While I am still trying to figure out how to free up enough space on my hard drive to use Photos, I thought I would put together this year in review post.
The top (new) posts posts of 2015 were:
La Paz, Bolivia photo cred
The Bolivian Border Crossing from Puno to La Paz
Perhaps because it was the first, and only time I’ve crossed a border via bus, I was terribly confused and disoriented by the border crossing from Peru to Bolivia. In this posted I detailed all of the steps necessary to cross the border.
Packing for Venezuela 2015…and $755 Condoms
Every year I like to make myself a packing list of stuff that I want to bring back from my summer break in the States. I’m not sure if I will write one this year because I have been here for so long that this list already covers everything I need. It is still very accurate in regards to the stuff that you can and cannot find easily in Venezuela.
Wishful Wednesday: Saudi Aramco Expatriate Schools
I wrote this after someone commented on here that I should look at teaching at the Aramco schools since I am accustomed to a more difficult living situation. It is a pretty sweet deal if you don’t mind the restrictions.
Lessons Learned After Living 5 Years as an Expat
It is so crazy to think that I am currently teaching for my sixth year overseas. It seems like just yesterday that I was starting in Mexico. I have no desire to ever leave the international teaching profession!
I still love this backpack and I just used it again for my three week trip around Ecuador. In this post I wrote about all of the reasons you should check out the Osprey Porter 46L if you want to travel carry-on only.
Christi and her family
Being a Married Teaching Couple with a Child in Venezuela
My best friend in Venezuela, Christi, became a mom over a year ago and I thought it would be a good idea to give insight to those people who are considering Venezuela as an option for their families. She shared the ups and downs of having a baby and raising them in this tumultuous country. I wonder if she would like to add any new comments?
A marine iguana found only in the Galapagos photo cred
Backpacking the Galapagos: Is it Possible?
I wrote this while I was looking for an affordable way to visit the Galapagos. Then I talked to many people who had gone and they said to just go for the cruise instead. Since it is most likely a once in a lifetime trip for me (though I want to go back to do the NW islands) I wanted to do a cruise instead. However, I learned that doing a land based tour is entirely possible. In fact, if you are more flexible with your time and you can go during the off season you could do a two week trip for $1000.
Many people ask me why I keep coming back to Venezuela (I’m returning for a fifth year, in fact!). I wrote this post in reply to the frequent questions from family and friends.
I took this pic outside of Loki hostel… at the top of a very steep hill!
Many people love Cusco. I happened to like Lima more due to the food, nightlife, weather, and lack of altitude sickness.
Wishful Wednesday: Saigon South International School
At the beginning of this post I wrote about how friends, bloggers, and coworkers seem to keep talking about Vietnam so much so that I think I will end up there soon just by default. I know two people who went there during the December break! SSIS is at the top of my list of schools that I would want to teach at in HCMC/Saigon.
There is a pretty big variety of posts that were popular here. I would love to hear any questions or topic ideas that you would like to me address on the blog in the months to come.
Please comment below with your suggestions:
Teaching Wanderlust 