An adventure in Iran’s capital

 “Tea, Transit, and Tehran: A Cultural Adventure in Iran’s Capital”

https://youtu.be/NUaDwbr7K-w?si=HbhW9pOZ7HHG0XxT

I just watched a delightful video of an American gentleman exploring the capital of Iran, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.

He wandered through several neighborhoods in Tehran, getting a genuine feel for the city’s rhythm. In countries like Iran, travelers from some nations are required to have a local guide—but even with that limitation, his journey felt authentic and immersive. He rode the metro and took the bus, crossed busy intersections as a pedestrian, and interacted warmly with locals along the way. One of the highlights was his visit to a traditional teahouse and restaurant, where a local helped him navigate the customs of Iranian dining.

Watching him try to cross the street immediately reminded me of my own travel experiences in places like Vietnam and India—where crossing the road can feel like an adventure in itself!

These kinds of videos are a big part of why I love international travel. They offer a window into daily life around the world and remind me of the beauty and richness of other cultures. I’m always especially happy when videos like this pop up in my YouTube feed.

https://youtu.be/NUaDwbr7K-w?si=XhjdzR9kQcM-XU8N

Your first visit to China!

 I have been to China and I teach English online to students who live in China. (10,000+ classes). I hope you find this helpful!

✈️ What Americans Should Know Before Visiting China for the First Time

1. 💳 China Is a Largely Cashless Society

China has transitioned rapidly to a digital payment system. Credit cards from U.S. banks are rarely accepted, and cash is hardly used in major cities. Most people pay for everything—from street food to hospital visits—using mobile apps like WeChat Pay or Alipay. These apps now accept foreign credit cards, but it’s best to set them up before you arrive.

2. 🌐 You’ll Need a VPN to Access the Internet Freely

Many familiar websites and apps—like Google, Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and even the New York Times—are blocked in mainland China. If you want to access them, download and set up a VPN (Virtual Private Network) on your devices before entering China, as VPNs can be hard to download once you’re there.

3. 🗣️ Many Younger Adults Speak Basic English

Due to mandatory English education in schools, most people under 40 have studied English. That said, fluency varies and outside of large cities, English may be rare. A translation app (like Google Translate or Pleco for Chinese) can be incredibly helpful.

Some of my students’ “helicopter parents” speak English as well as an American.

4. 📱 WeChat Is Essential

WeChat is far more than a messaging app—it’s used for paying bills, booking appointments, shopping, calling taxis, and even scanning QR codes at restaurants to order food. You’ll likely need it to function smoothly in urban areas. Set up your account in advance.

5. 🚄 World-Class High-Speed Rail Network

China is home to some of the fastest and most extensive bullet trains in the world, connecting even remote regions with astonishing efficiency. Trains can travel over 215 mph (350 km/h), making them a great alternative to flying between cities.

6. 🏙️ Major Cities Are Ultra-Modern and Digitally Advanced

Cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou are cutting-edge metropolises filled with futuristic skylines, contactless services, AI-integrated shopping, and smart public infrastructure. The level of digital integration can even surpass that of the U.S. in many ways.

7. 🧼 Public Hygiene Norms Can Vary

You may notice differences in bathroom facilities (many are squat toilets), and you should always carry tissues and hand sanitizer, as soap and toilet paper aren’t always provided in public restrooms.

8. 🚦Cultural Norms Around Personal Space and Crowds

China is densely populated, especially in urban areas. Expect crowds, close quarters, and fast-paced movement in metros and public spaces. It’s normal for people to push through lines or stand closely—this isn’t rudeness, but a reflection of a different cultural norm.

9. 🍚 Food Is Diverse and Regionally Distinct

Chinese cuisine is vast and varies by province. Don’t expect American Chinese food. Be adventurous—try Sichuan hot pot, dim sum in Guangdong, Peking duck in Beijing, or noodles in Xi’an. Street food is delicious, but choose busy, clean vendors.

10. 📵 Censorship and Surveillance Are Real

China has a tightly controlled media landscape, and surveillance is widespread. You’ll notice cameras in public spaces and may need to scan a passport for Wi-Fi access. Avoid discussing politically sensitive topics like Taiwan, Hong Kong protests, or Tiananmen Square.

