“To be a mother is to watch your heart walk around outside your body.”
– Jeannette Walls (1960-present), an American author and journalist, best known for her bestselling memoir ‘The Glass Castle’ (2005).
I DIDN’T think my first trip back to Europe in more than ten years would affect me the way it did.
Maybe it was the timing, maybe it was the place, or maybe it was simply because this was my first time travelling so far away from my four-month-old baby.
Before I left, I kept reassuring everyone and myself that I would be fine. He would be in good hands, looked after by his father and grandparents.
But the moment the plane took off, a quiet ache settled in and one I had never felt before. Motherhood introduces you to a new kind of vulnerability, one that follows you across oceans and time zones.
Still, this journey also reminded me of something I needed to rediscover – that I am not only a mother, but also a journalist, a traveller and a woman with passions and ambitions that existed long before pregnancy and lullabies.
Valladolid, Spain, became the place where all those pieces met again. Valladolid is the kind of city that wears its history with dignity.
Once the capital of Spain in the early 1600s, it has seen monarchs crowned, voyages planned and royal courts established.
Christopher Columbus spent his final days here, and his presence is still felt in quiet corners of the city.
Walking its old streets was like stepping into a living museum – stone buildings, grand façades and wide plazas that have witnessed centuries pass by.
And yet, Valladolid is not trapped in its past. It has reinvented itself with purpose and creativity.
Today, it is recognised as the capital of tapas, a true culinary destination where small plates carry big meaning.
Chefs here treat food as storytelling – each bite crafted with intention, heritage and innovation.
Valladolid is also a UNESCO Creative City of Film, celebrated for its deep connection to cinema and visual culture. With annual festivals, film initiatives and artistic energy, the city has managed to merge tradition with modern creative identity.
Standing there, I realised Valladolid is both historical and current, classic and forward-looking – much like how many of us feel as we grow and evolve.
Being in Valladolid during the world tapas championship felt like stepping into the beating heart of its cultural pride. Every venue buzzed with excitement. Every kitchen was a small universe of ideas.
And between assignments, as I explored the city, something unexpected kept catching my attention – families.
Couples pushing prams, parents guiding toddlers wobbling around cobblestone streets and little ones bundled tightly against the autumn air.
Each time I saw them, my heart squeezed because I missed my baby. I wondered whether he was sleeping well, whether he noticed I wasn’t there and whether he would recognise my voice when I returned.
But in the next breath, I reminded myself that I was here for a purpose. I wanted to do my job well and I wanted to justify the trust that had been given to me.
So even with that ache quietly lingering in the background, I pushed on – taking notes, doing interviews, writing, and staying focused on the responsibility I carried.
This trip was filled with firsts.
One of them was my layover in Doha – the first time I had the chance to experience Hamad International Airport.
The moment I stepped inside, I understood why Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg speaks with such conviction about wanting Kuching’s new airport to reach global standards.
Doha is more than an airport; it is an experience. The design is elegant, the space expansive, and the entire environment feels intentional and efficient.
It is a reminder that airports are not just transit points; they represent the ambition and identity of a place.
If Kuching achieves even half of what Doha embodies, Sarawak will be stepping into a new chapter of international connection.
Another milestone for me came unexpectedly – my first ever stand-upper for TVS.
I won’t pretend it came naturally. When I watched it back, I cringed so hard I could barely look at the screen.
But at the same time, I felt a small spark of pride. It was a surreal moment, seeing myself on television, reporting from Europe of all places.
It was proof that growth sometimes looks awkward, uncomfortable and raw – but it is growth, nonetheless.
Of course, the brightest moment in Valladolid belonged to Chef Liew Kit Kiet, who clinched a top-five placing at the world tapas championship.
Watching a Sarawakian chef who is only 24 years old stand proudly on an international culinary stage filled me with genuine admiration.
His dish, La Perla de Borneo (Pearl of Borneo), carried a piece of our land into a room full of global culinary giants.
His performance showed that Sarawak’s flavours are not just competitive; they are world-class and I couldn’t have been prouder to witness it.
To the organisers who championed this mission, and especially to my bosses and editors who trusted me enough to send me halfway across the world to cover such a prestigious event – thank you.
Your confidence in me means more than words can say.
It pushed me to work harder, stay sharp, and honour the responsibility placed on my shoulders, even on the days when exhaustion and homesickness joined forces.
As the plane departed Spain at the end of the week, the same ache returned – but this time, it came with something else: gratitude.
Being away made me realise that motherhood and ambition do not have to contradict one another. I can be a mother and still pursue opportunities, passions and growth.
When I finally came home and saw the tiny face I had missed every single day, I felt whole.
Valladolid didn’t just give me a story; it gave me perspective.
Sometimes, it only takes one city, one week and one brave step away from home to find yourself again.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at sarahhafizahchandra@gmail.com.
