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Ruben Arribas

About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.

The Chicken Prep Habit in Spanish Kitchens That Would Horrify American Food Safety Officials

And why this everyday technique persists despite what health experts in the U.S. would call a contamination nightmare In kitchens across Spain from modern apartments in Barcelona to family homes in rural Extremadura — something happens every day that would make an American food safety officer flinch. A package of raw chicken is opened. It’s …

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Best Countries to Retire on Social Security: 10 Affordable Countries for American Retirees on Social Security

You do not need a spreadsheet to feel the difference, you need a Tuesday. Social Security that barely survives rent in Phoenix can pay for a one bedroom, utilities, transit, food you cook, two lunches out, and a real dentist in the right country. Three times further is not luxury, it is margin. The question …

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The Spanish Lunch Wine Ritual And What Cardiologists Are Now Observing About Lifestyle-Driven Cholesterol Change

A cardiologist in Madrid reviews a patient’s lipid panel at his three-month follow-up. The patient is 64, recently retired, has been engaging the daily Spanish lunch pattern more consistently since retirement. The numbers have improved substantially. Total cholesterol down 28 milligrams per deciliter. LDL down 22. HDL up 4. Triglycerides down 18. The cardiologist asks …

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Retired Nurse Moved To Spain With $140,000: What The Healthcare System Gave Her Back

The retired American nurse, single, in her early sixties, with $140,000 in retirement assets and Social Security still two years away, is one of the most specific cohorts arriving in Spain in 2024 and 2025. The specificity matters because of the profession. American nurses spend their careers inside the US healthcare system, and they leave …

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The Secret to Nonna’s Cooking Isn’t Ingredients: It’s Instinct

(And What It Really Takes to Make Food Without a Recipe) Spend any time in an Italian kitchen especially one run by a grandmother and you’ll notice something. There are no measuring cups. No scales. No timers. And definitely no recipe cards. Ask how much salt goes in the sauce and you’ll hear “quanto basta.” …

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Why European Bathrooms Have This Thing Americans Think Is Disgusting

And what it reveals about hygiene, privacy, and the cultural clash between cleanliness and convenience Ask the average American traveler what shocked them most during their first European trip, and the answer might surprise you. It’s not the speed of the trains or the size of the elevators. It’s not the lack of air conditioning …

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Best Filipino Foods to Try for First-Time Visitors With Recipes

Filipino cuisine is having a long-overdue moment in the global spotlight and for good reason. Known for its bold flavors, rich history, and comforting dishes, Filipino food offers a unique blend of Spanish, Chinese, American, and indigenous influences. It’s a cuisine defined by contrast: sweet meets savory, tangy meets rich, and simple ingredients are turned …

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The Carry-On Rule on Europe’s Budget Airlines That Turns €39 Fares Into €189 Lessons

You breeze to the gate with a $39 fare, a tiny suitcase, and American instincts. Security said nothing, so you assume you’re fine. Then the agent points to the metal frame. Your bag rides the sizer like a stubborn mule, the wheels catch, and a card machine appears. The “cheap” ticket is now an add-on, …

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Stop Rushing Barbecue: This Argentine Asado Recipe Turns Grilling Into an Event

Few culinary experiences are as iconic and deeply rooted in national identity as Asado is in Argentina. More than just a barbecue, Asado is a time-honored ritual a social gathering centered around the art of grilling meat over an open flame. With its smoky aromas, sizzling cuts of beef, and slow-paced cooking method, Asado is …

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How to Make Spanish Ham Croquetas Like a Tapas Bar

Our full recipe guide on how to make Croquetas one of the most popular tapas in Spain. Apart from Spanish Omelette and the paella, Croquetas is very popular too. In Spain, few tapas are as beloved — or as addictive — as ham croquetas. Crisp on the outside, creamy on the inside, and bursting with the rich, savory …

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Why Spanish Children Eat Olives At Three Years Old And American Children Still Won’t At Twelve

A Spanish family in a small town outside Sevilla sits down to lunch on a Sunday in October. The grandmother brings out a plate of olives — fat Manzanillas, smaller Arbequinas, briny black olives from the local producer. The three-year-old grandson reaches for the plate first. He picks up a Manzanilla, removes the pit with …

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10 Best Spanish Stews Every Food Lover Should Know: Traditional Spanish Stew Dishes From Fabada to Cocido

Spanish cuisine is world-famous for its bold flavors, rustic charm, and deep connection to tradition and nowhere is this more evident than in its stews. From the hearty cocido madrileño of Madrid to the seafood-rich zarzuela de mariscos along the coast, stews in Spain are more than just food. They’re cultural markers that reflect local …

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