u/ochen_helu

I’m seeing so many options - what’s the easiest or most common way to say “I struggle with” in Levantine Arabic, preferably Lebanese?

I’ve been using تتعذّب (تتعذّب مع الصحة النفسية) but not sure if it’s correct, I guess that’s more like “she suffers from mental health” correct?

Ex.
“She struggled with her mental health”
“He struggles with math”
“I struggled to complete the hike”

Thank you!

I’m in the very early stages of thinking about where I should move in the next few years. I’m a late 20’s woman, born/raised South Bay California, now living in the DC area. I’m extremely outdoorsy, and want to try a new place with better access to better hiking, with weather that won’t make me feel like I’m simmering in a bowl of swamp chowder.

I’ve been dreaming about Washington since I did a national parks road trip there in the fall a few years ago. I loved how peaceful and undisturbed so much of the state is. I also liked the (very brief) time I spent in Seattle. If I moved, I think I could probably get a job in the tech/digital security space.

I know Washington is very rainy/sun-less. I know the winters will probably be tough, but as someone very outdoorsy, Washington seems to have much more hike-able weather (45-80 degrees) vs DC/VA. I’d much rather hike when it’s 50 degrees and misty, than 20 degrees and icy or 95 degrees with 95% humidity. I know DC gets more sun, but when I can’t go outside without sweating my entire body weight from June-Sept, idk if the sun is really doing much for me.

As for the Seattle culture I’ve read about here, I think I’d be ok? I’m introverted and not a partier. I’d definitely need to make friends, but I’m prepared to be intentional and join an indoor climbing gym, female hiking groups, Seattle Reign soccer fans, LGBTQ groups, etc.

From what I know, Seattle (or Olympia if I could find a job) seems to best match what I’m looking for. But I’m open to other ideas!

Wanted (prioritized):
Easy access to hiking and significant mountains
Significant chunk of 55-75 degree days
Liberal
If city, walkable or good public transit
Cute/cozy coffee shops

Nice to have:
Access to body of water
Green all year
Sunny
Trader Joe’s
Airport within an hour

Dislike:
HUMIDITY
Significant chunk of 90+ degree days
Heavy snow
Desert, or yellow/brown vegetation
Suburbia

For logistical considerations, I’m single, never want kids, and would be renting an apartment. Appreciate any/all advice in advance!!

Hi! My friend and I are planning to travel to Turkey in autumn 2026. We enjoy hiking and would love to do 1-2 challenging hikes in the mountains in northeast Turkey, in the Kackar mountains or near Trabzon, ​​Rize, Artvin, etc. In my research, I am mostly finding 5-7 day treks, which we do not have time for.

Does anyone have hike recommendations in this area? We are open to medium-hard hikes ~6-16 km (4-10 miles).

My friend and I are planning to travel to Turkey in autumn 2026, and we would love to do a horseback ride (either a day trip or 1-3 days). Ideally, we would love to do a ride in the Kackar mountains in northeast Turkey, but we are open to other areas. The closest thing I have found in eastern Turkey is "Ararat Saltik Climbing," but the trips offered are too long for us.

Has anyone done a horseback ride/trek in Turkey?

Sharing because I couldn’t find the answer when I was looking.

For anyone traveling to Spain and curious about taking high speed rail between Madrid and Sevilla, or anyone debating if they should fly vs train between the two cities - in my opinion, I would describe the views as somewhere between fine/okay and good-ish.

I guess we can’t include pictures, but the landscape was very dry, frequently passing crops and short trees. It was relatively flat except for the middle, when it got a little more hilly/mountainous. You don’t pass many towns/cities, though you do go through (and make one stop at) Cordoba.

If you’re a window person like me, I think it’s worth doing at least once. Plus, it will almost always be the cheaper option.

Logistics wise, navigating the stations was very easy, my trains were decently on time, and the Madrid station was in a fairly convenient location. The Madrid station (Atocha) also has a direct bus between it and the airport, which is very convenient and much cheaper than an Uber (5 euro vs ~25 euro).

Edit: clarifying that this post is generally aimed toward people traveling to Sevilla from outside of Spain - definitely makes more sense to train if you’re just traveling between the two!