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Solo Travel is... Freedom!
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What to Expect When You're Expecting... to TRAVEL!!

9/13/2015

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If you are a newbie to travel, or in the process of planning your first trip abroad, congratulations!!  You are about to have a great time, and possibly add perspective about the world in which we live!

Prior to the perspective you’ll gain from experiencing things first-hand, let me share with you some of the little things that may come as a surprise to you – things like cold water temps and perpetual heat...

“Sweat”, It Does a Body Good!
When looking for a hotel room in the United States, it is not common to confirm if the room has air conditioning, however, when searching for hotels, or other lodging outside of the US, particularly in a tropical region, you may need to confirm!  In most cases, it is available, but at a premium, so then the debate may be:  do I want to sweat it out, or, cut into my activity-fund for the air conditioning?

I opt for the air conditioning, when available, but when living long-term in Brazil, I didn’t have a choice but to be without AC – which, in the end, was not so problematic.  There were plenty of fans and windows to open.

Absent-AC-ism doesn’t only plague lodging situations – in public you may find that air conditioning is non-existent, like in city busses, taxis, or restaurants & bars, and other public places.  So depending on how long your stay is, and if you are in a tropical zone, you may sweat a lot – it’s okay, it’s good for the pores!

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Caribana Dreamin'

2/17/2015

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As Carnival season comes to an end, it makes me think and reminisce about Caribana!  (Recently renamed “Scotiabank Caribean Festival”) 

If you haven’t yet heard about this festival, it’s basically Carnival in the summertime, where you can experience the same competitions, events, and fetes, just further north…Way north, in Toronto, Canada!  
Understand now, why it’s in the summertime? :-) 

It’s a lot of fun.  I first heard about Caribana, years ago, when I befriended some people with Caribbean roots, namely Trinidad, which is where the creators of the of the festival hail from.  I was more intrigued when I heard Soca music (that stuff is great), and learned that this festival is dedicated to this type of music, and I could easily get to it…Excellent!  (At the time, passports were not needed to enter Canada)  Combine that with parading around with complete strangers, in revealing costumes, adorned with feathers & jewels, and you have yourself a good time!!

So while I knew about it, I still didn’t have access to it.  Then, something wonderful happened.  A girlfriend of a friend, had actually played mas, in the Caribana parade!  I said:  ”Dude, you gotta let me talk to her!  I need to know how I can sign up.  How this stuff works!”  So I talk to her, and she assures me that try-outs are not necessary, nor is learning a choreographed dance routine!  I laugh at that, now, but when you are observing the spectacle that is Caribana, as an outsider, with the big fancy costumes, and the seemingly synchronized dancing, it looks like there may be some requirements!  Steps need to be learned, you have to make the cut!
But, no.  The only requirement is money, and to pay it on time!


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Passports!  Get your passports!!

2/16/2015

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You can leave home without it, but not the country!
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Not going anywhere, anytime soon?  GREAT!!  Get your passport!  It’s your ticket to see the rest of the world.

The best time to get a passport is when you don’t need to go on a trip, so that when you do get ready to plan that trip abroad, you can rest easily knowing that the first obstacle for traveling abroad is already handled!

I’ve met several people for whom the barrier to taking their dream vacation is that they don’t have a passport.  If the one thing between you and your vacation is your passport, then get the passport!  Stop delaying!

Get it now, before you are in a mad-dash and paying extra fees, to expedite it for your trip in two weeks.  Avoid the stress, and added expense, and get it now, while you have “no plans”!  Also, should you need a visa to enter your dream country (like Brasil), getting your passport far in advance, could minimize the additional wallet strain that a visa may cause.  The financial requirement won't seem as bad.

Click the link below for information on applying for a U.S. passport.  This link has processing times, document requirements, and costs – all the information you need to prepare your application.  Go for it!

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/apply.html

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A Little PDA Never Hurt Nobody!

1/22/2015

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So the guys in Brazil, have the ability to make it pretty clear that they are attracted to you -- either with words or actions, or both.  There are situations where after a two-minute introductory conversation, the guy will cut right to the chase and just go in for the kiss.  Or, there are times where they will at least state that “they have the will” to kiss you, and you can either approve or refuse.  But not all kisses are meant to express a desire for just the physical – there are impromptu kisses that don't venture into the realm of “time to get some”.  Sometimes, a kiss was something to experience in that situation… And that's all!
Additionally, there seems to be a lack of inhibition when it comes to kissing or demonstrating affection.  I see it walking to the bus stop, at the bus stop, on the bus…Hmm, I’m noticing a pattern!  
I see it in restaurants of course, beaches, and pretty much anywhere people are, you can be sure that there is a couple enjoying each other’s company and exchanging saliva.
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    Veronica has traveled throughout North, Central & South Americas, and Europe, and shares those experiences here!

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Photo used under Creative Commons from Tall Chris