Expat Life & Travel

6 Ways Black Friday Madness Shows America At Its Worst: An Expat’s Nightmare!

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From Gratitude to Greed: How Black Friday Stole the Spotlight After Thanksgiving

Ah, Thanksgiving, the day that represents the very best of the good ol’ USA! The day we bask in gratitude, family love, and a second helping of mashed potatoes.

But as the clock strikes midnight, this wholesome Normal Rockwell painting gives way to the day that represents the very worst of America.

It’s the USA’s most unhinged tradition: Black Friday!

It’s not just shopping, it’s a full-contact sport where civility is traded for doorbusters and the concept of “peace on Earth” gets trampled along with store employees.

Yet this consumerist circus has transcended U.S. borders, becoming a global phenomenon of greed, chaos, and environmental destruction.

If you thought Black Friday was bad in America, buckle up. 

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5 Truths About Thanksgiving That Only American Expats Will Truly Understand

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Why Thanksgiving Is the Ultimate Expat Dilemma: 5 Truths Only Americans Abroad Will Get

Living abroad turns Thanksgiving into more than just a holiday, it’s a bittersweet cocktail of nostalgia, culinary improvisation, and a deep yearning for home.

From the hunt for elusive ingredients to finding camaraderie in unexpected places, here’s why this uniquely American tradition hits differently when you’re far from home.

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12 Tourist Traps You Should Dodge In 2025!

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The Destinations Fighting Back in 2025

Ah, travel in 2025, the era where your dream destinations come with an extra dose of tension, price hikes, and the occasional water gun ambush.

If 2024 was the year of revenge travel, 2025 is shaping up to be the year of “revenge destinations.”

From battle-worn locals to overrun landmarks, some spots have officially reached their breaking point.

Before you pack your bags, let’s talk about where not to go if you want to avoid overpriced meals, crowded trams, and gondola traffic jams that make rush hour look tame.

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Meet the Two Traveling Artists Making the World a Canvas of Humanity!

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The Art of Connection in a Divided World

“Meet two extraordinary artists redefining travel through human connection. David Guerrero and Devon Rodriguez turn fleeting encounters into timeless art.”

Let’s be honest: these days, the world feels like one long episode of Survivor: Global Edition.

Everywhere you turn, there’s conflict, whether it’s over politics, cultural differences, or the Great Pineapple-on-Pizza Debate (spoiler: it belongs there).

But amidst this chaos, two extraordinary artists, David Guerrero and Devon Rodriguez, are reminding us that humanity isn’t as fractured as it seems.

Armed with a camera and a sketchpad, these two young creatives have turned their love for travel into a mission to connect with strangers from all walks of life.

Whether it’s the bustling streets of Paris or the rumbling subway cars of New York City, their goal is the same: to uncover the beauty in the everyday and give it back to their subjects, free of charge, free of pretense, and full of heart.

In a world obsessed with likes and shares, David and Devon show us what it means to create for connection.

This isn’t just art, it’s a love letter to humanity.

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10 Must Have Free Travel Apps That Will Transform Your Next Trip!

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Why These Apps Are a Must-Have for Travelers

Say goodbye to confusion, missed connections, and overpaying, these apps make travel smoother, smarter, and way more fun.

Picture this: My first day in Bangkok, standing ankle-deep in canal water after hopping on the wrong commuter boat.

A helpful stranger tried to direct me, but my Thai was limited to a mangled “Sawadee ka”, and their English wasn’t much better.

That’s when I realized: travel is no place to go it alone, not without some help from the real MVPs: travel apps.

Whether you’re navigating ancient ruins, dodging traffic jams, or hunting for a last-minute hotel, these apps are your new best friends.

Let’s dive into 10 game-changing tools that will save you time, money, and sanity on your next adventure.

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12 Alarming Consequences Of An Airbnb Ban (You’re Not Ready for #7)!

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When “Live Like a Local” Becomes “Stay Like a Tourist”

Ever stayed in an Airbnb with mismatched mugs, a host who left you homemade cookies, or a quirky little apartment with just the right amount of character?

I’ve had a few unforgettable stays, and some, well, slightly questionable ones too.

But even my worst experiences are part of why I love Airbnbs: they make travel feel more real, more human, and more connected.

If the Airbnb ban movement gains traction, though, all those little stories and memories could vanish.

Here’s a deeper dive into what a world without Airbnb might look like for travelers, locals, and communities.

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10 Unconventional Travel Rules For Real Adventure (Ditch the Guidebooks!)

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Forget the Guidebooks: 10 Offbeat Travel Rules I Swear By (And Why Dolf de Roos Might Just Be My Spirit Animal)

Ever feel like you’re stuck in a paint-by-numbers version of travel? Endless itineraries, “must-see” lists, and Google Map pins suffocating any chance of real discovery?

Yeah, I was over it too, until I stumbled upon the same philosophy that Dolf de Roos preaches: Travel without a script, no safety nets or luxury budgets, just you and a wide-open world.

Dolf de Roos, a real estate guru, might not seem like the go-to guy for travel wisdom. But this guy’s overland adventures, full of unplanned detours and pure curiosity, hit me like a wake-up call. My take?

When you strip away all the “perfect travel plan” nonsense, the real journey begins.

Here’s how you can do it, one spontaneous decision at a time.

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7 Surprising Impacts of Social Connections On The Mental Health And Well-Being Of Families Living Abroad

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7 Surprising Impacts of Social Connections on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Families Living Abroad: How They Can Make or Break Your Family’s Expat Experience.

When families embark on the journey of living abroad, there’s often excitement, a sense of adventure, and a thirst for new experiences.

But amid the thrill lies an essential factor that can profoundly impact mental health and well-being: social connections.

Studies show that establishing these ties can mitigate the unique challenges faced by expat families, like isolation and cultural stress.

Without this support, the mental health of both parents and children can suffer, making adaptation to a new environment incredibly challenging.

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Reddit Expat: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Of Expat Life According To Redditors

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The Reddit Expat Perspective: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Expat Life!

If you’re thinking about living abroad or just want the inside scoop on the expat life, Reddit’s expat community has it all—the good, the bad, and, yes, the downright ugly.

From finding the best expat communities to uncovering the top countries for new residents, Reddit offers a mix of personal stories, invaluable tips, and sometimes brutally honest warnings.

With countless threads on everything from navigating visa paperwork to choosing the most affordable places, Redditors don’t hold back on what it takes to settle into a new country.

Here’s a deep dive into the realities of expat life, with insights from Reddit users on both the ups and downs of relocating abroad.

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