Category: Guides

I once believed my memory was infallible, that the vivid images of bustling marketplaces and tranquil beaches would linger in my mind forever. Foolish, yes, but we all like to think we’re different until reality gives us a firm slap. There I was, sitting at a café in Lisbon, trying to recall the name of […]

I once found myself standing in a chilly Amsterdam alleyway, shivering like a leaf in a storm. My so-called “ultimate packing list for Europe” had failed me miserably. There I was, layered up in clothes meant for a Mediterranean summer, while the biting autumn wind mocked my sartorial ignorance. It was a rookie mistake, one […]

I still remember the time I found myself in a tiny hostel in Lisbon, desperately clutching a soggy map in one hand and a bottle of cheap wine in the other. Some might call it a low point; I prefer to think of it as an educational experience. I sat there, half-listening to a group […]

I once thought I could conquer a new language through sheer will and the glowing screen of my smartphone. Picture this: me, sprawled on the couch, the faint chirp of Duolingo’s owl reminding me that my streak was about to die, much like my motivation. I was convinced that a few taps could replace the […]

I once found myself in a so-called eco-resort that promised the whole green package—solar panels, organic everything, and a composting toilet that supposedly saved the planet with every flush. Yet, as I sipped my “carbon-neutral” espresso, I couldn’t help but notice the plastic-wrapped bamboo cutlery and the diesel generator humming away in the background. Sustainable […]

I once found myself in a tiny café in Lisbon, staring at a menu that looked like it had been penned by a cryptic crossword enthusiast. My Portuguese was as non-existent as my talent for miming, and my phone was dead—of course. As I gestured wildly at what I hoped was the soup of the […]

Ever found yourself clinging to a metal pole on a swaying bus, trying desperately not to end up in a stranger’s lap while simultaneously questioning every life decision that led you there? Welcome to my world. My first foray into public transport was less of a graceful entrance and more of a chaotic tumble into […]

I once found myself in a dimly lit alley in Naples, trying to decipher an Italian street sign with the enthusiasm of a tourist who clearly took the wrong turn. My map app was as lost as I was. A local approached, babbling in rapid Italian, gesturing animatedly. Was he offering directions or demanding my […]

I remember the first time I tried to create a travel budget. It was a laughable exercise in futility, akin to trying to predict the weather in my hometown—utterly unpredictable and bound to end in chaos. I had grand visions of sipping espresso in Paris and hiking the Andes, all meticulously planned down to the […]

I once dragged a suitcase the size of a small car through the cobblestone streets of Lisbon. Each bump felt like a personal affront, and I cursed every overambitious packing decision—those “just in case” shoes, the full-size shampoo, the extra three books I never cracked open. My back has since forgiven me, but my cynicism […]