Andorra. short after-conference weekend trip

some pics of this trip So, hiking has changed me so I can manage with a small suitcase for a week (semi- smart clothes) and managed to put hiking stuff also there (and a big empty rucksack as laptop bag)! I took a coach To Andorra! The night the conference ended, I had looked on Google map which part has less roads and more nature, Arinsal! In Andorra la Vella, I knew I had to take another bus to Arinsal, but this was a bit later, so decided to but food (because siesta time was approaching and I was not sure how much food I can buy from Arinsal. Also, I had no idea from where the local buses go. Finally, bus stopped in Arinsal. It was only one main road there and finding my accommodations (yes, because I did not take tent to the conference) should not have been difficult. It was. After putting my super-basic tourist vocabulary to test, I found it. I was asked whether I want a room with view to the road or mountain. What a question! I also asked what time is breakfast, but it was too late, so I had to leave before (because days are short in October). I got a map and asked recommendations of where to go. They are good people, showed me on the map some nice routes. I started the walk. Under a tunnel, then a bit of uncertainty, then the walk started to make sense, up, up, up, up. I did some calculations in my head, what time I should turn back to get down before sunset. First part of the walk was easy, or at least so it seemed to me. I arrived at a beautiful lake, then a refugi. Half way up, the streams were a bit froze and a bit of snow appeared. Frozen cold blueberries, I only realised I had entered winter wonderland when I thought about it and decided it might be food idea to put some warmer clothes on, I only had been wearing the fleece! (with rest of things in the backbag). Yeh I had a bit of shock therapy too and because this blog is public, I cannot write it here. Coming down, I was a bit late (no worries, the forest bit was relatively flat and I had the GPS trace from going up, so could follow the same route back. I am still convinced it is more dangerous to be in a city and come home from uni at 11pm than to be in forest). Suddenly I heard a noise. Or no, it was not a noise, it was music. Afterall, Friday night. But.....it sounded like a tribe is sacrificing somebody. Brain check....I hope I do not have altitude sickness..... this is Europe....this is a catalan country.....they like snails and nice food...not eating humans. OK, maybe it a party, good percussion, maybe a salsa party! But it was not this kind of village to expect official party. So I switched off my light, just in case. Walked, walked, walked in dark. They were not cannibals, it was cows with wooden bells! little cows, big cows, a cow orchestra! In the car park I found a lost-looking person. Yes I knew all too well that this can be a trap (what world I live in!), but not in the mountains and he was really looking on the map....and since I had a map AND GPS, I thought at least I can ask if help is needed. He was planning to go to Coma Pedrosa the next day and was planning and wondering how long it would take. I said I had been to the refugi and bit higher. I thought I dont't mind some company and going a bit higher again next day, since the previous day was rushed (I only started in the afternoon!) I thought after all this walk, I could do with nice food (I had had lunch, and had enough food for dinner, but would be nice to go to some warm place. The only place that was still open (it was a small village) was next to my accommodation. I had not brushed my hair since the conference the day before, had been hiking.....went to ask what time they close. In 1 hour. I could have a shower, put on some non-waterproof, non-windproof, not-ancle supporting clothes and shoes. I asked, whether I should change or can just enter like a hiker. They waid a hiker look is fine. Had a good meal and a glass of wine. Walk again.......a bit higher. Made mini-snowman at 1655 and had lunch there. Going down, I was really in pain. I had pain in the morning already, due to no training for weeks before the conference. At the end I was limping, coming down sideways because it was less painful to flex the knee. Lets blame the lack of walking poles! Going down 1500m is bad! (up is OK). I hate walking without a tent, I was thinking I could just put the tent up and make a cup of tea in the stove if I had it. No, luxury hiking nad staying in B&B is not for me! Went back to village....had shower, put on a skirt and went to have a meal and wine again! Last night. The previous day I had asked about Coma Pedrosa. It was same people so I could tell them I went....not to top, but just until the snow got bad, 2655m. Next day, breakfast and then bus to Andorra la Vella. I bought postcards and stamps to Europe (and they were surprised I am Estonian, not English). A bit of walking around, window-shopping...and I had my coach to Barcelona Airport. Flight was a bit delayed and Easyjet has a special terminal that is faaaar away from the main building. Freezing weather in Luton, finally Birmingham. Andorra is a beautiful country....would like to do a week-long walk there.