Author - The Durango Herald

A year abroad helps to define more clearly who you are

We are back in the United States. By living in another country, we opened a door that can never be closed. We will be forever changed. This is what I wanted for me and my kids – ...

DATE: Sep 30, 2018 | CATEGORY: An American in Spain

For Durango family, trip around Europe highlights how different Spain is

Traveling to Europe is an expensive endeavor. However, once there, it is fairly cheap to go from country to country. Plane tickets from Valencia to Porto, Portugal, for instance, ...

DATE: Aug 19, 2018 | CATEGORY: An American in Spain

After a year in Spain, there is so much I’ll miss

Where does a year go? It is true that as one gets older, time moves faster. I know that for our kids, our year in Spain feels like an eternity. Our youngest is trying to remind he...

DATE: Jul 29, 2018 | CATEGORY: An American in Spain

From high up in a Spanish soccer stadium, I looked at the city I love

Valencia is a city to fall in love with. It’s not love at first site, granted, but a growing love that makes you feel connected. It’s not like Barcelona or Sevilla, filled with a...

DATE: Jun 23, 2018 | CATEGORY: An American in Spain

Stamina required for this joyous, raucous Spanish wedding

At 11:30 p.m. on a recent Friday, a sword held by the bride and groom cut through a massive wedding cake during our friend Hector’s wedding. Our family was lucky enough to be in...

DATE: May 20, 2018 | CATEGORY: An American in Spain

Savoring the ambiance of village life in northern Spain

Spring break here in Valencia is the first week in April, so our family decided to take the opportunity to visit northern Spain. We based ourselves in the little town of Villavic...

DATE: Apr 22, 2018 | CATEGORY: An American in Spain

Valencia’s largest festival is a blazing sight to behold

It is 2 p.m. March 11 in Valencia and loud booming can be heard throughout the city and into the countryside. A massive plume of blueish smoke rises above the old town and sprea...

DATE: Mar 25, 2018 | CATEGORY: An American in Spain

With enthusiasm, we’ve joined Spain’s obsession with futbol

Before coming to Spain, our family primarily followed football and baseball. We enjoyed soccer, mostly because our daughter plays it. And of course, we were aware of famous names such as Dav...

DATE: Feb 25, 2018 | CATEGORY: An American in Spain

Spaniards display emotion, affection in a way Americans don’t

Part of getting to know people who live in another country is learning the basic interactions that friends and acquaintances use. In this column and on my blog, I am trying to f...

DATE: Jan 21, 2018 | CATEGORY: An American in Spain

Madrid’s dazzling holiday lights draw extraordinary crowds

Like others in Spain, our family headed to Madrid over the Feast of the Immaculate Conception holiday. I learned quickly that the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a big deal ...

DATE: Dec 31, 2017 | CATEGORY: An American in Spain

Paella – main dish of Valencia – is no joking matter

Paella is the main dish of Valencia. Even though it is served elsewhere in Spain, it originated here. The rice produced in Valencia is a wonderful short-grain rice that is flavor...

DATE: Nov 18, 2017 | CATEGORY: An American in Spain

The daunting, rewarding task of learning a new language in Spain

As I sit at a café writing this column, I listen to groups of women around me talking. At 10 a.m., women come together to smoke, drink coffee and talk about their lives. Their g...

DATE: Oct 22, 2017 | CATEGORY: An American in Spain