Nick and Chelsea's GenXcellent Adventure

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 t...

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 affordabl...

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 E...

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...

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 nickchelsgenxce...

This episode welcomes the first guests to the podcast! Nick and Chelsea’s adventure took an unexpected detour because of the war in the Middle East. Fortunately, they found a safe landing spot thanks to Nick’s second cousin Whitney and her family, who provided a temporary refuge. Whitney and her husband Anny are on an adventure of their own, moving from Ghana to Germany two years ago. Therefore, N...

One of the things Nick and Chelsea wanted to do while they were in Dubai was to go on a desert tour. Well, they finally got their wish, and in this episode they recount their experience, which included a journey across the dunes through a wildlife preserve, camel rides, and much more. Also in this episode they discuss: Experiencing the holy month of Ramadan in a Muslim country for the first time....

Nick and Chelsea change up the pace as they make their long-awaited trip to the UAE’s more laid-back neighbor Oman. During their weekend road trip to Oman’s capital Muscat, they discover: The beauty of Oman’s contours. A slower and more relaxed society than Dubai. A land of a thousand forts. Plus the Excellents and Boguses of the trip, including relationship building and a long return journey. Fol...

In this episode Nick and Chelsea get Irish, as they attend their son’s first ever Gaelic Sports tournament — getting a taste of the Emirate Sharjah and the concept of Dubai brunch in the process. Other topics include: Their first experience being Dubai welcomers rather than newcomers. A trip to Dubai Opera to see the touring stage production of Wicked. Plus the Excellents and Boguses of the week,...

In this episode Nick, Chelsea and their son get a taste of the world, as Chelsea’s school holds its annual International Food Festival. Also in this episode: The search for a spring break destination. A Dubai Hills Mall redux, including a review of the movie Hamnet. Plus the Excellents and Boguses of the week, featuring Indian tractor tricks and a 5-year-old’s unfortunate new vocabulary. Follow al...

Nick and Chelse are always on the lookout for good outdoor opportunities in Dubai for their 5-year-old son. Therefore, this week they took a trip to Mushrif State Park, which they heard was an excellent location for bicyclists of all types. Hear about their experiences there as well as: Nick’s quest for health insurance. A debate between Zootopia and Zootropolis. And as always the Excellents and B...

Does your kid just need a chance to bounce in a free outdoor setting? Nick and Chelsea have you covered with their full review of Dubai Hills Park, which is the best park for kids they’ve discovered so far in Dubai. Also in this episode: A comparison of how child friendly Dubai is versus the U.S. Discussion about neighboring Oman, where they hope to visit soon. A big milestone for their son. Plus...

The holidays are a time for home, so in this episode Nick and Chelsea discuss their two-and-a-half week visit back to Seattle for the holidays, as well as what it was like returning to their new home in Dubai. Some of the details: Dealing with the weather change — on both ends. Christmas celebrations with a 5-year-old. Focusing on human connection. Plus the Excellents and Boguses of the journey, i...

After a six-week hiatus Nick and Chelsea are back! In their return episode they talk about their parents visiting, which gave them the chance to do many of Dubai’s top tourist activities. Therefore, this episode includes reviews of outings to places like the Burj Khalifa, Abu Dhabi’s Grand Mosque, and the Old Souk. Also included is: Chelsea’s visit to London. What it was like having parents in tow...

Hey everyone! Nick and Chelsea have been on hiatus for a bit, but they wanted to give a quick update to explain why there's been a delay in new episodes, and to assure everyone they plan on getting back to their weekly schedule soon. In the meantime, here's wishing everyone happy holidays, and we'll see you in the new year!

In this episode Nick, Chelsea and their son explore City Walk, an upscale out-of-doors lifestyle destination in the heart of Dubai. Learn about their experiences there as well as: A big week on wheels for their son. A birthday party that sparks discussion about gun culture in the UAE vs. the USA. A debate about Taco Time vs. Shawarma. Plus the Excellents and Boguses of the week, including a new fr...

It’s mid-November and the weather in Dubai has finally cooled enough to allow Nick, Chelsea and their son to participate in regular outdoor activity. The symbolic moment was a trip with friends for an outdoor meal at the Arabian Tea House. In this episode you can hear about that experience along with: School musicals in Dubai. Nick’s first professional sporting event in Dubait, as he went to see D...

Thanks to their son being invited to a birthday party, Nick and Chelsea had the chance to explore Bluewaters Island, the waterfront area of Dubai that features Ain Dubai, the world’s tallest ferris wheel. Learn about the island, as well as:  Their procurement of a new bed/mattress. A tale of the tape between Vitamix and NutriBullet. Plus the week’s Excellents and Boguses, including some cookie bak...

Lucky No. 13 sees Nick and Chelsea have their first musical theater experience in Dubai, as they headed downtown to see “Grease” at Dubai Opera. Hear all about what Dubai’s sparse musical theater scene is like, as well as other topics such as: Nick’s networking/job progress, as well as his starting improv classes. Fun local celebrations including Diwali and Fall Fest. Plus the Excellents and Bogus...

The weather in Dubai has finally cooled down enough for Nick and Chelsea to hit the beach for the first time in their new hometown, so in this episode they discuss their experiences at Kite Beach, the most popular beach in Dubai. Also in this episode: Why are there so many places in Dubai that include the term “Jumeirah” in their names? Chelsea’s first real bout of homesickness. Plus the Excellent...

Nick and Chelsea are coming to you live from the balcony of their hotel room in Fujairah as they discuss their first getaway since arriving in the UAE. Hear about their resort vacation experience as they discuss topics like: What exactly is Fujairah and why was that the chosen destination. Everything about the beach resort experience in UAE, including the surprising clientele, the value of all-inc...

Episode 10 marks a new era for the podcast, as Nick and Chelsea purchased microphones! Listen as they use their new tools to discuss the Dubai neighborhood of JVC (Jumeirah Village Circle), along with other topics such as: The performing arts in Dubai. Their son’s first playdate with a school classmate – including another classic T story. And, of course, the Excellents and Boguses of the week, inc...

We give a nod to the Wonderwall band because the first topic discussed in this episode is Dubai Silicon Oasis, which is one of the several free-trade zones in the city – and an area Nick, Chelsea and their son explored recently following a morning of Gaelic football. Other topics discussed include: Trying to pay utilities. What is a hypermarket? Can you receive mail in Dubai? And as always the Exc...

This week Nick and Chelsea’s son attended his first birthday party since arriving in Dubai. Therefore, in this episode they explore the kids birthday party culture of Dubai. Also addressed in this episode: Finding an unexpected sport for their son: Gaelic football. Exploring the Dubai Hills neighborhood. The process of getting residency visas for Nick and their son. Plus the Excellents and Boguses...

When Nick, Chelsea and their son packed up and moved from the U.S. to Dubai, they were starting from scratch socially. Therefore, in this episode Nick and Chelsea discuss the various ways in which they’re building community for their family. Also covered: The adjustment to using bidets. They whys and hows of hydration. The Excellents and Boguses of the week, which include a trip to Palm Jumeira an...