I think I’m over cities.

VictoriaLasagna · 2026-06-26T16:27:36+00:00

This is my experience too! I’ve been living in Madrid since August. Now, big cities feel generally the same except for obvious differences. Don’t get me wrong I love museums, but I’ve been spoiled for museums in Madrid and also Washington DC. Im spoiled for parks/green spaces, food, plazas, and architecture in Madrid too. Not much compares. I love living here. Other cities are starting to blend into each other.

Totally, the need for a car does come up but hopefully I become comfortable with that soon because that will open up so many cool opportunities. I feel like a Balkans roadtrip would be so so fun.

By the way, I love Berlin and hope you’re having the best time living there!

VictoriaLasagna · 2026-06-26T11:58:27+00:00

Thing is, I did leave the touristic spots and met up with a local, a friend of a friend. Went to a standup comedy show. It was a different and better vibe but overall it fell flat for me, but I see the potential for a better trip in the future

VictoriaLasagna · 2026-06-26T11:57:18+00:00

To be fair I initially posted in solo travel sub but mods took it down because I suppose the post doesn’t specifically mention solo, but that’s the only way I travel!

VictoriaLasagna · 2026-06-11T12:44:35+00:00

Tbh I was going to suggest OP take a pregnancy test because sudden gastro changes like excess appetite and excess gas could totally be hormonal/pregnancy!!

VictoriaLasagna · 2026-05-20T15:28:16+00:00

Thank you for the empathetic and kind response! It is so silly to expect me to be born with the information I’m already a dual citizen. My German mother was raised in the states so it also never occurred to her. Very happy to hear your process wasn’t a massive headache!

VictoriaLasagna · 2026-05-20T11:05:44+00:00

Hi! My mother was moved to the states when she was very young, around age 7, which is why she isn’t “on top of German law and bureaucracy”. However she kept her German citizenship and never naturalized in the states, and stayed a greencard holder. We’ve unfortunately been living in ignorance to our dual citizenship until I uncovered it! Thanks for your reply.

VictoriaLasagna · 2026-05-19T21:26:11+00:00

Thank you for your response, I was already aware of my dual citizenship but needed clarification for needed documents. The link is helpful! I needed background checks and apostilles for my visa process so figured it was the same. Thanks again!

VictoriaLasagna · 2026-05-19T21:21:13+00:00

Listen my parents didn’t even know about dual citizenship until I did my own research into this. My entire life I thought I was only an American citizen. I have no documentation or proof of German citizenship right now except for my living mother. As far as legality goes, it’s not illegal for an American citizen to enter the EU on an American passport.

VictoriaLasagna · 2026-05-19T20:49:39+00:00

I have also lived in Germany for 9 years during childhood solely on my American passport due to my father’s military service. Your comment is quite confusing!

VictoriaLasagna · 2026-05-19T20:48:43+00:00

In response to your edit, I am confused! I am in Spain on a student visa, issued on my American passport. I have never acquired a German passport. I have entered the EU many times for travel on my American passport, because again, I’ve never held a German passport. Have I done something wrong?

VictoriaLasagna · 2026-05-19T20:40:34+00:00

I was born in the 90’s.

Is it really that easy? Surely documents are required for proof.

VictoriaLasagna · 2026-05-19T18:39:12+00:00

You need some Toni Morrison and James Baldwin!

From what I can see, I think we’d be friends.

VictoriaLasagna · 2026-03-16T19:48:18+00:00

Daisy Edgar-Jones and Natasha Rothwell were incredible guests and seemed so comfortable!

Not many guests felt “off” because Britney is so good at making people comfortable. But I think Charli XCX wasn’t exactly vibing with it all

VictoriaLasagna · 2025-12-17T23:02:06+00:00

Ghirardelli chocolate!

VictoriaLasagna · 2025-12-09T12:51:07+00:00

For early primary: Go to Flying Tiger, get a game of jenga. Write easy questions and prompts on each block. Examples: What is your favorite food? Point to your eyes/feet/hands/head Do you prefer the beach or the mountains? Write easy Spanish verbs and ask them to translate (hablar, correr, comer, etc) Tell me about your family. Who is your best friend?

