Random Travel Thread

Getting stuck for several more days would definitely be an issue for us.

I'll chime in to provide the flying across EU borders perspective.  TL;DR: it's a pain in the ass and sometimes depending on how long the trip is, the juice is not worth the squeeze.  You can also tell me "QQ/STFU like_that, because you get to travel Europe for cheap."

I don't understand what the purpose of the EU is anymore other than trying to keep the Euro relatively strong.  None of these countries are in sync and they change their COVID policies anytime they take a piss.  For instance, Italy's policy (like most countries) was you can enter without a COVID test as long as you are vaccinated.  Exactly one day prior to flying to Paris, the Italian Government decided they didn't care about vaccines anymore and now require a negative test if you are entering from ANY EU country.  We were just going to Paris for a weekend, so we had to scramble to find a pharmacy for testing, which is a lot harder than you think if you need to get that test on a Sunday.  Most of Europe shuts down on Sundays.  Luckily, our airbnb was right next to a pharmacy that did tests on Sunday mornings.  Logistically and for planning purposes it's a real pain in the ass.  I can't remember the last time we have booked a trip longer than 10 days in advance, because these countries change their regulations so suddenly.  Also, the amount of documentation you have to carry with you when you travel now is obnoxious (passport, covid pass, negative tests, etc).   The best part is you're still crammed in these 100% capacity flights sitting next to strangers (most airlines have 3 seater rows).    It's all a dog and pony show. 

The best part is, once we arrive to Italy they never check any of these things.  I returned to Italy from Sudan (don't ask why, but fuck that place) last year when vaccines were not available.  It took me about 5 minutes to get thru passport control.  They didn't check shit.  All I had to do was fill a declaration form that said I was not feeling feverish and I do not have COVID.  

I won't confirm/deny now that we have several negative tests from several countries, it is possible to PDF and change the date since they don't scrutinize the tests.  We might or might not have taken advantage of adobe...

Don't get me wrong, we are still traveling and living our lives.  The fact that we don't have kids helps a lot.  I can't imagine doing this with kids. 

Edit:  The added layer of getting stuck in another country sucks too.  It would be better to test positive in Italy, because the worst case is we can rent a car and get back home.  If you're stuck in another country, that shit can get expensive, especially if you're just sitting in a small ass hotel room.

posted by Automatik

Going to Mexico at the end of the month....indefinitely. Can't fucking wait.

How does this work? Lol sounds awesome but are you just taking a one way flight and see what happens? Is it relatively cheap?

I'll make a post about it eventually, it's a pretty wild process.

I'm in the middle of getting my Temporary Residence Visa. It allows me to go back and forth freely without worrying about getting X amount of days if I entered as a tourist. Standard is 180 days, but lately they are cracking down and giving people less or grilling you at immigration. It's quite common for people to "live" in Mexico under a tourist visa, just pop back and forth to renew the 180 days. Due to the influx of remote workers doing this, things have changed recently. 

I'm in Denver currently, COL in Mexico is significantly less. The peso to the dollar exchange rate is amazing.

I have an apartment lined up for a few months, then I'll go from there. Maybe stay in that city or bounce elsewhere. Example of the COL difference. Right now I'm in a tiny studio in the suburbs of Denver. In Mexico I'm paying slightly less for a luxury building, pool, doorman, gym, etc. 5 min from the beach. And this is during "high season", so I'm getting gouged a bit. I can't afford property in Denver right now, it's outrageous, so I'm out.  

Sounds awesome.

posted by Automatik

I'll make a post about it eventually, it's a pretty wild process.

I'm in the middle of getting my Temporary Residence Visa. It allows me to go back and forth freely without worrying about getting X amount of days if I entered as a tourist. Standard is 180 days, but lately they are cracking down and giving people less or grilling you at immigration. It's quite common for people to "live" in Mexico under a tourist visa, just pop back and forth to renew the 180 days. Due to the influx of remote workers doing this, things have changed recently. 

I'm in Denver currently, COL in Mexico is significantly less. The peso to the dollar exchange rate is amazing.

I have an apartment lined up for a few months, then I'll go from there. Maybe stay in that city or bounce elsewhere. Example of the COL difference. Right now I'm in a tiny studio in the suburbs of Denver. In Mexico I'm paying slightly less for a luxury building, pool, doorman, gym, etc. 5 min from the beach. And this is during "high season", so I'm getting gouged a bit. I can't afford property in Denver right now, it's outrageous, so I'm out.  

What will you be doing there?  Do you know anyone or have a mate going with you?

Serious question...didnt you just pack up and leave NYC for Denver? Was this always an option, or did you not anticipate the COL in Denver before moving?

Just living and working. I’m wfh indefinitely. Hopefully DJing once I network more.

I’ll be in Playa del Carmen first. I was there for a few months in fall so I’ve made some friends. There’s a good expat community there, very diverse. 

posted by Laley23

Serious question...didnt you just pack up and leave NYC for Denver? Was this always an option, or did you not anticipate the COL in Denver before moving?

Full blown audible. I went on vacation with my fam to Mexico in June. Then extended a few weeks. Fell in love with the lifestyle and low COL. Then went and scouted different places for a few months.

I thought I'd be able to come to Denver and COL would be significantly less. It's simply not. Housing prices are insane and I didn't want to commit to paying high rent for a year lease. I plan to just go back and forth and get temp apartments until I'm sick of it or can get property. Hell, I might buy in Mexico. Lots TBD.

posted by Automatik

Just living and working. I’m wfh indefinitely. Hopefully DJing once I network more.

I’ll be in Playa del Carmen first. I was there for a few months in fall so I’ve made some friends. There’s a good expat community there, very diverse. 

Sounds good.  I think this is a good decision assuming you're the right personality to take this on.  Mexican culture is very nice.  I sometimes wished I'd tried something like this at an earlier stage in life.  

Definitely feels somewhat weird to be doing this at 37, but I'm cool with it. 

Have to be in Kentucky for two weeks.  Then possibly Nashville the week after, thinking about bowing out of the Nashville which sucks, my all time fav city.

posted by thavoice

Have to be in Kentucky for two weeks.  Then possibly Nashville the week after, thinking about bowing out of the Nashville which sucks, my all time fav city.

Had a wild weekend there last month.

posted by Automatik

Definitely feels somewhat weird to be doing this at 37, but I'm cool with it. 

Respect. i've had similar aspirations with the keys. i feel like if i spent any time in mexico i'd get similar vibes. 

We’ve settled on Punta Cana with friends in May. We will do a few 3 day weekends at the lake house in Kentucky over the summer and then I’m going to need a Vegas trip sometime even if it’s only 4 days this year.  We still need to visit a few place for the weekend in Texas as well. I know we will do Houston and San Antonio soon and then probably Waco again.