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.

Read More

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 

Read More

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.

Read More

Puebleando to Andorra

A Day in Huesca

Head out in the morning toward Huesca. Stop for almuerzo along the Gállego River, watching kayakers and rafters go down the river. Go up to Los Mallos de Riglos and see rock climbers, donkeys, vultures, and eagles. Have a pincho while watching the birds and rock climbers. Talk to some rock climbers about the climb and descent. 

#RoadTripSemanaSanta2017

Read More

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.

Read More

Veliko Tarnovo and Vratsa, Bulgaria: The Balkans by Bus Road Trip Christmas 2016 pt. 6

This is a six-part blog. Here are the links to all of them:

Sofia, Bulgaria / Initial synopsis

Thessaloniki, Greece 

Tirana, Albania

Prizren and Pristina, Kosovo

Skopje, Macedonia

Veliko Turnovo and Vratsa, Bulgaria / Final thoughts

Having fun at Tsarevets fortress, even though it's -3 degrees

Read More

Skopje, Macedonia: The Balkans by Bus Road Trip Christmas 2016 pt. 5

This is a six-part blog. Here are the links to all of them:

Sofia, Bulgaria / Initial synopsis

Thessaloniki, Greece 

Tirana, Albania

Prizren and Pristina, Kosovo

Skopje, Macedonia

Veliko Tarnovo and Vratsa, Bulgaria / Final thoughts

Just an amazing shot for so many reasons

I bruised my ribs climbing this, but it was worth it

Read More

Prizren and Pristina, Kosovo: The Balkans by Bus Road Trip Christmas 2016 pt. 4

This is a six-part blog. Here are the links to all of them:

Sofia, Bulgaria / Initial synopsis

Thessaloniki, Greece 

Tirana, Albania

Prizren and Pristina, Kosovo

Skopje, Macedonia

Veliko Turnovo and Vratsa, Bulgaria / Final thoughts

Pretending I'm not cold along the river in Prizren, Kosovo

Day 9: We cross the Albanian border without stopping and continue straight through to the Kosovo border, but they don't let us through because the bus doesn't have paperwork saying it can take food and cigarettes across the border. So we have to go back to Albania and offload the food and cigarettes at a small shop, then pass the border control again, though they don't check our passports the second time, or even come on the bus to see if any new people joined. 

Read More

Tirana, Albania: The Balkans by Bus Road Trip Christmas 2016 pt. 3

This is a six-part blog. Here are the links:

Sofia, Bulgaria / Initial synopsis

Thessaloniki, Greece 

Tirana, Albania

Prizren and Pristina, Kosovo

Skopje, Macedonia

Veliko Tarnovo and Vratsa, Bulgaria / Final thoughts

5h30 at Skanderbeg Square, inaccessible due to construction

Read More

Thessaloniki, Greece: The Balkans by Bus Road Trip Christmas 2016 pt. 2

This is a six-part blog. Here are the links:

Sofia, Bulgaria / Initial synopsis

Thessaloniki, Greece 

Tirana, Albania

Prizren and Pristina, Kosovo

Skopje, Macedonia

Veliko Tarnovo and Vratsa, Bulgaria / Final thoughts

Leaving the "lion country" behind and heading to Greece

Read More

Sofia, Bulgaria: The Balkans by Bus Road Trip Christmas 2016 pt. 1

Synopsis: This is actually the first Christmas I've ever spent without my parents. I haven't traveled much outside of Spain since I arrived here, with the exception of Andorra, Gibraltar, and a couple of trips back to the states. 

I want to see some of the countries in Europe that I haven't seen, so I finally decide on Bulgaria, Greece, Albania, Macedonia, and Kosovo - all by bus. Last time I did a multi-country trip like this was to the other side of the Balkans (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro). 

Super cool map of the Balkans, from the hostel in Prizren, Kosovo

Read More

¿Sabes qué me da una mayor ternura? pt.2

¡Hola todos! Si os acordáis, escribí el artículo ¿Sabes qué me da una mayor ternura? pt.1. Después del día de Acción de Gracias, me siento bien y con mucha ternura. Reflexionando por qué me siento tan bien, he llegado a algunas conclusiones que quiero compartir a continuación. Qué disfrutes.

Giving #thanks in #pamplona #Spain for great #friends #thanksgiving #2016 #homemade #turkey #pumpkinpie #stuffing #cornbread #cranberrysauce #macncheese #sweetpotato #greenbeans #gumbo

A photo posted by @tpmaxwell2 on Nov 28, 2016 at 8:03am PST

Read More

Les Cases D'Alcanar, Spain: In Between Cataluña, Valencia, and Aragón

Synopsis: Ainhoa has been telling me about her parent's beach house that is on the Costa Dorada, in the province of Tarragona, right on the edge of Cataluña and Valencia, and near to many natural sites, including beaches, mountains, and the Delta del Ebro. Although we've invited a few others to go with us, no one else can make it, so we will venture out on our own. 

You gotta look at the castle from a different point of view

Read More