The thought of sun, sea, and sand is what lures a lot of people to give up their desk jobs in “Blight y” and set off for Spain, the trouble is that when they get there they realize they’re going to need cash to continue living their exotic dream.

Finding a job in Spain isn’t that easy, but then in comparison with the rules and regulations other countries impose on foreign workers, it isn’t that hard either. Having a plan and a realistic timeline will help you stay focused and stop you wasting your time.

If you’re a Brit living in Spain and you need to earn some money, or you’re thinking about moving and need a job to fund your new life, here are some top tips for finding a job in Spain.

Learn the language

If you’ve been on holiday to Spain you might think that everyone important speaks English so there’s no point bothering to learn the language. Unfortunately, you’re wrong and this attitude is going to make finding a job extremely difficult.

Not speaking Spanish like a local won’t be a problem but not speaking it at all will drastically reduce the amount of positions you can apply for and how well you’ll be able to fulfill the job description.

Koh Samui is an island, full of natural beauty and charm, offering a lovely place where one can enjoy their holiday the way they like; relaxed, kicked back or fast-paced. The island has beautiful white sand beaches, clean and warm ocean waters, lush tropical gardens and the gentle ocean water breezes that await tourists. It is the ideal destination for any beach lover.

This ideal tourist destination's main attractions are its natural white beaches and the Samui beach resorts. If you prefer a quiet Samui beach resort where you can relax and enjoy your holiday, then there are plenty of options for you, including the Maenam beach. In addition, there are other several beautiful beaches such as Lamai, Chaweng, Bophut, Choeng, and Bangrak, among many others, where you can book accommodation for your stay.

Koh Samui Beach Resorts


Samui beach resorts provide comfort and luxury to all guests. This Thailand’s island’s beach resorts are normally located in sites that enable the tourists easily identify them and to not only tour around the curved Koh Samui city but also partake in various beach activities. You can choose from 3 foremost window types at the Samui resort; advanced windows, sumptuous sites and villas. The resorts at the beach have exotic dining locations for the guests too. The resorts are also elegant in architecture and have international management panels from Thailand, Europe and America, who take control of all guests.

A couple million people visit Niagara Falls every year. This is a great place to visit, but you need to know what the area has to offer if you want to make the most of your trip. Fortunately, there are a number of great mobile apps that can help you plan your trip.

Mobile Apps to Use in Niagara Falls

Some developers have created apps specifically to help people traveling to Niagara Falls. Here are some of the most popular apps that you may want to use if you are going to be visiting anytime soon:

Hello Niagara Falls

This app can help you find important destinations in Niagara Falls. You can use it to find popular tourist attractions, bed and breakfasts and historical monuments. The app has details on pricing and other information that you need to know to make an informed decision without having to drive out of your way.
Most people have enjoyed the app, but some users have said that it doesn’t have enough locations. The developers are considering adding some more in the future so you will want to update it. However, the most popular destinations seem to be on the list.

Niagara Falls Travel Guide

This is a great app to for people who want to see the best view of the falls offer on their trip. You can use it to find the best place to stand to get a scenic view while standing over them. You can also use the Niagara Falls Travel Guide app to find hidden locations by the falls. This can be great for people who want to spend a romantic evening exploring them.
The app also has a guide for people who want to explore near the falls. It has a list of great restaurants and casinos that you may want to check out on your trip.

 

Niagara Falls

This app is geared towards people who want to plan their trip ahead of time. They can use it to find different restaurants, casinos and hotels. This app can also be helpful when you have actually arrived in the area. You can use it to find ATMs, parking and other areas that you need to check out.

Niagara Falls Tourist DIY

This app is a great guide for people who want to find the best entertainment resorts to check out. It has a list of casinos, parks, shopping outlets and beautiful lakes that you may want to look at.
Most people who reviewed this app said that it is very helpful. A couple of people complained that it has too many ads, but most people feel that it is a great app anyways.

Well, it seems that taking a break now and again might need to get off your luxury list and into your necessity list. Experts have advised that holidays are of vital necessity for resting and de-stressing, so take the test and see whether you’re in need of a holiday.

