Category: Europe
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Regions of Spain: Valencia
I’m starting off my stay in the Spanish region of Valencia in the province of Alicante, where my cousin Layla and her husband Ian live. Spain has 17 autonomous regions (Comunidades Autónomas) which are further divided into 50 provinces. I will move to the city of Murcia in the Murcia region, which is about an…
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Moving to Spain: logistics
Moving to Spain The logistics of moving to another continent can be tricky. However, with research and patience, living abroad is achievable. I’ve already touched on the process for applying with the Ministry and receiving a visa. Once these are accomplished, it’s time to understand the basic logistics of how to live. Flights First, I…
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So you want to teach in Spain
I’m in the process of receiving a visa to live and teach in Spain. As with any position I take, I want to help people understand the resources and opportunities available to them to work and travel. I will go through the first stages of the Auxiliares de Conversación Program and direct you to…
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I’m moving to Spain!
When I last wrote, I was in the process of moving the tiny house to Austin. As of now, I will live in the house for the next two months in Corsicana, but my ultimate plans have changed. In September, I will move to Spain. After a series of logistical failures and fortunate events, I…
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We must respond to genocide
First, a confession I have been a friend and family member to people from various countries since 2013, when I moved into a new neighborhood in Fort Worth, Texas. When I was an intern in an unfamiliar city, it was Iraqis, Somalians, Sudanese and Nepalis who invited me into their homes for elaborate meals moments…
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Paris and the problem of selective grief
Today, I grieve for the people of Paris. Over 120 citizens were murdered in terrorist attacks at several locations including a stadium, rock concert and restaurant. In July, I was walking past this same stadium with my Parisian friend Marjorie and my best friend Lav. It is close to Marjorie’s home in the neighborhood of…
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Favorite German Festivals
While travelling through Germany we were introduced by our friends and Couchsurfing hosts to the concept of the stadtfest and the volksfest. These local celebrations are a way for people to celebrate their heritage while eating great food, drinking good beer and spending time with friends and neighbors. A city will usually hold a stadtfest,…
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Free things to do in Amsterdam
If you’re like me, you spend months or years saving for your backpacking trip. When you finally get there you don’t have the budget to spend on fancy operas or expensive tours. Thankfully, Amsterdam has plenty of free options to see and do. Ride the ferry to Amsterdam-Noord When you walk out of the train…
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Paris: City of Light, Love and Teargas
When people think of Paris, certain images flash through their minds: the splendor of the Eiffel Tower; the culture of the Louvre; the expensive shops of Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Dior sparkling along the Champs-Élysées. They fantasize about sampling crêpes and coffee while celebrating French ideals of freedom, justice and beauty in the City of…
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Iceland: the best layover ever
So whenever you book the cheapest flight available, you’re going to have to wait for a long time. Our layover in Iceland was sixteen hours, almost a full day in the airport at Keflavík. However, we flew with the surprisingly great Icelandair who offer stopovers in Iceland of up to seven days with no extra…
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Travel 101: Trusting Strangers
I was standing at a train station in Vienna, Austria wondering if I’d made a mistake, that my father was right and I had been talking to a 40-year-old plumber the entire time. Then I saw her. I recognized Stef at once. I could tell by the way she walked, by her style of dress,…
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Faith of the Romani in Slovakia
Faith in Slovakia is multifaceted with layers of historical influence and shifting tradition. Over 60 percent of the country describes themselves as Catholic. While living here, I’ve been to a Slovak and Romani congregation, one Romani Pentecostal church, a Slovak Baptist service, an in-home Romani Bible study, a Romani Epistolic church, and I’ve visited with…