5 Examples of HTML/CSS That I've Painfully Had to Learn Because Blogger Is NOT User Friendly And Has No Good Plugins

This is partially me complaining about Google's blogging service (compared to the ease of Wordpress - though they charge for all the good stuff), and partially me thanking Google for forcing me to learn some HTML and CSS, important skills to have nowadays. This list is not everything that I've learned, but the more intense and time consuming examples.

So, despite my hours of frustration and looking up every new term, I better appreciate a nicely done website, and I hope my website gives you the same appreciation.

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Conoces Navarra Mejor Que Este Guiri?

Qué hay en Navarra? Muchos lugares y sitios bonitos, preciosos y asombrosos! Cuando vives en un lugar, muchas veces piensas, "Ah, un día iré ver eso, pero ahora es mejor viajar más lejos." Pues, 'un día' se convierte en 'luego' y 'luego' se convierte en 'nunca'. Nunca aprovechas de tu propio vecindario.

Por el otro lado, los extranjeros y las turistas vienen y ven y disfrutan todos los lugares que 'no has tenido tiempo' para aprovechar. Como yo, el autor y guiri extraordinario de VEN con TMax. Viví un poco menos de tres años en Pamplona y además de ver todo el país, conozco muy bien Navarra.

Has vivido aquí en Navarra durante muchos años, o aún todo tu vida, pero ¿has visitado todos estos lugares?

Leer el versión original en inglés aquí

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10 and a Half Things I Miss About Living in Pamplona, Spain

It has been six months since I left Spain and reflecting on the good times, I've come up with a list of things that I most miss about my life in Pamplona. Though I was sad to leave, I'm glad I had the opportunity to live there.

Ya ha sido seis meses desde que me fui de España y estaba reflexionando sobre los buenos recuerdos y he hecho una list de las cosas que más les echo de menos de mi vida en Pamplona. Aunque estuve triste irme, estoy feliz que tenía la oportunidad para vivir allí.

Ainhoa and I watching the almadías go down the river

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7 Tips For The Spontaneous Traveler

I've been asked by a few people to write about this topic, so, this is my first official "write what your readers ask for" article. Obviously, this is going to be gold. So, pull out your pen and notepad (or stylus and tablet) and take some notes!

Sure, it's nice to plan out a vacation and go on pre-arranged excursions and take part in pre-planned events, but not every trip will be so structured. Sometimes, you don't have time to plan or you will have a spontaneous, last-minute weekend trip and you'll have to be able to survive and have a great time.  Here are a few tips to make that spontaneous trip the best ever!

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11 Todavía Aun Más Still Even Yet More Fun Things This American Has Learned About The Spanish Language

I know. I'm shocked too, that I could even possibly think of anymore things to add to the list of fun things I've learned about the Spanish language/culture. But, lo and behold, here's another list! Catch up with the others and then enjoy this one!

Part one - New to Spanish
Part two - Getting the hang of it
Part three - Hitting my stride
Part four - Finding myself in native territory
Part five - Feel like a native for two minutes before reality hits
Part six - Realizing that I'm nowhere near native
Part seven - A bit of hope for my mastery of the language

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11 Surprising Things One Learns While Living in Alaska

If you read my last article, 10 Things I Bet You Didn't Know About Alaska, and you're not from Alaska, you were probably amazed and bewildered by my observations. If you weren't then read the article again and then be amazed and bewildered (at least fake it!). 

The locals offered some amazing feedback on that article, which I really appreciated, and inspired me to share more about what this non-local is experiencing in Alaska.

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10 Things I Bet You Didn't Know About Alaska

10 Things This American
Notices About Alaska

Did you know these? Leave a comment below!

So everyone knows Alaska is the largest state in the US and that it's the 49th state to join, but after living here for just over a month, I've learned some interesting things I would have never guessed about this state. Limiting this list solely to my personal observations, I still came up with 10 enlightening tidbits. How many of the following did you already know?

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This American's Guide to Pamplona

The Guiri's Guide to Pamplona

After living almost three years in Pamplona, I am unequivocally and indisputably qualified to give advice about what to do and how to live in the city. I received a certificate from the ayuntamiento and everything! Read on and soon you'll be as qualified as me to speak on everything Pamplonés. You could also just go to the tourist office.

