Sarah la Viajera
Sarah la Viajera
Visting Toledo while living abroad

1,000 Days Away From Home: A Complete Guide to Surviving Life Abroad [E-book Announcement]

4 years agoSarahAdd comment
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Hola!

I’m Sarah, the owner of this website and a young, travel-loving American expat who lives abroad in Spain. I aspire to have more stamps in my passport than years on this Earth. I’m multi-lingual, curious about the world and currently have made my home base Madrid, the capital city of Spain. My main desire when I travel is to show my audience how other people in the world live through my experiences And my main goal when I travel is to encourage other Christian women to explore the world, even going to countries the media threatens to convince us are dangerous. As long as you do plenty of research and use common sense when you travel, no place in the world should be off-limits. 

That’s my background and travel philosophy but let’s get to the real reason why you’re here. 

The E-book!

I’ve compiled and answered a list of questions you might have as you decide whether or not you would like to support this new endeavor of mine and purchase this book. Let’s take a look:

  •  What will the book be about? 

This comprehensive guide will elaborate on what it’s like to live abroad on your own from the very first days and weeks to staying away for months and then years without returning home.

September 21st, 2015: I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge that morning before my flight but had no idea I wouldn't return to any US city until 2018!
September 21st, 2015: I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge that morning before my flight but had no idea I wouldn’t return to any US city until 2018!

How the idea was born: 

I initially planned to be away from home for 1 year (after a previous stint of 9 months abroad straight) but due to travel and work opportunities as well as travel restrictions when my visa was in renewal, until June 30th, 2018 I hadn’t been home for a total of 2 years and 10 months. I saw a few friends during that time period but I wasn’t able to see my parents, brother, family friends or college friends at all. After a year and a half of living abroad in Spain, I started writing down my thoughts and tips on what it’s like to stay abroad for long-term and how to survive key moments in the passing months and years you’ll be in your new country. 

Now, I would like to compile all of the information and research I’ve gathered and put it into an easy-to-read guide for anyone else who finds themselves living abroad for months or years at a time. It can also be useful for anyone who is considering living abroad for a long period of time but isn’t sure if it is something they would be able to handle. It’s for both experienced and inexperienced travelers who have spent or plan to spend a long time abroad without returning home for months to years at a time. Additionally, this book would be a good resource for missionaries or missionary trainees who desire to volunteer overseas but are unsure if they could thrive during an extended period of time abroad.

Living abroad isn't always filled with grand adventures and spectacular views but it is an experience worth having. In my book, I'll keep it real by highlighting both the positive and negative aspects to living abroad long-term.
Living abroad isn’t always filled with grand adventures and spectacular views but it is an experience worth having. In my book, I’ll keep it real by highlighting both the positive and negative aspects to living abroad long-term.
  • How long will it be and what topics will it cover?

The desired word count goal is around 20,000 words in a digital E-book format. It will be written from a female, American perspective living in a developed country that has a significantly lower salary and lower cost of living than the US. It will cover living abroad long-term in narrative form and broken down into stages (1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, etc). 

It will cover initial culture shock and tips on how to overcome it by making conscious decisions to assimilate to the new culture in the first few weeks. It will also focus on routines and holidays traditions you should strive to maintain in order to remain connected to your home country. The content and tips can be applicable to people from multiple English speaking countries.

One of my home away from homes, plus, quite possibly my favorite place on Earth: the Plaza de España in Sevilla.
One of my home away from homes, plus, quite possibly my favorite place on Earth: the Plaza de España in Sevilla.
  • What needs to be done in order to complete it?

I need to organize my initial research, edit and condense existing blog posts on sarahlaviajera.com and take a short break from my regular freelance work in order to finish this project fully on its own. I would also like to take my time with it (3 month deadline) in order to go at my own pace by diligently and accurately compiling all of the research. 

  • How will I reinvest the profits I earn back into my website?

What I receive from this campaign will cover the cost of writing and publishing the Ebook (in terms of my time) as well as the time it will take to finish researching the topic, editing and organizing existing material that will be used in the final product. It will also enable me to dedicate my time in perfecting and tweaking this collection of life experiences and advice to help my existing audience and reach others I’ve yet to help.

