchia to meet Nicola’s mom, Moire, before heading to Athens. This stretch of the journey—from Thanksgiving turkey to ancient ruins—was the perfect bridge between continents, reminding us that the best memories are often about who you share them with.

**Next Stop:** Athens, Greece, where we start the next major chapter of our journey.