Are you having trouble sleeping?
Odds are you’re feeling stressed and this can lead to hectic and inconsistent sleeping patterns. The boisterous and energetic city might have appealed to you in your early days, but now the traffic, the people, the planes, air-conditioning and the sirens are causing you to seriously doubt what attracted you to the city in the first place. Take a relaxing vacation to a quiet beach or an isolated mountain and just take some time to gather your thoughts and rest.

Are you grumpy and irritable?
There’s no question that stress and tiredness can make you a little temperamental, and it doesn’t get any easier when people complain about it. If you find yourself yelling at the kids too often and for too little a reason, or you snap at a barista for getting your order wrong, or smash your horn more than three times a day while driving, you need a holiday.

License: Creative Commons image source

 Cliveden - A legendary stately home with a blue-blooded history and a frisson of political scandal

Think renowned hospitality, extraordinary extravagance and a glamorous past and you have Cliveden in a nutshell. Everyone who is anyone has stayed here, the most famous hostess of all being Nancy Astor.

The surroundings are so impressive you could be on the set of ‘Atonement’ or ‘Brideshead Revisted’. The long gravel drive leads you through 376 acres of parkland and magnificent formal gardens to the lavish grandeur of the house. Glimpses of the vast marble fountain and stunning thousand-yard parterre are a foretaste of the incredible curiosities that fill the beautiful gardens.

Healthy Holidays in Thailand 

Or are we just too lazy to look for a better deal? Apparently only about half of us have changed our mobile phone operator in the last three years. And if we’re over the age of 55 only about 1 in 5 of us is likely to have changed in the last three years.

If we’re under 25 we’re more likely to switch around. It seems for most of us once we sign up with one mobile phone network we stay there unless we are unsatisfied with the service or we are tempted by a cheaper deal?

Are we surprised to learn that men are less likely to remain loyal or maybe that should read more likely to take the time to find the best deal?

Some might say that now that mobile phone contracts are lasting a minimum of two years, this has a bearing. Maybe it is only the more youthful amongst us who are desperate to change their handsets as soon as a new model appears?

Customer loyalty

Many brands – not just in the mobile phone arena – go to great lengths to win and keep our loyalty. Think of promotions from the big corporations like loyalty cards such as Tesco’s Clubcard or Waitrose ‘My Waitrose’ card.

According to beyondphilosophy.com ‘to build customer loyalty, customer experience management blends the physical, emotional and value elements of an experience into one cohesive experience.’

It is also commonly known in business that it costs less to retain existing customers than to court new ones. This by no means explains the complexity of customer loyalty but just gives us a small insight.

Cut above

How does Apple do it? Why are iPhones the must-have smartphone? Well it started with exceptional design and functions and there’s no doubt this was also about status too. To own an iPhone was ‘everyone’s’ dream. The iPhone is the designer label of smartphones.

But now other manufacturers are catching up. Samsung has built up a big smartphone following for its Galaxy series with the latest one, the S4 giving the iPhone a run for its money.

Other mobile phone manufacturers aren’t sitting still either. All will be vying to build that brand loyalty too.

Mobile phone insurance

So it is with mobile phone insurance too. You may not think that but it’s true. If you can find an insurance company – no matter which product you are insuring – that gives you a really good deal i.e. reasonable outlay for great cover, then you are likely to look at them first next time round too.

What you need to look for is comprehensive cover in the areas that you feel you might need protection. With mobile phones it’s likely to be cracked screens, water damage and loss of phone.

Check policies for how these areas are covered and how often you can claim over the course of a year. See how you are covered if your phone is stolen. For instance are you covered for calls made whilst your phone is missing?

Mobile insurance certainly helps to ensure you are not left without your valuable smartphone for longer than you have to be.

Featured images:

•  License: Image author owned 

Bill Turner is a free-lance writer who enjoys playing poker with his mates, walking his dog on the beach and researching the latest technology..