11. 📶 SIM Cards and eSIMs Are Useful

For internet access, consider buying a Chinese SIM card or an international eSIM before arrival. Some airports have SIM vending machines, and eSIMs can be purchased online and activated instantly.

12. 🎟️ Tourist Sites Are Popular—Book in Advance

Top attractions like the Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, and Great Wall sections often require reservations and can sell out. Use Trip.com, Klook, or a local app to book early.

13. 🧧 Face and Etiquette Matter

“Face” (respect, dignity, reputation) is very important in Chinese culture. Politeness, patience, and humility go a long way. Avoid public criticism or confrontation.

14. 🧳 Customs and Entry Rules

China has strict customs laws. Don’t bring politically sensitive materials, large amounts of medication without documentation, or drone equipment without checking regulations.

15. 📍China Is Vast and Diverse

China is not just Beijing and Shanghai—it spans deserts, beaches, rice terraces, ancient villages, megacities, Buddhist temples, and futuristic tech zones. Each region has its own language dialect, cuisine, and customs.

⸻

Stimulate All Five Senses by Visiting a Market

 

One of the greatest joys of traveling the world—especially as a solo traveler—is the opportunity to lose yourself in a bustling, colorful marketplace. There is no better way to immerse yourself in the daily rhythm of a culture than to walk among the stalls, soaking in the symphony of sights, sounds, and smells. I’ve visited markets on nearly every continent, and each one tells a different story. You’ll find grandmothers selecting the perfect produce, children begging for a sweet treat, vendors passionately describing their wares, and the scent of fresh spices mingling with sizzling street food. It’s a full-body experience that wakes up your senses and grounds you in the authenticity of place.

When I visit a market, I let myself wander slowly, open to discovery. I taste the local snacks, ask questions about unfamiliar ingredients, and watch the unspoken choreography between vendors and customers. The displays themselves are a visual feast—vivid fruits stacked in perfect pyramids, dried herbs spilling out of handwoven baskets, fish on ice shimmering under the morning sun. Sometimes I buy something small, like a handmade kitchen tool or a local pastry, but often, it’s the energy of the space that stays with me more than any souvenir. These marketplaces are not just places to shop—they are the beating heart of the community.

And if a traditional open-air market isn’t available nearby, don’t overlook the local supermarket. I absolutely love exploring large grocery stores in different countries. They’re quiet cultural classrooms, revealing what people eat, how much they pay, what they value, and how food is presented and preserved. From the bakery section to the instant noodles aisle, you’ll spot everything from regional flavors to beloved brands. Even the carts, checkout lanes, and packaging tell a story. So whether you’re standing in a centuries-old souk or a shiny modern supermarket, take your time. Watch, listen, taste, and learn. You’ll come away with far more than groceries—you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of a place and its people.

Between Journeys: Finding Peace at Home

 

I’ve come to a surprising realization: I’m not planning any trips in the near future, and that actually feels… wonderful.

Looking back, I’ve been away a lot. Over the past year, I was technically out of the country during parts of October and November, half of December, eleven days in January, one day in March, and fifteen more days in April. In between those trips, I was often sick. I even came down with something at the end of my January travels and didn’t feel fully recovered for at least two weeks after I got home. After my April trip, I had a lingering, aggressive cough that stuck around for three solid weeks.

Since I returned home over a month ago, I’ve felt a quiet sense of peace settle in. I haven’t had to think about unpacking only to repack again. No booking hotels or flights, no managing packing lists or blocking out my work schedule. I haven’t had to juggle currency exchanges or map out shore excursions. And I certainly haven’t missed the long TSA lines, waiting to board planes, hauling luggage into and out of overhead bins, or arranging transport to and from cruise ports.

Instead, I can wake up and just be here.

There’s something deeply grounding about having nowhere to go. No countdowns. No checklists. No pressure to do something really interesting every day. Just the simplicity of home, routines, and rhythm.

And honestly, this pause couldn’t have come at a better time. I rarely travel during the summer anyway—it’s just too hot almost everywhere. Plus, with kids out of school, I can work both mornings and evenings, which gives me even more flexibility and flow in my days.

So for now, I’m staying put—and it feels like exactly where I’m meant to be.

International travel logistics are not for the faint of heart.

Home Sweet Home — After 25 Hours of Travel

International travel logistics are not for the faint of heart.

After 15 unforgettable days sailing across the Atlantic from New York to Rome’s port city, my journey home yesterday tested every ounce of patience and stamina I had left.

