Photo: Jorge Santiago

You have the itch.

The biting desire to get going, to do something new, to be somewhere new, to learn everything from the beginning all over again.

Photo: Jorge Santiago

Whether you’re headed abroad to study, to teach, to work, or simply to jolt yourself into seeing the world with giddy, wide-eyed novelty, you most likely share our desire to decipher the mysteries of life overseas:

Where and how can I learn the language?

How can I get closer, learn more, get connected?

How do I put this experience in context? How can I see and be seen in a different place?

….and, quite possibly, like myself:

Are plastic bags burnable or non-burnable trash? What’s the measure word for beer?

From the big puzzles, thrills, and needs to the small – but critical! – questions, Matador Abroad is all about exploring life overseas.

Your editors (who might be found learning how to say “delicious” in Japanese ramen restaurants, leading rugged travel programs along the Mekong, or venturing into the thick of Mexican cantinas) are hoping to make Matador Abroad a thriving community.

Please jump into the fray – leave comments, share your experiences, and if you have an idea for a story, pitch it here.

Constantly getting bitten by that damned, wonderful, travel abroad bug,

Your erstwhile editors,

Sarah Menkedick and Tim Patterson.

Nagoya, Japan, April 2009.