Day 22 - Emily’s Entry - October 16 - 1:32 pm - Terraza El Ancla, El Retiro Park, Madrid, Spain

We’re sitting at a park cafe at the largest park in magnificent Madrid overlooking the large central pond. People are paddling row boats. People are walking past. Somalian street vendors ran by with their sacks of goods. Police soon followed. A clarinet player plays middle eastern ballads. A man sells bracelets. A pigeon finally settled on his lightpost. A ram in a gold cloak waits for money to do whatever it is he does for turistas.

Madrid is a wonderful place to end this journey.

Day 22 - Corey’s Entry - October 16 - 8:01 pm - Sports Bar, Madrid Airport, Spain

The journey comes to an end after a few good days in Madrid. An excellent city to finish up the trip. We have spent these last two days wandering around the city and exploring the culture. The energy from Barcelona to Madrid is very different. Though the Spaniards are still pretty serious, they seemed to be in better spirits in Madrid. One of the restaurant owners told us that everyone who comes to Madrid is a local.

It was my first time visiting a royal palace. It had like 2,500 rooms? Most of them were for a single purpose like dressing, waiting, reading, deciding, ruling, picking out dishes, dying, etc. Each one was decorated differently, though most had holy paintings adoring the ceilings. We made our way to the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Amazing pieces of work. We got to see up close artworks from Thomas Cole, Picasso’s cubism, Degas’ ballet scenes, Monet’s dream like impressionisms, Dali’s twisted sense, and discovered a few new artists.

On our last day, we left our huge bags we’ve named Big Yellow and Lumpy in a coffee shop where they hold bags for travelers. We took our other bags Baby Blue and Lima Bean with us. We wandered around the huge park and reflected on the trip. I wanted to learn and understand different cultures, and I think I definitely have a better understanding than I did before. Things can often be tough, but acts of kindness can be found around the corner if you look. America has her problems, but she is beautiful, wonderful, and wild. Just be nice and treat people with respect and kindness. It’s not that hard. Europe has incredible history, massively ornate cathedrals, grand cities and quaint small towns. I’m lucky to have traveled through these lands and spend some time. There’s so much more to explore.

Day 23 - Emily’s Entry - October 17 - 9:48 pm - Shuttle from Atlanta, Georgia to Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States of America

I can travel the world or stay in my living room until the end of days. As long as Corey is by my side, I am Home. He is my walls, my comfortable white noise at night. I can go anywhere, do anything or nothing with my constant. I’m glad to always be Home.

He’s dozing off in the seat next to me as the streetlights go by.

We’ve baaed at sheep, lived in a van, walked the Champs-Élysées, seen the Eiffel Tower at night, drank great, cheap wine, danced with French drag queens, were stressed in a train station, walked the streets of gladiators, kings, and artists, talked endlessly about culture, art, and why people are the way they are, sketched, and loved each other. Pretty great trip.

This was part of a 23-day journey through Iceland, France, and Spain. Didn't catch the rest? Click below to explore with us!