1 00:00:04,360 --> 00:00:15,280 Speaker 1: Ruby. 2 00:00:17,680 --> 00:00:20,040 Speaker 2: I love travel, I breathe travel, and I just thought 3 00:00:20,239 --> 00:00:22,040 Speaker 2: just such an eye opening thing, getting out of your 4 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:24,560 Speaker 2: bubble for the first time and sort of taking a 5 00:00:24,640 --> 00:00:28,320 Speaker 2: leap into the unknown, which was quite scary, but after that, yeah, 6 00:00:28,360 --> 00:00:30,960 Speaker 2: I didn't look back. And eleven years later, boom, here 7 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:31,440 Speaker 2: we are. 8 00:00:34,120 --> 00:00:36,640 Speaker 3: Welcome back to grown Up Stuff, the podcast where we 9 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:38,520 Speaker 3: figure out all the things you feel like you should 10 00:00:38,520 --> 00:00:41,520 Speaker 3: know by now but maybe don't, cause I know I don't. 11 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:43,320 Speaker 3: I'm Leah Palmery. 12 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:46,800 Speaker 4: And I'm Matt Stillo, and today we're talking about international travel, 13 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:49,440 Speaker 4: not just how to book flights or pack a carry on, 14 00:00:49,520 --> 00:00:54,160 Speaker 4: but the big things. People were talking visas, vaccines, and 15 00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:57,280 Speaker 4: travelers insurance. I call them the three v's. 16 00:00:57,760 --> 00:01:01,040 Speaker 3: Our guest today is Jordan Twali, travel Creator, And the 17 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:03,400 Speaker 3: cool thing about this conversation is that it's not just 18 00:01:03,760 --> 00:01:07,280 Speaker 3: look at this amazing place, it's practical, like how do 19 00:01:07,319 --> 00:01:10,600 Speaker 3: you actually afford this? How do you stay safe? And 20 00:01:10,880 --> 00:01:14,120 Speaker 3: what do you do when things go wrong? And why 21 00:01:14,160 --> 00:01:17,520 Speaker 3: the best travel experiences usually happen when your plans just 22 00:01:17,640 --> 00:01:18,600 Speaker 3: completely fall. 23 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:21,759 Speaker 4: Apart, which is how most of my vacations already work. 24 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:25,240 Speaker 3: Oh my gosh, So Matt, maybe you are already crushing it. 25 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:27,880 Speaker 3: Have you traveled a lot internationally? 26 00:01:28,360 --> 00:01:30,760 Speaker 4: Yes, but only because I have. I call her my 27 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:34,839 Speaker 4: international wife of mystery. My wife is Ukrainian and she's 28 00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:38,120 Speaker 4: worked for companies all over Europe. So I've been business 29 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:42,560 Speaker 4: arm candy on several trips. We've been to Croatia and 30 00:01:42,840 --> 00:01:47,800 Speaker 4: Sweden and Norway and the UK and France and anyway. 31 00:01:47,840 --> 00:01:51,080 Speaker 4: So yes, I'm shepherded around Europe by my wife. 32 00:01:51,080 --> 00:01:54,040 Speaker 3: What about you, I would say, not shepherd it, but 33 00:01:54,200 --> 00:01:56,960 Speaker 3: been to a handful of those places as well. But 34 00:01:57,120 --> 00:01:59,560 Speaker 3: you know, I think our guest Jordan might have us 35 00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:00,800 Speaker 3: be let's take a listen. 36 00:02:02,440 --> 00:02:12,720 Speaker 2: Well, I've been to one hundred and two countries. 37 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:13,360 Speaker 3: Wow. 38 00:02:13,520 --> 00:02:17,120 Speaker 2: I averaged around nine new countries a year for the 39 00:02:17,240 --> 00:02:19,920 Speaker 2: last eleven years. I think I've done some of my 40 00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:22,320 Speaker 2: favorite countries ten plus times. 41 00:02:22,720 --> 00:02:26,040 Speaker 3: So we're definitely talking to the right person. Up until recently, 42 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:30,079 Speaker 3: you had zero permanent residents. What does that mean? How 43 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:31,960 Speaker 3: do you do that? And where do you get your mail? 44 00:02:32,520 --> 00:02:35,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's so crazy. I made the decision to move 45 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:38,399 Speaker 2: to New York last week after eleven years, four thousand 46 00:02:38,720 --> 00:02:42,520 Speaker 2: and twenty seven consecutive days, so I broke that four 47 00:02:42,520 --> 00:02:45,360 Speaker 2: thousand mark, and I was like, you know what, I 48 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:51,080 Speaker 2: think it's time. Basically, you don't really get mail. You 49 00:02:51,320 --> 00:02:53,959 Speaker 2: live a bit a simple life. Sometimes when it came 50 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:56,760 Speaker 2: to like some things you do need mail, that would 51 00:02:56,760 --> 00:03:00,400 Speaker 2: try and time it with hotels. Otherwise you just got 52 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:02,960 Speaker 2: to rely on friends that you meet around the world, 53 00:03:03,040 --> 00:03:04,920 Speaker 2: and then you've got to dip in and see your 54 00:03:04,960 --> 00:03:06,680 Speaker 2: friends and pick up stuff as you go. 55 00:03:07,480 --> 00:03:09,960 Speaker 3: What in your mind really separates a tourist from a 56 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:10,880 Speaker 3: great traveler? 57 00:03:11,480 --> 00:03:16,919 Speaker 2: Ooh, the tourists versus traveler conversation. Well, I lean into 58 00:03:16,960 --> 00:03:20,560 Speaker 2: the fact that we're all tourists. Some people they like 59 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 2: to be like, I'm not a tourist, I'm a traveler. 60 00:03:23,880 --> 00:03:27,280 Speaker 2: Guess what if you're not from there, you're a tourist. Yep. 61 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:31,440 Speaker 2: Now I would like to define someone that travels is 62 00:03:31,720 --> 00:03:38,520 Speaker 2: more inclined and open to the culture, the language, the people. 63 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:42,360 Speaker 2: Where a tourist, you're allowed to be a tourist, Becau's 64 00:03:42,360 --> 00:03:44,600 Speaker 2: nothing wrong with that, but it leans into more of 65 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:46,840 Speaker 2: a vacation vibe. For me. 66 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:49,880 Speaker 4: And if we are first time travelers that are want 67 00:03:49,880 --> 00:03:53,640 Speaker 4: to be intentional about experiencing the culture and the locals 68 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:56,480 Speaker 4: and the people, what are some of the biggest cultural 69 00:03:56,560 --> 00:04:00,840 Speaker 4: missteps Americans tend to make, or Westerner tend to make abroad. 70 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:04,480 Speaker 2: Oh there's so many. But if you are trying to, 71 00:04:05,120 --> 00:04:09,720 Speaker 2: I guess bring your culture into that world, that is 72 00:04:09,800 --> 00:04:12,200 Speaker 2: when I feel like it robs people the wrong way. 73 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:17,719 Speaker 2: So yeah, yes, And Australians are very loud when we drink, 74 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:20,000 Speaker 2: we get very loud and a little out again, it's 75 00:04:20,040 --> 00:04:21,000 Speaker 2: a little ob noxious. 76 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:22,400 Speaker 3: Sounds like Americans. 77 00:04:22,880 --> 00:04:25,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, We're similar to that. So I've definitely been over 78 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:30,320 Speaker 2: says with people and been like, oh no, like shu, 79 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:37,000 Speaker 2: shush please shoush. 80 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:39,359 Speaker 3: I got a fun fact for you, Matt. Only about 81 00:04:39,400 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 3: half of Americans have a valid passport. That's about one 82 00:04:42,640 --> 00:04:44,120 Speaker 3: hundred and seventy million people. 