Inspiration can strike even in the most ordinary of places... (Photo: Monte Pedroso in Santiago de Compostela, Spain)
Inspiration can strike even in the most ordinary of places… (Photo: Monte Pedroso in Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

A portion of the proceeds will also go towards maintenance of my website and the ability to invest in resources that will further help my audience of Christian travel loving women.

Here’s a short list of products and services I plan to invest in:

 1. High quality, digital microphone for recording and developing a future podcast series (featuring Christian women who are traveling or residing in another part of the world) ($100)

2. A paid theme for my website to add e-commerce features in order to sell the e-Book directly from my page ($45-$70)

3. E-book writing and editing software (Scrivener) ($40)

4. Sell book via Gumroad ($10/month for the subscription; $120 for the first year)

There's whole world waiting out there for you to explore...what's stopping you? (Casa Lis in Salamanca, Spain)
There’s whole world waiting out there for you to explore…what’s stopping you? (Casa Lis in Salamanca, Spain)
  • Why should you support and purchase this book?

In the past 10 years, a considerable amount of young adults (ages 18-35) have been choosing a life of travel or living abroad instead of financial stability. An estimated 9 million non-military American citizens live abroad and in a survey just over 2,000 respondents, half of “millennials” currently residing in the US would prefer to live overseas. (See source: http://fortune.com/2015/07/01/americans-move-abroad/)

In an era where travel is easier today than it ever has been before and globalization and bilingualism are the norms, it’s imperative to provide more digital resources and books for expats who choose to live abroad for long periods of time.

I feel that there is a lack of resources in this particular genre (assimilating to a new culture for a long time period) written from firsthand experience. Not only would the sales of this book provide monetary support for me and allow me to be paid to write it, it would provide immense value and insight for my readers, both present and future, who may want to stay abroad for longer but aren’t sure what awaits them on the other side of their decision.

With this first project, I would like to use it as a stepping stone to becoming a leader in making the transition to living abroad, coping with initial homesickness, culture shock, and then later reverse culture shock (when you finally do go home after being away) and offering advice to those who wish to create a permanent home away from home, wherever they choose. 

I'll make sure you get from Point A to Point B - just follow the map! [Photo: Carnival in Lalín (Ourense), Spain]
I’ll make sure you get from Point A to Point B – just follow the map! [Photo: Carnival in Lalín (Ourense), Spain]
  • What benefits will readers like you receive receive from this book?

Experienced travelers/expats will benefit from:

  • Seeing what it’s like to stay away from home for varying periods of time and see if their experience was similar (and/or better or worse)
  • Learning valuable advice and insight on how to overcome culture shock, homesickness and reverse culture shock at various stages (what 6 months abroad looks like compared to 1-2 years or more looks like)

Inexperienced travelers and expats will benefit from:

  • Reading a firsthand account from someone from a developed country who didn’t go home at all for over 2 and half years and see what staying away from their culture for so long was really like.
  • Getting a “try before you buy” deal by reading what it’s like to live abroad for a long period of time before actually doing it themselves.

These are just a handful of the many benefits you will receive from investing in the creation of this book. The experiences and rewards I am offering will also offer immense help and insight, Whether it’s needing mentoring, making a decision to move abroad or getting to know a Spanish city I’ve spent a considerable amount of time by having a personalized chat with me, there is something for everyone.

I sincerely thank you for your time in reading about my passion project and any financial support you are able to give. Each dollar you give will be an investment into my career and in turn, an investment in men and women across the globe who wish to make a life for themselves in a country that is not their own.

Muchas gracias / Thank you so much / Muito obrigado / Grazie mille! 

