Three Countries, Three Weeks, Countless Memories
Journal Reflections: France, Spain & Portugal - Fall 1997
In September 1997, I spent three unforgettable weeks traveling through France, Spain, and Portugal with my mom and my brother Steven. It was a journey of winding roads, crowded cathedrals, backseat naps, wine tastings, near-misses, and spontaneous laughter. This blog is my attempt to capture the texture of that trip: the food, the people, the chaos, and the unexpected beauty found along the way.
Paris, France: Arrival & Nostalgia
We landed in Paris on September 13th. Jet lagged but ready, we were met with delayed baggage and a sleepy brother—but somehow, it all worked out. We settled into our temporary home at the U.S. Embassy staff compound, where a clean, simple room cost just $60 for two weeks.
We wandered Jardin du Luxembourg, marveled at Neptune-like statues, and shared memories—like the revelation of how Mom's baby duck actually died (spoiler: not the fall, but a dart accident!). Lunch at a Parisian café kicked off my beer glass collection (hello, Pelforth and Mütchen!).
Notre Dame offered both awe and escargot. Île SaintLouis delivered famed ice cream and sleepiness. Diana’s tragic tunnel loomed as we drifted toward rest.
More Paris: Catacombs & Can-Can
Sunday started slow but filled up fast. We picnicked in front of Notre Dame, wandered to the Stravinsky fountain, and explored the catacombs—a maze of bonelined tunnels, eerie and unforgettable.
We ended the night at Moulin Rouge’s midnight show: feathers, jugglers, acrobats, and a topless Can-Can. Wild, ridiculous, and wonderful.
The Loire Valley & Bordeaux: Châteaux and Cellars
We packed up and headed out. Chateau Chambord’s double-helix staircase was a highlight, followed by da Vinci’s final residence at Le Clos Lucé in Amboise.
We tasted wine along the Loire, then made our way to Saint André de Cubzac, a town outside Bordeaux. The room was rustic—bathtub behind chairs and shared bathrooms—but the wine and stories made up for it.
Bordeaux brought more wine, a walking tour, and a bus nap. We tried an African restaurant (closed), settled for Vietnamese, and collected more beer glasses along the way.
Spain: From Beaches to Tapas
San Sebastián was a dream: sun, sand, surf, and sculpted sand mermaids. We bar-hopped our way through Parte Vieja, savoring Txacoli (sparkling white wine), calamari, sardines, and octopus.
From there, we drove to Ribadavia, a ghost town of clay buildings. The beds were creaky, the wine was red, and the night was long.
Portugal: Tiles, Roosters, & Folk Dancing
Crossing into Portugal brought new energy. Viana do Castelo greeted us with tiled houses, clean streets, and a local flea market. We met travelers, drank wine from bowls, and watched folk dancing in the square.
We continued to Porto, got lost in Barcelos, and tasted tawny port straight from the source. A stop in Bragança introduced us to olive oil adorned with roosters and ancient castles turned into military museums.
Back to Spain: Hanging Houses & Human Castles
Cuenca stunned us with its cliffside casas colgadas and festival chaos (a family we met got chased by a bull!). Barcelona delivered art, parades, and Gaudí magic. Parc Güell, La Sagrada Família, and La Pedrera enchanted us, while tapas and Guinness at The Glacier filled our nights.
We wrapped things up along the Costa Brava, took a touristy but fun boat ride, and marveled at Dali’s surreal museum in Figueres.
 Versailles, Farewells & HomeVersailles was grand but not my style. We returned the car (after 4700 km!) and closed out Paris with mussels, metro rides, and a long walk to the Hard Rock Café. |  Our final full day was for packing, portraits in Montmartre, and one last café dinner. We said our goodbyes with full hearts and tired feet. |  On the flight home, I wrote postcards and tried to absorb it all. It felt like a dream before we even touched down. |  Three countries. Three travelers. One unforgettable September |
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REFLECTIONS
"Traveling with my mom was a gift I didn’t take for granted. We shared wine, ice cream, laughter, and long drives through places I barely knew existed. I learned that joy can be found in late-night folk dancing, in the surprise of a stranger's kindness, and in simply watching the world go by from a café chair. This trip shaped how I travel today—not to check boxes, but to collect moments."
Betsy Bond