Category: FAQs

So, here’s the scoop on my last-minute trip to McAllen to see family. I didn’t have time to plan, but I managed to pack everything I needed in my trusty Tres 25L bag for a 3-4 day stay (even though my trip got delayed by a full day). Let me break down what I brought with me without breaking a sweat.

In terms of clothing, I packed smartly by using a compression cube to fit in essentials like a J.Crew T-shirt, a long-sleeve tee with a hood, a Patagonia BD, work tee, Gap shorts, Naked & Famous denim, along with socks and underwear in a smaller compression cube. I also had my New Balance sneakers and a traveler’s vest with plenty of pockets – super handy for carrying my phone, wallet, belt, watch, and ring during airport security checks.

When it comes to non-clothing items, I didn’t skimp either. My camera bag was fully stocked with digital camera, wireless microphones, backup batteries, microphone handles, travel electronics kit, extension cord, power bank, and more. I didn’t bother taking anything out to save weight because, let’s face it, I’d probably forget to put it back in later.

While in McAllen, I found myself using almost everything in my bag except for the power bank and MacBook kit brick. The real MVP of the trip was my versatile traveler’s vest – sure, I might have looked like a safari enthusiast, but those big pockets and zip closures were a lifesaver. And hey, it doubled as an extra personal item during airport screenings.

Despite the Texas heat, I rocked the long-sleeve tee with a hood, which also came in handy as a makeshift sleep mask on the plane and at night. And let me tell you, the United Club in Austin totally outshines the one in Houston. The breakfast, coffee, and comfy seating make it worth the visit – even if the Houston club lacks decent restrooms.

Overall, my impromptu trip to McAllen turned out to be a breeze, thanks to my well-packed bag and a few key essentials that made all the difference. Who says you need to overthink packing for a short getaway? Just toss in what you need, and you’re good to go.

Hey there, folks! So, about five weeks back, I set off from France on my trusty 2009 Transalp 700, with Japan as my first stop on this epic journey. It’s been a wild ride so far, let me tell you. I made the bold move of quitting my job a couple of years ago, and since then, I’ve been crashing with family here and there. I spent the last half-year selling off pretty much all my belongings in preparation for this adventure. And let me tell you, I’m going all in on this trip – no set end date, no specific goal other than to live life to the fullest, learn, grow, and experience everything along the way. Oh, and when I say I have virtually no budget, I mean I’m ready to throw all my savings into this journey.

I made a conscious decision to leave the GoPro behind – well, I actually sold it. This time around, I want to focus on being fully present in the moment, soaking up all the sights, sounds, and experiences around me. In my past travels, I struggled to really connect with the locals, partly due to my introverted nature and the rush of trying to cover long distances in short timeframes. But things are different now. I’m trading work for food and shelter, immersing myself in local communities, and aiming to extend my journey as far as I can.

I briefly considered keeping a journal, but honestly, I don’t see the point this time. This trip is deeply personal and intimate, and I want to savor every moment without the distraction of documenting it all. I’ve already dabbled in writing about my adventures, like that book I penned about my tour of Morocco, but its significance is kinda questionable. Sure, writing it was fulfilling, but the book itself? Meh, not so much.

In just a few days, I’ll be hopping on a ferry from Milos island in Greece to Crete for my next work gig. I’ve got my sights set on exploring southern Turkey in early 2026, and then pushing further east as the temperatures warm up. So, as I continue on this incredible journey, my motto remains: ride safe and embrace the unknown.

So, here’s the deal – my girlfriend had to move to another state for medical school, while I’m chilling at home, working remotely as a government contractor for a company project. I’ve got two laptops – one from the company and one from the government. I usually stick to using the company laptop since that’s what I’m supposed to be using.

Every now and then, I have to hop on the company’s virtual private network to check emails and access resources. So, I’m thinking Option 3 is the way to go for me. It lets me connect to the network and do my thing, plus I can turn off the WiFi and Bluetooth on the company laptop. Unfortunately, I can’t turn off the location services, but hey, it’s just for my domestic setup.

The company uses Microsoft apps for everything, including email. Right now, my location is showing up as the state where my girlfriend is studying, and surprisingly, no one has mentioned it yet. So, I thought, why not take this opportunity to set up a client router at home and use a travel router while I’m here. Seems like a solid plan, right?

I’m not exactly a tech guru, so any tips on setting up these routers would be greatly appreciated. It’s all about making sure I can work smoothly while also keeping my company in the loop about my whereabouts. So far, so good, but I want to make sure I’m doing everything right. If you’ve got any advice or suggestions, hit me up. Thanks!

