Three days in Chiang Mai
Have a short jaunt to this small town in the north of Thailand? Make the most of it with these tips!
Read More
8 questions to ask before you start private classes
This post could also be titled, “Everything I wish I knew about private classes before I started.” In over nine years as a teacher in Spain I have had to take on my share of private classes, usually against my own wishes and thanks to the insistence from my bank account. If you are an […]
Read MoreBarcelona on a budget
There’s no use hiding it, Barcelona is not a cheap city–Spain-speaking. Yes, compared to the UK or pretty much any other city in western Europe, Barcelona is still cheaper, but being a tourist here can get pricey pretty quickly. Take a look at some of the most typical tourist spots at a glance: Sagrada Familia […]
Read MoreHow to be an awesome language assistant
So you’ve been accepted into a language assistant program and you’ve likely been placed in a middle of nowhere town and CAN’T WAIT TO GO TO SPAIN. But maybe you don’t speak Spanish, maybe you’ve never been to Spain before, maybe you’ve never been a teacher, and your excitement turns into a little bit more […]
Read MoreSaying goodbye to Barcelona
Many people would affirm that nothing is better than having a routine and security. Knowing your friends, your neighborhood, how to do your job, which chores you’ll do every day of the week, what you’ll buy at the grocery store and make for dinner and what your next few years of life will probably look […]
Read MoreMalta in 36 hours or less
Malta is a hard place to define. This is due in large part to its geographical placement and historical significance. In case you haven’t checked a map before your trip, (NO JUDGEMENT–I shamefully was completely mistaken on where in the world Malta was until literally 24 hours before we left), this little island sits shoulder to […]
Read MoreA few major differences between Spanish and American weddings
One of the best parts about living in Spain for almost a decade is that at some point, you start to blend more and more in to the culture. This means having Spanish friends, with Spanish boyfriends, that at some point turn into Spanish weddings. I went to my first Spanish wedding about five years […]
Read MoreEverything you need to know about the Blue Lagoon
You’ve heard about it. You’ve seen pictures. You’ve planned your whole trip to Malta around this one beach. And I’m here to tell you…you’ve made the right choice. Now, what do you need to know before you go? You’ve got a couple of options. Take a taxi (check the prices online and in Malta ALWAYS […]
Read MoreHow to best see the city of “tripeiros”
If you’ve been following along with my blog for even a short amount of time, you might know that I had the best stroke of luck when one of my new coworkers four years ago became one of my best friends in the world. But even if you don’t, you’ll probably recognize her face because […]
Read MoreStay in Spain as an American
If you have come to this post, I have a feeling you are in one of a few categories: You’ve been working your “normal” job in the States since graduation and are ready for a break and move abroad, and curious about how others have done it. You just finished your first year as a […]
Read MoreWhy you should see the Costa Brava this winter
After a whirlwind 48 hours on the beautiful Costa Brava with two even more beautiful friends of mine, I have officially decided that winter time is the best time to visit this treasure of north-east Spain. Yup. I said it. The Costa Brava is best visited in the winter. “But what about the beaches? The water sports? […]
Read MoreThe only guide to brunch in Barcelona you’ll ever need.
