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How to Prepare For Summer Trips Abroad

Looking forward to having a summer trip abroad is exciting and interesting. You have a wonderful chance of exploring new places, wear beautiful clothes, eat exotic and novelty dishes, learn a new language and enjoy fascinating things in the culture. But amidst all these excitements, preparing for a long journey, even the local ones, is a bit tasking. Your trip might be a mess if you forget some of the important things. Considering that the place is a foreign country and it will be complicated to gain access to things you need. Hence, in this blog are things to consider when preparing for a vacation abroad.

Plan your Trip

Included in your preparation is to identify in what country you are planning to have a vacation and how long your stay will be. This is important because other preparations are related to knowing your destination such as whether you need to have a visa or not, what clothes are you going to bring, and other essentials necessary for you when you arrived at that place. Furthermore, it will also help you allocate enough budget to finance your trip.

Have your Travel Documents Ready

Trips overseas require you to have a passport, in some countries, it includes a visa. When you are planning to have a vacation abroad, make sure to apply for a passport and a visa. If you already have, make sure that your passport is not expired, if so, renew immediately. These documents are important to prove that you are not an “illegal alien” in the country you are going to visit. This is to avoid you being linked with terrorists and other syndicates.

More than that, also bring valid ID’s issued by your employer or school or by the government of your country. This comes in handy when worst cases occur such as accidents, grave illnesses, terrorist attack, and natural calamities.

Prepare your Travel Money

Shopping in other countries can also be exciting when you have a vacation abroad. You got the chance to adopt the latest fashion trends and fads. In relation to this, long before the date of the travel, allocate a portion of your income or savings as travel budget. Estimate how much you are going to need including the airfare, hotel bookings, and other amenities that you would like to avail during your travel. Furthermore, make sure that your credit score is high so that you can alert your bank that you might purchase abroad through your credit card. To know more about this, check https://www.crediful.com/how-to-raise-your-credit-score/. Aside from that, make sure to convert your local money or dollars, if you have, to the currency used in the country you are going to visit. It is better to have sufficient funding rather than fall short.

Have a Travel Insurance

Of course, you are not planning to get hospitalized during your visit abroad. But, in anticipation, make sure to have your own travel insurance so that when you get sick there, you will not waste your travel money for hospitalization. Bear in mind that having medical treatment abroad may be tremendously expensive.

Plan your Fashion Statement

When you have a vacation abroad, remember that you are a tourist and therefore, dress not just to impress, but to express yourself. Having a vacation abroad is also an opportunity to dress nicely. Aside from that, you want to record memories by taking pictures and posting them on Facebook. Therefore, dress accordingly. When planning what to wear, prepare fashion sets for specific purposes so that you avoid looking awkward in attending formal social events, or casual occasions and just a usual walk in the park.

Plan the Use of your Mobile Devices

When planning your trips abroad, include in your preparation the mobile devices that you are going to use. Buy international sim cards if you need, or phones that are capable of making and receiving international calls. Likewise, consider if you need to have an internet connection by buying data services that would last for the entire duration of your vacation. Also, don’t forget to bring your chargers. Commonly chargers used abroad that may not be compatible with your devices.

Inform your Family and Coworkers

Some people would travel and conceal it from family members and coworkers to avoid being asked to buy things for them or simply have travel alone. But, this is risky because if no one knows your trip and something happened to you, extending assistance might be difficult. So just inform them for safety purposes.

Conclusion

Having a vacation abroad can be both exciting and tasking. So, avoid hassles by considering all these tips. Plan ahead of time, prepare everything you need. You can enjoy everything for as long as you were able to avoid conflicts. Remember the saying, “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Have a wonderful vacation.

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Your Guide to Hiring an Immigration Lawyer

If you’re a green card holder, you may be aware of the tough immigration laws of the U.S. Many people who have received their green card or citizenship still have to report to the USCIS for renewing their cards or getting certain conditions removed from their status.

Even though the process seems simple, you may never know when your green card gets revoked by the USCIS. The worst part is that you don’t find out that your card has been revoked up until you provide your finger impression for renewal or removal of conditions. By that time you are probably set for deportability and it is way too late to act.

And if you are someone who is planning to start a business in the U.S, getting help from an immigration lawyer is ever important.

Here is your guide to hiring the best immigration lawyer.

Ask for Legal Fees

Many immigration lawyers ask for a flat fee for their services, but this isn’t always the case. Some attorneys can charge you per hour which can be quite expensive.

Legal battles can take a lot of time and getting someone on board who charges you by the hour will only get you in financial trouble. So always make sure that if you are on a budget, get yourself partnered with a lawyer that asks for a flat fee.

The Experience of the Attorney

This is a no brainer. Immigration law of the U.S is so tough that even the brightest and most talented immigration lawyers may not know how to deal with your case. So it is always a good idea to get in touch with an experienced attorney such as immigration lawyer Joshua L. Goldstein.

Talented and reputable lawyers usually have years of experience under their belt. They have fought all kinds of immigration cases and can use that experience to fight your case effectively in the court. Since immigration is a sensitive matter, you must not allow someone inexperience to deal with it.

How Can an Immigration Lawyer Help You

As mentioned above, the fee and experience of the lawyer are two aspects you must always keep in mind. The other things necessary include dealing with an attorney who can help you find enough evidence for your case.

You may also be surprised that some lawyers tend to take their time when it comes to filing your application with the USCIS. When working with an experienced immigration lawyer, you can be sure that your application will be properly filled and sent to the USCIS on time.

This way you’ll also be granted the citizenship on time and you can finally start your dream business in the land of opportunities.

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A Guide to Backpacking in South America

South America is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for many, and it’s completely worth your while. But there’s a lot of ground (and biodiversity) to cover, and hotels could get expensive. So if you have the time, you may want to consider backpacking your way through South America.

Backpacking is a great way to get an intimate view of this continent’s rainforests, mountain ranges, lakes, and deserts. And yes, you really will see all these things, if you plan your trip well enough.

One thing you may not want to do without during your trek is a vehicle. You may save money backpacking, but you can spend a whole lot in public transportation without your own car. Since this is sure to be a long trip, consider buying a used car when you get there and selling it before you leave. Just be sure to check the car’s maintenance before you get started. You’ll be driving through diverse terrain, and you don’t want to risk getting stuck somewhere.

Backpacking routes in South America

This is the kind of trip where you can plan virtually anything and be completely flexible, but there are three popular routes that many backpackers take within South America. You can follow them or use them as inspiration to plan your own journey.

The Gringo Trail

This is a very classic route that starts in Colombia, passes through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Southern Argentina before ending in Buenos Aires. On this trail, you’ll see the cloud forests of Ecuador, Incan empires of Peru, salt flats of Bolivia, the Atacama Desert and glaciers of Patagonia. Naturally, you can plan stops and make this trip your own, but you’ll want to stick to the Pan-American highway along the way. If you stray for sightseeing, make your way back, and you’ll be on track again.

Super Loop

The Super Loop backpacking trail starts and ends in Brazil. So if you’re looking to get some Brazil and Venezuela time into your itinerary, this is your route. It also takes you through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, northern Argentina, and Uruguay. This trail covers more ground, so you’ll need to dedicate more time. You’ll start this journey in Rio de Janeiro and end in Manaus, the central hub for the Amazon jungle. There’s not much to see or do here aside from a jungle exploration trip. But then again, do you want to miss a chance to see a jaguar or a sloth up close and personal? You can spend some time in the historic city of Salvador de Bahia before heading back to Rio to catch your flight home.

Thrill Seeker’s Trail

This one isn’t exactly a straight run to all the sights, but it’s the best route if you want to have a thrilling adventure in each destination. The Thrill Seeker’s Trail starts in Chile with scuba diving on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). The trail ends in Baños, which is known as the adventure capital of Ecuador. Here, you have your choice of things to do, from volcano climbing to puenting (bungee jumping), you’re sure to find something to keep you busy. And along the route, you have plenty of options to get your heart racing. Here are some ideas:

5-day hike across massive glaciers and picturesque lakes, known as the W Trek

Sandboarding and surfing in Iquique, Chile

Skiing or hiking in Bariloche, Argentina

Biking North Yungas Road, Bolivia

Rock climbing in Huaraz, Peru

Biking on the world’s highest volcano in Riobamba, Ecuador

Final thoughts on backpacking in South America

As you’re planning your trip, remember the diverse terrain. You’ll have a very different experience if you stick tight to the Pan-American highway than if you end up hiking in the Andes.

Start by making a list of the things you must see and do during this trip, and then take a look at the popular backpacking routes to see if one makes sense for you. If it doesn’t, no worries. You can always modify to fit a stop or make up your own trail altogether.

And here’s a final tip to leave you with before you start planning: Learn at least a basic knowledge of Spanish.

