This book is the result of nearly a decade of living, loving and learning on a daily basis with more intensity than I ever thought possible.

To those who have helped make my journey the life-changing trip it has been, you know who you are and I say, ¡Muchísimas gracias!

To those who have picked up this book because they share my fascination with all things Spanish, here' s cheers, ¡Salud!

To any brave soul who is about to embark on a new life in a foreign land: it helps to remember, it's a small world after all. Or as we say in Spain, ¡El mundo es un pañuelo!