Alright my dear readers, this post is officially over a year in the making. It was, in fact, one of the first posts I planned to write when I started this little baby of mine just under a year ago. But my main goal is and always has been to give the most honest information […]
Read MoreA few things I learned in the Czech capital
Before heading off on one of my favorite ways to travel–girls weekend with my coworker/best friend/platonic love/and favorite travel partner, Pili–I already had some preconceived notions about Prague. I had been there once during a whirlwind Easter break trip through Vienna, Prague, Budapest, and Krakow, and had only really spent little over 24 hours there. […]
Read MoreTaxes for expats
There are certain topics that strike fear in the heart of every amateur expat. “Amateur” being anyone who hasn’t been in their new country for long or one who just simply chooses to lead a life of blissful ignorance. I am most definitely the latter. Which is why, when someone asks a question like, “What […]
Read MoreThe question of Catalan independence on the eve of a revolution
DISCLAIMER: I don’t often write about politics, and have never done it on the blog. But considering the current political turmoil, I have more people asking me if they should cancel their trip to Barcelona out of safety concerns, than those asking me for the best places to brunch. (BTW–do not cancel your plans to […]
Read More10 things you need to know about Barcelona
Barcelona is a city constantly toeing the line between being Spanish or European. (Yes, I’m aware that it is technically both–for now anyway–but stay with me.) The Spanish side being all, beers-on-beers-on-tapas-on-beers in a small, sunny plaza, and the European side nudging its elbow reminding Barç that there’s work tomorrow, and someone has to pay […]
Read MoreWhat I wish I had brought to Spain
The first time I was moving to Spain as a language assistant, my mom oversaw most of my packing. The second and third time are none of your business. JKJK, obvi she was there to put her two cents in as well, mostly to ask if I had enough of all the things I didn’t […]
Read MoreMust knows for enjoying island time in the Cíes
During your time in Galicia, if you are lucky enough to get nice weather, going to the Islas Cies is an essential stop. These islands are a protected marine-terrestrial park, and the definition of unspoiled paradise. (Hey, there’s a reason why the Romans called it the islands of the gods.) As you may have heard, The Guardian even […]
Read MoreGetting an apartment abroad…painlessly
Finding an apartment is a pain in the puto culo. Trying to get all of the things you want in the right location isn’t always a guarantee and usually ends in compromise. Add to this situation not being able to speak the native language fluently or have any friends or acquaintances in the city, no […]
Read More10 spots you can’t miss on the Costa Brava
I have been to a lot of Spanish beaches in my day. And to be honest each one of them is gorgeous in its own way. The extensive beaches of Cádiz, the rocky and virgin coves in Alméria, the dramatic cliffs of Galicia and Asturias. But the Costa Brava is still one of the highest […]
Read MoreYour personal to do list this summer in Barcelona
Whether its January or July, you will always be able to stumble upon something unique happening in Barcelona. But like most places, it oozes its coolness and shines most in the months from April to September. Any given day you step outside you are bound to find yourself sipping on a vermut in a neighborhood […]
Read MoreGet over your fear of long haul flights
Airports, amirite? Magical places full of love, hope, and dreams unlived. Let me be clear. I am talking about everything that happens A.S.—After Security. Until everyone has passed this point, it is a shit show across the board, and Ill be the first one to admit that anyone, ANYONE who gets in my way should […]
Read MoreAll of your Toledo must-dos from a local himself
If you ever ask a Spanish person about the history and culture of their country, one of the first things they will tell you is how for centuries, three major religions and their respective cultural traditions, foods, and architectural styles coexisted together for centuries. Of course, how truly peaceful their coexistence was, we will never […]
Read More5 things that Lyon is waiting to show you
One of the best things about living in Barcelona and being in your twenties with only a small feline to worry about while you’re away, is that you can jet off for a weekend without much of a second thought. Weekend trips also make for the perfect Christmas present. Enter: Lyon! Where is this guy […]
Read MoreHow an American learned an age-old Spanish dance
Many women dream of the day they get to design that one, beautiful white dress that they will wear for the best day of their lives. I think about my (possible) future wedding dress too, but ever since the first April I spent in Sevilla, all I’ve been able to think about is what my […]
Read More6 things to know before you fall in love with Cinque Terre
So, I have about a million different blog posts to do but tonight I’m alone with a glass…or two…of wine, and I’m in the mood for Italy. To understand this mood, it might be necessary to crank up a lil bit of this and look at a lil bit a that. Aight. Now you feel me? Grab yourself […]
Read More10 FAQ for a Language Assistant
Before I dive into this, I have to say first that auxiliaries de conversación is the whole reason I am still in Spain. If this is your goal, listen carefully. After studying abroad, it became very clear to me that I had to go back to Spain. I didn’t feel like I had gained the […]
Read MoreWhat is “the milk”?
Milk comes in different forms for different people. For some, it could be landing your first real job with a decent salary. Maybe its putting the down payment on a house, looking your baby in the eyes, or deciding to leave everything behind and move somewhere new. None are better or worse than the other, the only thing that matters is that it keeps nourishing you, and keeps you thriving for more.
Read More