Moving to Colombia was as exciting as it was terrifying. Exciting because I was fulfilling a bucket-list dream; terrifying because of the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding how wise this choice was. According to GOV.UK, tourists need to be wary of terrorist attacks, kidnappings, robberies, assaults and other crimes. The government even warn against travel to … Continue reading Sola en Colombia: A Solo Female Traveller’s Experience of Colombia
Category: Travels
The Myth of the ‘Native’ Accent
A former student of mine once asked me whether it was possible to truly speak a foreign language with a ‘native’ accent. This student – let’s call her Emma – had initially come to me for French classes after not having studied the language since secondary school. Emma had reached that all-too-familiar feeling of defeat … Continue reading The Myth of the ‘Native’ Accent
Home
There's no place like home. That's how the saying goes, right? That you could be anywhere in the world, be on the most extravagant adventure or lavish holiday of your dreams, but when it really boils down to it, home is where it's at. And why is that? Because of our loved ones? Because it's … Continue reading Home
Discovering Colombia Through Encanto
I recently rewatched Disney's Encanto for the first time since moving to Colombia. For anyone who's seen it, you'll already know it's a visual masterpiece with some of the catchiest songs ever produced for a Disney animation. What I didn't realise the first time I watched Encanto was how true it is to Colombian culture. … Continue reading Discovering Colombia Through Encanto
Cultivar la paciencia
Click here for the English Translation. Este mes intento cultivar la paciencia. Y con esto no solo me refiero a la capacidad de esperar a algo, sino más bien al aprendizaje de cómo estar tranquilo y presente en este mundo caótico donde no se puede controlar cuándo y cómo ocurre lo que uno está deseando … Continue reading Cultivar la paciencia
Seasons
I can’t explain why, but 30 degrees in Neiva feels different to 30 degrees at home. When it reaches 20 degrees in Bangor, families start heading to the beach and lighting the barbecues. You never know how long an Irish summer will last, so you have to make the most of every sunray. Having experienced … Continue reading Seasons
Neiva
I’m waiting at the kerb, staring down the stream of oncoming traffic. Cars, motorbikes and yellow taxis beep their horns as they soar past, drowning out the noise of the restless cicadas. The city bakes under the morning sun: stallholders slouch under their parasols; motorcyclists careen down the road fashioning their jackets backwards with the … Continue reading Neiva
Hasta luego, España; Bonjour, la France !
Playa de San Lorenzo, Gijón Click here for English translation. Cuando llegué en Gijón hace nueve meses, lo primero que hice fue buscar el mar. Y me enamoré de lo que vi. Esta vista desde la playa de San Lorenzo he visto cientos de veces y aún no me canso de ella. Fue así que … Continue reading Hasta luego, España; Bonjour, la France !
Adapting, Growing, Returning
Click here for the English translation. ¿Qué curioso cómo cambia la vida, verdad? Un momento estás arreglando tus planes para la Semana Santa y de repente esos planes y los que tenías para el verano también se van por la borda. Después de siete semanas del confinamiento en el que solo se podía salir a … Continue reading Adapting, Growing, Returning
Lisbon
Rather than spending Carnaval in Spain, I wanted to make the most of the additional days off to explore further afield. My boyfriend (who lives in Northern Ireland) and I decided to meet in Lisbon and spend some time together whilst getting to know a new city and culture. We spent three full days in … Continue reading Lisbon
Out of the Shell 