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Showing posts from June, 2016

5 City Parks to Picnic At in Santiago de Compostela, Spain

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I fell in love with the northwest Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela for several reasons when I lived there for two years, not least the glorious granite old town and delicious tradition of free tapas. One big reason I renewed to teach English in the area for a second year—despite two consecutive winter months of endless rain —was the city’s attractive system of public parks. There’s just so many different places you can go to hang out with friends, people-watch, and enjoy a slice of empanada  or some fresh local strawberries. 1) The Alameda An  abuelo  goes on  paseo Santiago’s grandest and oldest city park might seem like an odd place to lay out a picnic blanket; after all, who wants to sit down in the way of all those joggers and fur-coat-wearing old ladies? Yes, most of the park is one big promenade that offers impressive views of the old town and a lovely curated garden. But there’s a small parcel on the far eastern side of the Alameda near a busy intersection wit

Betanzos, Spain: My New Favorite Galician Village

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As I headed back home to Santiago de Compostela after spending Good Friday 2015 in Ferrol , I took a cross between a pitstop and a daytrip in the coastal village of Betanzos, one of the hidden treasures of northwest Spain. Santiago will always be first in my heart, but Betanzos quickly won me over as my new favorite village in Galicia. Old homes with galerías Welcoming locals In the old town The single-car diesel clunker I rode to Betanzos on dropped me off at what was more a clearing in the woods than a proper train station. Seeing a backpack-clad boy scrutinizing his phone’s Google Maps app, a dad who had picked up his daughter there offered to drive me in to the old town and save me a hike. In retrospect it probably wasn’t the safest decision to hop into a complete stranger’s car (sorry Mom!) but I trusted my gut and hopped in. My leap of faith paid off, as these two kind betanceiros  dropped me off in the central plaza and were fun to chat with for a couple of min

How to Go Carless in Dallas, Texas

A little over a month ago I finally gave in and bought my very first car, a brand-new Toyota Corolla. I first learned how to drive on a 2003-era Corolla, so I couldn’t pass up this familiar yet reliable model when I showed up at the dealership for the dreaded car hunt. But in between moving back home to Texas in July of last year and getting a car this past March, I had to make do without one. Fortunately my parents did have a car that they used for buying groceries and the like, but as far as getting to work, shopping, or having fun, I was basically on my own. View this post on Instagram Bought my first car today!!! 🎉🚗 It's a Toyota Corolla, most basic of the base line model possible, but I'm excited to be able to zip around town, get to work in 15 minutes (vs. 60 minutes walking + on the bus), and make day trips whenever I feel like it. In some ways I feel like I've sold out my walkable, transit-loving soul, but I&