Whatever you do, rain or shine, don't stop traveling! The world awaits you... (Photo: London, England)
Whatever you do, rain or shine, don’t stop traveling! The world awaits you… (Photo: London, England, 2017)

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When I read my very first blog post about the infamous pintxo de champiñón (champi for short) and gamba, I just knew that one day I had to try it. Fast forward 11 years and I did! And now I’m posting about it 2 months later, oops. 😅 Visiting Logroño, located just underneath País Vasco, back in March was a very pleasant surprise. The walkability, large concentration of bars in the city center and the fact that eating was the main focus of our weekend were wonderful. When I was dreaming about trying these absolutely delicious #pintxos all those years ago, I never imagined I would go to Logroño with the person I absolutely love trying new dishes and cuisines with. I never knew how fun going away to such a gastronomic gem of a region like La Rioja 🍷 would be and how eating my way around the town (plus, a little bit of culture and football ⚽️ for him) would be such an adventure. We didn’t make it everywhere we wanted to go so we’ve got yet another list of pintxos to try the next time we visit. 👫💕 Pintxos featured: 1️⃣ Champiñón 🍄 a la plancha con gamba 🍤 - Bar Soriano 2️⃣ Unas patatas bravas increíbles! 🤩 - Bar Jubera 3️⃣ El cojonudo (huevo de cordoniz con chorizo sobre pan) - Bar El Muro Restaurante 4️⃣ Un excelente pintxo de tortilla 🍳🥔“melosa” -La Concordia (Tortillera) 5️⃣ Croquetas de puerro y gamba (yo) y de cachopo (A) -Divina Croqueta 6️⃣ Otro pintxo de gamba y champi - Bar Ángel (mi favorito 😍) 7️⃣ Bocatita de jamón con queso de tetilla 🧀 (a nod to our beloved Galicia) 🤤 - Pata Negra 8️⃣ Tío Agus (un mini bocadillo de carne de cedro adobado con salsa secreta) - Tío Agus Bar Lorenzo 9️⃣ Tarta de queso vasca 😋 - Café Calenda (Calle Portales) 🔟 Brocheta de langostinos a la plancha con aceite de oliva y pimentón de la Vera - La Casita Mesón Bar Side note: it’s really hard to film one handed and try to eat at the same time (see slide #4). Have you been to Logroño before? What were some of your favorite foods/pintxos? 😋🥘🐷🥖⬇️ #callaurel #callelaurellogroño #logroño #pinchos #tapeando #lariojapetece #foodies #larioja
💻🤓✨ Freelancing might look different to you but this small collage of photos is how I see it. You’re never finished making lists and writing down appointments and deadlines into your planner. Not to mention all the forms, folders, zillions of emails and other who knows how many documents you’ll be gathering and holding onto. You vary your workspaces from time to time but it’s easy to get stuck in rut at times especially during these past couple of years when I’ve almost exclusively been working at the same table inside my apartment with no change. • And don’t forget about the outlets from work that you’re going to need to have or cultivate. I’m talking about coping mechanisms, hobbies and interests. And some of those can look like ice cream, chai lattes, lemonade with a spring of mint in the sun, a tinto de verano or a glass of wine or just a good old fashioned cup of tea. And last but not least, you’re going to need some way to relax at the end of the day when you’re trying to turn your brain off from working but you can’t seem to because in the beginning of it all, you can never fully shut off. • This isn’t the full story but it’s a small glimpse into the world of freelancing in #Spain that I’ve experienced thus far. • I am going to be adding a lot more info and posts on freelancing in Spain since I’ve been doing this for a few years now and while it hasn’t been the best experience of my life, it has certainly taught me lots of lessons. I finally feel a bit more grounded and knowledgeable about what it’s all about and what’s required of us (hint: paying a high tax rate even if we don’t work one month! 😭) and I want to pass all this knowledge onto my readers! • I already have one post live and the idea is to publish new posts biweekly on Fridays. So #freelancefriday has made a comeback in my planner! • I’ll be covering both the good and bad sides to freelancing, sharing what I wish I had known before I started back in 2017, how to understand some forms and processes and so much more! • Is there any specific topic within #freelancing that you’d like me to cover? I’m all ears! 👂👩🏻‍💻📚📝🌃
