We first starting blogging seriously when we become Peace Corps Volunteers in 2012. The following year, our blog was recognized for achieving Peace Corps’ “Third Goal”, and we were flown to D.C. to discuss best practices for promoting cross-cultural understanding online. After over a decade of blogging from various international destinations and working with fellow…
If you’ve been keeping a blog while you’re abroad, and… you haven’t been giving your blog the attention you originally hoped for it, or your posts have been getting bland, or you’re not feeling inspired to write anymore, or you just don’t know what to write about …then a blogging boot camp challenge is just…
Do you love food and exploring local culture? A local food tour is one of the best ways you can spend a day in Istanbul. If you’re looking for a highly recommended Istanbul food tour, the following review will show you why we love Culinary Backstreets and help you decide if their tours are right…
So you’re planning to go to Jamaica? That’s awesome. Many people ask what they should do in Jamaica. Sometimes what can be just as helpful is asking: “What should I NOT do?” when visiting another country. Jamaicans are a beautiful and lively people. Jamaica is the birthplace of Bob Marley, Reggae music, and the the…
Welcome to our guide on what not to do in Hoi An, Vietnam! Since our second trip to Vietnam back in 2016, Hoi An has captivated our hearts and become a favorite place for extended stays. Initially drawn by its well-preserved Ancient Town and the promise of warm weather, we quickly learned that Hoi An…
Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, is a bustling city in the North with a lot to explore. Cost of living is fairly cheap so there are many things to do in Hanoi on a budget. Despite not loving big cities and traffic, we have really enjoyed our many visits to Hanoi. Initially we stayed with expat friends…
We all know cultures are different from each other. But what are those differences? The first time we travel to a new country, we don’t always know what we don’t know. What we may consider “common sense” may not be common – or make much sense – in another culture. By simply acting “naturally,” we…
We can’t always travel but we should still be growing and learning. Even when we’re stuck at home, we have the opportunity to better understand the world and expose ourselves to different cultures through the powerful stories of today’s award winning authors. If you’re looking for compelling international fiction, travel literature, eye-opening nonfiction travel books, or …
If you’re visiting Jamaica in the Fall, or simply curious about Jamaican holidays and culture, you might be wondering: Do they celebrate Thanksgiving in Jamaica? Since we lived for two years in rural Jamaica and received a very thorough cultural training in Jamaica from Peace Corps, we thought we’d include this topic in our Jamaican…
Ecuador may not be considered a top gastronomic hot spot, but we were pleasantly surprised to find the food to be not only affordable but also really good! During our time living the heart of Cuenca, we enjoyed eating out for almuerzos, a set lunch of the day. For as little as $2.50, you can…