If you have never been traveling alone, you may believe that it is boring. Not at all. Here are some of my tips and experiences for traveling alone. First of all though I would want you to consider why someone would be traveling single.
The benefits of traveling alone
I have traveled all over the world from a couple of days to months in a row. I have traveled with others and I have been traveling single. I love both, and don’t mind having a travel companion at all. It’s fun. However, there are several benefits of traveling single:
1. When you are traveling alone you don’t depend on someone else availability. If you go on a vacation for a week you will probably find one of your friends willing to join and being able to take off. But what if you want to trek through Asia or South America for three months, or even a year. How many people do you know that have the money and the time to do that? I don’t and since I don’t want to depend on that I’m traveling single. If friends want to join for part of the trip, they are more than welcome of course.
2. Traveling single is the ultimate self-indulgent. You can go wherever you want and can decide on your own whatever you want to do whenever you want to do it without having to bother about someone else. Sounds selfish? It is, but so be it.
3. You meet more people when you are traveling alone. How is that? Well, it’s easy and very comfortable to just stick to your friend and hang out with him or her. There is no real need to meet other people since you already have your buddy. When you are traveling single you better start talking to other people though. Also, other people that are traveling single are less likely to walk up to pair or groups since they are more closed-off. Don’t believe me? Try it in your local bar.
Isn’t traveling alone boring?
Traveling alone doesn’t mean that you are alone. Read the third benefit above again: You meet more people when you are traveling single. As a matter of fact in all those years that I have been traveling single, I had a travel companion almost all the time. How did that work? Simple: Take my trip from Western Europe to India over land. I started of traveling alone, but in Russia I traveled for a week with some Russian people I met, then in Siberia and Mongolia I traveled for a month with some Swedish guys who I had met on the train. In Tibet I traveled with a Canadian girl and a Dutch guy, in Nepal I traveled with an American girl for two weeks and ran into some people I met in Tibet again.
Is traveling alone boring? Not at all! And the good thing is, even though those people became my friends, I didn’t have to travel with them anymore if I didn’t want to. I could just go left when they turned right: benefit number 2: traveling single is the ultimate self-indulgent.
Tips for traveling alone:
1. Stay in hostels
2. Try couchsurfing
3. Go out to bars/clubs
4. Get off the beaten path to meet locals
5. Most important: be open minded. This applies to traveling single as well as with others of course
Month: April 2018
Gold Rings Leave Black Marks on More Than Just Fingers
Traditionally, gold has been the metal used in rings, for a number of reasons. From its value and social status to its malleability and comfort, gold rings have been the standard for as long as people have been making jewellery. But if you are in the market for a ring, there are some downsides to sticking with tradition and reaching for the gold.
For one thing, there’s the softness issue. Gold is a very malleable metal, which is great for jewelers. It means it doesn’t take much in the way of heat or force to get gold to do what they need it to. Unfortunately for you, it doesn’t take much for you to do significant damage to your ring, either. A gold ring will not hold up well to frequent bumps and impacts. What might seem like a soft bump to you can dent or scratch your ring. And of course, with time, that gold ring will warp and bend from the heat of your hand, turning your perfectly round ring into a slightly misshapen oval.
Then there is the irritability factor. For some people, gold jewellery is simply not an option. Whether it’s discolorations of the hands, or a more significant reaction, gold can sometimes be an irritant to the skin. While outright allergies to gold are somewhat uncommon, the alloys used to produce gold jewellery can react on some people. Black marks around the finger that you wear the ring on are the most common reaction. A higher karat or quality value of gold will sometimes cure this problem, but it will increase the cost of your gold ring significantly.
Aside from those problems, there is the originality factor. A gold ring is a common piece – odd as that may be for such an expensive metal. Gold has been used in jewellery for hundreds – if not thousands – of years, and many people who would rather not put much thought or importance on the originality of their ring simply select gold out of habit or the suggestion of others.
All of this is not meant to dissuade you from purchasing a gold ring. There are many fine designs available in gold, and despite its common use, it is possible to find an original design that will stand out slightly from the crowd. But before you drop a large amount of cash, you should consider all the factors that go into a ring purchase, and make sure that a gold ring is right for you. If it is not, there are certainly many fine alternatives out there, including silver, platinum and titanium, that would make a fine addition to your jewellery collection.
Roofing Techniques – Have You Tried These?
There are several roofing techniques you can employ to assure that your project meets quality and code standards. These may apply to new roofs, re-roofing or roof repair. Depending on the task at hand you will employ specific tools and techniques to accomplish your goals.
Some of the decisions you make will have to follow municipal guidelines and laws, while others will be determined by your personal preferences. There a many online resources for the details of how to best implement the processes in protecting the life and functionality of your roof system.
The roofing techniques involved in laying down a new roof follow a fairly standard process. The first layer of your roof system is the sheathing. These are the plywood sheets you can see attached to the rafters in the attic. These provide the foundation upon which the rest of the system is built.
