🇬🇧 How to get to know the neighbours of your new home

So you've moved to a new city. Maybe a new country. Alone. And now you want to meet people, your neighbours. How to do it?

If you move in with someone who already lives in the city, they usually already know the neighbours and you will naturally end up getting to know them too. If you've moved to live alone, this text has a few options for how to approach it. You need to evaluate the local culture and even the neighbourhood profile to see which options might work best.

If you have dogs, the tendency is that, when walking your dogs, you will find other neighbours walking their dogs, and you can use these situations to start conversations. Compliments to the dog, or asking for a veterinarian's recommendation, brand of dog food (if you are in another country), etc are options for starting a conversation. Over time, you establish some connections with these neighbours and the topics of conversation are expanded.

If you don't have dogs... eventually cat hair on your clothes can make someone start a conversation with you. But don't count on it. All kidding aside, it's possible to be kind to any neighbours, and find ways to get to know them without being intrusive.

If you are going to live in an apartment or condominium and there is a group of residents on the internet, you can introduce yourself to the group, offer some kind of help that is within your reach to the neighbours, present them with some delicacy that you have prepared. Talking to them when meeting them in common areas or around the neighbourhood is also an option.

If you live at a house... I don't recommend knocking on the door of neighbours you've never met to introduce yourself or anything else. If you have small school-age children and you let them be free to make friends with the neighbourhood kids, naturally you'll get to know the neighbours. With no dogs or small child, I don't know what your options are for meeting the neighbours living at a house. I accept suggestions in the comments.

Tell me what you've already done to meet neighbours, and what you'd like your new neighbours to do when they arrive at their new home next to yours.

Nycka the Nomad

🇬🇧 15 cover songs you need to hear

Yesterday was musician's day in Brazil and today is jukebox day in the United States, so let's talk about music.

Music is an important part of my lifestyle and today I'm going to list 15 covers that, in my opinion, are better than the originals or just as good, but with a different identity. Comment your opinion and suggest other covers that I should know (and maybe I really do). My criterion takes into account the cover bringing a new face to the song. In almost all cases I also like the original song.

• Blind Channel playing “Left outside alone”, originally by Anastacia.
• Sonata Arctica playing "Still Loving You", originally by Scorpions.
• Evergrey performing "I'm sorry", originally by Dilba.
• Måneskin playing "Beggin'", originally by Frankie Valli.
• Gotthard performing "Hush", originally by Deep Purple.
• Iisa singing “Kellot Kappelin”, originally by Samuli Putro.
• Blind Channel playing “Numb” by Linkin Park. In my opinion, they convey a better sense of numbness than the original, which, in the chorus, conveys more anger.
• Cat Casino playing “Piano Man” by Billy Joel.
• Cat Casino playing “Millionaire” by Chris Stapleton.
• Joel Hokka singing “Diamonds” by Rihanna.
• Apocalyptica playing Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters".
• Apocalyptica and Till Lindemann performing David Bowie's "Helden".
• The Mayries performing “God is a woman” by Ariana Grande.
• Angra, with André Matos, playing “Wuthering heights” by Kate Bush.
• Lucia Muniz singing “Lonely Day” by System of a Down.

Almost all of them are available on my Spotify playlists.

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Nycka the Nomad

🇬🇧 What foods to offer your dog or cat

What foods to offer your dog or cat?

The most recommended foods are high quality industrialised dry feeds, without dyes. In Brazil, the best ones are classified as “super premium” and are found in pet shops, not supermarkets.

There are also wet foods, highly recommended for cats (there are also options for dogs).

About offering other foods, there are companies that offer natural (not industrialised) food options for dogs and cats, seeking the nutritional balance necessary for the good health of the animals. I haven't tested any yet.

Dogs and cats are carnivorous animals, so if you are a vegetarian or vegan and want a vegetarian pet, don't get a dog or cat. Have a fish, a chicken, a rabbit, a hamster... there is an immense variety of herbivorous animals at your disposal. No need to disrespect the natural diet of dogs and cats. Respect is necessary in any relationship, and it is no different in the relationship between humans and pets.

Some dogs and cats eat vegetables like carrots, broccoli, etc. I recommend that you only offer food other than pet food as a snack, an occasional treat, in small quantities. So you can see if the food was bad for the animal, observing the day's feces, and if it vomits or has another different reaction, and, if the food is bad for the animal, don't offer it again. Although some animals stare at us while we eat, they do very well with just the right food for their needs. And, if you train them to do so, they can stay in a different room while you eat, avoiding the temptation to feed your pet with human food.

