BEA adventures: Castles and ponies - an unforgettable journey in Scotland and Italy
If you’ve ever tried explaining Bitcoin to your friends and ended up watching their eyes glaze over, you know that teaching Bitcoin isn’t as easy as it sounds. That’s where the Bitcoin Educators Academy (BEA) comes in! Think of it as Hogwarts for Bitcoin educators - minus the magic wands but with plenty of mind-blowing "aha!" moments.
Let me take you on a journey through two of the most memorable experiences I’ve had - one in Scotland as a participant and the other in Italy, where I was part of the organizing team. Both locations were incredible, both had their quirks, and both were full of laughs. Trust me, these aren’t just average courses. Here’s what happened:
Scotland: Sleeping in a 15th-century castle
From January 9 to 12, BEA landed in Edinburgh, a city famous for its castles, whisky, and now - its Bitcoin educators! Let me paint the picture: we stayed in a real, actual 15th-century castle. I mean, come on. How many people get to say they slept in a castle that old? There’s something magical about being surrounded by so much history.
Scotland is known for its weather being a bit unpredictable, and sure enough, I expected rain. But guess what? We got the rarest of all rare things in Scotland: perfect weather. The skies were clear, the sun was shining, and we got to do our usual BEA activity - walks around the venue. There’s something so peaceful about strolling through beautiful landscapes with new friends, chatting about everything under the sun.
Me as a participant
The BEA was packed with moments that made me stop and think, “Wow, I never thought about it that way!” It wasn’t just about learning Bitcoin’s technicalities (though we did cover a lot of that too), but more about how to communicate Bitcoin in a way that resonates with people. We learned how to break down difficult concepts into simple, relatable analogies - one of my favorite sessions.
Before the academy, I’d feel nervous talking in public, but by the end of the three days, I had the confidence and skills to speak clearly and with authority. The feedback from the trainers and peers was invaluable, and I saw significant improvements in my ability to connect with an audience, making the information more accessible and engaging.
In short, the BEA was an eye-opening experience that not only deepened my understanding of Bitcoin but also enhanced my skills as an educator and public speaker.
Italy: Valerio and ponies
Fast forward to January 17-19, and BEA took over a picturesque spot just outside Milan for a women-only training session. And the venue? Beautiful, rustic hotel nestled in the Italian countryside. The kind of place you’d expect to find in the pages of a travel magazine. However, what you might not find in the brochures were the peculiar characters we encountered during our stay.
Valerio, the hotel manager. Valerio was one of the most fascinating (and slightly confusing) people I’ve ever met. He had this way of speaking that left you wondering whether he was genuinely angry with you or if he was just messing with you. He’d talk to you in that classic Italian manner - loud, expressive, and so intense - that you could never quite tell if he was upset or just making fun of you. Honestly, it became a game trying to figure it out, and let me tell you, I never won.
Then came the pony warning. No joke. One of the hotel staff casually mentioned that if we didn’t lock our doors, a pony could wander into our rooms. We all just looked at each other, like, “Is this real life?” Apparently, it was. And yes, we all triple-checked our doors every night after that.
Looking back, these two BEA courses were not just about professional development; they were about making memories and building connections in the most unexpected places. We chose amazing locations - Scotland’s historic castle and Italy’s charming countryside - that became a backdrop to everything we learned and experienced. And through it all, we laughed, bonded, and made memories that would stick with us long after the courses were over.
So, if you ever get the chance to attend a BEA course, I highly recommend it. Not only a course as such, but also the amazing locations, the quirky moments (ponies included), and the friendships you’ll make are worth every second. And who knows? You might end up wondering if the hotel manager is mad at you or just pretending to be. Either way, it’ll be a story worth telling.