License: Creative Commons image source

From its earliest beginnings the automotive industry has grown and expanded much farther than the earliest founders ever could have predicted. The industry itself has been essential throughout many major countries, with emphasis residing in the United States, key parts of Europe, and Asia.
Throughout the United States, our systems have adjusted to the emergence of vehicles, accommodating the fact that most people take some sort of electric or gas powered transportation every day whether that be by car, bus, or train. If you use any of these, your cost may go up. Learn how the new transportation laws in your State will influence you and your commute.

Not just drivers

License: Creative Commons image source

The new transportation legislation MassDOT is putting into place runs over 600 pages, and will be used for two years, where it will once again be assessed for effectiveness. Besides just influencing the finances of drivers, the new law implements a tax increase on tobacco, reaching up to $1 for a pack of cigarettes.
Throughout much of Massachusetts public transportation is important. There are two rail networks that run through Boston, one is the subway which acts in part like a light rail, and the other is a railway which provides a number of services including intercity rail, and commuter rail. For some businesses, the new transportation law means that opportunities to name these public transportation stations will become a reality. Not only will this bring in more money to MassDOT, but it will also be a way for businesses to more effectively advertise.

The effect

The main purpose of the plan is to ensure progress behind making driving safer and repairing roads that have been damaged. With an $800 million a year bill put in place, there are a few changes that are being made. Some of the most important things to note are:

• The debate has now been started over which projects should be considered more of a priority. Although major roads are in need of work, those who are interested in fixing roads that are less traveled are nervous there will be no funding left for them.
• There is a strong push to make improvements on I-95.
• Certain forms of mass transportation will only be able to raise their ticket price once over the span of two years. The percentage that it can be raised is also lower than ever before
• Toll roads are common over the east coast. With this new initiative, there will be a push towards reopening toll roads that haven’t been around for years. This includes adding tolls on the border of the state to bring in more revenue for the program.

These changes will be effective for at least a couple more years. Over this time the state will show what resources they feel are most important, and how they are going to implement the program to help revive the city’s streets.
With new transportation laws in place, it is important to take a look into how they affect you. Be aware of the changes, and how long they will be in place. Whether you normally drive your own vehicle, or take public transportation, these factors could have a strong influence on you.

Cassie Costner writes for Shine Collision on the new developments behind transportation laws. She also writes on mending your car after an accident, getting your insurance straightened out, and finding the best car for your style. 

Early snow on the slopes in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana has the trails open and ready for ski bums and bunnies. Not to be left behind in the race for ski profits, some of the most desirable ski areas in Europe are reporting great powder, too! Looks like this is going to be one of the best years for ski vacations in a long time.
Our Top Three picks for this season include one for Thanksgiving, one for Christmas and one for Canada in the New Year. We hope to point you in new directions for options this ski season.
Thanksgiving Holiday in Utah $1800
Alta Lodge is offering a 4-night lodging package where kids 12 and under stay and eat free. This package includes breakfast fit for active skiers every morning, dinner every evening and a special Thanksgiving Day dinner for all their guests.

• Lift Tickets – These are reduced prices and going fast for the Thanksgiving holiday stay but for $516, you get 3 consecutive days of lift passes for 2 adults and 2 children under 13.  This adds up to a savings of approximately $150.

• Public Transportation – Some of those are free but all have phone numbers listed to ask for current prices

An All-Inclusive Christmas in Claviere, Italy
Claviere is a quaint little town in the Italian Alps, presenting a perfect setting for that postcard Christmas. We priced this out for 2 adults and 2 children under 13 with a departure from Dublin Airport.
The full complement of amenities, childcare, children’s activities – including supervised bumboarding – make it a budget-friendly option.

• Swiss Air and British Airways are offering specials for flights out of certain U.S. airports but you need to check for the latest.  Swiss Air allows you to cancel with no charge up to 24-hours in advance

• Make sure that you have medical insurance that covers any injuries sustained during a skiing accident and check for special medical coverage in case you need to be airlifted to a medical facility. Check out our previous article Travel Insurance: You Want to Stay Insured against All Perils for insights into insurances that you may need.

• It often is cheaper to get a flight to an adjacent location, such as Rome, Barcelona, Vienna or Paris and take a train to the slopes. 