It must be remembered that industrialised snacks also have nutrients and calories and, in excess, can contribute to the animal's excess weight.

Nycka the Nomad

🇬🇧 About fashion clothing that “nobody” wears

Let's talk about the fashion shows where the models, and especially the female models, have an exaggerated styling, which scares a lot of people. Those that many people wonder if there are those who wear those clothes off the catwalk, because “nobody” sees stylised people like the models on the streets. Those clothes usually go to stores and are sold. I'll explain why no one sees someone dressed like the models on the streets. This is a post about the fashion clothing that “nobody” wears. And “nobody” in quotes reminds me of Homer’s Odyssey (although Odysseus says his name was NoMan in the passage the expression reminded me of).

What some call the fashion industry I separate into:

• Clothing industry, which encompasses basic apparel, cheap clothes and accessories, and fast fashion.
• Fashion industry, which is where the original, different creations are, the source from which the clothing industry often drinks, seeking to make cheap and simplified versions of pieces that can be more easily acceptable to the masses.

The brands that use that impactful styling in their fashion shows and even in their campaigns are usually in the second group. And that has a reason. Whoever buys the pieces of the first group needs the information masticated, so the brands use fashion shows and campaigns to teach the customer how to combine jeans with a blue shirt. Customers of brands in the second group don't need the fashion show to teach them how to wear the clothes, because either they pay stylists to do so or they know how to wear those daring design pieces on a day-to-day basis. That's why brands use the show to present the collection's concept, to tell a story. And also because these collections have a history of their own, something the first group usually lacks, as it is based on what already exists and is widely accepted.

In everyday situations, no one is likely to wear fashion show pieces styled exactly as they do on the catwalk. When I talk about it, I remember a fashion show for a women's fashion brand where the styling was reminiscent of rag dolls. A shoe saleswoman who followed me on Facebook at the time was shocked by the styling of this show and didn't see how wearable the clothes were, even though they weren't common. Therefore, those who only wear clothes from clothing brands cannot even identify a blouse from a fashion collection worn with jeans, for example, on the streets.

The real difference between these two universes is the repertoire and the ability to interpret. Whether it's the repertoire and interpretation capacity of those who wear fashion, when the person has information, like me, or the repertoire of stylists who are paid to guide those who want to have a more striking style (like me too, because I  work as a stylist).

My reference to Odysseus wasn’t by chance. As the ogre screamed “NoMan” was in his house, while in fact there was somebody there, some people say “nobody” wears those clothes when in fact many people wear them. Maybe not people who frequent the same environments as those who say this, or not the same way the clothing are styled for the fashion shows, but they exist and I am one of them.

Nycka the Nomad

🇬🇧 Restaurants in non-touristy places

Have you noticed that in many cities the options available at local restaurants are very limited? Several cities, especially those that do not give importance to tourism and are not capitals, economic centres, have little variety in terms of gastronomy, have few or no foreign cuisine restaurants, and creative or contemporary gastronomy options are even rarer.

From what I observed in the places where I lived, in the trips and research I did, this happens for two main reasons:

• For accommodation of the local population. When people from a place do not usually travel and get used to the local cuisine as if it were the best in the world without knowing other options. No one in that environment is dedicated to studying cuisines from other parts of the world, let alone opening a restaurant that is different from the options that already exist in the local market, be it foreign cuisine or contemporary/creative cuisine with local ingredients.
• For not attracting immigrants linked to gastronomy. In addition to local people going out to learn about the cuisine of other places, there is also the possibility of a place having restaurants with varied cuisines by attracting immigrants who try to replicate the dishes of their homeland where they will live and make a business out of it.

In both cases, the creativity of entrepreneurs and chefs is also important. When creativity is lacking, they tend to create menus with dishes that they know will be well accepted, without taking any risks.  The best restaurants in the world are those that take the most risks and create the most original dishes. Those who offer typical food from a certain region or country gain from the creativity in choosing dishes that most similar restaurants have not chosen (in a scenario where there are already direct competitors). Average restaurants do what the entrepreneur's grandmother might do at home with both her hands tied and her glasses off. In the very bad ones we suspect that the cooks are in fact old ladies with tied hands and without glasses. 😥

The lack of appreciation of the local culture and the natural beauties of the region also contributes to this lack of options indirectly, because if someone found the culture of that place interesting or appreciated the natural beauties of the region, they would want to spread it to the world, transforming the place into a destination tourist. And one would act to create that reality. It lacks vision and ambition. And people like me, who love to see off-the-beaten-path places, but also love staying in a comfortable hotel and eating well, can't do that in many of these cities with limited dining options. I am curious to know: if the place is not interesting, why do people live there?