Throughout South America, there are many indigenous languages, but most are some variation of Spanish. So if you understand the basics, you should be able to get by without too much trouble.

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Bobbys Free Speakeasy in Barcelona

Bobby’s Free is a speakeasy that will fool you for a barber shop if you don’t know of it’s existence.  The Bobby’s Free password changes frequently, and they urge you to go to their social media to find it, or you face the threat of not getting in.  I was recently there, and this is my Bobby’s Free review.

The Bobby’s Free Bar and Speakeasy in Barcelona

First off, you’ll find a gentlemen guarding the door, which should give you a hint that it’s some sort of bar or night club atmosphere behind it.  Certainly, a barber shop wouldn’t have a guard outside, would they?  Not even in Barcelona!

The Bartender at the W Hotel gave me a short list of places to go on my way to the game at Camp Nou.  He was very insistent about this one, and said “just trust me here.”  How do you not trust a guy who just made you three very eclectic tequila cocktails?  This guy was Italian and very quick to give me a road map to follow as he was also a futbol fan.

Following his list to an exact science, I tried a bar called the Dry Martini, which was nice, but not really what I was looking for at the moment.  Small tables had congregations of people who were yapping it up and exchanging stories, and I was looking for a bar since I was all alone.  The other places were Solange, which was very nice, with a wide variety of craft cocktails, but quite empty at 6:30 PM.  The last place, Paradiso, I didn’t have time to visit.  Who cared though, because Bobby’s Free was the place “had to” check out – no questions asked.

I get dropped off and see the sign. Looks like a bar you’d see in Chicago.  Except, I walk in and am greeted by a facade that mirrors a very small barber shop.  Two men are reading magazines while the stylist tries to push me in the chair and ask me how I want my hair cut.

“No, I want to drink,” I replied.

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” he replied.

As I insist that I not only read about this bar online, heard about it from the bartender at the W, and that I actually spent 30 seconds of my life trying to find the password, he starts chuckling.  By now, he knows that I know about the game here, but he also knows I don’t know the password.  He can tell I looked for it, but not very hard.

“What do they call alcatraz,” he asked?

“Uhhhhh….not really into history,” not sure man.

“It’s also the name of a famous wrestler.”

“Rick Flair,” which is usually the answer to any wrestling trivia question, was dead wrong.  He chuckled as my half-sober, bundled up in Barcelona F.C. gear smiling face could tell there were people behind the walls behind us, but I couldn’t get in.

“Oh, the ROCK,” I yelled.

Then he asked me to “find the door.”  As I gasped and looked around, a bar back came out to ask him a question, and my quest was over. I was in!

Once inside, the bar is nothing special, but it’s private and very comfortable.  I sat at the bar and sampled three drinks, all which took longer to make than they did to consume.  The menu was made out of an old record, but other than that, I don’t recall that much about this place.  It was a great time with amazing drinks, and I even had an app, but you guessed it, I forgot.  Hey, when you are in Barcelona for only 24 hours, and have a game that has been on your bucket list for years that you have to go see, you get yourself amped up.

Bobby’s Free did just that for me.  I will be back, will take better notes, but I will not promise sobriety.

Until the next episode, safe travels!  

How to Get Into Bobby’s Free the Easy Way

Just go to their Instagram or social media.  They constantly update the code and make it easy, they just want you to work for it!  (Not to mention it’s a great way to gain followers.)  You can also visit their website and find it front and center.

Pics of Bobby’s Free Bar

“Barber Shop.”

“Menu”

I wish I could remember the name of this one.

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Worlds Best Islands

When we think of travel, many of us instantly conjure images of white sand beaches, regal palm trees, and crystal clear blue-green oceans – all on a secluded and pristine tropical island. It’s true, as islands hold a unique and dear place in our wandering hearts.

For that reason, we often cover some of the best tourist destinations around the world that happen to be surrounded on all four sides by water, like Siargao, Palawan, and Boracay in the Philippines. (In fact, Asia has 6 out of the top 15 islands on this list!)

In fact, Boracay was named the world’s best island several years running in various surveys and polls, and Palawan was recently named the world’s best island for 2018 by other magazines.

But today, we wanted to highlight one particular list of the best islands in the world, as released by the respected Travel + Leisure publication. I like this list because it’s not a collection of snobbish travel writers who may have a personal stake or interest in a certain locale but based on reader polls. When it comes to the best islands in the world, the people have spoken!

Of course, this is subjective, as different people find their island paradise in different places – and reasons. But here is the T+L list as a great guide to the best islands in the world, as well as our brief notes on the top 10.

1. Java, Indonesia Score 95.28

Indonesia is the island-du-jour for T+L readers surveyed, and the paradise island of java takes the top spot this year!

2. Bali, Indonesia Score 94.06

Bali has long been a popular destination for travelers, which offers the natural wonderland of Ubud as well as more crowded and commercial Bali.

3. Lombok, Indonesia Score 93.88

Want to get an even better taste of Indonesia’s nature without the crowds? Check out Lombok!

4. Maldives Score 90.48

You can’t really get more beautiful than the Maldives, with their iconic floating resorts and endless clear waters. But the high prices probably keep some tourists out – and the Maldives from going higher on this list.

5. Waiheke, New Zealand Score 90.21

New Zealand – land of the Lord of the Rings – is one of the most gorgeous, remote, and wild places on earth, and Waiheke Island off the mainland coast never disappoints!

6. Palawan, Philippines Score 90.04

This “island” is actually a province in the Philippines, with dozens of islands – and some of the best day-trip island hopping in the world! Check out Coron and El Nido as the best spots for that, as well as the underground river outside of the main city, Puerta Princessa.

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App Island in the Philippines, one of the country's famed #Scuba diving spots.

A post shared by AllWorld.com (@allworldonline) on Jan 31, 2019 at 12:02pm PST

7. Mauritius Score 90.0

You’ll be amazed by the natural beauty – and lack of annoying crowds!

8. Cebu, Philippines Score 89.1

Cebu can be tricky since it’s a really large island with one of the worst cities in Asia by the same name (Cebu), but there are some chill places about an hour or two off the coast, like Malapascua and Bantayan, as well as the fun Sumilon Island to the south.

9. Páros, Greece Score 88.76

Whitewashed buildings, coral blue décor, ships everywhere, and the Mediterranean as far as the eye can see. What’s not to like?

10. Tasmania, Australia Score 88.70

While Australia is technically a continent – not an island – Tasmania is an island off its south coast with jaw-dropping ecosystems and natural beauty.

Also on this year’s T+L survey of top islands in the world (from 11-15):

11. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador Score 88.53

12. Cook Islands Score 88.52

13. Orkney Islands, Scotland Score 88.50

14. Maui, Hawaii Score 88.42

15. Azores, Portugal Score 88.37

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Victory Liner bus trip from Manila

There are two kinds of people in the Philippines: those who take “Local” transportation, and those who go “First Class,” as they’ll call them. I’ve found that Local transport usually entails a jeepney (the converted U.S. army jeeps with dozens of passengers crammed in the back that litter the streets by the tens of thousands), shared vans, no-frills ferry rides, trikes (the converted motorcycles with sidecars) and buses. First Class, however, is reserved for those people who can take a metered taxi, a Grab (their version of Uber or Lyft), or are lucky enough to have a car.

The number of people who go “Local” versus “First Class” aren’t always easily segregated by homegrown Filipinos versus foreigners, either. Although there may be a correlation, a lot of foreign travelers are broke backpackers who are brave enough to sweat and push it out like a native son or daughter. Conversely, while most travelers do opt for planes rides whenever possible and hire car services or take Grab cars, etc. for long trips, a surprising number of middle-class Filipinos have cars.

For me, I’ve been a complete travel snob whenever possible, because the comfort, safety, and convenience is worth it. Plus, in a country where plane tickets routinely cost $40-$50 to some beautiful island, why bother with the ferry that takes 12 hours just to save $30?

However, I’m living in Manila now, which I’m finding is NOT a cheap city. In fact, my relatively-humble budget made me a baller in Dumaguete where I lived the last year, but barely allows me to get by in Manila, where a whole lot of locals have the means comparable with the average person in the U.S.

That being said, I can’t spend frivolously anymore, so I’ll save a buck whenever it REALLY makes sense. Such is the case this weekend when I had to get from my McKinley Hill neighborhood in Manila up to Angeles City, the Las Vegas-like smaller city in the province of Pampanga. This was also a necessity because I left several suitcases with friends up there while I was in the States, so I needed to finally pick them up.