Alright, so here’s the deal. I’m gearing up for my second overseas adventure, heading to Reykjavik and Stockholm for a week. Last time, I did the whole Italy and Germany thing for three and a half weeks, and let me tell you, being a one-bagger was a game-changer. No lugging around unnecessary stuff, just pure travel freedom.

This time, it’s a solo mission, so I need a slick, collapsible bag to fit inside my trusty Peak Design 45L travel pack. My daily carry is pretty minimal–phone, battery pack, trusty Leica M3 (plus a couple of film rolls), maybe a book, snack, and water bottle. The contenders for this crucial role are the Aer Go Pack 2 and the Day Sling Max.

The Go Pack has its perks. It’s got more room for extras like a book and maybe a laptop (though I doubt I’ll lug mine around). Plus, the back support is top-notch as it’s a backpack. And hey, it fits my trusty 32oz Owalla water bottle. On the downside, it’s an online order, and let’s face it, I probably won’t use it much outside of my travels since I already have a solid backpack for daily use.

On the flip side, the Day Sling is sleek and easy to tote around. Perfect for flights as a personal item and versatile for everyday use too. No waiting around for an online order, I can snag it right from a nearby store. But the price tag is a bit steep compared to the Go Pack, and I might have to downsize my water bottle. There’s also the worry that it won’t fit everything I need, like that book or laptop. And with my back and neck acting up, the single-shoulder strain could be a concern.

My gut’s nudging me towards the Day Sling for its compactness, but that price and potential capacity hiccup have me hesitating. The Go Pack has the bonus of stashing away extra gear like a jacket when I’m indoors.

Any seasoned travelers out there with insights on these packs? My travel buddy from last time swears by the Go Pack, but I’m on the fence. Is a sling worth it over a backpack? Hit me with your thoughts!

I’ve traveled solo to almost 60 countries, but I’ve never taken a solo cruise. I’m in my early 30s, and unfortunately, my friends and significant others haven’t been able to match my travel schedule. I’m eyeing a few long cruises like the Gems of the Pacific by Seabourn, the 93-day Grand Voyage by Holland America, the Pacific Circle by Princess, and the Grand Pacific Explorer by Viking. I’m curious about the experience of those who have done a 90+ day solo cruise or any cruise with Seabourn or Viking. How did you find it? What was the crowd like? Any regrets? I’m concerned about being surrounded by only retired couples. It’s one thing for day trips, but being the odd one out for over three months doesn’t sound fun.

Hey folks, so last year in February, I finally took the plunge after saving up like crazy and making sure I stayed solo. I’m currently in the midst of putting together a massive story of my adventures – I reckon it’s gonna be around 50 pages when I’m done. It all kicked off in Vietnam, where I checked out the north, scored a motorbike in Hanoi, and cruised all the way down to Ho Chi Minh City. Then I veered west through Cambodia for a bit before hitting up Thailand. This time, I did the top-down route, taking buses through Pai, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and the rad southern islands like Phangan, Tao, and Samui.

The highlight was probably chilling on Koh Phangan for a month, diving into Muay Thai and giving myself a breather (I’d been on the road for like 3-4 months by then). Next stop was Spain, where I tackled the Camino De Santiago – starting in Pamplona and hoofing it 750km west to Santiago De Compostela. Seriously, if you can walk just 10km a day, this is a bucket list must-do. Whether you’re after a spiritual, mental, or physical reboot, the Camino’s got you covered.

After a quick detour back to Thailand, I jetted off to South America for a whirlwind month (Chile, Peru, Brazil, and a couple other spots). I dragged a few buddies along for this leg, and we ended up trekking the Salkantay Pass (sitting at a cool 4km above sea level) – it was pure magic. Now, back to Koh Phangan for a lady, then off to Bangkok where I snagged a remote gig. Spent the whole year there before recently bouncing back home.

There’s so much more to this tale that I’m dying to spill here. If I break it down into chunks or drop a massive text bomb on this thread, would any of you be keen to dive in, or is this just me talking to myself? Safe travels, y’all! Oh, and quick heads up – I’m allergic to milk, eggs, and nuts. Got any queries or need a hand? Hit me up!

Hey there! I’m a regional sales manager who’s always on the go for work and personal trips. Now, let me tell you about my travel-rewards game plan. So, here’s the deal: I can’t rack up personal credit-card rewards on my company expenses because they go on the Amex Business Gold card, and the points belong to the company. But hey, I’m not letting that stop me from scoring some sweet rewards for myself!

When it comes to work travel, my focus is on stacking up airline miles and elite status. My go-to moves include snagging Delta SkyMiles by booking Uber in advance and earning BILT or United miles with Lyft. For flights, I prefer booking directly with airlines like Southwest, Delta, American, United, or Alaska, depending on where I’m headed. And for hotels, I stick with Hyatt to maintain my Explorist status. When it comes to rental cars, I’m all about maximizing points by booking through BILT or airline portals.