83 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:46,000 Speaker 4: That is not a fun fact. 84 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:47,440 Speaker 2: That is a sad face fact. 85 00:04:49,960 --> 00:04:53,119 Speaker 4: So I'm assuming you're a passport pro at this point 86 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:55,040 Speaker 4: you've never had any issues to your passport. But I'm 87 00:04:55,040 --> 00:04:57,280 Speaker 4: sure in your travels and you've traveled with a lot 88 00:04:57,320 --> 00:05:00,600 Speaker 4: of different people that you've come across some passport issues 89 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:03,600 Speaker 4: people have coming and going from different countries. What are 90 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:05,840 Speaker 4: some of the common mistakes that you see that can 91 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:07,119 Speaker 4: really derail a trip. 92 00:05:07,600 --> 00:05:10,520 Speaker 2: Well, the first thing is everyone, especially if you have 93 00:05:10,560 --> 00:05:14,160 Speaker 2: a powerful passport from like a place like a western country, 94 00:05:14,279 --> 00:05:19,200 Speaker 2: like anywhere in Europe or Australia America, you naturally lean 95 00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:23,839 Speaker 2: on the convenience of, oh, yeah, they'll let me in 96 00:05:24,040 --> 00:05:26,760 Speaker 2: because I've got a strong passport, where that may not 97 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:31,320 Speaker 2: always be the case. So you definitely should always make 98 00:05:31,360 --> 00:05:34,680 Speaker 2: sure that you have the visa or you don't need 99 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:37,679 Speaker 2: to apply for a visa before going to a country. 100 00:05:38,120 --> 00:05:41,400 Speaker 2: There was a couple times where, like in Chile a 101 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:45,239 Speaker 2: couple of years ago, because Australia would charge chilean's coming 102 00:05:45,279 --> 00:05:49,679 Speaker 2: to Australia two hundred and fifty dollars US. When you land, 103 00:05:49,800 --> 00:05:51,840 Speaker 2: you pay that much money just to get your visa, 104 00:05:51,880 --> 00:05:55,120 Speaker 2: which is honestly a really expensive visa. So Chile, I 105 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:57,080 Speaker 2: think they decided, well, if you're going to do that 106 00:05:57,120 --> 00:05:59,080 Speaker 2: to our citizens, where we're going to do that to yours, 107 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:02,360 Speaker 2: to make it like a lengthy process that you need 108 00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:05,159 Speaker 2: to apply like weeks in advance. So there was a 109 00:06:05,160 --> 00:06:07,840 Speaker 2: few times like that where I just thought I'll just 110 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:10,320 Speaker 2: go there, Like I can go to Argentina, that's fine. 111 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:13,000 Speaker 2: I've been to Brazil, I've been to Peru, say, all 112 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 2: those places are just like visa on entry and then 113 00:06:15,560 --> 00:06:17,279 Speaker 2: you go to Chile and they're like, well, no, you 114 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:19,360 Speaker 2: need a visa here you're Australian. And then I look 115 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:21,120 Speaker 2: it up and it's like, yeah, you need a visa. 116 00:06:21,400 --> 00:06:23,760 Speaker 2: You got to pay two hundred and fifty dollars all 117 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:25,919 Speaker 2: this stuff. Don't assume your privilege. 118 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:29,279 Speaker 4: I guess it's so funny that you mentioned that, because 119 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:31,880 Speaker 4: you know, I never really thought about how lucky we 120 00:06:31,960 --> 00:06:35,120 Speaker 4: are as Americans when it comes to traveling until I 121 00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:38,160 Speaker 4: met my wife. She's Ukrainian, and watching her go through 122 00:06:38,160 --> 00:06:40,800 Speaker 4: the visa process for trips i'd take for granted, it 123 00:06:40,839 --> 00:06:44,000 Speaker 4: completely changed how I see this. I mean, Americans in 124 00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:47,640 Speaker 4: general can just show up at the airport, flash our passports, 125 00:06:47,640 --> 00:06:50,200 Speaker 4: maybe fill out a quick form online and that's it. 126 00:06:50,279 --> 00:06:54,480 Speaker 4: But for her, even just visiting the UK means applying 127 00:06:54,520 --> 00:06:57,520 Speaker 4: months in advance, paying real money, like it was something 128 00:06:57,560 --> 00:07:00,719 Speaker 4: like five hundred dollars for a few months visa for 129 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:04,680 Speaker 4: the UK, getting fingerprinted, photographed for biometrics, and then just 130 00:07:04,720 --> 00:07:09,280 Speaker 4: waiting and hoping she gets approved. It's just a wild difference, 131 00:07:09,440 --> 00:07:12,440 Speaker 4: and one I wish more Americans took advantage of. 132 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:18,360 Speaker 3: It's always a good idea to check entry and exit 133 00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:21,840 Speaker 3: visa requirements before booking hotels and flights. You can search 134 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:25,400 Speaker 3: for the official immigration or consular website of your destination country. 135 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:28,360 Speaker 3: US citizens can use the US Department of State to 136 00:07:28,440 --> 00:07:33,160 Speaker 3: enter specific destinations and find entry, exit and visa requirements. 137 00:07:33,560 --> 00:07:36,520 Speaker 3: There are global travel databases like travel doc or Visa 138 00:07:36,680 --> 00:07:38,640 Speaker 3: HQ that you can use to look up the info too. 139 00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:42,560 Speaker 4: One more note about passports. Many countries require your passports 140 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:45,720 Speaker 4: remain valid for at least six months beyond your planned 141 00:07:45,760 --> 00:07:49,200 Speaker 4: departure day, and while some destinations only require three months 142 00:07:49,280 --> 00:07:51,200 Speaker 4: or simply that your passport is valid for the duration 143 00:07:51,280 --> 00:07:54,760 Speaker 4: of your day, always check those requirements way ahead of time. 144 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:01,440 Speaker 2: We have West and Strong possible, so it's very easy. 145 00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:04,640 Speaker 2: And yeah we're very lucky compared to a lot of others, 146 00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:07,480 Speaker 2: but you just never know. Everyone's set up is different. 