It’s only 80km or so north, but transportation is limited to just three viable options for most foreigners: 1) Take the bus 2) Hire a car to drive you 3) Get the Fly The Bus van from the Swagman Hotel

Hiring a car costs about $60, but of course, it’s the fastest and most comfortable method. The Fly The Bus option isn’t bad if you don’t mind being crammed in a van, but it is safe and has AC, etc. That only runs about $10 if I remember right – huge savings, but you have to pick it up at the Swagman Hotel in Malate, which is way too far from my neighborhood to make sense.

And then the bus, which I opted for.

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The Victory Liner bus in the Philippines – could be a lot worse!

A post shared by AllWorld.com (@allworldonline) on Jan 8, 2019 at 10:01am PST

My mini adventure started with a lot of Googling and asking friends where to go and how to do it, because it’s not as simple as you may think. First, I had to take a taxi to the Pasay area to the Victory Liner bus terminal there. That taxi ride ran me 170 Pesos ($3) and took 20 minutes, although that could easily be an hour Monday through Friday because I departed on a Sunday (by plan). From there, I found the outdoor queue for tickets and was told by one lady to stand in a certain line. After a fifteen minute wait, I got to the front, only to be told that I was in the wrong line, so I had to get wayyyy in the back of the line next door. It’s more confusing in the Philippines!

But no worries, because just when I settled in for a 20 or 30-minute wait in line, one of the bus driver’s assistants called over to me and asked where I was going. When I told him that I was heading to Dau (the small town/bus station adjacent to Angeles City), he ushered me on and told me that I could easily pay on the bus without a ticket – which ran 163 Pesos – less than the taxi to get there!

I did double check that we were heading towards Angeles City because you never know if my pronunciation of “Dau” is off and I actually end up in the far end of “Mau” twelve hours away! Haha.

I found my way to the back and found an empty pair of seats, putting my backpack on one to try to discourage someone sitting next to me. Trust me when I tell you that this is important, because the seats are not quite U.S. sizes, and I’m pretty wide in the shoulders and hate being jammed in next to someone.

Usually, on a REAL local bus in the province (or countryside, meaning anywhere outside of Manila!) they will not only pack people in 2 or 3 to a 2-person row of seats, but fill up the aisles with people standing, until you’re so jammed against the window and other people that you literally feel claustrophobic and like you can’t breathe! Those buses also stop just about every fifty feet, as anyone along the side of the road can flag them down and get on, bringing their chickens/dogs/puking babies/fish or anything else with them.

Luckily, the Victory Liner is much more of a first-rate option, and there were still some seats to spare, so I did have a seat next to me empty. The air conditioning was fine and my seat also had sufficient leg room, which makes it comfortable.

It took us about an hour just to get to the outskirts of Manila and on the open highway, but that can easily be 3-4 hours, believe it or not, in traffic. So MAKE SURE you go to the bathroom before you depart and don’t drink anything along the way! There is a rest stop about half way to Dau, but the bus didn’t stop because we were making such good time, although they may if the trip takes hours and hours.

In all, it only took us about 2 hours from the Victory Liner station in Pasay to the station in Dau, which is just a flyspeck of a suburb. While the trip was simple, comfy, and enjoyable, I would recommend you check for another thing when boarding – calculate which side of the bus will get direct sunlight and sit on the OTHER side. The sun is no joke beaming through the windows for hours, and even with the window curtains drawn, it really heats it up.

Once in Dau, I got my bag from the luggage storage compartment underneath (I would never let my bag out of sight on a more “local” bus because it would most likely be stolen, but the Victory Liner is a good operation) and found a trike driver easily to take me to my hotel in Angeles City, which only cost me 150 Pesos ($3) and less than fifteen minutes.

The grand total? About $9 and change and less than three hours door-to-door. Of course, the caveat it that it could easily be double that time or more on a normal day with traffic, but that would be true if you took a taxi or car, too.

I’ll definitely take the Victory Liner again on certain trips!

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The Asahi portable fan

I’m a mess. A glistening, moppish, soggy, disheveled mess.

Just about every moment of the day and even night here in the Philippines, I’ve been sweating. I can’t stop.

There are several reasons for that.

First, I just came back here after almost two months in the U.S., where it was unseasonably cold, dry, and even snowed well before Thanksgiving. Naturally, my body will go through an adjustment period to reacclimatize after coming back.

And I did return to Manila, which is like the humidity capital of the world and even way more drippy (for lack of a better word) than Dumaguete further south where I’ve been living the last year and a half.

Also, I’ve been stepping up my workouts, hitting the gym once or even twice a day and even running (my least favorite thing in the world besides vacuuming and attending weddings), to get ready for the Judd Reid Fight Camp in Thailand in one month.

Put it all together, and my system is in revolt, with sweating profusely my new default. It’s gotten so bad that yesterday around 5 pm, when it wasn’t even hot out, I went to a coffee shop to work and I JUST COULD NOT STOP SWEATING, even in line and sitting indoors with the AC blasting.

Of course, I’ll adjust somewhat, but I’ll always be a sweater. No, not that kind of sweater.

But life in the tropics is exceptionally uncomfortable in the climate department on a day to day basis, unless you happen to be lucky enough to be chilling by the beach. Yes, it gets exceedingly hot, but that’s not what gets me, as I’ve lived in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Vietnam, Cambodia, and now the Philippines the last seven years. It’s that damn , and there’s no escaping, even when standing in line at a café, at a shaded outdoor cafe on an otherwise pleasant afternoon, or on a bus.

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The Victory Liner bus in the Philippines – could be a lot worse!

A post shared by AllWorld.com (@allworldonline) on Jan 8, 2019 at 10:01am PST

So, I was ecstatic when I was shopping for a few things at my new apartment at DIY, a hardware store in the Venice Grand Canal Mall here in Manila, and saw the Asahi portable fan. Assuming it’s a Japanese brand (like Asahi the beer), I picked it up and bought one to give it a try. It was only about 250 or 300 Pesos if I recall – $5 or $6 max – so I didn’t have high hopes, as I’ve used smaller ones that blew a tiny whiff of cool air before their batteries went out or they stopped being worth the hassle.

But this model looked and certainly felt different. It’s about six inches high so bigger than the cheap throwaway portable fans out of China, with 3 ½ inches or so at the widest point of the round fan. It sits on a stand that can easily be attached to the handle so you can put it right in front of you on a desk or table out and about, or hold it in your hand when you need to. The best part is that it does have an internal battery (which is replaceable), but it is rechargeable with a simple mini USB connection. Although I haven’t timed it, the sales lady said that it takes about an hour to fully charge but will blow air for 3-4 hours off of that. It also works perfectly fine with a partial charge.

So, the big question is: “How well does it work?” The fan has three settings. The first time you press the on/off button, it only blows a bit of air so you’ll barely feel it, but two presses of the button and you definitely feel a slight breeze that is good enough to cool you or keep the flies away, and three presses and it actually does a surprisingly good job of fanning you off and keeping you cool even from a foot or two away.

I’ll definitely start carrying this fan around with me, and it will be a lifesaver as I adjust to the humidity here in Manila!

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5 Reasons Why You Should Use Twitter For Your Food Business

Social networking sites, over the years, have taken the world by storm. They are not merely used for staying in touch with our loved ones, but a lot of people use these platforms for their business as well. According to The Business Backer, most small businesses grow and expand just because of these channels. With millions of Twitter users and the number constantly increasing, you simply cannot ignore this platform. Twitter is an easy way to reach out to the world without actually having to travel to the far off places. Following are some of the benefits of having a twitter account for your food business.

Communication Source:

The companies can directly connect with people across the globe through Twitter, which is very important in promoting any business. Tweets give a personality to your business; they make people feel they are communicating with the real people. This will help in gaining their confidence. Provide informative content, be it in form of a brainy tweet, an interesting recipe video or a meaningful picture, and you’ll gain followers who will then help you in business promotion by re-tweeting and cross-sharing it on other social networking sites.

Market Research Tool:

You can use Twitter to know, what people are talking about your brand and can get news about rivals as well. This will enlighten you in many ways. How? See, if your business is being praised about, it will boost your confidence. On the other hand, if there are shortcomings, the twitterers are definitely going to let you know about it before you even ask, and this will actually assist you in making improvements, which is essential for a growing business. Moreover, launch various marketing campaigns like announcing special offers, deals, and discount through your tweets. This will attract more followers and hence extra business.

SEO Ranking:

Who does not want a good SEO ranking these days! While a lot of other online marketing tactics are required for getting a good search engine ranking, an active Twitter account with a constant inflow of tweets and comments from your followers will also ensure a great SEO ranking for your actual business website.

Customers’ connection:

Staying in touch with your customers is indispensable for business survival. Twitter helps you a great deal in this regard. Accept it or not, we tend to check Twitter and other social networking sites more often than our email accounts because we are addicted to them and it is more convenient as well, with almost all mobile devices giving access to these social networking sites. So, respond to your customers’ query on Twitter and get their feedback in no time.

