Marsha Scarbrough

Marsha Scarbrough, IL’s Spain Correspondent, worked in Hollywood for 20 years as an Assistant Director on major feature films and prime time television. Between films, she traveled with Buddhist teacher Joan Halifax, danced with movement guru Gabrielle Roth, and earned a brown belt in karate from martial arts legend Tak Kubota. She is the author of the award-winning memoirs Medicine Dance and Honey in the River and offers shamanic workshops throughout Europe. Marsha moved from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Madrid in 2017, and enjoys sharing her experiences of living in Spain and saying “yes” to life.”

Eight Days Without English: A Deep Dive Into Español

Editors Choice

By Marsha Scarbrough July 11, 2020

After living in Spain for a year, I was impatient to ramp up my Spanish language skills. I’d hit a point where I could handle all the basic transactions of life, as long as the replies to my questions were short and simple, but my ambitions in Spain go beyond the basic stuff. I really wanted to delve into life here, and that meant getting a grip on the language...

Expat Diary: 70% of Spain’s Population is now in Phase 1

Ask the Experts

By Marsha Scarbrough May 18, 2020

As of Monday, May 18, 2020, a few more areas of Spain have moved forward in the de-escalation process while the major metropolitan areas remain under restrictive conditions. According to the Minister of Health Salvador Illa, 70% of Spain’s population is now in Phase 1, thus 30% remain in Phase 0.

Sola! Enjoying Life as a Single Woman in Madrid

Daily Postcard

By Marsha Scarbrough June 6, 2019

“Sola?” is a question I’m frequently asked when I make a new acquaintance here in Spain. It means, “Are you alone?” My answer is always an upbeat “Si!” I am happily “sola en España.”

How Expats Can Beat the Banks (and Brokers)

Sample Magazine

By Marsha Scarbrough January 1, 2019

"You are breaking a federal law,” screamed my financial advisor, as we Skyped between Madrid, Spain, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. “You must return to the United States immediately!” My alleged crime? Taking disbursements from my IRA account...