147 00:08:08,440 --> 00:08:09,280 Speaker 2: So I want to. 148 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:12,280 Speaker 4: Talk about the Shangan Area, which is a group of 149 00:08:12,360 --> 00:08:15,400 Speaker 4: twenty nine countries in Europe that operate as a one 150 00:08:15,600 --> 00:08:19,120 Speaker 4: visa zone, meaning once you enter, your free to move 151 00:08:19,120 --> 00:08:22,040 Speaker 4: about the zone without showing your passport when you cross 152 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:25,120 Speaker 4: member country borders. Now, back in the day, this is 153 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:27,600 Speaker 4: a little less strict and So a few years ago, 154 00:08:27,680 --> 00:08:30,800 Speaker 4: on some outdated advice from her professor, my friend was 155 00:08:30,960 --> 00:08:34,840 Speaker 4: fined and banned from the Shangan area for two years 156 00:08:34,840 --> 00:08:37,720 Speaker 4: for overstaying her visa, even though she thought she was 157 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:41,000 Speaker 4: renewing her visa every time she entered in and out 158 00:08:41,000 --> 00:08:41,520 Speaker 4: of the zone. 159 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:44,440 Speaker 3: Oh my gosh, explain that a little bit more matt Yeah. 160 00:08:44,480 --> 00:08:48,160 Speaker 4: So, upon entry a standard short stay Shangan visa grants 161 00:08:48,160 --> 00:08:51,000 Speaker 4: access to the entire zone, but there are still rules 162 00:08:51,000 --> 00:08:54,319 Speaker 4: you have to follow. It's not just wide open, that's true. 163 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:57,120 Speaker 4: The Shangan era is so funny because you're allowed ninety 164 00:08:57,200 --> 00:09:00,160 Speaker 4: days within one hundred and eighty day rolling period, which 165 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:04,280 Speaker 4: is already a concept that it's hard to understand. So 166 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:07,000 Speaker 4: I have had to manage my days in parts of 167 00:09:07,040 --> 00:09:09,280 Speaker 4: the Shangan and then be like, oh, now i'll go 168 00:09:09,360 --> 00:09:12,400 Speaker 4: over to Like Ukraine is not part of Shangan, so 169 00:09:12,480 --> 00:09:14,360 Speaker 4: then they can go to Ukraine and hang out for 170 00:09:14,800 --> 00:09:16,640 Speaker 4: this much time before I have to go back in. 171 00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:19,920 Speaker 4: But one time I flew into Rome and then I 172 00:09:19,960 --> 00:09:24,040 Speaker 4: flew out of a Scanninnavian country up north, and in Rome, 173 00:09:24,240 --> 00:09:27,079 Speaker 4: the guy was so lazy he didn't give me a stamp. 174 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:30,400 Speaker 4: So then when I left, I left out of I 175 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:33,160 Speaker 4: think it was like Denmark. They were like, well, where's 176 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:36,000 Speaker 4: your entry stamp? And I was like, I don't know, 177 00:09:36,240 --> 00:09:38,920 Speaker 4: what do you mean? And it's like, where did you 178 00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:41,240 Speaker 4: enter because you need a stamp and I was like, 179 00:09:41,800 --> 00:09:45,240 Speaker 4: I ended in Rome and then they're like, oh yeah, 180 00:09:45,679 --> 00:09:49,520 Speaker 4: they're super relaxed and annoying and they don't do it 181 00:09:49,559 --> 00:09:52,800 Speaker 4: down there. So if you're ever in doubt, just pretend 182 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:56,120 Speaker 4: and tell people that you came in through Italy or 183 00:09:56,160 --> 00:09:59,600 Speaker 4: somewhere they say that the further south in Europe you 184 00:09:59,640 --> 00:10:03,920 Speaker 4: are relaxed they are, so, you know, just take that 185 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:10,040 Speaker 4: into consideration to know. Okay, So let's break down with 186 00:10:10,160 --> 00:10:13,319 Speaker 4: Jordan's actually describing, because it gets at something really important 187 00:10:13,760 --> 00:10:16,560 Speaker 4: that ninety days within the last one hundred and eighty 188 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:20,080 Speaker 4: days rule. It's not a reset every six months, it's 189 00:10:20,120 --> 00:10:24,160 Speaker 4: a rolling window, meaning every single day you look back 190 00:10:24,200 --> 00:10:26,800 Speaker 4: at the last one hundred and eighty days and count 191 00:10:26,840 --> 00:10:30,480 Speaker 4: how many you spent inside the Shangan area. So going 192 00:10:30,520 --> 00:10:33,280 Speaker 4: to Ukraine or the UK for a week doesn't wipe 193 00:10:33,320 --> 00:10:36,760 Speaker 4: the slate. Those Shangan days are still on the books. 194 00:10:37,320 --> 00:10:40,640 Speaker 4: And Jordan's Italy stamp trick, well, that worked because the 195 00:10:40,679 --> 00:10:44,240 Speaker 4: whole system ran on passport stamps, which were easy to 196 00:10:44,320 --> 00:10:48,439 Speaker 4: miss or just not apply apparently, but as of April 197 00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:52,760 Speaker 4: twenty twenty six, that's completely over. The EU's new entry 198 00:10:52,800 --> 00:10:58,000 Speaker 4: exit system registers every crossing digitally, tied to your biometrics, 199 00:10:58,160 --> 00:11:01,040 Speaker 4: not your passport, and look, the Shanan area is a 200 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:04,880 Speaker 4: bizarre little beast, but it really pays to triple check 201 00:11:04,920 --> 00:11:07,960 Speaker 4: your visa requirements based on where you're coming from and 202 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:11,520 Speaker 4: where you're passing through, because country B on your itinerary 203 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:15,000 Speaker 4: can catch you just as off guard as your final destination. 204 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:21,040 Speaker 3: One other aspect too about traveling is vaccines. So what 205 00:11:21,280 --> 00:11:23,360 Speaker 3: can you tell us about the process for checking if 206 00:11:23,400 --> 00:11:25,600 Speaker 3: you need a vaccine for a trip? How far in 207 00:11:25,720 --> 00:11:28,080 Speaker 3: advance do you need to be aware of this and 208 00:11:28,160 --> 00:11:30,400 Speaker 3: getting those? What's that process been. 209 00:11:30,280 --> 00:11:33,200 Speaker 2: Like for you for anywhere? Saying as like a common 210 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:37,800 Speaker 2: travel area, you probably won't need a vaccine, But if 211 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:39,880 Speaker 2: you decide to get a little bit more adventurous and 212 00:11:39,920 --> 00:11:44,000 Speaker 2: go to a country like Tanzania, then it starts to 213 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:46,480 Speaker 2: get a little will I need yellow FEVA? Will I 214 00:11:46,520 --> 00:11:49,559 Speaker 2: not need yellow FEVA? And I don't actually think you do, 215 00:11:49,679 --> 00:11:54,120 Speaker 2: but online it's very confusing people having different experiences obviously, 216 00:11:54,720 --> 00:11:58,080 Speaker 2: so it's always better just to get those certain vaccines 217 00:11:58,080 --> 00:12:00,679 Speaker 2: if you go to those countries, And I would say 218 00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:03,440 Speaker 2: do it a couple weeks before, because you don't know 219 00:12:03,640 --> 00:12:06,560 Speaker 2: how your body will react. What I found in travel 220 00:12:06,679 --> 00:12:08,920 Speaker 2: is like where there's a will, there's a way, So 221 00:12:09,040 --> 00:12:12,400 Speaker 2: even if you have very limited amount of time, somehow 222 00:12:12,800 --> 00:12:14,600 Speaker 2: you can get it done usually Okay. 223 00:12:18,840 --> 00:12:22,920 Speaker 4: To find exact vaccine requirements and recommendations for your destination, 224 00:12:23,320 --> 00:12:26,960 Speaker 4: use the CDC Traveler's Health Destination Tool, or check the 225 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:30,079 Speaker 4: official government travel site for the country you're visiting. Also, 226 00:12:30,320 --> 00:12:34,120 Speaker 4: plan ahead a little. Some vaccines require multiple doses spread 227 00:12:34,120 --> 00:12:38,760 Speaker 4: out over several weeks. Okay, I want to move on 228 00:12:38,880 --> 00:12:41,240 Speaker 4: to something else. I think is really important that people 229 00:12:41,360 --> 00:12:43,319 Speaker 4: often they forget about or they don't know about your 230 00:12:43,320 --> 00:12:46,440 Speaker 4: international phone plan. So what are some things that you 231 00:12:46,480 --> 00:12:49,120 Speaker 4: recommend people do before they hop on a plane overseas. 