Brand Recognition:

To make your business grow and let the public know about it, you have got to create a brand and there is no better place than Twitter to launch this brand. Be unique; produce great stuff relating to your brand and business, and get followers who eventually will turn into a loyal fan base.

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Pro boxing in the Philippines

Living abroad, I end up having some incredible experiences, ranging from inspiring to good to just plain old challenging. But we either win or we learn, right? In fact, experiencing things outside of my comfort zone is part of what I love about living overseas – and especially the Philippines, which is as chaotic and nonsensical as it is shrouded it musical “magical realism.”

One such experience recently was witnessing a professional boxing event in Manila, my new adopted home city, in the Philippines.

It wasn’t the usual process of just seeing that there was a boxing match, buying the ticket, and enjoying it as a spectator. This story goes back a little further, to when I stopped into the Insider Gym in a gritty neighborhood of Makati in the shadow of the Red Light district there. I wasn’t in the best of shape at the time, but I was big and could throw a punch and move a little, so the trainer enjoyed dragging me around the gym and introducing me to the others working out there. One mutual foreigner was a woman with short blond hair who was obviously jacked and training crazy hard. Canadian by descent but living in the Philippines now, she was introduced as Dead Aim Amy – a badass nickname.

Over the months, as I later moved to Manila, I touched based with Amy on Facebook out of respect for not only her boxing acumen (I love the Sweet Science even though I’m nothing special in the ring), but also her mission in life, as she was working with underprivileged girls and doing a whole lot of other positive endeavors in Manila.

So, I also followed her struggle as she tried to pursue her professional fighting career, as she fought before in South Korea where she used to live. However, fights kept getting canceled at the last minute, so after three fights were previously scheduled, getting her hopes up, she was let down and left off the cards.

But finally she got a fight that looked solid this December, and it became official after her license came through from the Philippines Pro Boxing Commission.

Of course, as a new friend of Amy and a big supporter of what she’s doing (and wanting to see some boxing!) I was eager to go see the fight.

On a rainy, soppingly-humid Saturday, I took a Grab (their version of Uber) to the far-off neighborhood of Paranaque, a place I couldn’t even pronounce it, yet alone find on a map, as it was tucked between local slums and maze-like congested barangays (their independently operating neighborhoods).

We finally found the Elorde Sports Complex where the event was taking place, a massive concrete structure surrounded by (of course) a confusing series of entrances and side streets.

I thought I was in the right place as I ascended a wide staircase to the ticket window that was bustling with Filipinos coming and going, and the roar of the huge crowd inside spilling outside.

However, I found out quickly that I was actually in the wrong place as that was the entrance for the rooster fights they were holding within, which drew that epic crowd. A nice young man helped me out by walking me around to a small side door that was the entrance to the boxing gym part of the complex, where the fights were taking place.

Inside, I was met with something far more humble than a stadium full of adoring fans. Instead, I was inside the Elorde Boxing Gym, which was a uncharacteristically spacious boxing and MMA gym that had several rings, few windows, heavy and speed bags scattered throughout, and ceilings so low that you felt like you were in a maze.

Instead of big crowds, there were only about 25 people milling about, and half of them were wearing blue shirts with bow ties – the uniform of the referees and also fight judges. In a side area, all of the fighters waited with their coaches and cornermen, getting their hands wrapped, shadow boxing loosely, and trying to stay relaxed.

And there were only a handful of spectators, a few sitting in plastic chairs lined up by the ring or just walking around. Little neighborhood kids came and went, play fighting and chasing each other, as there was no ticket office or even anyone working the door.

I took my place on the side of the ring by a speed bag and waited. And waited. And waited. The fights were supposed to begin at noon but it was about 2:30 pm when the refs and judges congregated and it looked like the fights would begin.

The energy in the place quickened, as if the promise of violence radiate out from the fighters like the sweat that now started to drip off of their chiseled physiques. The announcer, a tall guy with baggy eyes wearing a tuxedo, got on the microphone and announced the contestants for the first fight, after a back-and-forth comedy routine introducing not the Ring GIRL, but the official Ring Gay, a 20-ish Filipino guy with a goatee crammed into a cocktail dress holding a card with Round 1 on it.

Soon, the first fighters squared off – both closer to 5 foot than 6 and one taller and lean while the other was squat and muscled.

Ding ding!

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The Elorde Sports Complex in Manila – a crazy experience watching some really good boxing in the Philippines!

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The fight bell almost broke our eardrums and the fighters were in action. Over the first thirty seconds, I thought I’d be disappointed, as they danced and threw a couple half-hearted jabs. But it was just to measure distance and get a rhythm for their opponents, because soon they clashed in what would be an epic fight. The muscled guy, who was a southpaw, actually caught the taller guy square on the cheek with a flurry, sending him staggering to the canvas, semi-conscious. Somehow, he managed to pull himself up on the ropes, eyes groping for some clue as to where he was as he flexed his jaw and tried to take a step on wobbly knees. He pulled it together with not a second to spare and the flight continued.

Over the four-round bout, incredibly, the taller, lean, and once-knocked down fighter actually started to put together flurries, and then dominate the tired-out and less technically savvy muscled fighter. It ended with a unanimous decision after four rounds, with the fighter who came within one second of a KO winning the fight!

Next up was my friend Dead Aim Amy’s fight, as she gave me a dap wither her boxing glove on the way by into the ring, her blond cornrows as tight as her concentration. Her opponent was a physically smaller but far more experienced pro-Filipina fighter with plenty of big league wins under her belt. Both weighing in at 108 pounds, the Filipina fighter naturally carried that weight, while Dead Aim had to drop about 20 lbs in the two weeks up to the fight (although she was always muscled and lean), including an unhealthy 8 pounds within the last 24 hours.

Ding ding! The bell rang again, and the two warriors rushed to the center of the ring, briefly connecting hands to acknowledge the battle they were about to share.

I slipped out after a few hours of boxing. It was pouring rain outside now, and I knew it would be hard getting a taxi or Grab back to my neighborhood from this dark and downtrodden part of the big city. I had seen some great boxing that day, and every single fighter showed the heart of a champion. My friend Dead Aim Amy didn’t come out with the win that day, but it takes so much courage and dedication just to get to that point, I take off my hat to her – and all of the boxers.

She’ll be back fighting pro again – maybe at the Elorde Center – and I’ll be there to cheer her on!

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Paying bills in the Philippines

This one will have you scratching our head. Just having moved into a new apartment here in Manila and it’s come that time to start paying bills. While it was complicated enough to get everything set up at my new palatial estate at Morgan Suites (ok, a 34 square-meter studio apartment that looks like the most comfortable room in an insane asylum), I had a lot of help. My local Filipina friend, Laarni, lived in this building as well and not only found the place for me and introduced me to the landlord but helped with the transition and all of my stupid questions (and numerous complaints).

However, Laarni is moving on to Australia, so I’ll soon be left fending for myself in the ways of maintaining a household here in the Philippines, which will inevitably be equal parts comedy and tragedy.

Just today, this is what I had to handle to get my bills paid for the month.

First, let’s talk about rent. Believe it or not, my rent is a whopping 20,000 Pesos! Oh, that’s only $400 in U.S. dollars, but that’s a fantastic deal for Manila where modern apartments in nice neighborhoods easily go for double or triple that. To pay my rent, I have to make a direct bank deposit to my landlord’s bank.

I was pleased as punch when I heard that that bank was the “United Coconut Planters Bank,” or UCPB. How cool is that? I wondered if they would serve coconuts in the lobby while patrons waited and all of the tellers would have those wide-brimmed sun hats on, but it was just a regular – even upscale- business bank.

But I went to UCPB, which I was happy to see was right in my neighborhood, and made the deposit and was out within 15 minutes. Awesome so far.

However, the rest got a little more confusing.

To pay my other utility bills, I simply had to go into my unit’s mailbox and get the statements which were mailed there. Sounds easy, right? However, the rows and rows of mailboxes in the tower’s mail room had very little rhyme or reason to them. They are split into Tower 1, 2, or 3, but from there, it loses all sense of logic. Some start following a sequence only to stop, so you’ll have like 14A, 14B, 14C, 22P, 6G, etc. So it took me fifteen minutes of scanning every single row of mailboxes to find mine.

Once I got it opened, I had a water bill and an electric bill.

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Which $20 bill is counterfeit? Can you tell? One of these got passed to me while I was in #Cambodia. Counterfeiting is actually a huge problem in many developing countries you'll visit!

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The water bill was almost nothing (like $1!), and I was told that I could pay at the condo’s admin office.

However, the electric bill (about $30, although if you use the AC then electric can easily run $100 a month or more), needs to be paid somewhere else I was told. Unfortunately, no one was really sure.

