Before You Go!

Here lately my page views have spiked drastically, at least that's what the notifications tell me. I'm no fool, I know it's the season of preparing and scouring the internet to make sure you've prepared just right for your new adventure abroad. Because I am aware, and I've been in your shoes AND I would be a cruel person to just keep moving with no regard to your fragile life changing move here's a quick "to do" list of the little and the big things to help you get on your way.

Warning: This is the only photo, enjoy!
 

 

The Little Things:

Tissue Packets: You use the restroom, you need tissue, but you will not find it if you are using a public restroom in Spain (and most of Europe). Nope. This was always on my shopping list and I was always needing them. Not to mention that time we ran out of toilet paper in the apartment, we were prepared. Seriously, these little packets need to be in your possession as soon as possible and never let them go.
Cell Phone: Just suspend the service if you have a Smart Phone and use Wifi to connect to people through Whassapp. Airplane mode is you friend now. Everyone has it, and now you can make phone calls. It's a free, all in one!
Learning the Language: If you don't know, you will learn. Before you go learn some quick phrases- the basics for interaction, buying items, and in general not coming off as a jerk to the locals. There are so many sources for this, start with the web obviously.
Sunscreen: No really, I'm from Texas and I know heat, but if you go back to the beginning of my blog journey you'll notice a trend: High Temperatures and Walking. These two things require you to protect your body from sun damage. Just do it.
Walking Shoes: Not Espadrilles. Not new Chucks. Not cheap sandals. Not flip-flops. Try some cute New Balances or Timberland boots, both are great for walking, cute and popular no matter where you are in the world. All the shoes I put on the no-gos list I've already tried for you and until you've had to leave a good night out because both of your cheap sandals break apart from all their  hardwork you know nothing.

The Big Things:

A Shoulder bag (Ladies or if you prefer gents): As a woman I'm carrying around more than my average male friend. All of which comes in handy until someone tries to rob me or I'm walking through a very crowded street holding my bag like a baby because, not a soul has time for thieves. Here's looking at you Barcelona. Get a shoulder bag that's light, zips for every compartment option, cleans easy, and can be worn across the body with the bag in the front. I tell you this because I know from the experience. The experience of others of course. I don't know from personal experience because my shoulder bag followed the rules.
A Solid Back Pack: My backpack was waxed leather, definitely fashion forward, and well worth the money. I was a modern day Mary Poppins. You will definitely need this as your carry-on for travels. But sometimes just to put your groceries in before you get on the bus or train.  Try to avoid luggage as much as possible, especially on weekend trips. Get a deep one with many pockets and don't be afraid to return it after your trail run if it doesn't work out. Because you are going to try it on for real before you move abroad, right?
Space Saver Bags: I quote: " Girl, I need to see how you pack, how were you able to bring so many clothes?!" Space saver bags. That's how. Seriously, I wasn't working with overly large suitcases or a too spacious carry-on bag ( I chose atheistic over necessity), but due to Space Saver bags I made it happen. Fully stocked closet right here guys, and outside of giving away my Classic Doc Martens to a homeless man before my departure (and trashing other shoes that the cobble stone streets had been unkind to) I was able to bring back my spoils from shopping along with what I arrived owning. Space Saver bags and the roll technique are your friend. Sometimes your only friend.
Suitcases: All I can say is choose wisely, and choose for you. Don't let someone else pick out your big bags AND make sure you can carry them all at once. My bags are SWISS, so they're built tough, made for travel, and easy to carry. My smaller bag while pretty big can easily be worn as a backpack due to the handles design. My best suggestion is to get all your bags together in a corner of your place or beside a wall. Imagine you are traveling on a train and some little street urchins are eyeing your property. Are you and your bags arrange in a manner that's going to make it real difficult for them to hassle away some of your belongings. If not, why? Figure it out- even if that means buying new bags. This is a real life situation, just ask anyone who has ever traveled abroad about their train, underground, tube, or subway story and I guarantee you it will involve a Tetris game of their property for safe keeping.

The When I Get There Things:

Living Situation: With the internet and connecting with people all over the world it's definitely possible to find a place before you get to your city, but BECAREFUL. I was lucky because not only the landlords and there daughter provided references, but the current resident was all over Facebook with tips and pictures. I took a chance and it paid off. My greatest suggestion to you is network with locals before you get there, they'll be the helpful ones for certain.
Get The I.D.:  Do not waste time getting your I.D. or the information needed. Follow the directions, use your resources and move forward. To open up a bank account, which you will need, you have to have you I.D. get it and keep it safe.
Find some travel buddies: No seriously, find folks you can travel with and then go. Plan sometimes and others times don't plan, just hope on a train to a town you've heard of and have a good time.