The encierro statue on Carlos III

The Guiri's Survival Guide to Pamplona

History	The Basics	Nightlife	Food
Tourism	Green Space	Leisure	Basque Influence
Shopping	Famous People	Events	Random Tips

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This American's Survival Guide to Spain

Thinking back on my experiences in Spain, I realize that others could learn from my victories and mishaps. But, instead of telling them what they should do, I will simply describe my experiences and what I learned from them, kind of like a story.

So, I present the totally awesome (and totally non-exhaustive) survival guide for guiris in Spain. Most of these should be applicable anywhere in Spain, but just know that the majority of my experiences come from living in Pamplona, Navarra.

Three things that determined my experience

1. Input - researching activities, having friends that recommend things, and then actually doing stuff.


2. Perspective, not circumstances - how I viewed the experiences. What could I learn from the negative experiences that would make future experiences better?


3. Habits - finding a routine is very helpful for adaptation and adjustment in a new situation. But, I didn't let habits keep me from stepping outside of my comfort zone to experience new things.

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5 Times When Knowing French Made This American Mess Up In Spanish

I can say that knowing French before learning Spanish definitely made learning Spanish much easier than had I not learned French. The grammar, latin rooted words, reflexive verbs, and sentence structures are similar in the two languages. However, they are not the same language and there have been a few times when relying on French to try to speak Spanish did not end up how I hoped.

Check out my article on French vs. Spanish!

photo credit

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10 More Differences This American Notices between Europe and the USA

Last time I traveled to the US from Europe, I saw some differences and I thought I thought of all of them. Well, I'm back in the US and I've found some more differences! Again, I am doing the unspeakable by lumping all the countries in Europe together, haha.

How are the US and Europe different?

1. In the US, prepaid cell phone plans are robbery. The cheapest I've found is about $30 for unlimited calling/texting and 1GB of data. In Spain, I paid 7€ ($8.50) for 50 minutes (never used any), 200 texts (again, unused) and 1GB of data. In Belgium, I paid 12€ ($14.50) for unlimited calling/texting and 2GB of data.

2. In the US, it is legal to pass on the right side in a car. In Europe, this is unthinkable and dangerous. 

3. Europe has limited options on custom license plates, usually limited to subtle designs. In the US, you can customize the words, add pictures, among other options.

4. When new tech is released, the US gets it right away and  it's cheaper - tvs, phones, drones, headphones. Currently, the Galaxy Note 8 costs $929 (779€) and in Europe it's $1204 (1009€). The iPhone 7 took almost a month after the US had it in stores, to arrive to Europe stores. The Galaxy Note 5 was never for sale in Europe.

5. Customer service in a department store in the US, 15 different people will offer to help. In Europe, you have to set off an alarm to get someone to look in your direction. 

6. In the US, it is very easy to buy over-the-counter medication, and in large doses, that normally you have to have a prescription for in Europe. 

7. The US has free bathrooms in most stores. Europe is a mixed bag, but many times, you incur a ridiculous expense.

8. After living in Europe and documenting a year of wine in Spain, I have a new appreciation - and expectations - for wine. In the US, a glass of wine is super expensive, and the American wines are not that good to be paying a premium.

These are more specific to my personal behavior

9. When I see something - a statue, monument, landmark - in the US with European heritage, especially a country I've been to, I get so excited. In Europe, when I see something with an American name, there's no feelings. 

10. Piggybacking on the last one, when I see something - a statue, monument, landmark - I take photos and do handstands in them. When traveling in the US, even if it's something new, I'm a lot slower to pull the trigger on a handstand and a photo. 

Skopje, Macedonia

Bonus. WiFi is readily accessible almost everywhere in the US - restaurants, parks, businesses, etc. In Europe, there is often WiFi, but you have to track someone down and get a password, if they even know it and are willing to exercise #5 above.

What do you think?

Do you agree or disagree with my list? More to add? Dispute? Have you noticed these differences? Check out the first article in this series here!