Start the Year Off in Canada
One of the most delightful ski areas in Canada is located in British Columbia.  Whistler Ski Area has great shopping and host of other accommodation options, depending on where you’d like to check in---at a local lodge or private dwelling. The place also offers a host of other activities for family vacations.
We choose the dates as check-in on January 7th and check-out January 13th.  We added lift tickets for 2 adults and 2 children.

• Glacier’s Reach Lodge came in with a price for the whole package at $1694, which includes a gas fireplace, queen size bed and sofa bed, full kitchen and washer/dryer in the unit. Some units have bunk beds for the kids; there is a top deck for lounging or morning coffee and best of all the Olympic Park and Playground are across the street. You can walk or get a free shuttle ride to the base of Whistler or Blackcomb.

• Lake Place Lodge is our second choice because of the loft-style rooms with 2 bathrooms in each suite. We added the same lift ticket packages and the price was almost $1777. Each unit has its own balcony or deck with breathtaking views. What the 1-bedroom unit lacks is laundry facilities and with kids in tow, this could be an important amenity.

If you'd prefer to have professionals handle the entire process, you should use a reputation vacation wholesaler like sundance vacations. 
When not planning out his next vacation across the globe, you can find Jordan riding his mountain bike or walking his dogs. 

Wicked is still one of the hottest musicals running on Broadway today. When you purchase Wicked tickets in New York, you are purchasing admittance to an unexpectedly poignant glance behind the scenes of the familiar Wizard of Oz stories. This musical production was first performed on Broadway in 2003, and it starred Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda the Good Witch and Idina Menzel as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. The play follows the early lives of the witches and tells the story of their friendship, which creates the foundation for the more familiar elements of the Wizard of Oz stories everyone grew up with.
What Inspired Wicked's Storyline

The musical theater production of Wicked is based on a novel by the same name that was written by Gregory Maguire. The play follows the book's story very closely, beginning with the birth of Elphaba and ending with Dorothy's triumphant melting of the Wicked Witch. The musical version focuses on the story from Glinda's point of view, and is told by Glinda after Elphaba has been dispatched of by Dorothy. In this version of the story, Elphaba is shown as a person who has been persecuted all of her life for the color of her skin. Every time she tries to make something better, it always seems to cause more problems. Glinda and Elphaba's special bond, and a deeper understanding of Elphaba's character, gives a new perspective to the Wicked Witch of the West story.

The Music as Part of the Plot

Unlike some musicals, the plot of Wicked is actually enhanced by the songs that are sung. The lyrics are witty and biting while they are also funny and entertaining. The score, written by popular Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz, is at once touching and engaging. When Elphaba and Glinda first meet their intense dislike for one another comes through clearly in one of the opening songs. Near the end of the show, their deep bond of friendship is unmistakable as they sing their parting song.

Unexpected Twists and Turns

The most intriguing element of Wicked is the way it completely overturns all of your preconceived notions about the Wizard of Oz. Subtle phrases and conversations take pieces of the original movie and give them a whole new spin. The audience finds itself tracing the parts of the story they already know and putting them into the new context of this unexpected storyline. When you buy Wicked tickets in New York, you give yourself an opportunity to experience Oz as you never imagined it to be. This show will make you re-think everything you thought you knew about wickedness.

Incredible Stage Effects

Wicked tickets in New York are also a chance to see a spectacular stage show. The special effects are wonderful, and they truly transport you to this new world. Glinda first appears floating in a giant bubble above the stage. Elphaba proclaims herself wicked from atop her broomstick high among the lights at the very top of the theater. The stage shifts almost imperceptibly at times, giving the audience glimpses of things that happened in the past, present, and future all at once. Wicked is a high quality production that entertains the heart, mind, and senses through its bittersweet message, fun music, and incredible effects.

Citations:

• Broadway World's Top Weekly Grossing Shows

Janice Eichman - Freelance Broadway/Off Broadway writer in New York City For Broadwaykings.com 

In the last few years, companies have been under tremendous pressure because of increasing competition and production costs. Therefore, most business organizations have been looking for ways to reduce costs, while improving productivity and efficiency. One way to do the same is to outsource non-core functions. This process is called global sourcing.
Global sourcing solutions make sure your business gets stronger and becomes a leader in your industry. Global sourcing offers a lot of benefits to business organizations in every part of the world. Here are some key reasons why you should adopt global sourcing and integrate it with your business strategy.