Wait, isn’t this the same electric bill that hundreds or thousands of residents from the same building need to pay every month? I was told that I had to drive out to a nearby mall (Market Market) to pay the bill at the electric company’s office. But another person said that if it wasn’t after the due date, I could pay at a 7-11 or other remittance center.

However, because the electric bill includes two weeks when the past tenant lived there, I was further instructed to go to the property manager’s office – which is in the condo project next door – and give the bill to them so they could prorate it and pay it.

Wouldn’t it be so nice and easy if these bills could all be paid in one place, or just online? Wishful thinking! Laarni, help!

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How to Overcome a Break Up by Going On Vacation

Break ups are never easy – whether you’re on the receiving end or the one doing the break-up, they are hard for everyone. Break ups are emotionally, mentally, and even physically draining. One of the best things that you can do to get over a break up and get stronger is going on vacation. Here are four ways that you can overcome a break up by going on vacation.

Take some time to be by yourself

The great thing about vacations is that you can take them pretty much anywhere. Whether your ideal destination is a secluded beach, or a bustling city, you can find solace and respite in any vacation spot.

Wherever you go for your vacation, consider going alone. Being alone after a break up is a great way to re-center yourself and refocus on your own life: your own wants, your own needs, your own goals. Relationships that don’t work out are draining, and it’s easy to lose yourself (and not in a good way) when you’re half of a pair.

Furthermore, traveling allows you to reflect on the relationship and get closure the way you need to without being overwhelmed or subjected to the opinions of other. And, according to Mend, by doing this, you also avoid the risk of responding to or contacting your ex, which is another benefit of distracting yourself with a vacation after a breakup. Better yet, if you can take a social media break, block text messages, and put away your phone for a little while, you’ll be able to keep your focus on the present moment, and avoid getting distracted or brought down by a negative text or social media post.

So, go on a solo hike. Hop in a car and drive alone with your thoughts for a while (road trip technology has come a long way in the last several years, so you don’t have to worry about getting bored). Use this time to reconnect with your most authentic self.

Do something challenging

Another great way to use your vacation is a unique opportunity to push yourself outside your comfort zone. Depending on the nature of your break up, you may be left feeling particularly depleted, and your self-confidence may have even taken a hit. So, consider signing up for a race, a daring physical excursion, or some other significant challenge as the impetus for your vacation.

Trying new things is a great way to “boost confidence and self-esteem,” since you show yourself that you are able to accomplish something that you never thought you’d be able to do.

In a similar way, trying something new can also allow you to grow. You build trust in yourself and respect for your bravery – and more so, you develop a feeling of personal pride that can be especially useful after a bad breakup.

You’ll gain perspective

If you recently experienced a bad break up, then you may be sick of going through the same old story in your head. Replaying what went wrong and all the “what ifs” surrounding a lost relationship. It’s easy to go down a negativity spiral after a break up.

Traveling can help you overcome a break up more quickly because traveling to a new place can allow you to gain new perspective that you did not have before. This perspective can be a much-needed moment of enlightenment to help you reflect back on your experience with a new sense of understanding. And this understanding can be exactly what you need to start to get over a mental or emotional roadblock from your break up.

Meet some new people

When you travel, whether you’re alone or in a group, you will inevitable meet some new people, maybe some who even have similar interests to you. And while it’s great to spend time alone in the wake of a break up, it can also help to distract yourself with the company of others, whether they are trusted family or friends, or newfound traveling friends.

Forging new acquaintances or friendships can help you take your mind off things and embrace the moment of your vacation. But more so, making friends with new people can also help you create new valuable relationships to replace past, hurtful relationships. And these new friends may be able to teach you a thing or two, and open your eyes to new ways of thinking about the world, and about life and love.

And if one of those new people that you meet happens to be a potential romantic partner… so be it! Traveling is one of the best ways to meet new people, potential significant others included!

Traveling is restorative on so many levels. It’s a great way to free yourself and allow yourself to heal from painful experiences. If you are getting over a break up, then consider taking a vacation. You will benefit more than you realize.

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Orlando Vacation Tips For Seniors

Orlando is best known for Walt Disney World, and this is why it’s such a popular vacation destination for families. Perhaps you’ve been there before, but now that you’re a senior, it’s been quite a while since you’ve visited. You’d like to return for a fun, exciting holiday vacation, but now that you’re a senior, you might be wondering if you can have as good a time as you did years before. The answer is yes.

You may be getting a bit old for the thrill rides, but Orlando has much to offer in terms of fun adventure for you and others your age. Besides, with careful planning, you can enjoy a memorable vacation even if you bring the grandkids. Below, we offer a few tips for seniors wishing to return to the Orlando area, and we also talk a bit about planning your trip.

Accommodations  Orlando, especially the southern reaches of the city, is filled with hotels, vacation resorts, and real estate rentals. If you don’t want to break the bank, you can still locate and reserve a very nice hotel suite, resort guest suite, or vacation rental unit at an affordable price. A timeshare resale such as aSheraton Vistana timeshare or a Sheraton Vistana Villages timeshare can be a great value if bought or rented on the resale market.

Look for vacation rentals and resort guest suites through the online timeshare and resort pages. You can rent a comfortable one- or two-bedroom suite from a current timeshare owner. Many of these are located on one of the Disney resort properties.

If you’re planning to visit with the grandkids, and if they are tween-age or older, check out availability of lock-off units. This way you can have your own private guest suite but with an adjoining set of rooms for the young ones.

Bundling Costs Saves Money  Be sure to check with the Disney Fast Pass + online pages. Here is where you can combine your accommodations with admissions tickets to various theme parks and also reserve your lunch or dinner at one of the restaurants located within the parks. Remember also that timeshare rentals often are an all-inclusive package, meaning that you get discounts for admission to Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, and more. You might even get complimentary ground transportation.

Sightseeing For Seniors Walt Disney World may be a bit too hectic and crowded during the spring and summer months, but remember that Orlando has really nice weather during the off-season. These parks will be far less crowded during the winter, and you’ll find it much easier to get suitable senior discounts at the hotels.

Aside from Walt Disney World, consider visiting Epcot, perhaps the most senior-friendly of all the theme parks in the region. Spend a fun day strolling through the shops, dining at one of the many affordable restaurants, and going on a behind-the-scenes tour that explores the horticulture and architecture.

SeaWorld is annually voted as the best vacation destination for seniors in the Orlando Area. Even if you’re not coming with the kids, you’ll have lots of fun at the shark tunnel, manatees, and Arctic exhibits.

If you love your movies, you won’t want to miss Universal Studios. Although this is a very popular destination with younger families, you’ll find it far less hectic than Disney World. You’ll love exploring the ever-changing exhibits.

Above all, plan accordingly and don’t overdo it. Give yourself plenty of free time to rest up and relax in your hotel or vacation rental. Plan the whole trip in advance so you won’t have to make last-minute decisions.

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Colorful & Booming: 6 Reasons India is a Dream for Expat Jobs

Do you dream of working aboard in an exciting vibrant culture, making good money, at a lower cost of living and meeting lots of friendly people? Then working abroad in India is ideal for you.

Here’s why India should be at the top of your list, how to apply and get a great job, teaching post or internship.

India’s surging economy is creating lots of work and study opportunities for foreigners. It is a dream destination for expats who want to work abroad in an exciting country.

My neighbor in New York, right now, Crystal, is teaching English to children in India in the Rhodes Scholarship program. She loves it and says, “this experience has changed my life for the better, it’s opened my mind and heart in ways I never expected. India enchants me.”

Why Get a Job Abroad in India?

6 reasons why India is a great place for expats to work.

1 – Strong economy

India is the ninth largest economy in the world. Prior to 1990, its economic structure was inspired by the Soviet Union, is divided into large public sectors, some practicing socialist principles.

Fortunately in 1991, India adopted more liberal economic policies and opened the free market which surged economy forward. Today economic experts estimate that India’s robust economy will surpass the United States’s by 2040.

2 -Variety of jobs available

Many industries and sectors have available jobs in India. These are the six majors types of companies:

Agriculture

IT – Information Technology

Commerce & Entertainment

Healthcare & Education

Communication & Media

Finance

The majority of foreign jobs in manufacturing are in the specialized, technical and management departments.

The fastest-growing industry is the high-tech IT sector, and it is the largest source for expat employment.

Another bright spot in India’s booming economy is the retail industry. These firms are looking for foreign management and logistic experts.

3 – Low cost of living

Another big plus to working in India is that the cost of living is much lower than many US and British cities.  Although in some large cities, such as Mumbai, rents are almost as high as New York City, however, the majority of Indian cities housing costs are low, making the cost of living in India extremely advantageous to expats.