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This American's Spanish Experiences as Told by Infographics

Infographics are awesome. They give you info... graphically. You get a lot of information, quickly, and in an interactive way. Click on an interesting picture and you are taken to a webpage or video that gives you more info. Compare differences and similarities between things, but in a fun layout.

I have done five different infographics that give my readers (that's you!) beautifully designed pictures describing my experiences in Spain. Qué aproveche!

Everyone loves food!

TMax Upside Down - Handstands & Travel Fitness

Basketballin', but not in Spain

Questions and Speaking Spanish

Teaching in Spain vs Au pairing in Spain

Which is your favorite infographic? Leave a comment below!

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Stuff My Roommate Says (Think You'll Understand All of Them?)

Many of us have people in our lives that are... well, you know, "uniquely entertaining". It could be that buddy who has absolutely no filter and just says whatever they are thinking, despite the repercussions. Or, maybe it's the drama queen/king who can make a bad day at work seem like nuclear war. I know a few of these people, but none of them deserves their own TV show more than my roommate, Roberto. 

New Year's in Pamplona, Spain

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The Best and Worst of Pamplona

So, I've been living in Pamplona for two and half years, and I can now say I understand what makes the city so great... and not so great. I have chosen to omit things that can be found anywhere in Spain, like bureaucracy and sense of time. Here is my list of the top and bottom, the coolest and lamest, the best and worst of Pamplona.

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27 Aun Más Still Even Yet More Fun Things This American Has Learned About The Spanish Language

I think we all know the drill by now. If not, you should check out the other installments of this post:

Part one - New to Spanish
Part two - Getting the hang of it
Part three - Hitting my stride
Part four - Finding myself in native territory
Part five - Feel like a native for two minutes before reality hits
Part six - Realizing that I'm nowhere near native
Part eight - Still learning even though I'm not in Spain 

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6 Things This American Has Learned From Traveling

Reflecting back on my last few years of travel around Europe, and I've realized that I learned quite a few things that, otherwise, I would not have learned. These aren't enlightened discoveries, but simple things that I think have made me a better person.

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14 Más Still Even Yet More Fun Things This American Has Learned About The Spanish Language

Oh, how long has it been since I've written about the Spanish language! I have been working on some videos lately, like the one below, which is partly why I haven't written. But mostly, I've just been lazy. I mean, I did do one, two, three, four, five, seven, eight parts already! Ok, ok. There is still so much more language, nuances, and crazy logic to uncover! So, let's see what else I'm learning about Cervantes' language.

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30 Amazing Places This American Has Visited in Navarra

So, what's in Navarra? I've been here for a year and a half two and a half years, traveling, discovering, eating, and aprovechando (taking advantage of) my time here. There is so much to be discovered within the small northern province of Spain. Here is a glimpse of some of the places that I have been to in Navarra. If you are from Navarra, have you been to all of these places? Join me on my adventures in and around Spain VEN con TMax.

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14 Things This American Notices Between Spain and Belgium

After a year and a half of living in Spain, and almost five years living in Belgium, I’m going to compare the two countries, based on my experiences in them. Obviously, everyone is going to have different opinions, and feel free to post in the comments, but this is my blog, so you get to experience these two countries through my eyes now (and you will like it because I have good vision. I got Lasik a few years ago. Best decision ever). I will do my best to avoid a Pamplona versus Brussels article, and keep it more general, however, the majority of my experiences have come from these two cities.

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This American's Travel Checklist

I think it is hilarious when I see people traveling with rolling suitcases and two handbags, plus a backpack, and they are only going on a week-long trip. I understand, they are afraid they might need something, so they pack everything. I prefer to pack light and hope I don't need anything else. I didn't have a lot of money to invest in a professional backpacker's backpack, so I simply used my backpack from when I was in college. I did recently upgrade to a bigger backpack, one) because my old one was ripping along the zipper, and two) so I can carry more souvenirs back from my trips.

So, because you all didn't ask for it, I'm going to give it to you: how this American packs for his travels. (I know, different title than above, so you get two titles!) 

1. One good backpack is enough.

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