A Modern Odyssey – Expatriates in Iberia
Experiences with work and play
In 2020, my wife and I realized our dream of living in Europe. On this site, I’ll share stories about the ongoing experiences – prepping for the move, adapting to a different way of life, and the continuing adventure of being citizens of the world.
Latest from the Blog
Our First Fallas: Beautiful, Bizarre, and Very Loud
When we moved to Valencia, one of the things we were most excited about was experiencing Fallas. We had done our homework. We’d visited the Fallas Museum multiple times. We understood the basics: the ninot figurines, the falleras in their elaborate dresses, and of course, the climactic spectacle of La Cremà. We thought we understood…
The Surprisingly Long Journey to Not Owning a Car
When we first started planning our move to Europe, we had a simple vision: we wouldn’t need a car. European cities are designed differently than American ones. Shops are nearby. Public transit works. Walking is normal. The idea of driving everywhere just … fades away. At least, that was the plan. Reality had other ideas.…
Another Bureaucratic Update: The Waiting Worked!
For those of you who’ve been following along, lighting candles, sacrificing toner cartridges, or simply shaking your heads knowingly, I’m happy to report a small but meaningful victory in our ongoing Social Security saga. Kristie’s account is now showing as ACTIVE. No fanfare or trumpet blast, just a quiet status change on a website. Which,…
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