4 – Speak English

If you are a native english speakers it is easiest to move to a predominantly englishing speaking country if you are not fluent in other foreign languages. India is the second largest english speaking country with over 125 million English speakers.

However for most of those speakers it is their second language with Hindi being their first. Due to inconsistent schooling many Indians speak a type of dialogue called Indian English or known by the slang term “Hinglish”.

Moving to a country in which you can easily communicate, makes the transition from home to abroad much easier. You will fit in quickly and feel more comfortable in your new home than in a foreign language speaking country.

5 – Friendly People

The Indian people are well-known the around the world to be open and friendly – which is a real asset when you are new in town.

Expats living and working in India report that while the society is vastly different than their own, and the sometimes chaotic culture can be shocking, they are always made to feel welcome. The local attitude towards foreign residents is cheerful, in contrast to other global countries. In fact, 72% of expats rate the general friendliness of the population positively.

6 – Fascinating Country & Culture

While you are not working, India offers an unsurpassed riches of palaces, history, cuisine, wildlife and natural beauty to explore. India also boosts one of the seven modern wonders of the world, The Taj Mahal. 

Considerations Before Working Aboard in India

While overall, working in India can be a fascinating adventure and a financially positive move, there are some considerations you will want to review carefully before accepting that lucrative job offer in India.

Working hours can be long and the schedules arduous, depending upon the company culture and work load of your new employer. The average work week in India is 48.2 hours as compared to 44.0 hours globally.

India may not be your best choice if you want to bring your children along. Family well-being in India ranks last place in 50th of 50 countries in a survey of expat insiders. Children’s services for health, education and leisure activities are rated poorly as compared to other foreign countries.

Learn more about India’s climate, government, tax system, medical care, shopping and real estate from expats here.

How to Get a Job in India as an Expat

Start by browsing our currently open jobs in India, and search by your desired city and chosen field.

Additionally, you could contact and apply to Indian employment agencies, Canadian or Indian divisions of US companies such as IBM or Canadian such as James Allen or international companies with branches located in India.

Also be certain to check out the Ministry of Labour and Employment website to access the Guidelines for Visa issuance. All foreigners who want to work in India need to adhere to this guideline.   Another helpful government institutions websites is The Office Of The Labour Commissioner.

To begin your job in India, as a foreigner you must register with Foreigners Regional Registration Office within two weeks of your arrival in India.

If your visa is valid for more than six months, you still need to do this, no matter of how long you plan to stay in the country. Know that if you are staying for less than six months, you still need to register!

To get an immigration work visa will take about 90 days. In most cases your  employment contract and visa will be issues the same time period.  You can get more information here at the India Bureau of Immigration.

Are you ready to travel to and work in one of the most exciting countries in the world?   Great then get started right away looking for your new expat job in India here.

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New Bombay Royale

Have you tried Indian food? I really do, although I must admit I don’t eat it enough here in Southeast Asia. While you may find Indian food or Indian-inspired dishes in places like Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, it’s not popular at all here in the Philippines, where I’m living. Quite possibly, it could be because there isn’t a large Indian immigrant population here. Then again, there ain’t a lot of Italians, but pizza places are on every corner. More likely, Indian food isn’t viable in the Philippines because it’s just too damn healthy (India has the largest number of vegetarians in the world), while the Philippines is extremely averse to anything like vegetables or even brown rice. (If it’s not deep fried, covered in sugar, and soaked in oil, they won’t eat it!)

But I have sampled real authentic Indian cuisine from several places in the world, including, most notably, India. I spent a month there a few years back and loved the super healthy seafood, vegetarian dishes, and abundant fresh fruitin the southern province of Kerala. However, my experience in the northern city of New Delhi wasn’t as enjoyable, as I got insanely sick off of some raita (a yogurt sauce) that probably wasn’t properly refrigerated or handled. Needless to say, on my trip to the Taj Mahal I was only thinking about the nearest commode.

But I’ve had amazing experiences with Indian food in the U.S., too, as my great friend MandipDhami in Sacramento took me to his mother’s Indian restaurant often, and the Dhami fam (some of the nicest and hardest working people in the world!) would often have me over their house for dinner. In fact, his mom knew I was a bachelor and didn’t cook for myself too much, so she’d pack up a huge box of assorted Indian food and give it to me every time I left, as it lasted me most of the week.

So, it was notable when I spotted New Bombay Royale restaurant here in the Venice Grand Canal Mall in the McKinley Hill area of Manila where I’m living. It’s actually hard to miss, as it’s a massive establishment, consuming the space usually taken up by three or even four other restaurants here in the mall. The windows are formed like massive Taj Mahal temple tops, interspersed with ornate lace-like ironwork.

Inside, they have a combination of comfortable modern wooden table and plush booths, intricate traditional lamps hanging overhead to give it true Indian flare, and melodic and mysterious Indian and Arabic music playing. (I think they encompass some Arabic food and motifs here.)

The menu is expansive, and they do offer a wide variety of vegetarian dishes, as well as advertising Halal food.

I opted for the chicken tikka masala, which was reasonably priced at 350 Pesos ($7), but disappointed that it didn’t come with rice or any sides like vegetables, etc. You don’t even get naan bread or any of the nice Indian appetizers that usually always come free at most Indian places. Likewise, when I tried to order rice, their only options were Filipino white rice (very uninspiring) or true Indian saffron rice, but that only came in a double order and ran around $5 – a fortune just for rice. But the sympathetic waitress was nice enough to say she’d include a small side dish of vegetables with my dinner.

The final verdict? The portions are pretty small – coming in a cereal-sized bowl, and the dish of vegetables was just a random bowl of shredded cabbage with four or five raw red onions mixed in – I’m not joking!

Although to be fair, I will say that the chicken dish was good, with rich tomato sauce and just the right amount of spices – enough to bring me back here again (and since it’s so close) to sample more Indian cuisine on their menu.

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Jet Lag

I fly a lot; a ridiculous amount for someone who isn’t a business traveler. In fact, last year, I made 64 separate flights, although one of them was a hot air balloon and another, a helicopter. But the point is that living in the Philippines in Asia, I take advantage of the cheap flights on CebuPacific, Philippine Airlines, and others to hop out to one of the 7,500 islands every chance I get.

I also bounce on over to Thailand twice a year or so to visit Scotty the Body and take part in the Judd Reid Fight Camp, Cambodia to visit one of my favorite countries in the world and see the kids at the Children’s Improvement Organization orphanage, and more. I also make it back home to the U.S. once a year, an epically long journey that takes either 12-hours+ on a plane to California or, like I did this last time, 16 hours and 40 minutes straight from New York to Manila.

And you know what?

It kicks my ass every time.

Not only are travel days exhausting, the germ-laden dry recirculated air on the planes always makes me sick, but the jet lag is an absolute killer. Once I land, I’m a complete and total mess for a week or more form the time change.

Of course, it’s no insignificant alteration to my schedule, like when I fly to Thailand and it’s only one hour different, or even going from New York to Europe, for instance, where the 5-hour time difference only requires you to stay up particularly late but then sleep late the next day.

Believe it or not, it’s also way worse when you’re going West to East like Asia to New York.

No, coming and going from Asia, your schedule is 100% flipped (we’re 13 hours ahead of New York right now) so night is day and day, night. In a perfect world, I’d be able to get in, plop down my bags, take a hot shower, and go right to sleep for 8 hours, waking up refreshed and adjusting very quickly. Some people can do that.

But my sleep pattern is messed up to begin with, and I end up in some sort of sub-human zombie raccoon-eyed state, not really sleeping for a week but taking a series of 1-4 hour naps at random times of the day or night.

I find myself wide away at 3 am (like I just woke up from an afternoon nap) or early evening (my normal wake up time) but dragging so bad all day that I can barely keep my red and puffy eyes open. For most people, it’s not quite this bad, but I have three things going against me: I’m old as dirt, I’m a terrible sleeper to begin with, and I have to work approximately 70 hours a week, so there’s no lounging by the pool, partying all night, and slowly and gracefully adjusting to the time change for me.

But the good news is that, although I haven’t figured out the magic cure for jet lag and adjusting to drastic time changes, I have figured out some tips and hacks that make the process imminently easier.

First off, what IS jetlag? Just a lack of sleep? A figment of our imaginations?

Actually, it’s a real medical condition called desynchronosis where your circadian rhythm(your body’s internal clock and sense of night/day or sleep/waking, etc.) is disrupted.

It’s also no joke or mere inconvenience, as jetlag – or desynchronosis– can contribute to everything from weight gain to high blood pressure and heart problems to triggering bipolar disorder. (Which would explain a lot since I probably have all of those.)

So, the best way to combat jet lag is to do things that will give your body new cues as to what the proper schedule should be, resetting your circadian rhythmbased on the new schedule.

