First impact with China and Asia

Starting my sabbatical year felt like stepping into a new life. I had just quit my job in Barcelona, packed up my things, and booked a one-way ticket to Beijing. I had a plan...a meticulous route drawn across Southeast Asia, stretching anywhere from 8 to 12 months. I was excited, a little nervous, but mostly energized by the feeling that something new was truly beginning.

China was the first stop, and it blew my expectations. Beijing felt like another planet. Massive, ancient, fast, and full of contrast. Luckily, two good friends were living there at the time, so I didn’t have to navigate it alone. We explored street markets and narrow alleys, temples and teahouses. And the food… I still think about those meals. Bold, rich, unforgettable.

Yes, the air pollution was real.. I sometimes wore a mask in the evenings when it got heavier, but it didn’t take away from the magic of the experience. This was a new rhythm, a new chapter. And standing on the edge of it, I knew I had just taken one of the biggest leaps of my life.