232 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:51,760 Speaker 2: The main thing there is you just want to make 233 00:12:51,760 --> 00:12:55,120 Speaker 2: sure you're connect it to the internet. That is really 234 00:12:55,600 --> 00:12:59,079 Speaker 2: what you need. You don't really need your mobile phone 235 00:12:59,240 --> 00:13:04,000 Speaker 2: number to be connected overseas, but internet is so vital 236 00:13:04,160 --> 00:13:06,920 Speaker 2: to how we travel or how we do anything these days, 237 00:13:06,960 --> 00:13:11,520 Speaker 2: so you should definitely download an eSIM. Maybe it costs 238 00:13:11,520 --> 00:13:14,040 Speaker 2: you ten thin dollars and you just know when you 239 00:13:14,080 --> 00:13:16,000 Speaker 2: turn your phone off aeroplane mode when you get to 240 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:19,439 Speaker 2: that country, it's going to connect. Now, if you're traveling 241 00:13:20,040 --> 00:13:24,560 Speaker 2: longer term and you don't really know where or you 242 00:13:24,640 --> 00:13:27,679 Speaker 2: want to have that unknown, you can get a SIM 243 00:13:27,679 --> 00:13:31,079 Speaker 2: that has more global coverage. So the one I actually 244 00:13:31,160 --> 00:13:34,160 Speaker 2: used is called Pangaea, and it covered me in over 245 00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:38,520 Speaker 2: one hundred countries for thirty dollars a month. So I 246 00:13:38,600 --> 00:13:41,120 Speaker 2: was like, yeah, thirty dollars a month, just like a 247 00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:44,360 Speaker 2: normal phone bill, and I knew that in all of 248 00:13:44,400 --> 00:13:46,480 Speaker 2: the common countries that I would be traveling, I could 249 00:13:46,480 --> 00:13:49,560 Speaker 2: be covered, So it was really convenient. But there's many 250 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:51,800 Speaker 2: options of aesims out there. Yeah, I mean I was 251 00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:52,640 Speaker 2: traveling around Europe. 252 00:13:52,679 --> 00:13:55,040 Speaker 4: I did a regional SIM carriage and so I got 253 00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:56,880 Speaker 4: one for just Europe and it covered me for like 254 00:13:56,960 --> 00:13:58,680 Speaker 4: five or six countries that I was traveling through on 255 00:13:58,679 --> 00:13:59,120 Speaker 4: that trip. 256 00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:00,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, options available. 257 00:14:03,080 --> 00:14:06,800 Speaker 3: And eSIM is a digital simcard built directly into your phone. 258 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:09,880 Speaker 3: It allows you to connect to local mobile networks abroad 259 00:14:09,960 --> 00:14:12,360 Speaker 3: without swapping physical cards. You know how you would need 260 00:14:12,440 --> 00:14:14,280 Speaker 3: like a paper clip to get that little guy out. 261 00:14:14,600 --> 00:14:17,800 Speaker 3: No more of that. It's much cheaper than traditional roaming plans, 262 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:22,080 Speaker 3: instantly ready upon landing, and highly convenient to purchase and 263 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:25,480 Speaker 3: activate online. Just make sure that your smartphone is unlocked 264 00:14:25,480 --> 00:14:28,960 Speaker 3: and supports eSIM technology before you buy a plan. Most 265 00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:30,120 Speaker 3: newer smartphones do. 266 00:14:32,520 --> 00:14:34,280 Speaker 4: One thing that I think about a lot, just because 267 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:37,880 Speaker 4: I'm a big Google Map person, is things to download 268 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:41,360 Speaker 4: offline before you come to Like, let's assume that you're 269 00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:43,280 Speaker 4: going to have a period of time. Maybe you want 270 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:45,320 Speaker 4: to figure out your eSIM when you get there. A 271 00:14:45,320 --> 00:14:47,080 Speaker 4: lot of airports have Wi Fi and you can kind 272 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:48,720 Speaker 4: of do it there, but you want to be able 273 00:14:48,760 --> 00:14:50,920 Speaker 4: to get to where you're going as soon as you land. 274 00:14:50,960 --> 00:14:53,880 Speaker 4: I like to download offline maps. Are there any sort 275 00:14:53,920 --> 00:14:57,080 Speaker 4: of offline materials that you recommend people downloading just as 276 00:14:57,120 --> 00:14:58,760 Speaker 4: a reference that they have when they land. 277 00:14:59,520 --> 00:15:01,920 Speaker 2: I mean it. It really does depend again into the country, 278 00:15:01,920 --> 00:15:06,840 Speaker 2: but I would make sure you check. Not every country 279 00:15:06,880 --> 00:15:10,400 Speaker 2: has Uber to say or lift. In Asia it's called Grab. 280 00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:13,920 Speaker 2: There's just different ride share apps depending on the country. 281 00:15:14,040 --> 00:15:17,880 Speaker 2: In Eastern Europe it's both exactly bolt, So just make 282 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:20,720 Speaker 2: sure you do the research on what ride share apps 283 00:15:21,160 --> 00:15:24,600 Speaker 2: they use in that country. Google Maps Downloading Google Maps 284 00:15:24,680 --> 00:15:27,720 Speaker 2: is like, well, one, I just love scrolling maps, so 285 00:15:27,880 --> 00:15:31,520 Speaker 2: having them downloaded it offline is just fun. So there's 286 00:15:31,560 --> 00:15:34,280 Speaker 2: getting to a place, and then there's getting around a place, 287 00:15:34,360 --> 00:15:37,200 Speaker 2: which sounds simple until you're standing in the middle of 288 00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:39,960 Speaker 2: a train station with fourteen tabs open and no idea 289 00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:43,360 Speaker 2: what platform you're supposed to be on. Public transit is 290 00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:47,920 Speaker 2: usually the cheapest option in big cities, subways, buses, trams, 291 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:50,440 Speaker 2: and once you figure it all out, you kind of 292 00:15:50,440 --> 00:15:53,840 Speaker 2: feel like a local ride. Shares and taxis are obviously easier, 293 00:15:53,920 --> 00:15:56,480 Speaker 2: especially after a long flight or when you're carrying luggage, 294 00:15:56,520 --> 00:15:59,240 Speaker 2: and depending on where you are, apps like uber Grab 295 00:15:59,360 --> 00:16:02,360 Speaker 2: or bolt can simplify things for you. Rental cars are 296 00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:05,160 Speaker 2: great if you're doing more rural travel or a road trip, 297 00:16:05,200 --> 00:16:08,440 Speaker 2: because you get total flexibility, but then you also inherit 298 00:16:08,480 --> 00:16:11,600 Speaker 2: the stress of parking tolls and trying to decipher traffic 299 00:16:11,640 --> 00:16:15,120 Speaker 2: signs in another language. That's always fun. Trains are honestly 300 00:16:15,200 --> 00:16:16,960 Speaker 2: one of the best parts of traveling in a lot 301 00:16:16,960 --> 00:16:19,960 Speaker 2: of places, especially in Europe or parts of Asia, because 302 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:22,680 Speaker 2: you can move between big cities without dealing with airports, 303 00:16:23,280 --> 00:16:27,160 Speaker 2: and then there's always walking or biking, which sounds obvious, 304 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:29,840 Speaker 2: but it's usually the best way to experience a place, 305 00:16:29,960 --> 00:16:32,200 Speaker 2: and you can cover way more ground on a bike 306 00:16:32,320 --> 00:16:34,520 Speaker 2: than on your feet, and you notice a lot more 307 00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:37,200 Speaker 2: when you're not underground on a subway or staring at 308 00:16:37,200 --> 00:16:39,040 Speaker 2: GPS directions from the backseat of a car. 309 00:16:41,440 --> 00:16:43,200 Speaker 3: We'll be right back after a quick. 310 00:16:42,960 --> 00:16:53,880 Speaker 4: Break, and we're back with more grown up stuff. How 311 00:16:53,880 --> 00:16:55,120 Speaker 4: do adult. 312 00:16:56,800 --> 00:16:59,040 Speaker 3: Let's talk a little bit about money too, because I 313 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:00,960 Speaker 3: know this is a thing well think about or maybe 314 00:17:01,040 --> 00:17:04,080 Speaker 3: don't think about and should what's your strategy for managing 315 00:17:04,160 --> 00:17:06,639 Speaker 3: money abroad? Are you relying only on credit cards? Are 316 00:17:06,680 --> 00:17:09,040 Speaker 3: you always having a little bit of the cash that's 317 00:17:09,520 --> 00:17:11,480 Speaker 3: native to the place where you are? How are you 318 00:17:11,800 --> 00:17:12,399 Speaker 3: approaching that? 319 00:17:13,080 --> 00:17:15,760 Speaker 2: Well, this is actually very interesting because I got my 320 00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:17,439 Speaker 2: first credit card last week. 321 00:17:17,920 --> 00:17:19,159 Speaker 3: Wow, congrats. 