The BIGGEST THING:

Enjoy the journey, understand that you can never fully prepare for what you are about to experience and that the person you believe yourself to be is about to change for the better. Please don't let the stress or nerves get in the way of the experience and relationships you will encounter along the way.

Hope this was helpful, until next time . . .Adios, Hasta Pronto, Be Blessed!

Life in Spain: It Has Been Fun, Real Fun

Y'all, I cannot tell you the goodness of being home. To say having a Champagne bottle ring my bell was the worst thing to ever happen to me would be a complete lie. I was in a panic coming back for no reason, blessing are flowing and everything is coming up "D"!

But while I'm adjusting and sorting out home, I'm going to be publishing a few blogs looking back to Spain and my life there. I hope you'll take these, "Life in Spain" post as the perfect time to ask any questions or concerns if you're looking to head down the same path. Or if you're just curious, simple post in the comments or send an e-mail, we'll talk.

To start off the "Life in Spain" series, let's take a look at some photos you've never seen. From start to finish . . .

 

My First Day, Madrid Streets, August 2013

 

First Spanish Breakfast, Seville, September 2013

Rooftop Concert, Cathedral at Night, Sevilla, September 2013 

Home Sweet Jaen, Day 1, September 2013

Daily Walk to Work, Baeza 2013-2014

First After Lunch Shot, Baeza, October 2013

Cold Morning Walks to School, Baeza, January 2014

 

Friend Sunday Dinners, Learning to Make Sushi, Jaen, January 2014

The Sunset on a Weekend Trip to Cabera, Jaen, February 2014
 

Weekend of Friends, Jaen, February 2013

My Discovery of Gofres  Two Weeks Before Leaving, Jaen, February 2014



My Last Spanish Breakfast, Baeza, February 2014

 



A Goodbye Shot, Mines Grape Juice, Jaen, March 2014

Sister Selfi in Rome, My Goodbye Family Trip, March 2014

It's been fun, I mean a top time and I look forward to looking back with each and everyone of you sweet folks.

Until Next Time, Adios, Hasta Pronto, and Be Blessed  . . . 

Dear Champagne, I'll Always Love You

Dear Champagne,
Hey Lady, I know many have tried to blame you during this whole trail, but count me out. Just as the sweet, elderly gentleman who pulled my writhing and bloody self out of the Paris gutter said after you fell a couple of stories and knocked some sense into me, " It's a good bottle, thank goodness they drank it all- those fools for setting such a bottle on the balcony rail". He was so sweet, kind of like you Champagne when mixed with grape fruit juice and sparkling soda. Should I ever see him again I'll buy him a case of the best of you, only the best.
As a matter of fact many folks have uttered the phrase, "thank goodness for that hair of yours", but really I've a few thank you's to throw your directions Champagne . . .

For the first time in my life I did not try to please others, I did what needed to be done to take care of this one body I have. This body that since you landed so gracefully on top of the head connected to the shoulders has witnessed many headaches, lost hearing, become quit dizzy often enough, occasionally experiences blurred vision and the list of troubles goes on. Which is why I said my goodbyes, packed my bags and hightailed it to the U.S. where I did have insurance.
Champagne I'd also like to thank you for all the time I was able to spend with some great souls. Souls who bandaged me up quickly after you did your damage. Who walked the streets with me from clinic to clinic and hospital to hospital. Who sat at the emergency room with me well over six hours into the night and never batted an eyelash. Who since my return to the United States have messaged me constantly with updates and concerns. An odd situation brought us closer together with hours to talk about anything and everything.
Champagne you've been with me through many moments, laughter filled nights, picnics in the park, friend filled brunches and after work turn-downs. If I was able to drink I would have toasted my doctor when he confirmed I have a prolonged concussion with slight nerve damage and promptly referred me to Neurologist. Solid answers deserve endless bubbles!
I'm a firm believer in your healing bubbles and ability to mix with drinks from a stout Guinness to dry Cranberry. When I can bask in your excellence again, I'll have those sweet souls over, invite the ones that greeted me with concern when I landed and thank my family for all their care with bottles and bottles of Lady Champagne toasted to possibly one of the most interesting time periods of my life. Thanks for the memories, sweet.