The next layer added is called the underlay. There are a variety of materials used during this technique with the most common being builder’s felt. This second layer is now required in municipal codes and provides added protection from the elements. The valleys, eaves, rakes and protrusions all get an application called flashing. This technique directs water away from these vulnerable spots.
The final step in roofing techniques is laying down the outer covering. These options include many varieties of materials and styles. Choose your contractor based on their experience with your specific choices. This way you are guaranteed that they will know the proper techniques for installation, because all roofing material has its own installation requirements.
If you are re-roofing an asphalt surface, for example, you must check the rake, or sloping edge, to see how many layers are currently on the roof. There are laws governing the number of layers a house is allowed to have.
There are differing roofing techniques for roof repair as well. Once you have identified a problem, you should research the specific recommendations for addressing the concern. Do not let the problem continue as this will result in more serious damage that will be costlier and more time consuming to fix.
If you have noticed a leak inside, go to the attic and search for the exact location of the problem. You can use a screwdriver to check the wood for rot in determining what degree of repair is needed. If you must replace shingles or tiles on the roof, learn the specific techniques for your particular materials…
Importance of Home Furniture
There are plenty of ways of improving your home but one of the simplest is through home furniture. Having new furniture can make all the difference to your home.
For instance, a brand new dining table can alter the whole atmosphere of your dining room and be a major feature for your family and guests to enjoy. Made from a variety of materials such as oak, pine, and glass there are so many different types to choose from nowadays. Stylish dining chairs can also add to the dramatic effect of the dining table, especially high back or leather chairs.
Sideboards can make space by removing clutter from the rest of the room. Lighter sideboards can brighten a room, while darker colors can be a main feature of your living room if it set against a light background of floors and walls.
Coffee tables can also be found in unusual materials, such as hand-crafted, colored steel or glass Coffee Table Aquariums. These can be very unique items of home furniture and can really make a personal statement.
Sofa Suites can come in many colors. Bright ones can really stand out, since most people choose comfort over design. If you can find a unique design as well as comfort then you will have everything. We all spend most of our time in the living room so this one place where we should express our personality and feel comfortable about who we are.
Stylish bedroom furniture can allow your bedroom to express your night-time self. Choose from an endless range of wooden, metal or even leather bed frames. Each of these can make your bedroom express a different side to your personality. Matching wardrobes and dressing tables can all add to your bedroom’s overall style. Units that have a lot of mirrors can make your bedroom appear much bigger than it actually is. Dark units can make a large room full of interesting shadows.
Here are just some of the ways that only a few items of new furniture can add to your home. Home furniture designs will always be changing and can add that extra sparkle of interest so you can get the best of making your home looking unique and part of what makes you who you are.
Barbour Accessories to Complete Your Barbour Fashion Style
Everyone wants to be in fashion and most of the time we are guilty to buy accessories without properly learning what goes with it and how to wear it correctly. There are hundreds of fashionable accessories that can match your own taste of style and make an ideal outfit. There are obviously a combination of great accessories for a great Barbour fashion style to complete your own fashion statement.
Barbour clothing have been around for hundred of years and is ideal for outdoor activities. This famous country wear is in line with durability and quality. In order to complete this style of clothing, someone should mix it and match with great Barbour accessories. This includes belts, bags, handkerchief, footwear, socks, hats and gloves, and even scarves. This accessories could enhance your Barbour fashion style as well as they serve as an additional protection from cold and insect bites while going outdoors.
Barbour have a reputation for quality and durability. They produce excellent Barbour accessories made with highest quality of materials. They have some of the softest cashmere scarves, the most rugged field gloves, and the most comfortable socks, with this Barbour accessories there is something to suit everybody and every outdoor activities.
Besides the most comfortable socks and the softest cashmere scarves, Barbour accessories such as handkerchief, bags, footwear, socks and hats are also built to the same high standards as the coats. The best and most appropriate materials are carefully chosen to ensure that Barbour accessories could give you years of service.
Country wear are constantly improving, people’s clothing requirements change and so companies respond to this change. Clothing design may change but the quality and durability of the materials remain. The range of Barbour products which is intended for outdoor activities will surely keep you warm and dry. Now, your whole family will experience legendary outdoor activities and incomparable comfort with this country wear.
Things to Know About Party Bus Rental
Do you want to rent a party bus but you simply do not know where to start? Do not worry as I am here to help. Indeed there is nothing like a bus rental in order to help maintain the party mood when changing clubs or between dinners. There are various things that you will need to know when it comes to party bus rental and I hope that my article will be able to help.
First of all you should consider choosing a company that is legitimate and that will provide you a good service. Nowadays there are many companies that may charge some really affordable prices but only to give you a crap service. It is important that you keep this into account when looking for party bus rental. A lot of people simply underestimate that and ends up taking a bus with some inadequate equipment and also some unprofessional drivers.
