abroad Archives - Page 4 of 7

Five Things to Do in Zaragoza

October 12, 2017 No Comments

Guys, I’ve been so lazy. I haven’t written anything since the Real Madrid game I went to (I have another coming next week!), and I never wrote about my trip to Zaragoza. So finally, a month later, since today is a national holiday and tomorrow is another day off my school, I thought I should finally get it together.

Zaragoza is located in the Aragona region of Spain. It’s a decent sized city, with a population of over 600,000. If you’re looking for a wedding dress, you’re in luck! There were wedding dress shops on nearly every street. The best were the ones right next to baby stores. Get ready! Zaragoza has some pretty neat things to see and do, while still being affordable. I’ve picked out the best for you.

Europe, Madrid, Spain

Hala Madrid: Real Madrid vs. APOEL Nicosia

September 15, 2017 No Comments

I was having a conversation with my friend about soccer last weekend and we were talking about Champions League. I thought it started later in the month, or even in October, but after checking an app, I found out that Champions League started this week! The Champions League is a multinational soccer competition among the best teams in Europe. It makes for some exciting fútbol. Real Madrid is the current reigning champion from the past two years (and the most-winningest with 12 titles), so I had to go to a game.

When I saw the game was in Madrid, I got extremely excited. I live a mile away from the stadium, so I don’t even need public transportation to get there. So I checked online and there were seats available! There were seats available in the front sections, even! Compared to the cost of American sports tickets, these were cheap. At first I thought it would be a bit weird to show up by myself, but then I thought, “Oh well, who cares?! This is an incredible chance that may never happen again!”

Madrid, Spain

Mad About Madrid

September 3, 2017 No Comments

I was sitting on the bed with that feeling like I couldn’t do it. I wanted to book the next plane home. Then, someone walked in, I wiped away the tears, and took a nap. Since then, I haven’t had any more doubts.

I’ve been in Madrid for five or six days now. After living in Catalonia for two years, I was scared in how it would be different to live in the capital. So far, so good. I’ve been lost and found my way, I’ve wandered around, I’ve learned new things. This is Madrid.

Fun

Places To See: An Updated List

May 25, 2017 No Comments

About three years ago when I was getting ready for my first extended trip abroad, I created a list of the top ten places I wanted to visit. I forgot about it until recently when I went back to take a peek: I had visited six of the places, and I think I’ll get to check another two off the list within a year.

featured, Norway

Exploring Oslo

May 6, 2017 4 Comments

After leaving Stockholm to spend a few days with my distant Swedish relatives in Karlstad, I boarded a train for my final European stop to Oslo. Thick forests of trees surrounded the train as it passed from the Swedish countryside into the Norwegian. Our train stopped in some small town a few miles outside of the city because they were working on the tracks; so we boarded buses and were dropped off somewhere near the city center.

featured, Sweden

Stockholm Syndrome

January 17, 2017 1 Comment

Ok … so it’s been almost five months now since I went to Stockholm. I debated whether or not I’d post anything about my Nordic trip. At first, it made me a bit sad because now I am back at home and I can’t travel like I used to. Then a few months later, I thought “Why bother?” I contemplated just posting pictures. But right now I’m sitting at home after working a short day – bored – and thought, “why not”?

Spain, Valencia

Unas Horas en Peñíscola

July 16, 2016 No Comments

My friend and I are still here in Tarragona in July. I am testing the waters of being an au pair and my friend commutes every day to Barcelona to work with small children in an English summer camp. Safe to say we needed a break from children and explore more of Spain. He suggested we see the city of Peñíscola in the Valencia region of Spain, one of the Pueblos Más Bonitos (Most Beautiful Towns/Villages) in Spain. Although I had trouble pronouncing the name (my American mind kept thinking “Pensacola”), I agreed. There is too much of Spain I still haven’t seen.

Basque Country, featured, Spain

My Whirlwind Basque Country Tour

June 16, 2016 1 Comment

At the end of April, I had a three day weekend because of the “May Day” (Worker’s Day) holiday. A friend and I decided we wanted to see another part of Spain that we had never been to before. We decided to travel up north to the Basque region of Spain. We went to Pamplona, Vitoria, and Logroño. We also made a stop in a small village before heading to Logroño. The Basque region definitely has a different vibe than what I am used to in Catalunya so it was something good to experience.

Catalunya, Spain

La Pujada a Montserrat

June 7, 2016 5 Comments

Montserrat is the most famous mountain in Catalunya where there is a monastery, the “Black Virgin”, and a school for young boys that specializes in music and religion. It’s very famous among tourists and it’s just a short trip outside Barcelona. It’s also a pretty funny looking mountain – it’s nothing like the rolling hills of the Appalachian Mountains or the pointy peaks of the Rockies.

Italy

When in Rome …

June 7, 2016 2 Comments

Our final stop in our Italian adventure was to the Eternal City, Rome. Although it got off to a rough start trying to find our way to the correct bus and finding our way to our hotel, we had three wonderful days in Rome. Rome definitely has a lot to offer over 2000 years plus of history. It’s a grand city, but definitely walkable and you’ll be able to navigate your way around the city in no time.