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Jet lag is BRUTAL! But All World has some great tips, hacks, and strategizes for you to beat the jet lag blues!

A post shared by AllWorld.com (@allworldonline) on Jan 20, 2019 at 11:35am PST

There are two main ways to do just that and they have to do with sleep and sunlight.

Light in the light (or shut it out) Resetting our circadian rhythms, which are associated with the solar day, means that we have to adjust our internal clock to know that sunlight means being awake and nighttime means sleep again. So, when you arrive and want to stay up (day), get outside, soak in the sun, go to a beach or local park, and open up all of the blinds in your hotel room – let the sun in. At night, do the opposite and make sure it’s plenty dark.

Hot washcloth A lot of times, jetlag feels like you’ve been up all night after a bender with red eyes and dry, pale skin to show for it. So, I love the feeling of a hot washcloth against the face. You can even ask the flight attendant to bring you an extra.

Small nap Sometimes, you’re just going to be too exhausted and need to collapse into a nap. However, try to take a quick 30-minute snooze, not a two or three-hour slumber where your body will be confused into thinking it’s night time again. Set your alarm.

Get yo ass moving Get up, get out, and do some vigorous physical activity. A run, long walk, swimming laps in the hotel pool, or hitting the gym will all get your blood pumping and help you feel much better, aside from adjusting to jet lag. Exercise is especially invigorating and helpful after a long flight.

Don’t fly east, young man Whenever I fly east back to the states from Asia, adjusting to the jet lag is WAY worse than flying the other direction. I mean like hideously worse. There’s actually a good explanation for that, as trying to reset your Circadian Rhythm backward – i.e. to an earlier time – is far more difficult than setting it forward. When you fly east to west, however, you can basically just stay up all night and your sleep pattern will adjust a little more naturally accordingly.

Melatonin Melatonin is a hormone that our bodies naturally produce, in part as a way for our brains to know that it’s time to start relaxing and go to sleep soon. In some countries, you can buy Melatonin supplements over the counter and take a small dose – like three to five milligrams – before you go to bed, which should help you snooze a little better. However, any positive effects of Melatonin will be disrupted by bright light, so you’ll still have to turn off the TV and shut off your phone.

Reduce screen time Unnatural light from our smartphones, tablets, computer screens, and televisions is really doing a number on the modern human, making it harder than ever to fall asleep, sleep soundly, and feel rested. This is exacerbated when you’re trying to adjust to jet lag, of course, so try to turn off all screens and white light devices at least an hour before bedtime.

Arrive late Inevitably, you’re exhausted and feel gross when you first arrive from a long fight or epic travel day, and all you want to do is shower, eat, and sleep. However, that works against you when you arrive in the morning or midday since that’s the time you want to be active and get out sightseeing to start combatting jet lag. So, try to book a flight where you’ll arrive late at night (or just the evening), so you CAN shower, eat, and hit the bed immediately, your fatigue carrying you through the night and helping you wake up ready to go.

Time your meals Another way your body takes cues to what time it is and what it should be doing is through your eating schedule. So, if you can, avoid huge heavy, greasy, rich, fried, and unhealthy meals during the flight and when you first land. (Or, avoid them always!) Instead, try snacking on healthy and more natural or unprocessed meals. When you land, eat a big meal if you’d like but make sure it’s clean and easy to digest. This isn’t just a suggestion, as research by a noted chronobiologist at the Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois found this method to significantly reduce the effects of jetlag.

Take a cold shower or warm bath It may seem like a simple tactic, but when you find yourself so tired that you can’t keep your eyes open, but it’s still the middle of the day, take a shockingly cold shower – it will trigger hormones that tell you it’s morning or time to be active. Conversely, take a long hot shower or hot bath at night before sleeping, which will help lull you to sleep.

Hydrate One of the most significant reasons why flying long distances makes you feel like crap is the fact that the air on planes is really bad, to put it bluntly. In fact, the air is about six times more arid than the driest natural environment on earth and, since it’s recirculated, you’re getting everyone else’s germs to breathe over and over. I know, right? Additionally, jet lag is made worse by being dehydrated. So, drink a ton of water before you fly, while you fly, and after you land. Try to avoid beverages with a lot of sugar or salt, and definitely take it easy on alcohol during the flight and caffeine if you’re trying to adjust to the new time zone (except in the morning when you need to wake up!)

Happy flying!

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[shelleyrobbinsus]

Grand Canal Mall Bonifacio Manila

Near the top of every traveler’s Bucket List is a trip to Venice, Italy’s majestic and unique city where water canals make up every one of the streets. In fact, Venice is a series of about 100 small islands on a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea, with boats on waterways the only method of transportation (aside from sidewalks and bridges, of course) between them. So, if you want to see Venice and take in its Renaissance and Gothic Palaces, the famed Central Square, and historic St. Mark’s Basilica – and much more – you only have to book a plane ticket then reserve a hotel and pay for your food and everything else. In all, that should “only” run you $5,000 or so for a week – for one person.

But there is another way to take in the splendor of Venice’s canals, snap a family photo on a bridge over Venice’s waterways, and even take a gondola ride with a boatman who dresses in traditional Italian garb and even sings: visit the Grand Canal Mall in the Philippines.

Mall? The Philippines? Have you finally lost it, Norm?

Well, yes, I have – about the exact time I agreed to start working for AllWorld, to be honest!

But that doesn’t mean what I said isn’t accurate – you can at least get a sample of Venice with a great likeness built into a mall in the Philippines.

And I have to admit that it’s super cheesy…but…pretty awesome!

It’s actually the signature attraction to the appropriately-named Venice Grand Canal Mall located in the McKinley Hill area of Taguig, an upscale neighborhood of call centers and international business spaces in Manila.

I’m definitely not a “mall person,” but I just moved to the neighborhood, so my apartment at Morgan Suites is only two blocks away. Inevitably, a lot of the shops, services, and restaurants I frequent are at this mall, so I’m walking through once or twice a day.

The outside of the mall is notable in its own right, as it’s designed in a traditional historical Italian style (I was going to say something like “Neo-Classical,” but that would be BS because we both know I have NO idea about ancient architectural styles!). The entrance ways outside look like an ornate old church or palace you might see in a postcard, but also have dazzling modern lighting and several big fountains. But once you walk inside the mall (through tight security which will check into every bag and give you a quick pat down), you see the real attraction.

The whole center of the mall is an outdoor plaza made to look EXACTLY like the canals of Venice, Italy! As I mentioned, I think this is cheesy as hell, BUT they did a really amazing job with it, and for the average middle-class Filipino who will NEVER get a chance to visit the real thing in Italy, it’s a fun and different attraction. It’s also one of the most hashtagged and “selfied” spots in Manila, for obvious reasons.

But this is no simple photo op, as the canal dominates the whole center of the mall running an entire city block or more, with pristine blue-green waters that meander in a slight crescent. Two or three bridges span the waterways, which are made to look like traditional bridges you’d see in Venice, as well as shaded outdoor plazas to walk or just hang out on either side. They have plenty of outdoor restaurants and cafes with umbrellas so you can sit there are take it all in, as watching the jubilant crowd is part of the fun. One of the best features is an “island” in this canal, which is a small bridge that takes you to a perfectly circular modern building suspended over the water, where you can sit and drink a beer at night. Since the mall is open from around 11 am to 10 or 11 pm, the whole thing is bustling at night, with plenty of light displays and music making it a festive atmosphere.

I almost forgot to mention the gondolas! Yes, there are a handful of full-sized gondolas that roam the canal, constructed as exact replicas of what you’d find in Italy. Even the drivers are dressed perfectly to the part, pushing their way through the water with long oars and sometimes singing as they go.

I’m usually extremely cynical when it comes to commercialization and gimmicks like this, but, I must say, it’s actually pretty damn impressive. Of course, staying right there and seeing the mall every day, the novelty fades. But the Grand Canal Mall does offer some great practical options for me.

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The Venice Grand Canal Mall in Manila. Cheesy? Gimmicky? In-authentic? Maybe, but it's also a pretty gorgeous setting and very fun!

A post shared by AllWorld.com (@allworldonline) on Jan 16, 2019 at 10:01am PST

So far, my favorites are:

Robinson Select grocery store The best option for buying food including fresh veggies – which are really hard to find – and other high quality and even western items. It certainly isn’t cheap, but just the presence of such a grocery store in walking distance is a godsend.

KarudaMcKinley Hill Yoga Disclaimer: I’ve never actually been to a yoga class there, but I’ve made friends with one of the teachers and follow them every day online, and looks like a fantastic place for all skill levels and experience with yoga.

