English 
Updated on July 31st, 2025
Profound Things Can Happen in the Most Mundane Places
You expect life-changing moments on mountaintops.
You hope for deep insights while walking ancient paths or watching the sun set over a faraway city.
But you don’t expect one of the most profound experiences of your life to happen… in a laundrette.
And yet, that’s exactly what happened on the Camino de Santiago.
Because sometimes, profound things happen in the most mundane places.
A Smile, a Beer, and a Feeling of Love
We first met Melanie a few days earlier — a brief encounter, easily forgotten by most standards. We were sharing a well-earned beer after a long day’s hike, just before our last couple of kilometres into Sarria for our final Camino rest weekend. She came over to us with a shy but warm smile and said something in a mix of Spanish, a few English words and some hand gestures.
Through the combination of those and her energy, we gathered she’d seen us walking hand in hand earlier that day. She felt the love between us — or at least, that’s how we interpreted it. We smiled, thanked her, and went our separate ways.
A fleeting moment. Or so we thought.
A Shared Smile in the Laundrette
The next day, in a quiet laundrette — fluorescent lights, humming machines, the scent of detergent — we spotted her again. Melanie. We exchanged small smiles of recognition. One of those “Oh, it’s you again” moments, easy and gentle.
Then, unexpectedly, she approached us. This time, she was holding out her phone — Google Translate open and ready.
And what unfolded next left me speechless.
She told us she was a medium and that she had a message — for Larry, she thought. A woman was coming through, strong and loving. She was by his side, wanted him to know she approved of our relationship, and wished us well.
Larry looked puzzled. No mother or grandmother he recognised.
But I felt it. She wasn’t here for him — she was here for me.
A Message from Mum
Melanie said she could see a kitchen. And that’s when I knew — it was my Mum. That warm, loving kitchen I grew up in. The heart of our home. Where Mum created everyday magic. The woman who I still miss every single day. Even after more than 25 years.
We passed the phone between us — Melanie, me, Larry — typing messages into Google Translate, sending words of love, connection, and awe back and forth. It was clumsy, awkward, deeply touching, and completely overwhelming.
I typed a message back to my mum, right there between the spin cycle and the folding table: That I love her. That I feel her with me. That I wish she could meet Larry — because I know she would adore him. That her approval means the world.
Melanie translated her response: That Mum had put Larry in my path. That she is no longer in pain. That she is at peace, knowing I’m happy and in a good place. That she is always by my side — and when I see butterflies, it’s her presence reminding me she’s still here.
Unexpected Places, Unforgettable Moments
That moment — in a laundrette, no less — moved me to tears.
Not a cathedral. Not a sacred mountaintop.
Just a humble room, humming with dryers and quiet miracles.
This is what travel can do. It cracks you open in the least expected places. It invites connection with strangers, and sometimes, with the people you’ve loved and lost.
We walk and walk, expecting transformation to arrive with fanfare. But often, it shows up quietly, in the in-between moments. The mundane becomes meaningful when we’re open to it.
I have had several instances on my travels where I have met what I term as my “Guardian Angels”. Strangers who turn up and guide you when you need it most, then disappear as quickly as they arrive, sometimes never realising the impact that they have had. Check out more stories HERE and let me know if you would like to learn more. I will happily share some more of these stories in a future post.
But although Melanie may have been one of them, she left knowing the impact she had had. We hugged between the dryers, both with tears in our eyes as she went on her way.
The Truth of Midlife Travel
If you’re in midlife — navigating grief, love, change, reinvention — know this: You don’t need to go chasing profound moments. Just be present. Stay open. Say yes.
Whether it’s a quiet café, a country road, or a laundrette in northern Spain, your next breakthrough might be waiting in the most ordinary corner of your extraordinary journey.
Because profound things really do happen in the most mundane places.
So, {{ subscriber.first_name }}, have you ever had an unexpectedly powerful moment on your travels? I’d love to hear your story. Let’s celebrate the magic in the everyday together. Hit reply to this email to let me know or connect via your social method of choice (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads or LinkedIn) to give me all the details.
(The butterflies on the Camino move fast and were hard to capture, so the photo above is of some bigger and slower examples in Ecuador, where I also encountered my first Guardian Angel!).
As promised last week, I am playing a bit of catch-up on videos you may have missed which have continued to come out in my absence. This week I have three for you and they are a spectacularly mixed bag of experiences! All of them have full length videos on the channel too so if they whet your appetite, there is plenty to watch if you need more information.
Firstly, if you give me 90 seconds, I’ll take you to the top of Africa!! To celebrate turning 50, I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, one of the hardest physical and mental challenges I have ever taken on. The Lemosho Route took me through jungle, cloud forest, alpine desert and you can get a flavour of what it REALLY took to reach the summit in THIS VIDEO. (Keep an eye out for what you may believe is an editing mishap but was actually my camera battery dying mid-sentence!).
Next is another whistlestop tour, this time of stunning Iceland. From thundering waterfalls to the epic geysers of the Golden Circle, and shimmering gems on Diamond Beach, this video is for everyone who dreams of landscapes that leave you speechless. Travel isn’t about ticking boxes—it’s about reconnecting, healing, and standing in awe of the world (and yourself). Iceland is pure magic at every turn. See why for yourself HERE.
My final offering is from beautiful Santorini in the Greek Islands where I take you on one of my favourite walks in the world – exploring the caldera from Fira to Oia. This iconic coastal trail winds past whitewashed villages, dramatic cliffs, and soul-stirring views. If climbing a mountain in Africa or walking 500 kilometres across Spain feel out of your reach, this one delivers spectacular views in just a few hours. Click THIS LINK to see if it is something you want to add to your list.
Did you find this email useful? If so, why not forward it to a friend?
Until next time,
Safe Travels
Sue x
This newsletter may contain affiliate links. By using these, Sue Where Why What may receive a small commission for which I say thank you, but you will not pay any extra charges for this. My opinions remain my own.
More of my Adventures…Video – Fira to Oia Walk The Ultimate Santorini Adventure
And finally, just for you…
More of my Adventures…
Video – Climbing Kilimanjaro – Can You Really Do It at 50+?
Video – Iceland Top Things to Do My Midlife Adventure!
Video – Fira to Oia Walk The Ultimate Santorini Adventure
And finally, just for you…eive a small commission for which I say thank you, but you will not pay any extra charges for this. My opinions remain my own., but you will not pay any extra charges for this. My opinions remain my own.
🏠 For accommodation, I use Booking.com. They have their Genius loyalty scheme which is easy to progress through the levels for better discounts and inclusions.
🚍 For tours and activities, my preferred supplier is Get Your Guide.
🗺️ For multi day or week tours, check out G Adventures. I used them for trips in Costa Rica, Peru, and Galapagos.
🤞 I would never leave home without travel insurance. With Safety Wing you can take out an annual policy and pay monthly. This takes the hassle out of having to remember for us regular travellers.
🛫 For cheap flights, check out Skyscanner or join Jacks Flight Club which scans the internet for error fares (UK only).
🧳 For luggage storage on your travels, I recommend the service by Bounce.
Download a PDF VERSION OF THIS NEWSLETTER
Just click the 5th icon in the grey tool bar below (with the down arrow) to save the pdf to your computer.
