Posted by Richard Norris on
According to my trusted Chicago foodie source, the three main pizza places (ranked in order of taste) are:
According to my second trusted Chicago foodie source, skip the debates and go to the true hidden gem:
Pequod's Pizza
I've only had Lou Malnati's, so I'm curious, which one is the true best and why?
Posted by Richard Norris on
If it's your first time visiting the Pacific Northwest, you might just fall in love with Seattle's laid-back attitude, the 360 degree ocean and mountain views and the farm/ocean-fresh food available pretty much everywhere.
Seattleite's go royal:
Salmon here isn’t served raw or cooked; there are multiple varieties and breeds to choose from depending on the restaurant, with the most common variety being the Chinook/King Salmon. Please note that this is not to be confused with King Salmon of Saudi Arabia, (thanks Wikipedia!)
A Queen's throne to your King Salmon. I'm still craving the farm-to-table chili-tahini garlic salmon on their menu.
The frisky fishies
Oysters are said to be a great aphrodisiac. If you’re on a couple’s weekend out, or mingle-ready, you'll find some incredible and exotic varieties of both raw and fried oysters here:
Raw oysters at Taylor Shellfish typically range from scales of 1-5 in both size and flavor profile. If you're visiting from the East Coast, you'll notice that the shellfish in Seattle are quite mild in flavor (perfect for first-timers!) If you’re craving something cooked, there's a fried oyster sandwich on the menu that will fulfill all of your fantasies (both in and out of the restaurant.)
Tell me about the clam duck already!
Alright. This is the part in which I reveal the clickbait... But once I tell you, you have to promise me that you’ll trust the process and go for it.
Please do not Google the Geoduck until after you have eaten it.
It looks great for Instagram, when it’s prepared like this:
There’s a quaint restaurant in a trendy neighborhood called Ballard. The menu rotates, so I can’t promise that this is always available. It sells this exotic clam called a geoduck (pronounced gooey duck). I can’t add a photo of a living geoduck because it's shaped like either a great night out or your worst nightmare depending on your in-bedroom (or out-of-bedroom) preferences.
Enjoy Seattle!
With love,
Richie
Posted by Richard Norris on
So, you’ve decided you want to jump ship and swim across the Atlantic to teach English in sunny Spain but you feel a little overwhelmed by it all? Take my hand. I’ll walk you through some of your most burning questions.
Can I teach in Spain? Am I qualified?
Yes and yes (probably).
If you’re a native English speaker with a university degree, you’re hired! Those really are the only requirements.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Most employers ask that you at least know basic Spanish but you don’t need to be fluent. You might rarely need to speak Spanish in the workplace (although the Director of my bilingual elementary school spoke not one word of English, go figure).
What does the job entail?
Most likely your title will be Auxiliar de Conversación which means its your job to help facilitate conversation in English, usually assisting a full-time teacher who may not be fluent, to ensure proper pronunciation and grammar.
How do I get a job?
Many organizations begin the hiring process around November or December before the school year starts. This is the best time to apply if you want to plan ahead. For non-EU folks, you’ll have to apply and secure a position before applying for a visa. This can only be done while in your home country through the closest Spanish consulate.
I taught in Madrid with the Spanish Ministry of Education program and this is the route I’d recommend for most people. The main benefit of this program is that you’re paid well for not much work (1000 Euro per month in Madrid for 16 hours/week and 700 Euro for 12 hours/week elsewhere).
Another option, BEDA provides more support so its great for anyone feeling nervous about the whole “living overseas thing”. They even short-cut you through the process of getting your residency documentation. You’ll be working in Catholic quasi-private schools and they have a variety of hours available at different pay rates. BEDA operates mostly in Madrid with very few placements in other regions.
Do you make enough money to get by?
Yes. Rent in Spain is low and food is cheap. Here’s some average costs in Madrid (outside of Madrid, with the exception of the North, the prices are even lower):
Rent: 300 Euro/month (bedroom in a shared flat)
Food & Drinks: 1 Euro for a small beer, 10 Euro for a fixed price 3 course lunch
Cell Phone Service: 10 Euro/month for data
Transportation: 30-50 Euro/month (depending on your zone and age)
If you want/need extra cash, its very easy to get under-the-table gigs that pay well. Many people make at least an extra 500 Euro every month giving private lessons or nannying. A couple of great resources to try are Tus Clases Particularesand Lingo Bongo.
Where can I teach?
I taught in Madrid but you can apply (with the Ministry anyway) to be placed all over Spain. Beach life in Mallorca, big city Madrid or tapas in Andalucia. Think about the lifestyle you want and do a little research before you apply. Once you’ve been placed, you have to accept whatever location you’re offered (you can't switch locations afterward)
How can I prepare?
The most important thing to do during the application process is to stay organized. Make sure you allow plenty of time for your visa since it can take up to a month to process. Make checklists of all of the documentation and deadlines to stay on top of because the whole process isn't simple.
Do you have questions about teaching English in Spain or moving to Spain in general? Have you taught in Spain? What advice would you give?
Posted by Richard Norris on
Fun Fact!
There are actually two Dubrovniks:
When walking the walls, you may find a hidden wine outpost overlooking the ocean! (Link posted below.) Finding the coves takes some patience, so bring water and sunscreen.
One of the many hidden gems you may find:
Greater Dubrovik:
Once you've explored the Old City, venture into Greater Dubrovnik for a charming treat. Going north, theres a walkable road called branitelja Dubrovnika. The views absolutely breathtaking while the sun is setting.
If you want a bit of alone time, there's even a private beach called Boninovo near where this photo was taken. Google Maps link here for you.
Bonus!
You're 1 hour away from 2 additional countries:
On my last day in Dubrovnik, my friends rented an automatic car for about 60 Euros/day (incl. insurance) and explored Bosnia and Montenegro. If you're in Dubrovnik for multiple days, this is a great way to capitalize from such a prime location and explore more of the Balkan countries.
This blog post is not sponsored, but I do love sharing the joy!
See below for links:
Posted by Richard Norris on
Chiang Mai glows in gold and red. It houses over 30 Buddhist temples within its crumbling ancient city walls and plenty more without. It would take a month at least to visit every temple the city has to offer and honestly I think it would be a worthwhile way to spend 30 days of your life.
Before you set out though, know the rules to avoid offending locals:
Do not touch
This applies to monks, their robes, and temple artifacts. Monks can be very friendly and may even take pictures with you but avoid touching them.
Make a donation
Temples and the monks living there are reliant on the community for support. Before you leave, toss some change into the donation box.
Mind what you're wearing
DO NOT wear shoes, socks, sunglasses, or hats. DO wear modest clothing that covers your knees and shoulders. If you haven’t heard, Thailand is crazy hot so it's a good idea to carry a scarf or sarong for covering up.
Considerations for Women
Some temples, or specific areas within a temple, are off-limits to women. There should be a sign indicating when this is the case or someone outside to let you know. (A note for men: If this seems unfair to you, consider not entering these areas either. That’s solidarity!).
Bonus do: meditate, read, and learn
If you are not familiar with Buddhism, visiting temples is an opportunity to start to learn more just by being quiet and observant. Many temples have signs around with quick little lessons for visitors (my favorite is below).
"Cut yourself some slack. Remember, One hundred years from now, All new people”
See also: 15 jaw dropping temples.
