Adventures in Europe: Andorra la Vella, Andorra

While Melanie went off to school today, I headed out on a day trip to Andorra.  Originally I had intended to rent a car and drive, but for a couple of reasons I opted for the bus instead.  It was about 11:00 when I arrived at the Andorra central bus station.

From there I mostly just walked around the little city.

Soon after arriving I stopped for a coffee and a pastry at a cafe, and later early in the afternoon at another cafe for some lunch.  Really Andorra la Vella is not the most interesting place I have ever been, but it is quaint, and has a medieval feel in parts;

as well as some compelling public art;

and, of course, some great mountain views from pretty much everywhere.

One thing I found interesting about Andorra is its relationship with France and Spain/Catalonia.  

For example, the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell are Co-Princes of Andorra, and the post offices of both countries provide postal services.

There was, however, a vast difference in the service at the postal outlets of each of the post offices I went to to try to mail postcards.  At the Correos, I waited for 20 minutes, and was then told they had no stamps for me to send my postcard to Canada!  At La Poste, on the other hand, I was in and out in two minutes, and the lady even put the stamp on for me!

My bus back to Barcelona left at 15:00, so after a few relaxing and laid back hours in Andorra, I was back to join Melanie in Spain.