Part of the experience of staying in Colima City is being able to explore the surrounding regions through a variety of day trips. It is the friendliness and simplicity of the locals that has always attracted me to this part of Mexico - along with the fact this is not a heavily touristed part of the country. I love walking through some of the small villages, where the local people rarely if ever see tourists. On warm days in the afternoon sun, I … [Read more...]
Chamonix, France – Calling
SIM Cards Prior to sim cards, phone cards were what locals and travelers purchased to make phone calls both in and outside of the country. These days sim cards can be purchased at any "tabacs" store, or most supermarches (super markets). The "tabac" is a store that sells a variety of things such as newspapers, cigarettes, books, gum, and phone cards. They are a very common store in towns. Old French phone cards are now collectibles. Many … [Read more...]
Europe – Phones
SIM Cards Roaming charges on cell phones abroad can be exorbitant if using a home network. One may find a very high cell phone bill after a trip - even just for sending and receiving SMS text messages. Even if you visit a website for just a brief period your provider often charges you the maximum megabyte usage which can be very pricey. Be sure to disable "data roaming" on your phone. The way to avoid these roaming charges is to unlock your … [Read more...]
Guadalajara, Mexico – Attractions
Barranca and Zoologico Guadalajara . Both attractions are located about a 20 minute ride from the center of the city. Zoologico Guadalajara is located on the edge of the Barranca - a 2000+ foot gorge cut deep into the heart of the earth by centuries of river erosion. Slightly similar looking to parts of the Grand Canyon in the United States, minus the bold colors. As one descends to the bottom, the climate becomes more tropical and fruits such … [Read more...]
Oaxaca, Mexico
We first visited the city of Oaxaca in December, during the dry season so some of our mentions in this article may be seasonally related. For example, some of the fruits we saw in the markets are only ripe during that time of year, and some of the festivals we experienced certainly only occur during December. Oaxaca (elevation 5,084 feet, population 265,000) is located in the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. The Oaxaca airport offers … [Read more...]
Oaxaca, Mexico – Markets
Oaxaca is known for both its artisan crafts and local foods. Brilliantly colored wood carvings are much sought after by visitors. These carvings often differ dramatically in both quality and price. A general rule is to spend time shopping around - do not purchase the first item you see just because you like it. With so many similar items available, competition is high for your peso. Perhaps you will return to that original item but chances are … [Read more...]
Oaxaca, Mexico – Attractions
A Short Walk One day I decided to walk due west and see where I ended up. I left the phone at the hotel, I didn't research anything. I just began walking. I passed by Mercado de Abastos (a market) and then drifted by an extremely polluted river, an ecological disaster so to speak. I spent some time watching people wade back and forth through the water. I witnessed several people use the soil behind small bushes as a bathroom. I watched the wind … [Read more...]
Oaxaca, Mexico – Shopping
Oaxaca offers an incredible variety of shopping experiences. The premium shops are located north of the zocalo, while to the south of the zocalo are less expensive markets and lower-end shops. The highest quality shops can be found on Valdivieso which turns into Alcala, and the parallel street next to it, 5 de Mayo. These stores sell exquisite jewelry, beautiful wooden carvings, hand blown glass, rugs, paintings, ceramics, and other crafts. Some … [Read more...]
San Francisco, CA – Neighborhoods
Castro District is centered along Castro Street (just off of Market Street) and is one of the original gay neighborhoods in the entire country. It retains its unique heritage and gay community - rainbow flags fly proudly above the sidewalks including the tallest one at the corner of Market, Castro and 17th Streets. The world's second GLBT History Museum opened here in 2010. Harvey Milk is a name synonymous with this district - a former gay … [Read more...]
Santa Rosa, CA – Asian Markets
The following are various local Asia (Asian) markets or other niche markets in Santa Rosa. Aroon Thai Market is located at 2770 Cleveland Ave in Santa Rosa - about 3/4 of a mile north of the Coddingtown Mall. This market is owned by Vilaiwan - Jackie Bentall, a Thai chef and former owner of Lotus Thai Restaurant in Healdsburg. She is very friendly, is usually here handling the check counter; sometimes her son is here also helping … [Read more...]