Credit to http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumaxart/2137737248/

Monetary or Financial Benefits - In tough competitive times, every business needs to reduce production costs. In fact, it has become one of the major concerns for every manager. Global sourcing solutions save a lot of your money and time. Small companies can efficiently manage your menial tasks. This gives you more time and resources to focus on productive and important tasks related to your organization. It helps in much better investment, strategic and financial planning.
Improved Efficiency - When your business operations are more efficient, they will be more productive. Sourcing solutions allow you to eliminate the burden of all those business operations which require a lot of financial, physical and human resources. Your business managers will be able to invest these resources in other areas of your organization. Thus, managers will also be able to supervise much better.
Competitive Edge - Every business organization needs a competitive edge these days. With innovative approaches and proper guidance related to your products and services, you definitely gain a competitive edge in the market. Sourcing solutions make you more popular and reliable. Your sourcing partner will provide you with necessary time, resources and money to focus and specialize on your core business operations.
Specialized Services - A global sourcing partner provides access to specialized services. For instance, if online marketing is a very important part of your business, outsourcing your business operations to a web development company will make sure your online marketing projects are very successful. This way, global sourcing solutions ensure a very high level of customer satisfaction. Moreover, you will not need in-house employees for the same purpose. This will cut your costs even further. You will not have to recruit specialized employees for the purpose.
Low Risks - It is quite clear that sourcing solutions significantly reduce many different kinds of risks related to your organization. While taking crucial business decisions, you will be in touch with specialists from your field. Your global sourcing partner will give appropriate recommendations and suggestions to guide you in the right direction. The best part is that you will not have to deal with customers on your own. With a specialized global sourcing partner, you will never lose a customer.
Those are only some of the benefits of global sourcing solutions. It is quite clear that global sourcing strategies are perfect for every business organization. Since competition has been increasing every day, global sourcing solutions will become even more important in the next few years.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source 

Somchai Voranai is a business writer from Bangkok, Thailand. For more information about global sourcing solutions visit www.tradegood.com.

If you’re reading this post, then you’re probably well into choosing Vietnam for your next destination, particularly Ho Chi Minh City which is the country’s largest city. For culture travelers, the city boasts lots of traditional and cultural attraction as well as historical places of interest. The number of possible things to do while visiting the city is countless. Below we’ve handpicked the top 5 destinations not to be missed to get you started.
Top 5 Attractions
First and foremost, don’t miss the War Remnants Museum. The museum showcases the consequences of war and invasion on Vietnam ranging from artifacts, photographs, collection and preservation of materials. The museum attracts both local and international visitors; receiving no less than 500,000 visitors each year.
Next is another museum: FITO Museum. After all, Vietnam is rich in culture and history. Besides nature, that is one of the top reasons travelers visit the country. This one is slightly different though and is all about Vietnamese traditional medicine. If you are into health and medicine, especially the history of medicine, you’ll find FITO Museum very appealing. With about 3,000 items related to traditional Vietnamese medicine since the Stone Ages ranging from grinders, mortars, printing mold, spirit gourd, books and documents to modern audio-visual technology.
If you’re up for a live show then head over to Saigon Opera House for Hon Viet – The Soul of Vietnam, a unique cultural show that takes place every 15th and 23rd of the month. Highly professional yet affordable, Hon Viet introduces first-time travelers to Vietnamese music and culture. While you’re at it, do some exploring of the Saigon Opera House which hosts the city’s premium shows such as Orchestras and high quality shows.
And for something a bit more of today’s world: Bitexco Financial Tower Skydeck, which offers an observation deck (Saigon Skydeck) that gives you a 360 degrees view of Ho Chi Minh City, and the city’s tallest building. Spend some time observing the entire city from above with amazing views of the city scape and the Saigon River.
Now that we have the recommended attractions covered, where is the best place to stay if you want to visit all these places? Transportation in Vietnam is not as spares as you would have been made to believe by pictures of nature and hiking trips. On the contrary, the city area caters well to foreign travelers. Here are some of our hotel picks: Hotel Nikko Saigon, Caravelle Hotel, Dich Duyen Hotel, Sofitel Saigon Plaza and Pullman Saigon Centre; with the latter two our recommended picks.
Both Sofitel and Pullman are international brands so for first-time travelers as the less seasoned, staying at a hotel known worldwide already guarantees several things such as service standards, hygiene and facilities. Pullman Saigon Centre in particular, is the city’s newest international 5-star hotel and offers the latest technology so if you’re going to be visiting Vietnam for the first time, might as well do it in style and stay at a newly launched hotel. Sofitel Saigon Plaza has been around longer and is one of the hotels travelers tend to consider booking a room at. The hotel is located in the business district so patrons are a mix of both tourist and business travelers.
Attractions and dining is an important part of any travel experience but could be easily ruined by a bad hotel experience. We recommend the international branded hotels and there are quite a number available. This is not to say that local hotels shouldn’t be considered but perhaps not for your first trip to the beautiful Ho Chi Minh City.
Mary Belluni loves traveling to Asia. Traveling to Ho Chi Minh City for the first time, she booked a 5 star Ho Chi Minh hotel that was close to various sightseeing locations in town. Experiencing the best of Vietnamese culture in the form of attractions, cuisine and music, Mary's favorite place is the Saigon Opera House.