322 00:17:19,320 --> 00:17:23,080 Speaker 2: I use a debit card for eleven years, so maybe 323 00:17:23,200 --> 00:17:27,359 Speaker 2: that's not the smartest, but I actually find a lot 324 00:17:27,440 --> 00:17:30,040 Speaker 2: of the credit cards that in Australia especially, they have 325 00:17:30,119 --> 00:17:34,080 Speaker 2: that sneaky three percent charge on any overseas transaction, and 326 00:17:34,119 --> 00:17:36,560 Speaker 2: that's something you got to look at for because if 327 00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:39,359 Speaker 2: you're spending one hundred dollars every time you spend one 328 00:17:39,400 --> 00:17:41,639 Speaker 2: hundred dollars overseas, your credit card's going to charge you 329 00:17:41,720 --> 00:17:46,560 Speaker 2: three dollars on that, So I decided to get It's 330 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:51,800 Speaker 2: like a universal travel card. WYSE or Revolute are the 331 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:55,520 Speaker 2: two main ones that people use, And what I love 332 00:17:55,560 --> 00:17:57,680 Speaker 2: about it is that you just got to make sure 333 00:17:57,720 --> 00:18:02,680 Speaker 2: the card has good competitive exchange rates and no hidden fees. 334 00:18:03,280 --> 00:18:04,440 Speaker 2: Those are the two things. 335 00:18:04,720 --> 00:18:07,800 Speaker 3: And do you have a little bit of cash on 336 00:18:07,840 --> 00:18:10,760 Speaker 3: you too for each place, just in case you stumble 337 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:13,840 Speaker 3: in somewhere that does not accept credit cards, even in 338 00:18:13,840 --> 00:18:14,960 Speaker 3: the year twenty twenty. 339 00:18:14,680 --> 00:18:18,040 Speaker 2: Six, Yes, definitely, definitely okay, And. 340 00:18:17,960 --> 00:18:20,359 Speaker 3: Where are you getting that cash? Because I know, like 341 00:18:20,480 --> 00:18:22,919 Speaker 3: the rule is like, do not be exchanging money at 342 00:18:22,920 --> 00:18:24,919 Speaker 3: the airport because they're going to really charge you. So 343 00:18:24,960 --> 00:18:25,760 Speaker 3: how are you doing that? 344 00:18:26,240 --> 00:18:28,640 Speaker 2: I would do it in the main city at an ATM, 345 00:18:28,760 --> 00:18:32,000 Speaker 2: so okay, yeah, just like a common ATM within the city. 346 00:18:32,520 --> 00:18:35,560 Speaker 2: And I would try and limit the amount of times 347 00:18:35,640 --> 00:18:38,560 Speaker 2: use the atm. So if you are thinking, you know what, 348 00:18:39,160 --> 00:18:42,040 Speaker 2: I need about five hundred bucks for this week, get 349 00:18:42,080 --> 00:18:44,560 Speaker 2: the five hundred dollars out and keep that cash with you. 350 00:18:44,600 --> 00:18:46,359 Speaker 2: Don't go in and be like I'll get one hundred 351 00:18:46,359 --> 00:18:49,000 Speaker 2: dollars out now, one hundred dollars out later, because they're 352 00:18:49,040 --> 00:18:51,679 Speaker 2: going to charge you every single time you convert and 353 00:18:51,760 --> 00:18:55,480 Speaker 2: every single time you actually use the ATM, and then 354 00:18:55,560 --> 00:18:58,199 Speaker 2: on top of that, the ATM will present you with 355 00:18:58,280 --> 00:19:01,040 Speaker 2: this nice thing saying, oh, do you want to charge 356 00:19:01,040 --> 00:19:02,800 Speaker 2: you in euros or do you want to charge you 357 00:19:02,800 --> 00:19:07,520 Speaker 2: in usd Always choose your native currency because they are 358 00:19:07,560 --> 00:19:11,280 Speaker 2: basically asking do you want to agree to your bank 359 00:19:11,359 --> 00:19:14,080 Speaker 2: exchange rate or our exchange rate. 360 00:19:15,560 --> 00:19:18,160 Speaker 3: If you're traveling abroad and the credit card machine suddenly 361 00:19:18,200 --> 00:19:21,200 Speaker 3: asks do you want to pay in US dollars, it 362 00:19:21,240 --> 00:19:23,960 Speaker 3: feels like they're doing you a favor, like, oh, great, math, 363 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:28,439 Speaker 3: I mostly understand, but apparently that's the trap. The smarter 364 00:19:28,600 --> 00:19:31,600 Speaker 3: move is almost always to pay in the local currency. 365 00:19:31,920 --> 00:19:34,480 Speaker 3: Same thing at ATMs. If it asks you whether you 366 00:19:34,520 --> 00:19:37,760 Speaker 3: want the conversion done right there, hit no, because when 367 00:19:37,800 --> 00:19:40,480 Speaker 3: the store or ATM converts it for you, they usually 368 00:19:40,520 --> 00:19:44,840 Speaker 3: tack on a pretty terrible exchange rate and extra fees. Basically, 369 00:19:44,960 --> 00:19:47,320 Speaker 3: you want your bank or credit card company handling the 370 00:19:47,359 --> 00:19:51,160 Speaker 3: conversion instead, because they'll usually give you a much better rate, 371 00:19:51,560 --> 00:19:53,920 Speaker 3: and if you can use a card with no foreign 372 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:57,399 Speaker 3: transaction fees. That's kind of the gold standard for travel. 373 00:19:57,960 --> 00:20:00,560 Speaker 3: So the easy rule to remember is wh and abroad, 374 00:20:00,680 --> 00:20:03,560 Speaker 3: always choose the local currency, even if seeing the total 375 00:20:03,560 --> 00:20:06,600 Speaker 3: in dollars feels emotionally comforting in the moment. 376 00:20:08,320 --> 00:20:11,639 Speaker 2: I always have some cash. Cash is king Like a 377 00:20:11,640 --> 00:20:14,640 Speaker 2: lot of people going to Japan recently and everyone says, 378 00:20:14,720 --> 00:20:18,000 Speaker 2: Japan is this really futuristic country, And in some aspects 379 00:20:18,040 --> 00:20:23,040 Speaker 2: that could be true, yes, but Japan uses so much cash, 380 00:20:23,400 --> 00:20:26,800 Speaker 2: like outside of Tokyo. Even within Tokyo, there will be 381 00:20:26,880 --> 00:20:29,680 Speaker 2: so many limited places where you can actually use a card. 382 00:20:30,480 --> 00:20:34,879 Speaker 3: Get your ends together. Now, when I'm looking into booking 383 00:20:34,880 --> 00:20:37,840 Speaker 3: a place, I always come to that place on the 384 00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:40,680 Speaker 3: website where it says do you want to add travel insurance? 385 00:20:41,119 --> 00:20:44,199 Speaker 3: And I'm usually like no, I'll take my chances. But 386 00:20:44,440 --> 00:20:46,119 Speaker 3: as I've gotten older, people will say to me like, 387 00:20:46,400 --> 00:20:49,159 Speaker 3: do you have insurance? And I'm like, no, Jordan, I 388 00:20:49,160 --> 00:20:51,240 Speaker 3: want to know where you stand on travel insurance, Which 389 00:20:51,240 --> 00:20:53,800 Speaker 3: ones actually matter, which ones are a waste of money. 390 00:20:54,119 --> 00:20:55,320 Speaker 3: What's your perspective on that? 391 00:20:55,960 --> 00:21:00,399 Speaker 2: Well, I obviously traveled like full time, so I felt 392 00:21:00,400 --> 00:21:03,840 Speaker 2: the need to be fully insured. Otherwise, you know you 393 00:21:03,880 --> 00:21:06,520 Speaker 2: don't want to be caught off guard. I actually meet 394 00:21:06,560 --> 00:21:08,200 Speaker 2: people all the time that don't have travel insurance, and 395 00:21:08,280 --> 00:21:10,960 Speaker 2: it does shock me a little, because travel insurance is 396 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:14,400 Speaker 2: like a combination of health and personal sort of items 397 00:21:14,440 --> 00:21:17,119 Speaker 2: as well. So anything that happens on your travel. I 398 00:21:17,160 --> 00:21:18,960 Speaker 2: once dropped my phone in the lake, like it was 399 00:21:19,119 --> 00:21:22,320 Speaker 2: completely my fault, and I just told my travel insurance 400 00:21:22,320 --> 00:21:23,879 Speaker 2: that and they insured me for a new phone. I 401 00:21:23,960 --> 00:21:27,399 Speaker 2: got a new phone. So wow, it's not even just 402 00:21:27,440 --> 00:21:30,440 Speaker 2: about bad things happening to you, it's just like maybe 403 00:21:30,600 --> 00:21:33,200 Speaker 2: self inflicted. It can be helpful. So I would say 404 00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:37,440 Speaker 2: always get travel insurance. But I would say, never get 405 00:21:37,440 --> 00:21:41,359 Speaker 2: travel insurance from the booking website and they ask for 406 00:21:41,359 --> 00:21:43,439 Speaker 2: the extra or the airline and they say you can 407 00:21:43,480 --> 00:21:47,400 Speaker 2: get insurance all those little add ons within that specific company. 