I always make sure to check Rakuten for any portal bonuses before making purchases. Sometimes I route through Rakuten to earn Amex Membership Rewards or BILT points if the numbers add up. For my personal trips, I switch gears and use Amex Platinum for flights and lounge access, Chase Sapphire Reserve for hotels and rental cars, and Amex Gold for everything else. I’m fluent in both the Amex and Chase worlds, so I’m constantly on the lookout for ways to make the most of my work travel, even with the corporate card restrictions.

Now, let’s talk strategy. Since I can’t cash in on credit-card points for work expenses, I’m considering booking flights through BILT to rack up BILT points along with airline miles and MQDs. Sure, using online travel agencies (OTAs) can complicate things when it comes to cancellations and changes, but I’m curious if the trade-off is worth it. I’m also eager to hear about any other sneaky tactics, programs, or partnerships you’ve used to supercharge your rewards game when your company holds onto those precious card points, especially for frequent domestic business travel.

So, there you have it — my travel-rewards hustle in a nutshell. It’s all about making the most of every trip, whether it’s for work or play. And hey, if you’ve got any tips or tricks up your sleeve for maximizing rewards in similar situations, I’m all ears. Let’s keep

Hey guys, I’m a fella from Peru, and I recently dipped my toes into the world of international trade by snagging iPhones from eBay in the US and flipping them in Latin America, mainly in my home turf. Surprisingly, that side hustle turned out to be a cash cow. I managed to rake in a sweet $3,000 USD in profit, which in my currency is around S/11,250 soles. The whole experience opened my eyes to the potential of global commerce, provided you’ve got a good handle on pricing, logistics, and market demand.

Now, I’m itching to level up my game. I’ve got big dreams of setting up a legit business in the US that would enable me to export Peruvian goodies like maca, cacao, and coffee, while also bringing in tech gadgets under more favorable tax and shipping terms. But here’s the kicker—I want to do it all above board, keeping my tax burden as low as legally possible by choosing the right business structure.

I’ve done my homework and found out that forming an LLC in states like Wyoming, Delaware, or Florida could be a smart move for international folks like me. However, I’m at a crossroads here. I can’t quite figure out which state offers the best tax perks and operational simplicity for a business focused on exports. So, here’s my burning question for you savvy entrepreneurs out there: What’s the optimal approach for a non-US resident looking to kickstart a small-scale import-export venture in America, ensuring tax efficiency and steering clear of pesky double taxation headaches between countries?

If any of you have nuggets of wisdom to share or personal anecdotes to enlighten me, I’d be forever grateful. Drop your insights below, and thanks a ton in advance for any guidance you can offer. Let’s make that international business dream a reality!

Alright, so here’s the deal: I’ve got this international trip planned for next week. I’m all set to fly out from the US, but with the government shutdown messing things up, it seems like the air travel scene might go downhill. They’re talking about more cancellations rather than just delays and even the possibility of certain airspaces being shut down by the DOT. I’m really hoping to make this trip happen because I’m due to visit a family member I haven’t seen in ages, and my PTO options are pretty limited.

I’ve already booked a flight with one airline to take me from the US to France. But to dodge any potential airport chaos caused by the shutdown, I’m thinking of taking a train up to Montreal and catching my flight from there instead. The thing is, I don’t want to jump the gun and cancel my original flight right away in case the government gets its act together soon. Plus, flying out from the US is way more convenient and budget-friendly than going through Montreal.

So, here’s my game plan: I’ll hold onto both bookings for now and make a call on which one to cancel closer to my departure date when I have a clearer picture of what’s going on with the shutdown. Luckily, both flights are refundable, so that gives me a bit of flexibility. But here’s the thing that’s been bugging me: since the airlines I’ve booked with are in different alliances (one’s in Oneworld, the other’s in Star Alliance) and they don’t share codes, I’m wondering if there’s a chance they might catch on to me having overlapping itineraries and automatically scrap my flights.

I want this trip to go off without a hitch, so I’m trying to cover all my bases here. Has anyone been in a similar situation or have any advice on how to handle this dilemma? I’m all ears and open to suggestions. Just hoping I can reunite with my family member without any last-minute surprises from the airlines!

So, I was checking out the new Osprey Farpoint backpacks, and it seems like they’ve made some changes. The 40 now has a more traditional top-loading laptop compartment, and they switched from polyester to a thinner nylon material to shave off some weight. The 55 is basically the 40 minus the laptop compartment, making it a bit lighter once you take out the daypack. I’m curious about how the laptop compartment on the 40 is working out for folks who have it. Are the materials durable, and are there any other features worth mentioning that the website might have missed? Let me know if you’ve got the scoop on these new bags!