Michael and I sat at a corner table overlooking the hills of Tuscany. We were in a town I’d never heard of until that very morning when a Facebook posting directed us to not just the town but “the restaurant on the curve as you’re driving up there.” No name was mentioned. But in an…
Category: Thoughts
No Pasa Nada: American Airlines version
Dear American Airlines, I thought perhaps you’d like some feedback about my recent trip with you. If you don’t, then kindly delete this message and go on with your day. No hard feelings. I hope it’s a great one. If you’re still reading, cool. Here’s the thing: no one died on this flight, so, you…
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way Home From The Library (or Oh, The People You’ll Meet – Part 3)
“I know you!“ she said, pointing her finger at me. I was walking down a random street in Valencia, on my way home from the library, Michael conversing with me through the earbud I had in one ear. “I’m Yvonne!“ she said as I pulled my earbud out and looked from her to the man…
Camino Culture
Upon arriving in Madrid, my husband Michael and I rented a car and headed north. Our plan was to spend the summer months in Oviedo, then move to Valencia in the fall. After a couple hours, I was hungry. Michael knew this situation could turn into a minor emergency very quickly. “Just pull off into…
Third Time’s A Charm?
I’ve decided I need to add more reading to my Spanish studies. There’s a used bookstore one block from my house and Michael and I have purchased a few children’s books. But I’ve always been frugal. And a minimalist. So no, I don’t want to own tons of children’s books in Spanish. The solution? The…
How I’m Learning Spanish
Living in a Spanish-speaking country does not magically make you a Spanish speaker. Especially when you live with an English-speaking spouse in a city where it’s easy to meet other English speakers and find restaurants, shops, and doctors that cater to them. Were I in my 20s and living with a host family, there would…
One Year In: A Trip to the Hair Salon
It has been one year since Michael and I moved to Spain. Which means it has been one year since I’ve gotten my hair cut. Why? It just hasn’t been a priority. And Michael likes it long. Would prefer I never step foot in a salon, in fact. So I had a happy husband. And…
One Year In. . .
“So, how is it?” people would ask when I first moved to Spain. And I would gauge how much of the truth they really wanted to hear. And how much of the truth I really wanted to get into at that moment. Let’s put it this way: Imagine moving in your own country. Whether around…
A Day of Rest
Every morning I wake up and think, “Really? We’re going to do this again?” By “this” I mean walk 12-17 miles through Spanish towns and countryside. In rain. Or sun. Or, ideally, partial clouds. But I don’t express this thought because what’s the point? Michael and I came here with one goal: to walk from…
Life Lessons
“Cannolis!” Michael exclaimed, seeing them stacked behind the glass. “Eh,” I said. “What do you mean, ‘eh’? You love cannolis.” “But those are pre-filled,” I explained “So?” “So who knows how long ago they filled them. The shells are probably soggy by now.” And so it was that I taught Michael one of the most…
RenaissanceRebecca 