Life in immigration

Posted: 05/09/2013 | May 9th, 2013 There are some places you never leave. You may not be there physically, but a piece of you stays behind forever in the place that stole so much of your heart. It lives there, reliving those initial memories and waiting for new ones to be made. Last year, I visited Lisbon for the first time, and though the visit was short, thoughts of it never left me. I fell madly in love, and the city claimed a hold on me I could never shake. But I worry a lot about going back to cities I fall in love with the first time around. What if I’m just chasing ghosts? What if it’s not the same? What if I go back and hate it? Will I just compare the present to the past? So I touched down in Lisbon last week with a mix of excitement and trepidation, but as I stepped out onto the streets, I knew in my bones that we’re soul mates. And when you’re just meant to be with someone, all the change in the world doesn’t matter. It was as though I’d never left. Lisbon and I just fi...

Last Updated: 06/24/19 | Originally Posted: 08/29/2011 As a native English speaker, I hit the traveling jackpot. Wherever I go in the world, English is the lingua franca, and if anything’s ever in a second language, it’s always English. In hostels, people usually converse with each other in English, which means I can always find a conversation to join. I’m never limited by language. While there have been times where I’ve had to get creative with nonverbal communication, for the most part, communication is much easier for me as an English speaker than it is for my friends from Germany or Portugal. At least, until I went and visited Ukraine this month. Out of all the countries I’ve been to, Ukraine ranks number one on the list of places where no one seems to speak English. It may sound like hyperbole to say that. Surely some people must speak some English, right? A few do. Those who interact with tourists or work in international restaurants can understand a few words. B...

Updated: 7/1/2018 | July 1st, 2018 When I visited Madrid in 2009, I only saw my hostel’s bed because I got bad cold in Barcelona. I left what was supposed to be one of the best cities in the world sad, sick, and upset I only ever saw the city on my way to the pharmacy. Returning to Madrid in May, I vowed not to leave the city without experiencing its supposed sensory-overloading sights, sounds, and eats. Taking the time to fully explore Madrid, I found a massive city that required planning and organization to effectively explore. Using what I learned in San Francisco, I took Madrid by storm and saw quite a bit (not everything, but enough to make me happy). If, like me, you too only have a limited amount of time to see the city, here’s a suggested itinerary of what to see and do in Madrid to get the most out of the city: Day 1 Free walking tour – I’m a big fan of free walking tours, even if the guide is just some former traveler looking for a quick buck. Why? Because they provide a good...

Posted: 07/09/2012 | July 9th, 2012 I’ve been preparing for it so long now that it doesn’t seem like it’s really happening, but today is the day I move to Sweden. As you read this (as long as you read this on Monday), I’m boarding a flight to Stockholm, where I’ll spend the rest of the year. Everyone keeps asking me if I’m nervous or excited or scared to be moving there, but to be honest, today I don’t really feel anything. It seems like a normal day — like I’m just off to another destination. You’d think a big life change like this would elicit bigger emotions from me, but I’ve been so busy over the last few months that I haven’t had time to really think about it. I was finishing my book, attending four conferences (speaking at two of them!), crossing the Pacific a few times, and trying to live life. It was why I was so burnt out. I overextended myself, and as such Stockholm has been on the back burner of my mind. But as I finally begin to think about my move, all I can think abo...

Last Updated: 02/10/20 | February 10th, 2020 When most people visit Europe they have a tendency to stick to the western and central regions of the continent. England, Spain, France, Germany, and Italy all see their fair share of tourists — and then some! Travelers with a longer trip in mind will branch out a little more, maybe visiting the Czech Republic, Austria, or the stunning coastline of Croatia for some fun in the sun. But few tourists head to far Eastern Europe. I’m talking about Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine. While Bulgaria sees a few more tourists because of its proximity to the Balkans and acts as a stop on the overland route from Turkey to Budapest, the farther north I went, the fewer travelers I saw. In Ukraine, I only encountered US Peace Corp volunteers and a handful of Europeans. I don’t understand why — these countries are inexpensive and safe, and they lack the overwhelming crowds you find elsewhere in Europe. These countries are half the price of their Western c...

Posted: 7/10/17 | July 10th, 2017 Earlier this year, I went to Paris. My goal? to visit Paris though the lens of the 1920s. I wrote about how traveling with a theme can spice up and add focus to your trip. Narrowing your focus helps you go deeper, beyond the regular tourist sites. Last month, I returned to France and again wanted to travel with a theme. But, instead of focusing on only Jazz Age attractions, eating French food, visiting modern art museums, drinking at bars that start with the letter Q, or whatever, my theme would be a style of travel, something a little broader. I’d be traveling using only (at least when possible) the sharing economy, the term given to the plethora of websites designed to connect travelers with locals, offer more unique experiences, and make travel more affordable. While I’ve used the sharing the economy frequently before (I am a big fan), they have never the primary focus of my entire trip. I usually add a few activities in while I’m being a norma...

Last Updated: 03/03/20 | March 3rd, 2020 Amsterdam will always have a special place in my heart. I spent a month there on my first trip around the world in 2006. I made friends, wandered far and wide, and really got to know the city and its people. In fact, I fell in love with Amsterdam that trip, and I’ve been back to visit Amsterdam every year since. It’s one of the most visited and backpacked cities in Europe. And so it’s filled with hundreds of hostels, hotels, and guesthouses. With so many places showing up in your search results, how do you know which are the best hostels in Amsterdam? I mean, dozens are “top rated” on Hostelworld, right? I’ve been visiting Amsterdam for a decade and have stayed in dozens upon dozens of places over the years. There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel. The top four when picking the best hostel in Amsterdam are: Location – Amsterdam is huge and it can take some time to get around. Pick a place ...

Last Updated: 05/15/20 | May 15th, 2020 Paris. The City of Light. With 20 arrondissements (neighborhoods), incredible historic attractions spreadout throughout the city, and thousands of hotels, hostels, and apartments to choose from, finding the best place to stay can be a challenge for first-time visitors. Over the course of dozens of visits to Paris (and several months living there), I’ve stayed in every area and in all types of different accommodations. Each neighborhood in Paris has its own unique personality and its own pros and cons. There’s always a trade-off to be made here. To help you figure out where the best place to stay for your trip is, I’ve created this detailed guide on where to stay in Paris. I’ve included a brief description of each area, why I like it, and my favorite accommodations in that neighborhood. First, to give you a better sense of where everything is located, here’s a helpful map of the 20 arrondissements in Paris: Arrondissem...

Updated: 02/04/2020 | February 4th, 2020 Most travel around Greece tends to focus on the Greek Islands — and for good reason. They’re beautiful, historic, relaxing, filled with great nightlife, and, overall, just exciting. With over 6,000 islands, Greece has a lot of options for travelers. It’s always been a dream of mine to spend a summer slowly moving from island to island, getting to know the character of each while also working on a great tan. Like most travelers, I started the Cyclades, the main island chain closest to Athens and the one with the most famous of islands. I had planned two months of travel but found myself barely moving as I ended up spending most of my time on Ios. The following summer, I went back and visit this island change again. And, in subsequent years, whenever I’m backpacking Greece, I try to visit the Cyclades. I’ve visited the four major islands in the chain: Ios, Paros, Mykonos, and Santorini. In this guide, I’ll give you ti...