The breakdown:

• 3 airports

• 3 airplanes

• 2 rounds of passport control

• 2 rounds of customs

• 18 separate luggage-handling moments

• 12 long lines

• 1 shuttle bus

• 1 Uber home

• Endless walking… and walking… and walking

It all began with a line over an hour long just to disembark the ship. In moments like that, it takes a serious effort to stay calm and accept that sometimes, you just have to trust the process. Especially when others around you are stressed, complaining, or even yelling at fellow passengers over presumed rule violations.

My connection in Philadelphia was particularly demanding: a long trek to passport control, a wait for luggage, rechecking it for the Miami leg, clearing customs, and then—once again—through passport control and security. It felt like a travel obstacle course.

Throughout the day, I encountered a full spectrum of humanity—from the grumpy and rude, to the confused and exhausted, to the calm and gracious. But the real highlight? The crew on my final flight from Philly to Miami. They were hands-down the happiest, funniest, and most helpful team I’ve flown with in years. Their kindness was a perfect end to a marathon day.

After 25 hours of continuous travel, I arrived home completely wiped out—but grateful. I made it. I’m safe. And miraculously, so is all my luggage.

PS

“It can be especially challenging to manage all these travel logistics when you’re on your own. Without a familiar face to talk to or bounce things off of, the internal chatter can get really loud, making even small decisions feel overwhelming. Traveling solo definitely takes a different kind of mental energy.”

Majorca the Jewel of the Mediterranean

 A Day in Mallorca – April 10, 2025

Mallorca (also spelled Majorca), the crown jewel of Spain’s Balearic Islands, continues to enchant me—this is my fourth visit, and it never loses its magic.

Palma de Mallorca, the capital, can be summed up in five words: chic, elegant, sunny, relaxing, beautiful. Nearly two-thirds of the island’s population lives here, and during spring and summer, it buzzes with energy as cruise ships dock and visitors pour in. Yet somehow, Palma still feels timeless and serene.

Have you heard of the Balearic Islands?

This Mediterranean archipelago—Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera, and Cabrera—is an autonomous region of Spain. Mallorca, the largest, is famous for its dramatic coastline, hidden caves, golden beaches, and over 250 miles of scenic shoreline. Layered with history, the island reveals traces of Roman and Moorish rule, alongside soaring Gothic cathedrals and medieval palaces.

I began my day on the hop-on-hop-off bus, stopping at 18 iconic sights throughout Palma. For several hours, I chose to simply wander—exploring charming neighborhoods, pausing to admire the majestic waterfront cathedral La Seu (which never fails to take my breath away), and striking up spontaneous conversations with locals and fellow travelers.

Fun fact: Mallorca is also known for its exquisite man-made pearls—definitely worth a look, and perhaps a souvenir.

Whether you arrive by sea or land, Mallorca welcomes you with warmth, history, and unmistakable Mediterranean charm. Everyone I spoke with was as smitten with their day in Palma as I was.

And truly, this island keeps calling me back.

Travel insurance is mandatory!

 Why Travel Insurance Is Non-Negotiable for Cruisers

Insurance isn’t just a piece of paper—it’s peace of mind. Whether it’s your home, vehicle, health, or travels, insurance exists to protect you from unexpected financial devastation. No one buys insurance hoping to use it, but when disaster strikes, those who planned ahead are grateful they did.

Imagine your home burns down, and you have no homeowners insurance—would you expect a free rebuild? If you needed back surgery but lacked health insurance, would you assume the hospital would operate at no charge? If your car were totaled in an accident without auto insurance, would you expect someone else to cover the repair costs? Of course not.

Yet, when it comes to travel, many people invest thousands in a nonrefundable vacation but balk at spending a fraction of that amount—often just 10%—on a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Then, when an emergency arises, they hope the cruise line will sympathize and refund their trip. The reality? Cruise lines, airlines, and hotels have strict policies, and sympathy won’t get your money back.

A sudden illness, a family emergency, a missed connection, or even a global crisis can derail your plans. Without insurance, your investment is gone. With it, you have options. A well-chosen policy can cover trip cancellations, medical emergencies, evacuations, lost luggage, and more.

The bottom line: If you wouldn’t leave your home, health, or car unprotected, why take the risk with your travel investment?