408 00:21:47,800 --> 00:21:51,480 Speaker 2: I would say, absolutely not travel insurance. It's not that expensive. 409 00:21:52,840 --> 00:21:56,240 Speaker 4: Okay, So we did some quick research into this. Travel 410 00:21:56,240 --> 00:21:59,479 Speaker 4: insurance has become much more than simple trip cancelation protection. 411 00:22:00,040 --> 00:22:02,680 Speaker 4: It now acts as a broader safety net for travelers 412 00:22:02,720 --> 00:22:07,520 Speaker 4: facing unexpected disruptions like medical emergencies, hospital stays abroad, travel 413 00:22:07,560 --> 00:22:10,720 Speaker 4: delay is lost luggage, and even emergency evacuations. 414 00:22:11,040 --> 00:22:14,200 Speaker 3: That sounds nice, but what doesn't it cover plenty. 415 00:22:14,920 --> 00:22:17,960 Speaker 4: One of the biggest misconceptions is that it actually covers 416 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:21,600 Speaker 4: anything that goes wrong, when in reality, policies are highly 417 00:22:21,640 --> 00:22:25,920 Speaker 4: specific of course, about covered situations and exclusions, so make 418 00:22:25,920 --> 00:22:29,480 Speaker 4: sure to compare policies before choosing one. The average cost 419 00:22:29,560 --> 00:22:32,480 Speaker 4: of a comprehensive policy for international travel is around one 420 00:22:32,560 --> 00:22:35,400 Speaker 4: hundred and fifty to four hundred and seventy US dollars 421 00:22:35,440 --> 00:22:36,200 Speaker 4: per policy. 422 00:22:36,480 --> 00:22:38,200 Speaker 3: Are right, how are we doing this math? 423 00:22:38,280 --> 00:22:41,320 Speaker 4: Though in all the ways it of course depends on 424 00:22:41,400 --> 00:22:44,720 Speaker 4: things like the length of your stay, overall trip cost, 425 00:22:44,760 --> 00:22:49,240 Speaker 4: and of course, your destination. A comprehensive policy usually includes 426 00:22:49,280 --> 00:22:53,840 Speaker 4: both emergency medical and trip cancelation or interruption coverage. Medical 427 00:22:53,880 --> 00:22:56,880 Speaker 4: coverage is often the most important benefit, especially because many 428 00:22:56,920 --> 00:23:00,639 Speaker 4: Americans assume their regular health insurance works internationally. When what 429 00:23:00,680 --> 00:23:03,080 Speaker 4: do you think, Leah, is you're covering you abroad? 430 00:23:03,160 --> 00:23:05,560 Speaker 3: I don't even assume that my insurance covers me here 431 00:23:05,560 --> 00:23:05,840 Speaker 3: in the. 432 00:23:05,880 --> 00:23:12,080 Speaker 4: US SADA True? Yes, indeed, But some travel credit cards 433 00:23:12,200 --> 00:23:16,240 Speaker 4: offer overlapping protections for delays, baggage, or rental cards, though 434 00:23:16,359 --> 00:23:18,600 Speaker 4: those benefits are also often limited. 435 00:23:18,680 --> 00:23:20,960 Speaker 3: How about emotional baggage that covered? 436 00:23:21,720 --> 00:23:23,160 Speaker 4: I'll cover you, I got. 437 00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:25,720 Speaker 3: You, I am over the limit and I'll pay an extra. 438 00:23:29,720 --> 00:23:32,439 Speaker 2: I also know people that have insurance through credit cards, 439 00:23:33,080 --> 00:23:37,280 Speaker 2: which is good, except a lot of the policies within 440 00:23:37,320 --> 00:23:40,399 Speaker 2: the credit card is you can only be insured on 441 00:23:40,480 --> 00:23:42,800 Speaker 2: anything you book through that card, so they force you 442 00:23:42,840 --> 00:23:45,680 Speaker 2: into booking everything with that card. And if let's say 443 00:23:45,760 --> 00:23:48,800 Speaker 2: like your friend orders the taxi and then you have 444 00:23:48,840 --> 00:23:50,760 Speaker 2: a crash and then you're like, oh, I need to 445 00:23:50,760 --> 00:23:52,520 Speaker 2: go to the hospital get an X ray or whatever, 446 00:23:53,240 --> 00:23:56,000 Speaker 2: then if you only have your credit card travel insurance, 447 00:23:56,080 --> 00:23:58,560 Speaker 2: they could potentially be like, oh, you didn't pay for 448 00:23:58,640 --> 00:24:01,640 Speaker 2: that on the card, so you don't. It's like really annoying. 449 00:24:02,200 --> 00:24:04,480 Speaker 2: So I would say just get general travel insurance and 450 00:24:04,520 --> 00:24:07,560 Speaker 2: health insurance when you're abroad. It shouldn't be that expensive. 451 00:24:07,680 --> 00:24:11,840 Speaker 2: And honestly, I had my laptop stolen in Morocco years ago. 452 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:15,399 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, it was like three thousand dollars laptop gone, 453 00:24:15,720 --> 00:24:19,200 Speaker 2: and I was like, dang, that's really annoying. Yeah, next 454 00:24:19,200 --> 00:24:22,479 Speaker 2: week I flew to Europe bought another laptop and it 455 00:24:22,520 --> 00:24:24,960 Speaker 2: was fully paid for by the insurance. Wow, it's like 456 00:24:25,040 --> 00:24:26,320 Speaker 2: a peace of mind thing for me. 457 00:24:26,600 --> 00:24:29,120 Speaker 3: And where are you getting your insurance from? If you're 458 00:24:29,119 --> 00:24:31,840 Speaker 3: not getting it from the airline and hotel websites. 459 00:24:32,160 --> 00:24:34,680 Speaker 2: I would get straight up from like companies that offer 460 00:24:34,720 --> 00:24:38,080 Speaker 2: travel insurance. Okay, there's ones like world Nomads. One I 461 00:24:38,200 --> 00:24:41,640 Speaker 2: use called Southern Cross Travel Insurance, but that's purely an 462 00:24:41,640 --> 00:24:45,440 Speaker 2: Australian and New Zealand one. But yeah, world Nomads. There's 463 00:24:45,440 --> 00:24:49,240 Speaker 2: plenty of just insurance websites that specialize in travel insurance 464 00:24:49,320 --> 00:24:52,560 Speaker 2: for people that are traveling, and then you just know 465 00:24:52,600 --> 00:24:57,160 Speaker 2: you're fully covered, rather than being like, oh, you're going 466 00:24:57,200 --> 00:24:59,160 Speaker 2: with that airline, so now you're only covered for that 467 00:24:59,359 --> 00:25:01,359 Speaker 2: little portion of your trip, or like you know, the 468 00:25:01,359 --> 00:25:05,359 Speaker 2: credit cards only, Oh you got food poisoning at that restaurant. 469 00:25:05,480 --> 00:25:09,640 Speaker 2: Oh you paid in cash. Sorry. The general travel insurance 470 00:25:09,720 --> 00:25:13,040 Speaker 2: is what I would stick with rather than trusting these 471 00:25:13,359 --> 00:25:15,760 Speaker 2: other companies. But we're always learning and there's always new 472 00:25:15,800 --> 00:25:18,200 Speaker 2: things coming out, so I could be completely wrong, But 473 00:25:18,400 --> 00:25:19,200 Speaker 2: just do your research. 474 00:25:20,080 --> 00:25:23,240 Speaker 4: Yeah, and traveling, especially if you're traveling like two weeks 475 00:25:23,280 --> 00:25:25,760 Speaker 4: out of your year, independing on on where you are. 476 00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:29,280 Speaker 4: Health insurance if something happens to you could be astronomically expensive, 477 00:25:29,280 --> 00:25:31,520 Speaker 4: and especially thinking about like people who are traveling to 478 00:25:31,600 --> 00:25:34,760 Speaker 4: the United States from other countries may not understand how 479 00:25:34,760 --> 00:25:37,359 Speaker 4: incredibly expensive healthcare is here, but it's the same thing 480 00:25:37,359 --> 00:25:40,240 Speaker 4: if you're traveling in some Western countries other Western countries too. 481 00:25:40,720 --> 00:25:42,240 Speaker 4: Just a peace of mind. Like I was traveling in 482 00:25:42,320 --> 00:25:46,000 Speaker 4: Qatar recently, had travels insurance stepped off a curb, thought 483 00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:47,720 Speaker 4: I broke my ankle and was able to just go 484 00:25:47,760 --> 00:25:50,800 Speaker 4: to the hospital not worry about it too much. It's 485 00:25:50,840 --> 00:25:52,560 Speaker 4: just something that it's easier to do with than not. 486 00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:54,520 Speaker 4: And there are a bunch of websites that'll actually like 487 00:25:54,640 --> 00:25:57,520 Speaker 4: let you compare different travel insurances so you can make 488 00:25:57,520 --> 00:25:59,720 Speaker 4: sure that you're getting the right stuff for you. And 489 00:26:00,240 --> 00:26:02,879 Speaker 4: another thing that I feel like it's always a last 490 00:26:02,960 --> 00:26:05,520 Speaker 4: minute panic for people who are traveling to a different 491 00:26:05,520 --> 00:26:08,679 Speaker 4: country who we've never really been before, is adapters, power 492 00:26:08,720 --> 00:26:13,639 Speaker 4: adapters and voltage adapters, because you know, everyone gets to like, oh, 493 00:26:13,640 --> 00:26:15,440 Speaker 4: I'm going to a different country and like the plug 494 00:26:15,480 --> 00:26:17,440 Speaker 4: actually looks different, it's different kind of I need to 495 00:26:17,440 --> 00:26:19,960 Speaker 4: get something that will convert. But they also have a 496 00:26:20,000 --> 00:26:22,560 Speaker 4: different power systems and a lot of the different cases. 