You should also make sure that the party bus you choose is correctly insured in case of accidents. Here again choosing a reputed company should prevent you from having such problem. It is recommended that the insured amount be $1.5 million per vehicle in order to provide enough cover. Do not hesitate to ask question to the staff when you go to rent the bus. Some companies may even list all these information on their website and you should probably visit it in order to learn more on this.
It should also be quite helpful for you to pay a visit to the company before actually booking the party bus. This will allow you to have an idea about the amenities that you can expect from the bus. You should also seize the opportunity to ask the staff more information on the bus. For instance it will be interesting for you to find out what is included in the price. Also be sure to ask about pick-up time and the location.
If you want to save some money on your bus rental it might be a good idea for you to book early. Usually there is a form of early bird discount that is given to those that booked early and this should entitle you to have a discount. Also during the peak season there may be a shortage of buses and you will be in a better position if you book your party bus quite early.
More Fun Ways to Improve Your Fashion Style This Year
The most interesting thing about fashion is that it’s ever changing. There’s always a possibility that what’s trending yesterday will be a taboo the next. And before you know it, a style that has long been forgotten has emerged once again and starts to rule the fashion space once more. If you come to think of it, it’s the like the water snake, which the Chinese believe is quite unpredictable. 2013 is the year of the water snake, and just like this reptile, you can add more fun to your year by being more adventurous and unpredictable with your style.
Create a New Fashion Statement. Creating a new fashion statement is not as difficult as it may seem. Try buying pieces from a high-end fashion shop and buy some from a low-end store. Combine them and see what you can get. With a little bit of creativity, you can come up with a real cool style that’s unique to you.
Buy Versatile Pieces. Before purchasing anything, whether it be a dress, a t-shirt, or a pair of jeans, think first of at least three ways you can match and wear it. This way, you can be sure that nothing inside your closet will be left unworn before the year ends.
Expand Your Shoe Collection. Your footwear can make or break your outfit. Expand your collection by buying at least one pair of shoe each season. You don’t have to spend thousands of bucks on several pairs, though. If you know where to look, you can definitely find shoes to match what’s already inside your closet without having to spend too much.
Experiment with Different Styles. Who says you can only have one fashion style? Again, this is the year to be more creative, so don’t limit yourself to a style you’re used to carrying. If you’ve had the same style for the past three years, it’s definitely time for you to come out of your shell and try something new. Why not experiment by mixing basic pieces with quirky ones? Or, how about you try that style you’ve been wanting to try out, but are just afraid it wouldn’t look good on you? Take the risk and see how it goes!
Just like the water snake, fashion can be very unpredictable. What is “in” now may be out of fashion the next few days or weeks. For this reason, learn to adjust and develop your own personal style, so that whatever happens with fashion this year, you can rest assured that you will have a style you can call your own at the end of the day.
Info 101 – School Bus Safety and Stopping Laws
While School Bus Safety Week is only observed during the third week of October-its message reverberates throughout the year. After all, some 25 million children ride school buses every day.
And, although school buses are said to be the safest form of highway transportation, accidents continue to happen. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seven school-age children are killed in school bus crashes every year-and 19 are killed getting on and off their school buses.
First and foremost, then, remind your child to avoid what’s called the Danger Zones-a ten foot area around the front, back, and both sides of the bus. The driver can’t see a child crossing too close to the front of the bus, and walking along the sides or back risks being hit by other motorists, as well.
Then take it further, reiterating how to get on the bus, behave while on board, and finally how to exit.
Kids should line up and board one at a time, and, once inside, quickly take a seat–and remain seated throughout the ride. To avoid distracting the driver, voices should be kept low. Should your child have a question, she should wait until the bus comes to a stop, then raise her hand, and call out the driver’s name to get her/his attention. Meanwhile, backpacks and such should be kept out of the aisle. And remember: rowdy behavior is never tolerated and is usually met by a loss of bus riding privileges.
When alighting from the bus, children should take their time and continually check in all directions for oncoming vehicles, making sure they can see and be seen by the driver. Once the driver signals that it’s clear to cross, kids should do so, steering clear of the bus’s Danger Zones.
Meanwhile, the school bus stopping laws differ somewhat from state to state. In Pennsylvania, motorists must . . .
1. STOP when meeting or overtaking a school bus whose red signal lights are flashing and stop arm is extended.
2. STOP when approaching an intersection where a school bus’s red signal lights are flashing and stop arm is extended.
3. STOP when traveling in the opposite direction of the school bus if there is only a ridged or grooved divider between the lanes.
4. Do NOT STOP when traveling in the opposite direction if there is a clearly indicated divider between lanes, such as trees, grass, etc.
5. STOP at least ten feet away from the bus and wait until both the lights stop flashing, the stop arm is retracted, and all children have moved to safety before traveling on.
Be forewarned: every year, about 1,000 Pennsylvania motorists fail to obey these bus stopping laws and receive a 60-day license suspension, five points on their driving records, plus a $250 fine.
So, for safety’s sake, be patient, obey the law, and heed the theme of this year’s School Bus Safety Week: “Avoid harm; obey the arm.”