Why do you think these places have few dining options and often no good hotels? Would you live in a place without good dining options?

Nycka, the Nomad

🇬🇧 Desserts: Sankhya Lapov (Cambodia)

Today I bring you a recipe from Cambodia called Sankhya Lapov. As the title denounces, it's sweet. Surprise your friends with this dessert at the next dinner with them at your house.

In the Khmer language, sankhya lapov translates to pumpkin custard.

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs
• 300g of coconut milk
• A bit of salt
• 300g of palm sugar
• Pandan leaves
• 2 kabocha squash

Directions:

1. Cut a square out of the top of the pumpkins, remove the seeds and clean with water.
2. In a bowl, mix the eggs, coconut milk, salt and padan leaves and mix well with your hands, squeezing the leaves.
3. Strain the mixture.
4. Pour the strained liquid inside the pumpkins.
5. Steam the pumpkins for 50 minutes. Let cool at room temperature.
6. Serve cold, cutting into slices like a pie.

Being a Westerner, I suggest bringing the whole pumpkins to the table and slicing them afterwards, to make an impact on people.

The naturally sweet flavour of kabocha squash pairs very well with desserts. I also like to puree (salty) them for bringing a nice colour to the dinner or lunch. Gnocchi made from kabocha are also very good.

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Nycka, the Nomad

🇬🇧 Desserts: Manioc balls with cane honey (Cape Verde)

This text brings the recipe for a typical dessert from Cape Verde, the manioc balls with cane honey.

Ingredients:

• Cassava flour (as much as you need)
• 3 eggs
• 1 coffee spoon of bicarbonate of soda
• 100 ml of olive oil
• 100 ml of water
• 300 ml of cane honey
• 1 glass of brandy

Directions:

1. Beat the whole eggs with the honey very well until the dough is whitish.
2. Add the water, brandy and oil, beating constantly.
3. The cassava flour and bicarbonate are then mixed with the other ingredients until a soft dough is obtained, at a point that it is possible to roll.
4. Shape the balls with your hands and place them in a hot oven to bake on a well-greased tray.

This is a very simple dessert to prepare. Have you ever visited Cape Verde? Share your experience with us in the comments.

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Nycka, the Nomad

🇬🇧 How to plan a relocation

Once you already have in mind where you want to live, it's time to start planning the move to know what needs to be done to make the dream come true. When planning to move to another city or country, it is important to research:

• Neighbourhoods in the city where you want to live that suit your needs and expectations. Anyone who is used to living in a neighbourhood where you can walk to the supermarket may not feel comfortable in a completely residential neighbourhood. If you have school-age children, having schools close to home can be important. If you know what your needs and expectations are, you know what characteristics the neighbourhoods you are going to consider living in should have.
• Property features that meet your needs and expectations. What are your needs and expectations regarding the property where you will live? Do you prefer furnished property or buy the furniture and decorate it yourself so the place reflects your identity? Do you prefer house or apartment? Need a garage? How much space is needed for the garage? Covered or open garage? How many bedrooms? How many bathrooms? How big is the kitchen? What other features of the property layout are important? Does it need to be close to public transport? Do you prefer properties with conventional energy or sustainable energy sources like solar energy?
• Calculate the approximate cost of living for you (and your family, if any) to live in that city. I already explained here on the site how to do this calculation.
• How can you have the necessary income to maintain an acceptable standard of living. When you know the cost of living in the place, you can think about what you need to earn that income. Do you have any source of income that is independent of work and accessible on a monthly basis, such as rented properties? Are your current professional skills enough to have a job that provides the necessary income in the desired city? If not, what do you need to learn to be more professionally valued? We're talking planning, so you have time for that. Nothing prevents you from ignoring this point and lowering your standards. It's a matter of choice.
• Types of visa or residence permit, requirements and values, if you want to move to another country and need a visa to enter legally. And, through that, discover the best options for your case.