497 00:26:23,080 --> 00:26:26,000 Speaker 4: How do we navigate this as first time travelers. 498 00:26:26,520 --> 00:26:29,960 Speaker 2: Oh, it's so annoying, It's so annoying. Waund the world 499 00:26:30,040 --> 00:26:33,640 Speaker 2: just agree on something. You know, basically, what you need 500 00:26:33,760 --> 00:26:36,480 Speaker 2: is just a universal adapter that will get you to 501 00:26:36,560 --> 00:26:40,679 Speaker 2: about ninety five percent on the world. There's still going 502 00:26:40,760 --> 00:26:44,480 Speaker 2: to be that annoying five percent. But you know, hotels 503 00:26:44,480 --> 00:26:47,000 Speaker 2: are pretty honored. They'll have one at the reception if 504 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:49,560 Speaker 2: you need to ask. I'm sure they'll have one, or 505 00:26:49,600 --> 00:26:51,239 Speaker 2: you can go to the local store when you're there 506 00:26:51,280 --> 00:26:53,600 Speaker 2: at the airport if you do really need it. They're 507 00:26:53,680 --> 00:26:55,360 Speaker 2: always going to be around. It's not one of those 508 00:26:55,359 --> 00:26:58,719 Speaker 2: fundamentals that are like, on my word, if I forgot this, 509 00:26:58,920 --> 00:27:01,879 Speaker 2: my trip's ruined. Because obviously everyone needs them there all 510 00:27:01,920 --> 00:27:04,800 Speaker 2: over the world. You'll be fine, but for convenience, it's 511 00:27:04,800 --> 00:27:05,840 Speaker 2: good to get it beforehand. 512 00:27:06,320 --> 00:27:08,800 Speaker 3: I am an overpacker. I'm sure you got that vibe 513 00:27:08,800 --> 00:27:11,719 Speaker 3: from me. But what are some of your things that 514 00:27:11,760 --> 00:27:14,560 Speaker 3: are your absolute I need to remember to bring this, 515 00:27:14,680 --> 00:27:16,960 Speaker 3: Like when you're at home and you're packing, what are 516 00:27:16,960 --> 00:27:19,840 Speaker 3: some of the things that seem obvious but people sometimes 517 00:27:19,880 --> 00:27:22,440 Speaker 3: forget and regret, So like, what's your little mini checklist 518 00:27:22,440 --> 00:27:23,960 Speaker 3: of like, let me make sure I have these items 519 00:27:23,960 --> 00:27:24,480 Speaker 3: before I go. 520 00:27:24,920 --> 00:27:28,320 Speaker 2: Well, I'm a very simple guy, Okay, I traveled with 521 00:27:28,480 --> 00:27:32,679 Speaker 2: basically toothbrush, toothpaste, and a bar of soap and a shaver, 522 00:27:33,040 --> 00:27:37,160 Speaker 2: not even any shaving cream, just shaver. Underwears, well just 523 00:27:37,160 --> 00:27:40,440 Speaker 2: just toilertries. Okay, yeah, underwear. I always overpack underwear. That's 524 00:27:40,440 --> 00:27:42,840 Speaker 2: one thing, okay, great in my bag that I travel 525 00:27:42,880 --> 00:27:46,400 Speaker 2: the world with full time, it's like five shirts, three 526 00:27:46,400 --> 00:27:50,119 Speaker 2: pairs of pants, twenty pairs of undies. Good, so you 527 00:27:50,119 --> 00:27:52,320 Speaker 2: can never have too many undies. But I do find 528 00:27:52,359 --> 00:27:55,720 Speaker 2: that we do overpack like a lot of clothes, when 529 00:27:56,359 --> 00:28:00,560 Speaker 2: it's actually better to just pack less and then have 530 00:28:00,680 --> 00:28:03,879 Speaker 2: the excuse to buy stuff overseas. In my opinion, a 531 00:28:04,000 --> 00:28:06,920 Speaker 2: trip's not going to be ruined because you didn't bring 532 00:28:07,280 --> 00:28:09,360 Speaker 2: all of your clothes, And I find that's what most 533 00:28:09,400 --> 00:28:13,960 Speaker 2: people overpack. That overpack the clothes. Now, some things that 534 00:28:14,240 --> 00:28:17,359 Speaker 2: I would travel with that we probably wouldn't think about 535 00:28:17,400 --> 00:28:20,600 Speaker 2: too often is plugs. I have a lot of camera gears. 536 00:28:20,640 --> 00:28:22,879 Speaker 2: I want to charge everything at once if I need to, 537 00:28:23,680 --> 00:28:26,639 Speaker 2: so you can get like a multiple bigger like power 538 00:28:26,680 --> 00:28:30,119 Speaker 2: board if you need. But I keep things pretty simple. 539 00:28:30,920 --> 00:28:32,959 Speaker 4: So one thing I've been thinking about because I know 540 00:28:33,040 --> 00:28:34,960 Speaker 4: that you are very go with the flow, which you 541 00:28:35,119 --> 00:28:36,600 Speaker 4: have to be if you're going to be on the 542 00:28:36,680 --> 00:28:40,040 Speaker 4: road in a different country every other day. But one 543 00:28:40,040 --> 00:28:41,600 Speaker 4: thing that people talk about a lot, and I've seen 544 00:28:41,600 --> 00:28:43,680 Speaker 4: actually at a ton of articles about this recently, is like, 545 00:28:43,960 --> 00:28:47,800 Speaker 4: how do you decide between planning everything in advance versus 546 00:28:47,800 --> 00:28:50,560 Speaker 4: staying flexible? What advice do you have for people who 547 00:28:50,600 --> 00:28:52,440 Speaker 4: are like maybe a bit more type A and want 548 00:28:52,480 --> 00:28:55,360 Speaker 4: things planned out versus the magic that can happen when 549 00:28:55,400 --> 00:28:56,520 Speaker 4: you maybe let go a bit. 550 00:28:57,120 --> 00:29:01,880 Speaker 2: I do encourage people to travel solo. If you have 551 00:29:02,040 --> 00:29:04,360 Speaker 2: more people, you're going to be less flexible. That's just 552 00:29:04,400 --> 00:29:06,800 Speaker 2: the reality. You know, what you need a book and 553 00:29:06,840 --> 00:29:09,040 Speaker 2: what you don't need a book. And all of my 554 00:29:09,200 --> 00:29:14,719 Speaker 2: best trips, all of the most memorable, life changing, eye opening, 555 00:29:15,480 --> 00:29:20,240 Speaker 2: cultural shifting moments of my life that have impacted me, 556 00:29:20,440 --> 00:29:22,880 Speaker 2: I would say like ninety percent of them have been 557 00:29:23,000 --> 00:29:27,280 Speaker 2: by unplanned adventures through people you meet on the road. 558 00:29:27,400 --> 00:29:29,320 Speaker 2: And that couldn't have happened if you had like, oh, 559 00:29:29,320 --> 00:29:30,880 Speaker 2: but I got this hotel tomorrow and I've got to 560 00:29:30,880 --> 00:29:32,560 Speaker 2: be there, and I got to be there, and you know, 561 00:29:33,080 --> 00:29:36,680 Speaker 2: the travel industry, especially in the luxury world, is like, yeah, 562 00:29:36,800 --> 00:29:40,920 Speaker 2: pay twenty thousand dollars. It's expensive. Pay this will give 563 00:29:40,960 --> 00:29:43,640 Speaker 2: you the best week of your life. But guess what, 564 00:29:44,200 --> 00:29:48,680 Speaker 2: I can recreate that week and every other person can 565 00:29:48,760 --> 00:29:51,800 Speaker 2: do the same. Like you're not getting a unique experience, 566 00:29:51,800 --> 00:29:56,120 Speaker 2: You're getting a pre planned, prepackaged, good experience. It's not 567 00:29:56,160 --> 00:29:57,680 Speaker 2: going to be bad, It's going to be quite nice 568 00:29:57,720 --> 00:30:00,360 Speaker 2: and fun, but you're not gonna remember. 569 00:30:02,800 --> 00:30:06,640 Speaker 4: The global luxury travel market is valued at billions and 570 00:30:06,760 --> 00:30:11,160 Speaker 4: billions of US dollars, and it's true the travel industry 571 00:30:11,200 --> 00:30:15,280 Speaker 4: sells us a very specific version of adventure book, the 572 00:30:15,360 --> 00:30:20,760 Speaker 4: luxury package, reserve, the perfect hotel plan every second of 573 00:30:20,800 --> 00:30:25,600 Speaker 4: your day. But most moments, Leah, wouldn't you agree aren't 574 00:30:25,640 --> 00:30:26,320 Speaker 4: planned at all? 575 00:30:26,560 --> 00:30:27,760 Speaker 3: I absolutely agree. 