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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It's 2018! What's Going On TMax?

If you didn't get it, the title was like you, the reader, were asking me the question. Clever, huh? I'm certain that titling technique has never been done before. Anyway, I've been working on a few projects, and I expect 2018 to be a great year for me. 

Drone Pilot

I bought a drone back in September and I've been having a great time with it. I really got to test its limits when I went down to San Diego and I shot some great videos. Recently I published a short film that I had been working on (see below). It took awhile because while filming it I crashed my drone, but thankfully I had insurance.

Moving to China

I recently found a job in Beijing, China and now I'm working on obtaining my Chinese visa (boy is it a process!). Since I'm planning to move to China, I've been learning Mandarin Chinese with audio courses and workbooks. It's quite a difficult language, but not as hard as I thought it would be. 

Speaking other languages helps to make learning Chinese a bit easier. I have been able to take advantage of the similarities in the languages I know: the sounds of French, the accent-based system of Spanish, and the simplicity of English grammar.

Coaching Fitness Online

I recently launched an online video fitness course on Udemy (click here for a 75% discount!). I have taken the years of experience I gained from giving boot camps in Spain, and compiled those experiences into a course that can be useful for the majority of people.

Use promo code: TMAXNYE18 for a 75% discount! That's just $15 just for you!

What are your plans for 2018?

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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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San Diego, California, USA: It Never Rains in Southern California

My mom is going to San Diego for a work conference and initially my dad was going to join her but now he has to work. I guess I'll be a good son and go enjoy southern California on his behalf. The sacrifices I make for my family!

Things are about to get more Funner!

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Más Cosas Que Puedo Hacer En Español

Click to read English

I'm certain that all of you remember my last entry about "Things that I can do in Spanish". Despite not actually being in Spain right now, I keep improving in the langeage. I read a lot and listen to auidobokks, I watch mvoies and practice writing in Spanish. All of this helps, I think, and so I am going to share some more "Things that I can do in Spanish".

Argue with my girlfriend

Like any relationship, there are good times and... not so good times. And my girlfriend is Spanish and when we argue, I have an opportunity to quickly react in Spanish without thinking. I can speak from a position of emotion and (try) to explain my point of view and how I feel. Also, I have to listen and understand her feelings and her point of view, and her reactions to my arguments. Of course, she wins the arguments, but at least I was able to defend my position. You have to look for silver linings!

Speak with Mexicans

It's already difficult to speak English in England even though I'm American, but to speak Spanish in Mexico gave me quite a challenge. I did it successfully (tooting my own horn here) and not only could I speak with them, I learned their slang and used it in their "markets" and had a "great" time. "No lie"! I am the "best". Haha

Write and perform a song

No explanation needed, just listen to the song!

Estoy segurísimo que todos de vosotros recordáis mi ultima entrada sobre las cosas que puedo hacer en español. A pesar de no estar en España por el momento, sigo mejorando en el idioma. Leo mucho y escucho audiolibros, veo películas y escribo en español. Todo esto ayuda, creo, entonces voy a compartir más cosas que puedo hacer en Español.

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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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A Weekend Getaway to Fairbanks, Alaska

From Anchorage to Fairbanks

Drive up to Fairbanks to see Alaska's 3rd largest city, and with hopes of seeing the Northern Lights (aurora borealis).

On the open road to Fairbanks, Alaska

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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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