Until next time, Adios, Hasta Pronto, Be blessed  . . .

 

 

Just How I Like to Travel

Last week I posted a blog asking questions about the style of travel you folks prefer, Travelers Inquirer Within,  and as promised here's my response to the questions . . .

Quality or Quantity:

Honestly, there are places in the world that do not appeal to me as a travel despite the fact that they are "hot spots", so my list of places to go is not as long as your average traveler. It doesn't mean I'm not interested in other places it just means I've got a few I'm going to concentrate on for long periods of time or over many visits before I move on to the "places I never knew" list.

Tourist Takedown or Local Living:

If it's a museum I'm there and I'm there all day long. If it's a building I'll snap a picture as I walk by and then do some research later because honestly just walking the streets and taking in the local atmosphere takes me to my travelers high quicker than any other activity.
Cozy on the Couch or Hotel Hospitality:
I cannot do someone couch or a hostel, I've tried and it doesn't work- I'm a creature of certain comforts. I can rent a room in someone's place- who knew a door could mean so much. I prefer renting an entire apartment with friends or a Bed and Breakfast, the real ones not a hostel complaining to offer toast and orange juice in the morning. A hotel is actually my go to for one or two nights, but after that I'm looking for an apartment or B&B.

Eat Everything or Chef Choice:

I'm eating every single thing and honestly I could careless where that is located. I'm big on doing research before I go to a place and that research is usually food related with an emphasis on "cheap, but good" or "brunch". I've found some great places through research, but I've also found some great places through walking the streets and following the aroma flowing through the streets.

Fellow travelers, feel free to add your own answers after checking out the questions on the Travelers Inquire Within blog post, comment or leave a link to your own blog. I like these types of questions and will probably start doing a few a month- guess something did spark with the Expat Blogger Challenge, hmmm.

 

 

Until Next time, Adios, Hasta Pronto, Be blessed . . .

Travelers Inquir Within

Just a few questions, that I'd love to discuss and frequently come up during discussion with us expats who are not only living abroad, but traveling as often as possible . . .

Quality or Quantity:

What works better short trips that allow you to see the views or long trips that allow you to walk the streets and unbeaten path?

 

Tourist Takedown or Local Living

See all the main attractions mentioned in all the travel guide books or sip tea at a coffee shop in a neighborhood few tourist ever go to and chat with a local whose history could run just a deep as any archeological site?

Cozy on the Couch or Hotel Hospitality

Should you rent a place with a local, crashing on someone couch possible or take refuge in a hotel with guaranteed amenities every weary traveler needs?

Eat Everything or Chef Choice

Do you eat the street food, charge in to every hidden eatery ready to devour all food or go to the nice restaurant with the cuisine fit for a king?

How do you like to travel, move through cultures in the most comfortable manner that suits your soul? Discuss freely in the comments or move the topic to your own blog with a link posted in the comments. I'm interested! I'll be posting my own replies to these questions next week so come on back, ya hear.

 

 

Until Next time, Adios, Hasta Pronto, Be blessed . . .

Expat Blogger Challenge: Day 21

Day 21:

Taste Like Home



I don't even play this game. This is the downward spiral of thinking how many unsanitary items you touch in one day. It will only harm the mind and spirit.

What I will tell you is the top five places I'm going to become a constant regular at when I return home, in no particular order:

My Grandmother's kitchen.

 To eat well and to learn. In a culture where eating out means small portion tapas typically or cooking at home I've been enjoying learning how much I like the process of creating a meal. Who better to learn from than my Nini!

A quick whip-up from my Nini!

 

Five Guys Burger.

 A real burger. A malt with a burger.

Chica- fi-la.

It's been so long I'm not even sure if I spelled it correctly and I'm so scared to Google the information then find myself drooling at a picture of those crispy nuggets.

 

 

My Dad's Meatloaf.

 I'll be learning this recipe also and then devouring it often. He makes it every birthday dinner and I eat the majority every birthday dinner. The poor guy always finds something wrong with the dish that he'll have to change next time, and if he keeps thinking this we're going to have to have his head examined.

 

My other grandmothers peach cobbler.

My family of fools. This lady is old school and didn't write down her recipes. Her recipe for her Peach Cobbler that caused a many of odd knowledge about my cousins and odd fights too- corner pieces are worth teeth marks in my shoulder for weeks and I'll stand by that until I die.