Transporting livestock across the nation might sound like an unmanageable chore. But if you make sure that your animals are comfortable and happy along the way, this assignment needn't be much more difficult than your average cross-country trip.


The Trailer


First, look at a wide range of cattle trailers, horse trailers, and other kinds of trailers to find one that suits your purpose. A heavy cargo trailer is preferable to a light one. That’s because heavier models don’t bounce as much. Bouncing can put a real strain on the legs of livestock, and in some cases it can lead to weight loss and dehydration in animals. On top of that, you can provide a more pleasant ride with a high-quality, well-built trailer. Bison trailers, for instance, are ideal. They enjoy an excellent reputation within the agricultural sector.

Thoroughly inspect your vehicle and trailer before your trip. Verify that the oil has been changed and that the tires have been inflated. Don't forget a spare; trailers are notorious for flat tires. On top of that, check that the hitch is secure and that all doors and lights work properly.
Cover your trailer's floor to make the journey more comfortable for your animals. Rubber mats are effective here. And throw down some hay or some straw so that your livestock can sleep more soundly.


Preparing Your Animals


Before embarking on an across-the-country tour, it’s important to acclimate your livestock to their livestock trailers. To that end, practice loading and unloading them. And take them for plenty of trips around the neighborhood so they can get used to moving at different speeds. The first time your animals -- your horses in particular -- go for a ride, stop as gradually as you can and always turn slowly.
Check with a veterinarian to see if your livestock are healthy enough to handle the rigors of long-distance travel. Plus, the vet can let you know if your state requires you to carry any paperwork when hauling livestock. Even if it doesn’t, it’s a good idea to at least take the animals’ registration papers with you.


Notes About Horses and Road Trips


Bring large quantities of food and water for your horses and feed them at frequent intervals. You can even dangle nets full of hay in front of them so they can eat as they ride.
You have to decide whether or not to tie your horses. If you're transporting, say, two horses in the same trailer and they behave especially well around one another, you might leave them untied. However, if you have any concerns about rowdiness or about one of your horses trying to escape, you ought to secure them with quick release knots.

In addition, it's a good idea to drive away immediately after your horses have been loaded.


A Word About Hogs


It’s actually easier to transport cattle and horses -- horses especially -- than hogs. Thousands of hogs die on the road each year due to hot temperatures and rough rides. Hogs are unable to sweat; heat and humidity thus take terrible tolls on their bodies. Therefore, avoid driving during the hottest parts of the day during the summer and in desert climes. And remember that wet bedding materials can cool them off and that you can hose them down periodically.
Just as heat can be lethal for hogs, cold and wind chill can be fatal. During chilly times of the year, only transport your hogs in an enclosed trailer. And be sure that all vents are closed.
Finally, be aware that deadly fights can break out when hogs ride with other hogs that they’ve never seen before.

