There comes a time in every chapter, even the best ones, when you feel it’s time to turn the page. I didn’t really want to leave the amazing community I’d found at Maraya, but I could feel myself getting a bit too comfortable, and a new adventure was calling. The destination was La Laguna, a city I’d fallen for on previous trips. It has an energy that reminds me a little of my home city of Ghent—beautiful architecture, lively bars and restaurants, and the vibrant pulse of a student town.
My move felt more like a celebration than a goodbye. On my last Friday, a big group from Maraya came into the city to have dinner and drinks with me, a perfect way to close one chapter and open the next. I was moving with a purpose: to explore a city I might want to live in one day, and to dive headfirst into a special lindy hop course that weekend.
Dancing Through Nerves
After not dancing for a while, I was a little nervous about the course, but my excitement won out. Lindy hop isn’t super well-known, so the chance to dance again since leaving home was one I couldn’t miss. I knew the whole weekend would be taught in Spanish, but I felt confident I could handle it. It was just so nice to be back in that world, learning from two fantastic teachers and immersing myself in the rhythm and joy of the dance. It felt like reconnecting with a part of myself.
Nature, Art, and a Dose of ‘Normal’
Even though I had left Maraya, I was still invited to their activities. One day, I joined the group for a beautiful hike in the Anaga mountains, starting from Cruz Del Carmen. Afterwards, we headed to the famous Las Teresitas beach. To be honest, it was a bit of a disappointment—the white sand is imported, it was incredibly crowded, and parking was a hassle. It wasn’t for me.
But, as it often happens, a change of plans led to an unexpected delight. On the way back, we decided to visit a museum in Santa Cruz filled with art from local Canarian artists. It had been a while since I’d been to a museum, and wandering through the quiet halls was surprisingly grounding. It made me feel like a ‘normal person’ again, a little break from the typical digital nomad life of beaches and hikes!
Testing Out a Future Life
That feeling of ‘normalcy’ became a theme for me in La Laguna. I met up with Floriane, a friend from Maraya, for a day that felt beautifully routine. We did a bit of shopping in Santa Cruz, then went bouldering at a climbing gym in La Laguna I’d been to before. It was nice and familiar, like settling into a home routine. This was the real reason I was here—to see if this city could be a place I might want to live someday. And after a day like that? It was still very much on the list.
A Final Coastal Adventure
Before my time in Tenerife was up, I had one last adventure with new friends. I met Alberto, an Italian who also dances lindy hop, and Carlos, a Brazilian who works on the Teide telescopes. Together, we decided to find the remote Playa de Benijo, a recommendation from my friend Natalie. The drive itself was stunning, winding through the mountains with incredible views. We stopped at a mirador and just watched the clouds roll over the peaks.
Unfortunately, the beach itself was closed, but we found another one right next to it. After an hour, we decided food was the priority. We ended up back in the Anaga hills at Cruz del Carmen, sharing a delicious meal of typical Canarian food: papas arrugadas con mojo, pimientos, and queso ahumado con gofio. It was the perfect end to the day—a reminder that sometimes the best moments are the ones you didn’t plan for.
A Quiet Place to Decide
Looking back, my time in La Laguna was much calmer than my stay at Maraya. There were fewer people and no organized activities, so I had more quiet time. And it turned out, that was exactly what I needed. It gave me the space to rest, to reflect, and to decide on what would come next. In that peaceful, historic city, I planned my next few months: a summer of new adventures in La Palma, Lisbon, and Tuscany. La Laguna served its purpose perfectly, not just as a city I enjoyed, but as a place that gave me the clarity to dream up the future.
