Claudicet Pena

Meet Claudicet

📚 What was Your Favorite Travel Experience or Story?

My favorite travel experience was walking through Madrid’s Buen Retiro Parque. It is the only way to get to the Palacio de Cristal. The enchanting walk through the park transported me to a page in the Chronicles of Narnia. I felt like one of the characters from a C.S. Lewis novel in a majestic land. 

The park once belonged to the Spanish monarchy. It became a public park in the 19th century. This property of Madrid is home to over 15,000 trees. It is considered the Spanish capital’s green lung. In front of the palace are steps that lead down to a lake. There, I watched the ducks, geese, and black swans glide through the water.

From the steps on the lake I took in the grandeur of the palace. It is a 19th-century conservatory used for art installations. It is a fantasy of sorts, made into reality. Its structure is made entirely out of glass, completely transparent, exposed, and vulnerable. The palace had a profound desire to be seen in its fullness. Or atleast, that’s how I perceived it from the outside looking in.

Once I made my way inside the structure, I wandered around in the fog. I then realized that the palace was trying to protect what was inside with fog, mirrors, and platforms. The elements distorted my vision. The art installation was an invitation for me to both fantasize and reflect.

It is an experience I will never forget as all of my senses were immersed. It is an architectural gem that exhibits art in a stunning natural setting. I was able to appreciate the lush green surroundings and also the art displayed inside.

🗺️ What’s Your #1 Expert Travel Tip?

A travel hack I use often is the Google Flights Explore section. There, you can find deals to several travel destinations based on any specific dates you have in mind.

You can also try the opposite. Plug in your departure airport and your desired destination. Scroll through the calendar to see which dates have the best deals for your flight.

🧳 Backpack or Suitcase?

Both suitcase and backpack. I am guilty of always over packing!

✈️ Window or Aisle Seat?

Definitely a window seat. There is something magical about watching the clouds float by.

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