Featured images:

•  License: Image author owned 

Jason Buss works for Mile High Trailers.  You can find Jason on the family ranch, riding and working with horses, and traveling the country.  When not outdoors you can find Jason working on his newest do-it-yourself project around the house.

St. Louie

It’s the home of an 11-time World Series championship winning baseball club – the Cardinals.
The St. Louis Rams have won one Super Bowl.

The BBQ is sweet and spicy, and STL eats more of it than almost anywhere else. We cut our pizza into squares, not wedges. And Nelly is the patron saint of St. Louis hip hop.

You might be from St. Louis if…

• You know what a pork steak is. And you know they’re delicious.
• You know what Provel is, where to put it, and why it tastes so freakin’ good. I’ll give visitors a hint: it’s not because it’s natural, or organic, or any of that fancy stuff. It is local, though – so there is that going for it.
• You’re still bumping Nelly in a blacked-out four-door 1970s Chevy with huge rims.
• You think you’re the archdiocese because of the arch downtown.
• You look sideways at pizza with crust thicker than a stack of quarters.
• You put oregano on everything. Everything.
• The Rams kind of make you want to cry – but you keep watching, season after season.
• You know what the loop is.
• When someone says “Dred Scott,” you know what they’re talking about.
• Your favorite comedian is Red Foxx. Unless you were born in the 80s – then it’s Cedric the Entertainer.
• You expect zoos and museums to be free. “What do you mean that’ll be $37.50 for the three of us? Are you crazy?” That’s you when you visit other cities.
• Six Flags season passes were like Super Bowl tickets when you were growing up.
• You expect bars in other cities to stay open until 3 AM – at least.
• You know where the 1904 World’s Fair was – even though you weren’t even a twinkle in your daddy’s eye at the time. 
• You’re pretty sure STL is still the beer capital of the world – even though it isn’t.
• Butter cake? Yes please! Delicious.
• You don’t gamble, but you drink free at the casinos.
• The loop isn’t the exclusive territory of daredevil pilots – you know what it is.
• You think it’s stupid that there’s a city named after another state on the other side of your state.
• You think Missouri should sell the city that shall remain nameless back to the state that’s shall remain nameless.
• There’s no “r” in “wash.” Amirite?
• Missouri is pronounced “Missoury,” not “Missourah.”

St. Louis – gateway to the west

You didn’t care when rappers from the west were feuding with rappers from the east. You were as bummed when Biggie got shot as you were when Tupac got shot. Even though you’re from the middle of the country, you know there’s nothing mediocre about St. Louis or the people from there. Even though every great author who ever wrote about St. Louis had nothing nice to say – William S. Burroughs, Kate Chopin, Jane Smiley – you certainly do. If you’re still here, you know why you’re still here. If you’re not, you think about how you’re going to get back, even if it’s just for vacation or to see the fam.

Kamiel Moore is a real estate expert who works for We Buy Ugly Houses STL, and she loves cupcake shops, reality TV, and getting her passport stamped when she goes on vacation.

400,000 Brits have already decided that life in the sun is for them and have successfully made the move to Spain. It’s always been high on the UK’s list of tourist destinations so many of us have experienced the hot summer climate. Not so many of us have ventured over to claim our share of the winter sun and of course, Spain is a big country so temperatures vary tremendously.

In the south and on the Costa del Sol the temperatures remain warm in the winter. But in Spain’s interior and in the north temperatures can drop drastically. We are talking -16C and snow in many parts. This is particularly likely in Spain’s mountainous regions: the Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada, Central and Iberian ranges and the Cantabrian Mountains. The north west of Spain is wetter than other regions.
Of course in the summer the high temperature in some cities – Granada, Seville and Madrid – reach 40C+. Some businesses choose to close during this time (July – August). It is also worth considering how you think you will be able to work in the extreme temperatures that the seasons bring.

Which area?

Andalusia is the warmest area in Spain and generally along that southern coastline – the Costa del Sol - the summers will be hot.