The complete move planning roadmap varies depending on the reasons that lead you to move and also if you are moving alone, with family, etc. The above tips are a foundation for you to start looking at what you need. Add information according to your own experience.

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Nycka, the Nomad

🇬🇧 Turning the dream of living elsewhere into a goal

Planning to move to another city or country takes a few steps. In this text I will ask some questions that we must answer before turning the dream of moving to another city into a goal.

• Where do you want to go? (If you just want to get out of where you are, to almost anywhere, the chances of frustration are high).
• What reasons do you have to go? Remember the part of the Alice in Wonderland story where the cat explains to the girl that if she doesn't know where she wants to go, she just wants to get out of where she is, any path will lead her to the goal. Note that this does not mean that any path is good. Adult and emotionally mature people, as I assume you are, learn from mistakes and bad experiences and build their references from there. What do you already know about what you want and what you don't want in your life? What kind of life do you want to build in your next destination and how does it help you to build that life?
• If you are moving to another country for any reason other than just studying, do you have the professional competence to work in that country in your area of ​​expertise? What do you have to offer the place where you want to live?
• What do you know about the culture of the place where you want to live? Are you able to respect it? (Each city has its peculiarities, its culture, and there are cultural differences even within the same country).
• What is your current standard of living and lifestyle?
• How used to being away from family and friends and going out alone are you?
• How used to eating different foods are you? (This question is more relevant in case of moving to another country).

With these questions answered, you can start researching the best places to live, calculate costs, and assess the feasibility of a few different places. You can start to plan your relocation. 

To know the next steps to make the dream come true, follow my profiles on social networks and follow the publications on this website. To read older texts can be useful to prepare your mindset.

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Nycka, the Nomad

🇬🇧 Desserts: Tikvenik (Bulgaria)

This text has the recipe of a sweet pastry from Bulgaria called tikvenik. Discover a bit about Bulgaria trying to make it at home.

Ingredients:

• 10-12 pieces of ready-made fine crusts
• oil

 For the mixture:

• 3 hours  grated raw yellow squash
• 1 incomplete tsp. chopped walnuts
• 5-6 tbsp. sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 pinch of salt
• 5-6 tbsp. oil

 For the sugar syrup:

• ½ cup of water
• ½ cup sugar

Directions:

1. Mix the pumpkin with sugar, cinnamon, crushed walnuts, oil and a pinch of salt. Mix them well.
2. Oil a baking tray with a diameter of 34-36 cm.
3. Smear the first sheet of the finished crusts with a little oil, then glue the second sheet.
4. Grease again, put the prepared stuffing on top. With the help of a towel, roll it into a roll.
5. In the same way, wrap the rest of the crusts with the filling.  Finally, wrap all the skins in the shape of a snail, spread oil on top.
6. Put the tikvenik in the pan, bake at 180° C for 40-50 minutes.
7. Sprinkle with sugar syrup.

The way to prepare and the final visual result are not that different from how to make Zeljanica and how it looks like. Zeljanica is a recipe I shared here months ago. The result is quite different, even because this bulgarian recipe is sweet, but the vicinity of both countries influences their gastronomic habits.

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🇬🇧 Desserts: Brigadeiro (Brazil)

Continuing the series of desserts of the world, today I share a recipe for the most famous Brazilian dessert, the brigadeiro. Many foreigners don't like Brazilian desserts because they are too sweet. Brigadeiro is often made with chocolate milk and is very sweet. I prefer to make it with 70% cocoa chocolate, and I usually use bar chocolate, but you can use powdered chocolate.

Ingredients:

• One can (395ml) of condensed milk (sweetened)
• A tablespoon of unsalted butter
• 100g of 70% cocoa chocolate.
• Chocolate sprinkles to decorate.

Directions:

1. Place all the ingredients, except the chocolate sprinkles, in a small saucepan, place over medium heat and stir with a wooden spoon until the dough comes off the bottom of the pan.
2. Let cool.
3. With the help of a teaspoon, make balls with the dough. Use your hands to shape the balls.
4. Dip each ball in the granulated chocolate and place on a tray with space between the balls so they don't stick together.
5. It’s ready!

Variation tip: I like to buy cherries in syrup, cut each cherry into 4 parts, and mix them into the batter. I use the syrup for other things, like drinks and cakes. The contrast of the semisweet chocolate flavour with the sweet cherry flavour is very good. If you want, you can use 100% cocoa chocolate to increase the contrast of flavours.

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Nycka, the Nomad