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: Living with the Locals

Number one hands down, only regret I have from my time abroad is not living with a local. Not because I ended up not caring for my living situation in the end, but because there are so many cultural experiences I missed out on during my stay.

I was hopping to live in a place like this with character, but I did not . . .

1.) Learning the Language

nor this . . .

There is no point in living in a different country with a different language and not learning how to speak that language. The best way to do this is immersion. Speaking your native tongue will become a comfort and if it's spoken in your living quarters all the time that's nice, but it's not helping you in the language growth department. Whether it's discussing your plans for the evening or trying to figure out your weekly chores it will all take place in the language you're trying to learn. And your roommates are going to support and help you learn because the sooner you learn the sooner they'll stop having to speak real slow when talking to you.

2.) How the Natives React

Did you know Spanish people don't sleep the entire siesta? I didn't until my routine of sleeping the entire siesta was set in stone. Had I lived with locals I would've known that while a little nap is acceptable siesta is actually the time to accomplish everything on your to do list that doesn't involve outside sources. Get your chores done, do your homework, prepare dinner, and call/write your loved ones. Being as I would love a set aside time for that here in America with my never ending schedule I wish I would have used my siesta more wisely back in Spain.

3.) The Going's On

definitely not this . . .

When I first arrived in Spain everything we did was heavily populated and tourist attraction labeled. Then as my friend group moved from expats to locals or at least expats who had lived in Jaen for years I started discovering other hangouts. I was attending music shows that were heavy in Spanish attendance and discovering happenings going on in my town that all the Spanish knew about, but very few outsiders. And just a heads up this is how you transition from an outsider to a person no longer on the fringes of your community, and what better way to do that than through the people you live with.

4.) Connections

If you fall in love with your city you are going to want to return and visit in the future, but traveling to Europe is not cheap- now you have people to stay with when you return. Not to mention you have people who probably have family and friends located in all those hot spots you want to visit before returning home- now you've got a couch.

Seriously though, immersion is what most people moving abroad are seeking and there is no better way to complete your immersion experience than by shacking up with a few locals. Yes it will be difficult, but few easy things are truly rewarding. No sense in just dipping a toe into the water of living abroad, might as well cannonball right on into the deep end.

and definitely not this cuteness!

Maybe it was obsessing over dreamy apartment photos like the above that caused my loveless relationship with my own place, hmmm. Hopefully you get such stylishness- it doesn't help when your verbs just aren't conjugating correctly and you keep getting stuck on kitchen duty!

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

Photo Thanks to localboy.com, blackmatilla.com, home-designing.com, and apartmentsIlike.wordpress

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 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 . . .

Whatcha Doin', Nothing Just Chillin' in Spain

Nothing, just getting to know Jaen and Baeza a little bit better. Just a recap, I live in Jaen, but commute to the smaller town of Baeza to work. At first I was under the assumption that I was only to work in Baeza and play in Jaen, but thank goodness that fog as lifted.

Oddly enough, my true playtime did not begin until I quit working at the private academy I was teaching at during the evenings in Baeza on Monday and Wednesday. The two main reasons for my departure were the long hours into the night and the fact that I signed on to teach but later the school decided to go a different direction with assisting students in learning the English language. As I mentioned way back at the beginning of my moving to Spain adventure the point was to take a break and center my life goals. As much as I adored and miss, man do I miss, those kiddos I am definitely enjoying the freetime.

Despite being in graduate classes online and working, I was still able to do things I enjoyed in town, but now that I have more free time I've been able to transition into my natural groove of socializing and daily routine. I've worked out my carpool (just an fyi that is not a word in Spanish, you have to describe this one folks) and I'm enjoying the company and conversation well- not to mention my understanding of Spanish as tripled. I've been able to meet friends for dinner, coffee, or after work drinks- if you know me you know how much I just l.o.v.e. meeting up with folks in the evening and then heading home to an comfy bed and good book at a sensible hour. Because of siesta when I arrive to Jaen from Baeza after school everyone is locked away in their homes, but in the evenings the shopping and socializing come alive and I'm able to participate now. I know to some the point of this trip would be to visit all the town artifacts and stay up all night enjoying the infamous Spanish nightlife, but that's not how I work. In my opinion if you are constantly walking around looking at the buildings you miss out on the people, the living history that can tell you stories no history book would ever publish.

Tapas With Co-workers and their families.

However, no worries, I have spent plenty of time in Baeza- once even a long weekend (with many more to follow hopefully), which is actually a UNESCO World Heritage site, so I'm soaking up the history. In Baeza I have enjoyed, in my humble opinion, the best Tapas Spain has to offer. Many disagree, but I'm okay as long as they keep serving. I've found a place that throws great concerts every Thursday night AND I'm getting to spend more time with my co-workers and their families. From the personalized Pallella day, to tapas with other teachers in town, to a night out in Jaen.

A Fancy Kabob, in Baeza.

There is shrimp all in there, mmmgood!

At the same time I've been able to concentrate on graduate class, keep in contact with loved ones in the states more frequently and read about five books.

 Adjustment is not that bad at all, definitely unexpected in the relationships and routines I've developed, but an overall great start to this adventure.

Roommates walking through a lovely park we discovered in Jaen.

I'm sure you dear reader have had to adjust to something new and unexpected, whether moving to a different country or new marriage or a completely different job than the previous. I would love to hear all about it, feel free to even provide some tips and tricks!

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

The roommates doing Saved by the Bell Halloween Proper.