A Thing For Words - Life translated by travel

What I Learn Besides Catalan in Catalan Class

Jenny Expat Life February 10, 2015

Renoi. /rəˌnoɪ/ Language: Catalan. Meaning: Holy Crap! The only appropriate response to what I heard today. Twice a week since October, I’ve been attending Catalan classes offered by the Catalan government, both because I’m a language nerd and am desperate to make new ...Read More

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How to Love Milan as Much as the Rest of Italy

Jenny Italy, Worlds February 5, 2015

Last post, my Italian roommate Diana helped us all see the light of day by explaining why we should love Milan. Now, she tells us how it’s possible. Beat the prices [In Diana’s words]: Milan is a very expensive city, so in order to love ...Read More

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Why You Should Love Milan as Much as the Rest of Italy

Jenny Italy, Worlds February 3, 2015

Poor Milan. I’ve never heard a truly glowing comment about the city. It must be tough, competing for its share of the spotlight in a country full of stars. Venice, Florence, Rome, Pompeii, Cinque Terre, the Amalfi Coast–they leave little room for others to ...Read More

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Can You Afford to Live in Barcelona on a Part-Time Teaching Salary?

Jenny Barcelona and Cataluña January 29, 2015

In August I moved to Barcelona, accepting a part-time teaching job with Meddeas (that’s how I live here legally!). That means 20 hours a week, 850 euros a month. Which equates to about 950 USD (while the euro is still this low), meaning in ...Read More

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The Leaning Tower will Survive a Little Longer

Jenny Italy, Worlds January 26, 2015

A very long time ago, an architect who didn’t know all that much designed a tower in Pisa, Italy. He placed some stone upon some very soft land, so naturally the tower started leaning and leaning and leaning. Luckily, in a joint global effort, ...Read More

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How NOT to Approach the Italian Aperitivo

Jenny Italy, Worlds January 21, 2015

Aperitivo. n. Language: Italian. Meaning: A bit of food along with your drink designed to whet your appetite before dinner. Or, BE your dinner, if you have no shame and/or you’re not quite as rich as the Pope. I thought Granada, Spain was the peak of gluttony ...Read More

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California Coastal Meets Spain in Santa Barbara

Jenny United States, Worlds January 16, 2015

This week, as part of Hipmunk.com’s #HipmunkCityLove campaign, I’m highlighting my favorite college city, Santa Barbara. I spent what I’d consider the best year of my life (so far!) studying abroad my junior year of college in Granada, Spain. When I returned to Santa ...Read More

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A Visit to Santa Barbara that Won’t Break the Bank

Jenny United States, Worlds January 14, 2015

This week, as part of Hipmunk.com’s #HipmunkCityLove campaign, I’m paying homage to Santa Barbara and my beloved college days. Being a college student implies Top Ramen and student loans. However, being a college student in Santa Barbara, one of the more expensive cities in ...Read More

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The Glory Days of College Living in Santa Barbara

Jenny United States, Worlds January 12, 2015

It’s January in Barcelona, and constantly sunny and warm(ish). I’m blissfully reminded of the only other place I’ve ever sunbathed in January: Santa Barbara, my home for three years. This week, as part of Hipmunk.com’s #HipmunkCityLove campaign, I’d like to show off my favorite ...Read More

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One Way Travel Can Open Us Up

Jenny Expat Life, Russia January 8, 2015

Why do we travel? Selfies in front of the Eiffel Tower. A way to disconnect. Plumping up on local delicacies. Hearing and picking up new languages. Hell, maybe Ryanair just had a deal we couldn’t pass up. And whether we choose to travel because ...Read More

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