 Sadly, this sweet Texas-flower has suffered some old age memory lose and not a soul knows the recipe, but this summer while crashing at my parents again I plan to visit her often for story time. Hopefully one of those stories will even include the baking process of her peach cobbler that has caused an adult male to carry around a bowl full of the gooey dish for hours until his stomach had made room for more goodness.

 

Dear reader what are the foods that get your mouth watering and your soul in a mood for a feast. I love hearing about the comfort foods of others- please share.

 Remember if you want to participate in the blogger challenge feel free to answer in the comments or leave a link for your blog.

Until Next time, Adios, Hasta Pronto, Be Blessed . . .

 

Expat Blogger Challenge: Day 19

My Accent.

Whatever this means to you, how does it affect your life now?

Hey y'all! Spanish folk always say I'm easier to understand when speaking English until they find out I'm from Texas and then all of sudden I start getting statements along the lines of " I can't understand you" and " at least you aren't as hard to understand as British people". Thanks for the compliment.
As for my Spanish accent, I'm all over the place:
If the conversation is switching between English and Spanish it's difficult for me to keep changing the way I hold my mouth and turn my tongue correctly.
If the conversation is strictly in Spanish and I know all the words I'm using then I've actually received compliments for my accent. Most people know I speak no other language than my native tongue and that I only began learning Spanish in September. Outside of reading a few of my favorite authors in Spanish I have not interacted before in the language.
 Funnily enough I tribute my non-accent and ability to learn an accent to my English Language crazy parents and my Theatre background. Both require the mastering of a clear tongue so that people sitting in the "sneak-out of a high school play early unseen" seats can hear you clearly and no one ever gives you flack for a jumbled conversation.

But let's not just allow the Spanish speakers a free-pass. When I first arrived in Madrid and people from all over the world were finding out where exactly I was going to be learning Spanish everyone said the same thing, "oh they drop the end of their words AND chew certain letters, good luck!". I honestly just thought it was a patrotic stereotype passed down, but little did I know the joy of hearing the full word, "Adios" until visiting Barcelona.
 Then when visiting Paris I held three conversation with three different random folks whose main focus during the conversation was how difficult to understand the Andulcian can be the majority of the time. Honestly it's easy to find this frustrating, but after traveling north and being able to communicate way better I'm thankful for the trail by fire and know that all my hardwork has paid off.

What languages other than your native tongue do you speak dear reader? Was it difficult to learn or easy as pie?
 How about understanding others in a second language, how does that process work for you. Again if you want to participate in the challenge feel free to answer in the comments section or post a link to your blog.

Until next time, Adios, Hasta Pronto, Be Blessed  . . .

Expat Blogger Challenge: Day 17

This Sunset Brought to You by Cazorla, Jaen NOT Texas.

Day 17: If I didn't leave home I would have never seen . . .

 

Sunset in Cazorla, Jaen on Friday, February 14th 2013

Expat Blogger Challenge: Day 16

Let's Just Pretend I didn't Miss 7 Days.

Right just as it says in the title, I'm going to pretend I didn't miss seven days straight ( even though I did run around with my camera like a turkey taking photos for last Monday's topic.)  Moving forward . . . . . .

Day 16:   “It is a bitter-sweet thing, knowing two cultures. Once you leave your birthplace nothing is ever the same.” ― Sarah Turnbull

Again, I related to this quote as a mover. I know that some folks spend there entire lives in the same city. I'm close friends with a young lady in Texas who has only ever lived in the same metropolis, traveling often to other states, but maintaining the same area code for home her entire 36 years of life. Or, I've even met people living abroad with whom this particular living situation never occurred before and have only lived at home and away at university. Then there's me, I've moved more times that I've told people the phrase, "I moved a lot growing up". My dad is a coach and  my mom is an administrator they both have this ability to rebuild suffering schools and people caught on to that early.
This moving often resulted in me living in every region of Texas, but the Corpus Christie area. If you consider that the country of Spain fits inside the state of Texas you can then maybe understand better the notion that every region of Texas has it's own culture, accents, food, names, phrases and traditions.
 Don't believe ask someone from the Brazos area to throw a crawdad boil for someone from West Texas and play only Zydeco music the majority of the time. Your beloved West Texas pal will spend the majority of the time perplexed over the cooking process and ziesty music and why exactly this Brazos person sound so similar to someone from Louisiana. The comparisons are never ending. Growing up adjusting, living and socializing all over this great landscape of Texas has taught me more things than the times I've moved.
When people ask where my home is, I always respond that my home is where my loved ones reside. Whether that be beside me, two towns over or across the pond the people who hold my heart iare exactly where you can find my home. Because of this idea my home is always growing, changing, and adding new places to call home. So no I do not consider leaving my birthplace bitter sweet, only sweet. Sweet like a mothers milk, wrapped in comfort and nutrition to the soul.