Big Boss Barber Shop A really cool gentlemen’s barber shop but with a more modern and open studio setting. It’s not cheap by Philippines standards (I’m like a broken record with that in Manila!) – about $7 just for a cut – but they do a wonderful job and take their time and really treat you like a superstar. FYI I asked if I get a discount for my bald spot but was DENIED!

Gold’s Gym Good gyms are hard to find here, and there tend to be only two kinds of gyms: the really simple, grimy, and pretty dirty local gyms (they’re cheap and full of amazing athletes but not very comfortable for westerners), and the higher-end chain gyms like Anytime Fitness and Gold’s here in Manila. Those tend to be a lot closer to the nice, airy, spacious, and clean gyms we’re used to back home – at least on face value. But they also can be really expensive – especially if you just drop in for a day or two. Either way, I thought Gold’s was my best option because it’s right at the Venice Grand Canal Mall and has a great layout. It’s on the third floor, so you’re looking out floor to ceiling windows on one whole wall at the canal and mall-goers walking around and having gun below.

DIY Moving into my little studio apartment two blocks away at Morgan Suites, I inevitably need A LOT of stuff to get settled in, including a fan, storage shelves, curtains, kitchen and bathroom stuff, and much more. There really aren’t Home Depots or that big U.S.-style hardware and home stores here in Manila that I’ve seen, so people rely on the little local hardware stores. DIY is like the equivalent to an ACE Hardware, and it’s right in the mall. Crazy expensive for a lot of things (like $40 for a shower rod!) because most of the stuff here is imported, but it’s better than nothing and super convenient.

Dental Hub I try to take good care of my choppers, and that means at least two visits to the dentist every year. I usually just found random dentists as I’ve traveled, which means some good ones (like in Angeles City) or some awful ones (like in Thailand). But, when I had a bad toothache and needed some real help, I was happy to see that there was a Dental Hub office right there in the mall – across from Gold’s Gym, actually! I found them to be super clean, modern with the latest tech, very professional and caring. So far, so good, and I’ll keep coming back for convenience and for that great service.

By the way, there are also several medical clinics located in the mall that look just as modern and nice, and, although I’ve been fortunate not to have to need one yet, it’s good to know it’s there!

Daiso This place is so cool – it’s a whole store dedicated to Japanese products for the home, from dishes and kitchenware to lighting, bedding, and tons of nick nacks and gadgets. Since they are Japanese (as opposed to Chinese), the stuff is good quality and works well, and priced surprisingly well. But it’s just fun to walk around and see their stuff that’s way different from items you’d find in the U.S.

Coffee lineup As a workaholic blogger and writer, I log A LOT of time sitting there with my laptop, hunting and pecking my way to a paycheck. I do work at home for a few hours every day but I definitely need two things:

A change of scenery with actual human beings around me, and COFFEE!

The fun part of the Venice Grand Canal Mall is that there are plenty of stores that are accessible from the street (outside the mall) or inside. In fact, on one whole side of the mall sit a lineup of coffee shops – Caffeine Row as I call it. There are literally five or six coffee places and cafes in a row, from Denny’s to UCC to Starbucks, Tim Hortons (my new favorite) and Coffee Bean. If I’m at risk for being over caffeinated and bopping my head to the music in my headphones to dramatically, I can just pick up and take my act to the next café!

There are also plenty of other events, concerts, and happenings at the mall – so visit Venice if you’re in the area!

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[shelleyrobbinsus]

Google Fi

Travelers. Adventurers. Expats. Wanderers. Digital nomads.

As much as we’d like to think that we are a form of the new evolved mankind, refusing to be boxed in by any government, border, or the antiquated notion that one and only one place on earth is where we belong, we are still not free.

That’s because, for the vast majority of people who undertake a trip abroad that constitutes more than one or two weeks of vacation, we’re still anchored by one inconvenient necessity: we need to work.

Unless you’re independently wealthy, that’s the harsh reality, as you need to somehow eke out an existence by the fruits of your labor even while you travel or live abroad.

Sure, you can just relax and enjoy it for a while, but that gets old very quickly (trust me – I didn’t earn income my whole first two years living in Costa Rica and Nicaragua while I was writing my first two books) and the savings account dwindles even faster.

The good news is that over the last few years, virtual work has been on the rise, gaining widespread popularity and acceptance as people can work online for a whole host of different jobs and tasks. However, whether you have a cushy corporate job that allows you to work from home – or the beach in a foreign country, you’re an entrepreneur not tied to a retail location, or you work in the digital trades like design, content creation, virtual admin, affiliate marketing, or drop shipping, etc., you still need one thing above all else: access to the internet.

Without it, you’ll lose your source of income, your clients, and probably your sanity pretty quickly.

For me, I’m still shackled to the internet even though I live abroad in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. That may seem enviable, but I often find myself living in cities and restricting my sojourns to more built up places where I think I can get internet.

I always want to visit the more remote islands, beaches, and countryside destinations here in the Philippines, but I’m seriously restricted by internet access. Even super popular places like Boracay island (voted the top island in the world) have wifi. However, the signal can be so weak, it’s effectively unusable.

I remember when I lived there in 2013-14, I would literally run from coffee shop to coffee shop and restaurant to bar all day in search of a wi-fi signal that was good enough to get my work done. Of course, they would tell me that they had wi-fi so I’d order a coffee or something and sit down, only to find that the signal did connect but was so weak it was worthless. And it wasn’t like video conferencing or something that required a high-level signal, just social media posting and posting blogs. Well, almost five years later and it hasn’t really improved there. I’d visit amazing places like Leyte, Siargao, Batanes, Batanes far more often – and stay longer – if I could get an internet signal.

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The map of Google Fi coverage – 170 countries and counting!

A post shared by AllWorld.com (@allworldonline) on Jan 10, 2019 at 10:01am PST

In my utopian scenario, I dream of the far off places I’d go in the four corners of the globe if there was just one universal internet that could be accessed from anywhere, without depending on local infrastructure, towers, and providers – like a satellite internet whose signal would be just as strong in Timbuktu as it would be in New York City.

While there has been talk of such a service (come one, Elon Musk!), we’re not there yet.

But the next best thing may be Google Fi.

Google has doubled down on Google Fi, there long established but somewhat forgotten world (or almost) internet and calling plan.

To be clear, you still will be dependent on accessing internet signal no matter where you go, but there are some huge advantages to Google Fi for travelers and those who want to live or explore abroad.

For instance, you can connect to one of three mobile 4G LTE networks around the world, and automatically connect to over 2 million secure wi-fi hotspots globally. That happens seamlessly when you are using Google Fi, so you don’t need to start monkeying with your settings or try to log in to something that works with passwords. You also don’t need to worry about buying local SIM cards and paying for international plans anymore – which is a huge plus for travelers who country hop.

Here are the other highlights, according to Google:

Google Fi covers 170 countries around the world. Considering that there are approximately 196 countries officially (rogue nations/disputed states etc. make up about 10 more), that’s pretty much the whole globe.

Those nations span from Afghanistan to Zambia and a whole lot in between, including when I checked for the countries I’ve lived in over the last seven years: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

However, I saw that they exclude the nations of Syria, Iran, and North Korea, etc.

How much does it cost?

For $20 per month you can access unlimited calls and texts.

For $19 per month you get 1.9 GB of data to surf and use the internet. That can easily be expanded at a rate of $10 per 1 GB.

Their most popular and flexible plan is only $20 per month plus taxes and fees, with free calls and texts, and free (slower) WiFi that’s easy to increase in $10 increments, if I’m reading their website correctly.

Voice calls using Google Fi’s network (not wi-fi) are only 20 cents per minute.

One of the highlights is also that you don’t need to sign a longterm contract – or any contract at all. Instead, you can just pay month to month, and you even get your first month free.

One of the big problems when you travel abroad with your U.S. phone is figuring out the roaming and international charges. Of course, they make those purposely confusing, so you come home from your trip to face an $800 cell phone bill.

For that reason, Google Fi offers their own unique Bill Protection. After 6 BG of data, the internet speed slows down but is free. Google also reports that 99% of their users use less than 15GB of data every month.

Now, here’s the caveat – you need to use either one of Google’s phones or a phone compatible with Google Fi (and the list isn’t expansive).

Here are the phones that will work with Google Fi:

• LG G7 ThinQ • LG V35 ThinQ • Moto X4 (Android One version) • Moto G6 • Nexus 6 • Nexus 5X • Nexus 6P • Pixel and Pixel XL • Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL • Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL • iPhone 5S and later (Beta)

But, if you have one of those phones, you can easily add on the Google Fi service.

I may just have to sign up for Google Fi soon and test it out here in the Philippines. Out of curiosity, I checked through Google Fi’s network finder feature to see if Boracay was included, and was pleased to see it is!

That’s good news – but the proof is actually using it! Stay tuned for that review coming soon!

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