This year will mark my third Thanksgiving in Colombia. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, I have a conveniently large group of North Americans to celebrate with. Every Thanksgiving, Volunteers and…
An Introvert Abroad: 5 Ways to Escape the London Hubbub
Center yourself in the chaos of the city. Samuel Johnson famously said, “When a man [or woman] is tired of London, he is tired of life.” No offense, Sam, but…
Bem-vindo a Lisboa! Three ways to skip the tourist books and head straight to the heart of Lisbon
As a Portuguese American, nothing makes me happier than finding the deeply rooted soul of Portuguese culture. I don’t mean to knock the tourism industry, especially in Lisbon — in fact, I…
Finding Love, Down Under
There’s just something about an accent that can make women swoon, especially an Australian one. For some unexplainable reason, a person’s attractiveness increases significantly when you hear their lovely voice….
How to not feel like a complete idiot in France
Let’s face it: traveling can be hard on the ego sometimes. You’re in a new setting, with new norms and rules and etiquettes, and it’s easy to feel like you’re…
5 Handy Hotel Hacks
Essential room supplies – stocking up on local wines 😉 I’ll never forget my first time in a fine hotel. The linens were so soft, like a waterfall of silk,…
Veterinarian Visits Abroad
Spread the word about castration! -Zanycat 😉 On a sunny morning a few weeks ago, I walked down the street receiving more than my fair share of strange looks. In…
Frugal, Flying, and Fabulous
Does First Class feel a long way off? Do you long for the perks of First Class but don’t have room in the budget? Here are some tips to help…
Making the Most of Goodbye: 4 Ways to Keep Parting More Sweet and Less Sorrow
I doubt I’m alone when I say that I hate goodbyes. Nothing hurts more than the idea of possibly never seeing something again, whether an old friend, a new destination,…
A Beginner’s Guide to Planète Mars
Old and new meet at Marseille’s Vieux Port, with the stately old Fort St-Jean shadowing the shiny new Mucem in the distance. It’s been over a month now since I…
The Secret to Having an Awesome Adventure Vacation
Happiness studies have shown that pre-vacation anticipation gives as much or MORE happiness than the vacation itself. Within days of returning, vacationers don’t report being happier than those who never…
Finagling Females – The Art of the Travel Bargain
Bargaining at the market. Have you ever done it before? Photo courtesy of chinalawandpolicy.com Standing on the side of a dusty road, with lusty, malarial mosquitos nipping at my toes,…
Providence Island and Its Seven-Colored Sea
It’s not easy to get to Providence Island, but after experiencing what it has to offer, it’s even harder to leave. Providence is the smaller of Colombia’s two sublime islands…
5 Tips on Job Hunting in France
After seriously looking for work in France on both sides of the Atlantic for over a year, I finally secured a position in L’Héxagone after taking the search local for…
Crafty Camping
Lakeside campground at Bon Echo Provincial Park, Ontario. 10 tips to help you keep your wallet happy as you enjoy the great outdoors on a great budget When people discuss budget…