Dear travels how do you relate to this quote, does it speak to you in a way that I could never understand. Just provide a link to your blog and answer in the comments section, I am truly interested.

Until next time, Hasta Pronto, Adios, Be Blessed . . .

 

Expat Blogger Challenge: Day 9

Topic: "Expat Syndrome" is a condition whereby many expatriates see mostly either the best of their own nationality and the worst of the locals, or the opposite." - T. Crossley

Honestly, I cannot help, but think that this is the easiest mind frame to maintain when living in a different country. Remember the three definitions provided when introducing this here Blogger Challenge, the word "immigrant" was used.
 A natural process that goes along with being an immigrant is "assimilation" and in the process of assimilating to your new country it is natural to compare and contrast.

Finding the differences of each country is a natural thought process, but at some point a person must move forward from comparing and understand that the differences are what make cultures their own. The differences are tied to the history and the landscape, to the people's belief system and without them the geography would be different, but your new place would be just the same as the old.

 

A long winded analogy ( oh my this is actually a completely different literary element that I cannot remember at this time that answers to the definition: An extended analogy. Someone please help this English Major and Educator out with the answer, please):

Moving to a different country is the start of a new relationship and at first it's natural to compare the new to the old, but after some time you start to realize the comparison is only harming the new relationship and all that you could be enjoying from the experience. So then you simply let go of the past, not forget, but place in your mind attic to reach for in the form of memories.
 Occasionally you bring up the past relationship in times of frustration, but then you quickly realize this is helping none and move forward with a non-judgmental solution.
And just as many real life relationships end because wants, needs and expectations are not being met so can a persons time of living in a different country than their native land.
 But it's important to make sure the time ends not because the current could not compare to the past, but because the current is not what you need at the moment. What is that phrase people often say when referencing grass that has grown old, "Comparison is the theft of joy", remember this travel friends, remember this well.

Travel buddies, what is your opinion, do you agree with me or disagree? Or maybe you have  a more personal experience to convey and less broad? Share away, whether in the comments or with a link to your own blog.

 

Until Next Time, Adios, Hasta Pronto, Be Blessed . . .

Blogger Challenger Plays Catch-Up

I honestly planned on writing all of the blogs I missed and then due to events outside of my control I was unable to work on my laptop this week and became even further behind. I just don't have it in  me to write all the blogs I've missed, but I still want to participate in some form, so I've developed a challenge of my own: Complete each of the post I've missed in twenty words. No more, no less. Twenty on the dot. Hopefully this keeps it interesting while also keeping it simple.

If you too are participating remember to post a link to your blog in the comments, let me know your thoughts on the topic if you aren't participating on your blog- the more the merrier.

Day 1: The View from Where I Write

Café view.

 

I write everything at my desk or the teachers lounge at work or a nook at my favorite Jaen café.

Café seating.

 

Day2: "Not All Those Who Wander are Lost"- J.R.R. Tolkien

 I was, and many others are in the same boat. Thanks for the help travel, change always heals the spirit.

 

Day 3: An Object that Makes Me Feel at Home

Technology. Cell and Computer.  I can write, record, snap a picture or hold a video conversation with loved ones anytime.

Day 4: My 5th Post, A Look Back

Was education based and personal. I was definitely trying to figure out what type of blog I wanted to write.

Day 5: I Was at The Airport, and . . .

Met a fresh out of college National Geographic Travel Writer, who wants to return to India for a political career.

Day 6: I would/ would not move to another country after this . . .

Unless I was moving for my passion. I now know that my passion must always be at play in life.

Day 7: Since moving abroad, my pantry looks different because . . .

I have no frozen food. Food in containers in the fridge yes, but no frozen California Pizzas or dinner meals.

Day 8: I will never get use to . . .

How much I miss loved ones. Here, there, everywhere the amount I miss those folks could fill a black hole.

 

Please don't hold against me the lack of a full length blog and take into account that full length Barcelona blog that more than makes up for any loss. Remember I would love to read about your own adventures and opinions on the topics.

Until Next time, Adios, Hasta Pronto, Be Blessed . . .