Two weeks ago today, @andrewrgillan and I woke up around 5:30 am, packed the last couple of things into our small bags and headed to the airport for an early morning flight to a place neither of us had ever been to before: 📍Palma de Mallorca! At about 18€ round trip per person (yes, for flights!), going away to a new comunidad in Spain and to the #IslasBaleares for the first time ever was just a hop, skip and a jump away. The perfect short yet adventurous city break that we needed! In fact, we had had the idea to go to Mallorca for a quick weekend getaway on our list since 2020 and so I was thrilled when we could finally go do it. And what’s more, there’s nothing like receiving the gift of a trip and a memorable experience for Valentine’s Day, is there? ❤️ Though it was a whirlwind of a trip (just under 36 hours), I loved everything we saw and ate. And madre mía, did we eat well there! I’ve thanked you many times since but thank you so much for taking me away from everyday life and giving me the chance to explore somewhere new with you, Andrew, just like we’ve dreamed of doing ever since we got married. 🤗💕 From the pictures: landing in Palma de Mallorca, exploring near the marina, taking a siesta in our abnormally large “double bed” (aka two twin beds pushed together 😂), La Rambla, eating tumbet con solomillo, wandering the Catalán and Italian style streets and climbing lots of stairs, seeing the picturesque Sèu de Palma and all the yachts parked in the harbor, eating some of the best tortilla out that I’ve had in a very long time, finally having an #ensaimada from Spain and not a Starbucks in Florida 🙈 and lastly, that view of Palma from the window seat in the back of the plane! 😍 We will be back to explore more of the island as soon as we can plan another trip 😅 but for now, I’ll be reminiscing about everything I saw from my photos. Here’s to more adventures in 2022! 😘
A couple of weeks ago, I turned 3️⃣3️⃣ on December 16th. It’s long since been my favorite day but this year I made a couple of big realizations. As much as I’ve tried to have some sort of birthday dinner or a party when I was younger, I realize that since they haven’t usually worked out save for a handful of times (thanks, Christmas parties, trips and dinners 😅), I don’t really even expect to do something big. A nice, relaxed lunch (which is what we did this year) or dinner with @andrewrgillan, some self-care pampering and cake are all I could really ask for. Or a trip to Sevilla like I did a couple of times a few years ago. 😍🍊💗 Lastly, and this the big one, I think the reason why checking off a big item on my to-do list and marking the occasion are so important to me and why this time of year is more intense for me compared to everyone else, is that the year ends twice for me. First, once I add an extra candle to my cake and second, when the clock strikes 12 on December 31st. Much like it will here soon in the UK. 🇬🇧 It’s really crucial that as we get older, we keep learning more about ourselves and this year I dove deep. Parts of 32 sucked to be honest but other times I felt such joy and accomplishment for the things I’ve done and how I made it through this past year. This year, I’m grateful to be alive and 33 years old. Not everyone makes it this far and that’s a sobering thought. And in the same vein, not everyone who was with me when I was 32 can come with me on my glow up into this next year. Also, let’s not forget, this time last year I had no idea that I’d become a published author halfway through 2021. I can only dream up what I’ll do this year... 🤔😅 (Photos include birthday pics and some of my favorite things: cats, cute things and the gorgeous coastal views of Northern Ireland from this year 😍🌊🐈 ) Happy 2022 everyone! 🥳🥂
There isn’t anywhere else on the Internet where you can get a 125 page e-book that explains in easy-to-read detail on how to get around Madrid via public transportation (Metro, EMT Madrid bus, Cercanías, Metro Ligero, BiciMAD 🚲 and more), figure out what neighborhood you should stay or live in, where to eat, what to do, the off-the-beaten places and hidden gems to visit written from the perspective of a 5-year resident of Madrid herself. Hi 👋🏻, I’ve checked and this type of guide just hasn’t been done before. So if you’re looking to move here or are already here and want to get the most out of what Madrid can offer, I’ve got you covered. Take the stress out of buying tickets and passes, making bus and metro connections, reading maps and learn and enjoy the city like I have for 5 years and counting. I show you how to get a special discount on my book for a limited time only to show you how quick and easy it is. Save 25% until December 1st, 2021 at 11:59pm. Share this with anyone you might know who’d love to get their hands on it or gift it to a transportation lover on your list this Christmas! 🎁 Favorite places featured: 1. Parque de Berlín (neighborhood: Hispanoamérica) 🚇: Concha Espina (Line 9) 2. Puerta de Europa - Parque Cuarto Depósito (neighborhood: Nueva España) 🚇 Plaza de Castilla Line 1, 9, 10 (+bus lines) 3. Hotel Riu Plaza España Rooftop 🌇🏨 (neighborhood: Argüelles) 🚇: Plaza de España Line 3, 10 4. Edificio Metrópolis (neighborhood: Sol/Cortes) 🚇: Banco de España Line 2 What’s your preferred mode of transportation in Madrid or another part of the world? Let me know in the comments!