576 00:30:27,880 --> 00:30:30,160 Speaker 4: They happen when you miss the train, when you say 577 00:30:30,240 --> 00:30:33,040 Speaker 4: yes to an invitation, when a stranger takes you to 578 00:30:33,120 --> 00:30:36,280 Speaker 4: a tiny restaurant you would have never found online, and 579 00:30:36,320 --> 00:30:39,080 Speaker 4: that changes the entire point of travel. 580 00:30:41,720 --> 00:30:45,120 Speaker 3: Well, with visiting all those places and experiencing some of 581 00:30:45,160 --> 00:30:48,520 Speaker 3: the best sites and people that you've ever encountered. Also 582 00:30:48,880 --> 00:30:50,920 Speaker 3: comes with the other side of that, which is it 583 00:30:50,960 --> 00:30:53,400 Speaker 3: is a learning experience too. So can you tell us 584 00:30:53,640 --> 00:30:56,760 Speaker 3: maybe some of your biggest travel mistakes that you made 585 00:30:56,760 --> 00:30:59,440 Speaker 3: early on in your travels that you then learned from. 586 00:30:59,360 --> 00:31:02,640 Speaker 2: Oh, this is a good question. I mean, I'm not 587 00:31:02,760 --> 00:31:05,880 Speaker 2: one to really see anything as a mistake unless it 588 00:31:05,960 --> 00:31:10,400 Speaker 2: really permanently changes the way you're living in a negative way, 589 00:31:10,600 --> 00:31:13,240 Speaker 2: you know, like a car crash or something, or not 590 00:31:13,280 --> 00:31:16,080 Speaker 2: wearing your helmet, like those sort of things. But I 591 00:31:16,120 --> 00:31:18,760 Speaker 2: would say the one thing that might be a little 592 00:31:18,840 --> 00:31:21,600 Speaker 2: bit deeper than just sort of like, oh, I got 593 00:31:21,600 --> 00:31:25,960 Speaker 2: the wrong money travel card is not trusting your gut 594 00:31:26,440 --> 00:31:31,720 Speaker 2: and maybe overthinking things or building things up in your 595 00:31:31,840 --> 00:31:34,280 Speaker 2: mind where you're putting yourself in a position where you 596 00:31:34,280 --> 00:31:37,480 Speaker 2: think it's scarier than it is, or it's more daunting, 597 00:31:37,680 --> 00:31:40,200 Speaker 2: or it's more nerve wracking, and you're sort of like 598 00:31:40,440 --> 00:31:44,040 Speaker 2: building doubt with your mind. So it sort of limits 599 00:31:44,080 --> 00:31:47,680 Speaker 2: you from your potential. And then once you either take 600 00:31:47,720 --> 00:31:50,800 Speaker 2: that risk, go to that country, meet that person, I 601 00:31:50,800 --> 00:31:53,120 Speaker 2: would say like ninety nine point nine percent of the 602 00:31:53,120 --> 00:31:56,080 Speaker 2: time you look back and go, why did I ever 603 00:31:56,480 --> 00:31:59,920 Speaker 2: put those limits in my mind. Travels one of those 604 00:32:00,000 --> 00:32:03,840 Speaker 2: things where things can be thrown at you so spontaneously 605 00:32:04,400 --> 00:32:06,920 Speaker 2: and you sort of have to like just pivot and go. 606 00:32:07,640 --> 00:32:10,360 Speaker 2: So you learn a lot about how you react in 607 00:32:10,440 --> 00:32:14,400 Speaker 2: certain situations. And yeah, you learn that you're capable of 608 00:32:14,400 --> 00:32:16,560 Speaker 2: a lot more than you probably thought. 609 00:32:17,240 --> 00:32:17,680 Speaker 3: I love that. 610 00:32:21,560 --> 00:32:24,320 Speaker 4: I think there's just one more thing we need to 611 00:32:24,320 --> 00:32:28,080 Speaker 4: touch on, jet lag. Jet Lag is one of those 612 00:32:28,080 --> 00:32:31,920 Speaker 4: things where every season traveler suddenly becomes a sleep scientist. 613 00:32:32,240 --> 00:32:36,880 Speaker 4: Everyone's got a trick latonin, gummies, airplane wine, just stay 614 00:32:36,920 --> 00:32:40,000 Speaker 4: awake the whole flight. But the people who actually study 615 00:32:40,040 --> 00:32:42,240 Speaker 4: this stuff say it really comes down to just resetting 616 00:32:42,240 --> 00:32:44,640 Speaker 4: your body clock as quickly as possible. 617 00:32:44,560 --> 00:32:48,280 Speaker 3: And weirdly, the biggest tools are light, food, and timing. 618 00:32:48,800 --> 00:32:51,600 Speaker 3: Light exposure is apparently the heavy hitter here, because your 619 00:32:51,640 --> 00:32:54,720 Speaker 3: brain uses sunlight to figure out what time it thinks 620 00:32:54,760 --> 00:32:57,840 Speaker 3: it is. If you're traveling east, like from New York 621 00:32:57,880 --> 00:33:00,960 Speaker 3: to Europe, you actually want to avoid bright morning light 622 00:33:01,040 --> 00:33:05,719 Speaker 3: at first and get more afternoon sunlight instead. Traveling west 623 00:33:05,840 --> 00:33:08,920 Speaker 3: is kind of the opposite. Get morning sunlight, avoid a 624 00:33:09,000 --> 00:33:12,800 Speaker 3: ton of late afternoon light, and help your body shift later. 625 00:33:13,240 --> 00:33:16,360 Speaker 4: Melatonin can help, too, but in a small amount, about 626 00:33:16,400 --> 00:33:18,959 Speaker 4: thirty to sixty minutes before the bedtime you're trying to 627 00:33:19,000 --> 00:33:20,680 Speaker 4: adapt to at your destination. 628 00:33:21,200 --> 00:33:25,400 Speaker 3: Then there's a snaky one. Food. Your digestive system apparently 629 00:33:25,400 --> 00:33:28,720 Speaker 3: has its own body clock, so some travelers use fasting 630 00:33:28,760 --> 00:33:32,480 Speaker 3: strategically during long flights. The idea is to avoid eating 631 00:33:32,520 --> 00:33:35,120 Speaker 3: for a stretch during travel, and then time your first 632 00:33:35,160 --> 00:33:37,560 Speaker 3: meal with breakfast in your new time zone to help 633 00:33:37,560 --> 00:33:39,480 Speaker 3: your body reset faster. 634 00:33:39,400 --> 00:33:44,560 Speaker 4: And remember to hydrate aggressively. Flights already dry you out, 635 00:33:44,600 --> 00:33:48,520 Speaker 4: and alcohol plus caffeine those are just crutches you want 636 00:33:48,520 --> 00:33:50,760 Speaker 4: to lean on in the moments, and they can make 637 00:33:50,800 --> 00:33:52,040 Speaker 4: sleep way worse. 638 00:33:52,160 --> 00:33:55,400 Speaker 3: And maybe the hardest advice of all, don't immediately crash 639 00:33:55,480 --> 00:33:58,320 Speaker 3: for a four hour nap when you land. Sounds good, 640 00:33:58,480 --> 00:34:01,120 Speaker 3: and if you absolutely need one, keep it super short 641 00:34:01,320 --> 00:34:04,080 Speaker 3: so you can still make it to a normal local bedtime. 642 00:34:04,480 --> 00:34:07,640 Speaker 3: There are even apps now like timeshifter and jetlag rooster 643 00:34:07,960 --> 00:34:11,520 Speaker 3: that build custom jetlag plans based on your exact flight 644 00:34:11,600 --> 00:34:14,319 Speaker 3: and sleep schedule, which honestly feels like the level of 645 00:34:14,320 --> 00:34:15,640 Speaker 3: support adults deserve. 646 00:34:18,640 --> 00:34:18,799 Speaker 2: Well. 647 00:34:18,800 --> 00:34:21,160 Speaker 4: All right, Leah, do you have your bags packed feeling 648 00:34:21,200 --> 00:34:22,720 Speaker 4: ready to take another international trip? 649 00:34:23,000 --> 00:34:26,319 Speaker 3: Every day, Matt And as always, I learned a ton, 650 00:34:26,440 --> 00:34:28,400 Speaker 3: So thank you so much to Joran to Wally. You 651 00:34:28,440 --> 00:34:31,320 Speaker 3: can find him on social media in all the usual places. 652 00:34:31,080 --> 00:34:32,520 Speaker 4: And if you happen to be planning for a big 653 00:34:32,560 --> 00:34:35,319 Speaker 4: move and are overwhelmed the thought of packing up your 654 00:34:35,360 --> 00:34:38,080 Speaker 4: home and planning all the logistics. Join us again in 655 00:34:38,120 --> 00:34:40,439 Speaker 4: two weeks where we'll be talking about all the things 656 00:34:40,440 --> 00:34:42,600 Speaker 4: you need to know to move to a new home. 657 00:34:43,680 --> 00:34:46,440 Speaker 4: This is a production of Ruby Studio for My Heart Media. 658 00:34:46,719 --> 00:34:50,040 Speaker 3: I'm Matt Stillow, I'm Leah Palmery. This episode was produced 659 00:34:50,080 --> 00:34:53,279 Speaker 3: by Pamela Lawrence. Our post producer is Sierra Spreen, with 660 00:34:53,320 --> 00:34:55,719 Speaker 3: additional engineering by Mac Wido and. 661 00:34:55,680 --> 00:34:58,480 Speaker 4: A special thank you to all of our international travelers 662 00:34:58,520 --> 00:35:02,200 Speaker 4: at Ruby Studio, including Sarah You, Ethan Fixel, Rageous One 663 00:35:02,280 --> 00:35:05,399 Speaker 4: krasnof Lydia Kim, Emma, Dillon Harper, Wayne, Deborah Garrett, and 664 00:35:05,960 --> 00:35:10,360 Speaker 4: mister Andy Kelly. He's truly mister International, He's mister Worldwide 665 00:35:10,520 --> 00:35:11,160 Speaker 4: Andy Kelly. 666 00:35:11,360 --> 00:35:13,520 Speaker 3: That's Pitbull. That is Pitbull.