Nick and Chelsea's GenXcellent Adventure

Episode 31: Livin’ la Vida Loca

It’s part two of the Spain series as Nick and Chelsea hunkered down in the Malaga region of southern Spain during the height of the war in the Middle East. In this episode they discuss what it was like being temporary residents of Spain, including: * What living was like, including location, food, shopping, etc. * How remote school worked, both for a staff member and a kindergartener. * How they tried to make their son feel more at home. * Plus the Excellents and Boguses of the experience, including access to a dishwasher and lots of ham! Follow along with their Instagram account nickchelsgenxcellentadventure [https://www.instagram.com/nickchelsgenxcellentadventure/], where you can ask questions or make suggestions on topics for Nick and Chelsea to address. Tags: Gen X, expat life, Dubai, parenting abroad, UAE, family adventure, Spain, Malaga, Benalmadena, Carrefour, Primark, remote learning, bakeries, beach, working out, Parque de la Paloma, playdates, seagulls, Gaelic football, Excellents and Boguses.

Episode 30: Well I’ve Never Been to Spain

As Nick and Chelsea’s unexpected detour from Dubai continued, they needed to find a more permanent landing spot once online school began. So what location did they choose? The Malaga region of Spain. Hear all about their reasoning for choosing the Spanish Costa del Sol, including:  * Did they need to know Spanish? * Why it was a good location for their son. * The quest to find appropriate (and affordable) housing. * Plus the Excellents and Boguses of the situation, including a short walk to the beach and a tiny hot water heater. Follow along with their Instagram account nickchelsgenxcellentadventure, where you can ask questions or make suggestions on topics for Nick and Chelsea to address. Tags: Gen X, expat life, Dubai, parenting abroad, UAE, family adventure, Spain, Malaga, Benalmadena, car rentals, apartment rentals, Excellents and Boguses.

Episode 29: 99 Luftballons

The second stop on Nick and Chelsea’s unexpected detour from their adventure in Dubai took them to Trier, Germany, where they spent 10 nights with family. Chelsea’s school being on spring break afforded them plenty of opportunity to explore, including: * The sights and sounds of Trier, Germany’s oldest city. * Seeing some of the region’s river villages and castles. * A day trip to Luxembourg. * Plus the Excellents and Boguses of their time in Germany, including good salad and tough times on an air mattress. Follow along with their Instagram account nickchelsgenxcellentadventure [https://www.instagram.com/nickchelsgenxcellentadventure/], where you can ask questions or make suggestions on topics for Nick and Chelsea to address. Tags: Gen X, expat life, Dubai, parenting abroad, UAE, family adventure, Germany, Trier, Karl Marx, Porta Nigra, Mosel River, vineyards, El Camino, Luxembourg, Excellents and Boguses.

Episode 28: Take Me to the Lakes

Nick and Chelsea’s unexpected detour from their adventure in Dubai has included multiple destinations, and the first stop was the Lake District in northern England, where a friend’s family generously put them up for three nights so they could get their bearings. That afforded them the opportunity to experience the Lake District, including: * A taste of some familiar (and un-Dubai-like) weather. * The beauty of the rural countryside. * An afternoon of (and their son’s very first) high tea. * Plus one big excellent and one big bogus. Follow along with their Instagram account nickchelsgenxcellentadventure [https://www.instagram.com/nickchelsgenxcellentadventure/], where you can ask questions or make suggestions on topics for Nick and Chelsea to address. Tags: Gen X, expat life, Dubai, parenting abroad, UAE, family adventure, Lake District, hospitality, Branthwaite, wildlife park, Armathwaite Hall, Excellents and Boguses.

Episode 27: Safety Dance

When war broke out in the Middle East seven months into Nick and Chelsea’s time in Dubai, it created quite the detour in their adventure. Here’s the story of what it was like living somewhere where missiles were flying overhead, as well as the long and bumpy process they underwent to temporarily depart the UAE for safer locations in Europe. Follow along with their Instagram account nickchelsgenxcellentadventure [https://www.instagram.com/nickchelsgenxcellentadventure/], where you can ask questions or make suggestions on topics for Nick and Chelsea to address. Tags: Gen X, expat life, Dubai, parenting abroad, UAE, family adventure, war in the Middle East, explosions, sheltering in place, cancelled flights, phone alerts, Emirates Airlines, State Department, UK, Germany, Spain.