✨ 7 years in Spain as of September 27th, 2021 ✨ I honestly don’t know where the time has gone since I stepped off the plane in Madrid and then much later on, the bus in a brand new place at the time (A Coruña) but enjoy this flashback of photos from last summer when @andrewrgillan and I finally went back to #Galicia together in August 2020. One of my favorite photos from a pretty awful and chaotic year (2020👀) was taken on the beach in Matosinhos, Portugal (still on the Iberian Peninsula 😉) so I’ve thrown it in for good measure. Swipe til the end to go back to 2014. ¡Happy 7th Spainiversary to me y por muchos más! Please let this be a year where I can visit regions I’m familiar with and a couple I still need to see (País Vasco y Asturias or Canarias, I’m looking at you!) 🎉🇪🇸🥳💃🏻🥂🐙☀️🏝
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This time last week we were in Northern Ireland on our Gibraltar anniversary and traveling just a wee ways over to the location where we had had our wedding reception. While it was a special and fun day and our marriage legally began on Sept. 2nd, personally we had a few more weeks to go before our official married life. One of the most frustrating things of these last 19 months or so was having to stay put and when it was safe enough only travel locally (as in not leaving the Iberian Peninsula). I often thought of how couples who got married a few years ago or more have been able to go back to the places where they got married and have taken many more anniversary trips. And to think for us, simply having the ceremony and reception and bringing our two worlds together were miracles in and of themselves. It’s easy to fall into those ways of thinking and it is only human to do so. That nagging question of “well, when can we return to one of *our* special spots?” was answered last week when we were able to visit the lovely location where we had our wedding reception on 9/21/2019. The drive out to the forest, the gorgeous fields of dark purple heather (not to mention the sheep that held us up along the way 🐑🚗) and the forest itself were sights to behold. 😍 Stepping inside it and reveling in the greenery felt like I was taking a breath of the cleanest air I’ve breathed in in a very long time. 😌🍃 And don’t let my dress fool you, it was cold inside there too! As if someone had splashed a bucket of cold water on me. 🥶💦 It was a beautiful gift to both reflect on the memories of the past and make new ones at the same place, a couple years later. Swipe through for a few newer pictures from that day in Gibraltar. One of my favorites is the fourth photo because even then we were talking about the books I would write and smiling brightly thinking about the future. How wonderful to have gotten it forever frozen in time. ❤️ I could never have imagined what exactly we were embarking on back in September 2019 but there’s no doubt that I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else other than you, @andrewrgillan, by my side.💗 Happy belated “paperwork” day, mi amor. 💋👫💙💜
I am officially a published author! 🎉📖🥳 On the night of June 1st, I clicked publish on my first ever e-book, a massive 30,00 word, 121 page digital book that I have spent the last 7 months working hard to bring to completion. And it’s finally here! If you can believe it, I had to consolidate all the information I found but still came up with over 100 pages chock full of useful information, historical fun facts, descriptions, tips and links to all of the the transportation websites, articles, maps and much more. Not to mention pro-tips and recommendations you only learn from commuting around the city after almost 5 full years. There is something for everyone: first timers in Madrid, current residents, visitors and tourists, commuters, study abroad students, interns, languages assistants and travelers both young and young at heart. ❤️ But mostly it’s for the people who are or would be completely lost without a guide like this. To me personally, this book is for 21 year old study abroad Sarah who single handedly planned the longest metro trip from the Barajas Airport to the Atocha train station one wintry day in a suburb of Dayton, Ohio while reading her guide book. An actual paperback book with a map of the major metros of #Madrid and Barcelona. My goodness, how far she has come since January 2010. 😅 Madrid is a fantastic city with excellent modes of transportation, a city bike share system and buses that run on both electricity and zero emissions. There are still improvements to be made but I truly do love this city and how I wonderful and freeing it is knowing I don’t need a car to see it. Have you been to #Madrid before? What mode of transportation do you prefer? 🚇🚌🚊🚲 #madridmemata #ilovespain #newbook