It stays fairly warm and mild as you follow the coastline round to the Costa Blanca. Even far round on the Costa Brava the winters remain mild, but not beach weather obviously.

If you are looking for a similar climate to the UK head to Galicia in the north west which has the Atlantic brushing its shores. Here the temperatures are milder and wetter.

What jobs?

As we’ve mentioned head to any of the main tourist areas if English is your only language. Your chances of employment will be restricted if you do not speak any Spanish but there will often be English language jobs available in these areas.

Of course there are international companies in Spain who might need an English – or other language – speaker but you will almost certainly need to have a good command of Spanish too. Some international companies obviously need other languages as well – so the more you speak, the more opportunities you will find.

There will be opportunities in all the professions but you may need to check that your qualifications are accepted in Spain.

Do your research

The best way to approach this life-change is to

• Check that your family are happy to make the change
• If your Spanish isn’t good get yourself on a course – an intensive one if time is short
• Start checking out what you need to do before taking this big step including any paper work needed for residence in Spain
• Check that your qualifications are valid in Spain
• Search out a good online site to search for jobs
• Be ready to relocate and all that entails once you have secured a job

After all of this you should be well prepared to work in Spain.

Featured images:

•  License: Image author owned 

Bill Turner is a free-lance writer and an experienced traveler. He enjoys mountain climbing in the winter and sitting on the beachfront in the summer months.

When using public transport on a holiday, it’s always best to be on your guard. Thieves are drawn to tourists who are likely to be carrying large sums of money or valuables such as cameras, and crowded subway platforms offer the perfect opportunity for a chance robbery.
Travelling the New York subway, seeing the graffiti, and encountering some of Gotham’s stranger inhabitants, is all part of the fun of visiting the Big Apple. And it’s true that the subway has become a lot less dangerous in recent years thanks to the mayorship of Rudy Giuliani, who made fighting crime a priority, and the activities of the Guardian Angels. But robberies do take place on a regular basis still.
If you’re planning a visit to New York soon, and are likely to be using the subway, here are some pointers on how to keep yourself, and your property, safe:
Try and avoid travelling during peak periods such as rush hour - not only is this safer, because it’s harder for pickpockets to go unnoticed or disappear into a crowd, but you will also find it easier to get a seat, and enjoy a less stressful journey. Riding a long distance when you’re crammed in like sardines on a hot day is not a pleasant experience.
Keep valuables as close to you as possible. Wallets and smart phones should be in your hip pockets, and if you are wearing a rucksack bear in mind it could be opened without your knowledge. Either fasten it with a padlock, or switch it around so it’s on your chest. Straps can be cut easily by a determined thief so keep your camera in your hand while travelling.
Dangers on the subway are not always about robbery. There’s lots of steep steps, so take it slowly and use the handrail, especially if it’s busy. And keep well back from the platform edge at all times - at least 55 people were sadly killed by trains in 2012. If you feel yourself being pressed to the edge, move backwards or sideways in the crowd.
If you drop something on the track, even something of great value, don’t be tempted to retrieve it yourself. Find a member of staff to do it for you.
Watch out for the train doors. They don’t operate in the same way as lift doors which open again if there’s something blocking them. They shut and stay shut, with a lot of pressure, so the careless can easily be injured.
Always try and avoid travelling alone late at night. The New York subway is a lot safer than it was back in the 70s and 80s but bad things still happen. If your carriage is empty you may find it more comfortable to move into an occupied one. If you feel threatened, and can’t find a staff member, get off the train immediately and head to the street.
Don’t fall asleep, as you’ll likely wake up and find your stuff has gone missing. People on gap year travel are particularly vulnerable as it’s easy to nod off after a few drinks. And it’s also a bad idea to listen to music through headphones as you won’t be able to hear shouts of warning or important safety messages over the tannoy. Don’t listen to music through speakers either though, unless you want a disagreement with your fellow passengers. Maybe best to just turn the iPod off for a few minutes.
Try not to look too much like a tourist - act like you know where you’re going at all times even if you’re not sure, and don’t have expensive equipment or wads of cash on display as this is an invitation to trouble.
Rob is a veteran of the subway, and barely ever gets lost more than once or twice a week