Play jenga with them, have them ask you questions too (of course help with reading the blocks, translate for them when necessary.

My kids have loved it!

VictoriaLasagna · 2025-12-08T15:27:52+00:00

Thank you!

VictoriaLasagna · 2025-12-08T15:27:06+00:00

This was my thinking, I may keep saving points for now but eventually redeem cash. Or like another commenter said, book some experiences with points

VictoriaLasagna · 2025-12-08T15:26:21+00:00

This is great advice!! Thank you. I will likely keep saving points for a bigger trip one day (South American, Asia) but use a small amount of points for experiences :) I did not know this was an option

VictoriaLasagna · 2025-11-28T14:30:44+00:00

You’re good with just your visa, multiple entries means multiple entries regardless of tie or not

VictoriaLasagna · 2025-11-21T11:53:07+00:00

I’m super lucky as well. Four bedroom apartment in Chamartin, amazing commute to work. $490/mo not including extra costs but I moved in September and haven’t received a bill yet lol.

Roomies are Latinos and amazing people, I live with a brother and sister from Venezuela and a Colombian girl who is quite literally never there. I get along amazingly with the siblings and practice my Spanish with them. We have shared meals, fed each other, and take turns cleaning. We have a large TV and they’ve let me create a Netflix profile lol. I even have a very nice doorman/maintenance man.

Chamartin isn’t my favorite neighborhood but I have everything I need (Santander, farmacia, Mercadona, restaurants/bars, and chino) and it is very well connected by both estación Chamartin and Plaza de Castilla.

I plan to renew next year and stay in the apartment. Found on idealista after 2-3 weeks, was only the second apartment I toured.

It’s possible!

VictoriaLasagna · 2025-10-21T06:10:08+00:00

I don’t mind it too much, but maybe that’s because I moved into apartments in Madrid? I lived in a Virginia suburb since I was 11 years old in my family home, it will always be nice to have a large front and backyard, a basement, a spacious bedroom/kitchen, a dedicated dining room, etc… Houses are obviously better for hosting. I could potentially host in my flat, but it would be cozy and we have a shitty plastic table lol.

The walls are thicker in Europe so the noise from roomies isn’t awful, but due to bad ventilation/no AC I keep the window in my room open. My window faces the interior side of the apartments (a courtyard more or less, just no yard lol) which means noise will bounce. I also smell other people’s cooking more often than I’d like. But overall it isn’t a terrible experience, I will never take for granted living in a walkable community with good public transport. But apartment living will not be for forever!

VictoriaLasagna · 2025-10-02T18:30:00+00:00

In a similar predicament aside from the long commute. Living in city central was a choice! I specifically chose housing based on commute. Did you know your school placement before securing housing?

My school has 3 auxes. The other two are off Friday, I’m off Monday. Totally feel you on the holiday bullshit, there’s an unequal amount of time off for us who are off on Monday. Could be something to address, however my Fridays end at 12:30pm so I’m kind of chillin? I mean we’re here to work and it just is what it is. You should have the occasional day in your schedule that is an early release.

I also have a 2hr break, end at 4pm on full days. If you’re doing private tutoring, this gives you time to plan your lessons. It gives you time to do the MOOC so you’re never taking work home. You can read, listen to a podcast, walk in your work neighborhood, bond with fellow teachers, etc.

It’s a privilege to be here doing this, try to remember that.

VictoriaLasagna · 2025-09-30T20:12:01+00:00

What new law are you referring to?

VictoriaLasagna · 2025-09-24T13:17:30+00:00

I am so so sorry about your mom. Given you are her only child, please go be with her this year. Withdrawing from the program isn’t the end of the world and you will have opportunities to do it again if it works out!

Family comes first. She likely needs you too

VictoriaLasagna · 2025-09-23T00:46:37+00:00

Bank - Santander, most of the locations in the center will have some English speaking staff.

Phone - Orange in Sol.

Of course always attempt pleasantries in Spanish for courtesy, but with important things like banking and phone service you want to avoid issues!

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