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High Speed Rail Means More Time for Fun

You know us, we are nuts for trains, and the faster the better.
So while high speed trains may seem like the transportation of the future, and they certainly are, they are also here right now and have even been around for quite a while….
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You know us, we are nuts for trains, and the faster the better.

So while high speed trains may seem like the transportation of the future, and they certainly are, they are also here right now and have even been around for quite a while.

The first fast trains go all the way back to 1934 and the age of steam when a Burlington Railroad streamliner broke the one hundred mile per hour barrier. But an electric train in Germany had actually accomplished the feat thirty years prior to that.

Modern High Speed Rail, often called Bullet Trains, now runs all across the globe routinely achieving the one hundred mile per hour mark and in fact often doubling that.

Yet there is no set definition of “high speed” when it comes to trains.

In the United States it is defined as service that can be reasonably expected to reach sustained speeds of more than 125 miles per hour, while “very high speed rail” refers to trains running on special dedicated tracks at speeds of over 150 mph.

A few years ago we had the chance to ride the fastest one on Earth, the Maglev in Shanghai, which commonly reaches two hundred and fifty miles per hour on its run from the city to the airport, but has topped three hundred on test runs.

While it does not run on rails in the traditional sense, it is definitely considered high speed rail. The Maglev, as the name indicates, actually floats, or levitates, on a magnetic field. Hence the name, Mag-Lev.

We rode it just for fun, but high speed trains are also a great way to travel and offer several advantages to some other forms of transportation.

We think that the best of these benefits is the convenience of leaving and arriving in the center of the city as opposed to way out on the outskirts of town at the typical airport.

With Rail service there are no more stress-filled rides to the airport, no arriving two hours ahead of your flight, and no long lines for security, which can save so much time that it is almost like getting an extra day of vacation.

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This means that for any trip of under four hundred miles you will save time, and certainly aggravation by riding the rails.

Another big plus is that trains almost never get delayed by bad weather, so there are seldom delays and cancellations to disrupt the journey. That is certainly something to think about, especially when travelling over the holiday season.

But there are other less obvious advantages as well, not the least of which is comfort. It is nice to arrive at your destination relaxed and refreshed. Extra room, think legs not being crushed by the seat in front of you, certainly helps with that.

There is also room to move about the train, stretch your legs, and even have a decent meal or snack while travelling.

Another big plus is the reduced impact on the environment. The emissions produced while travelling by train can be up to 90% lower than when flying. Rail travel is often even more fuel efficient than driving your car.

The network of these super-fast railways has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few decades, especially in Europe and Asia. There are now well over five thousand miles of high speed track across Europe, and even more throughout Eastern Asia as Japan, China, South Korea, and Taiwan continue to add to their networks.

America may have been a little late to the party, but the plans are in place to significantly increase the availability of high speed trains in the near future.

All of this adds up to a better way to get from here to there, saving time, stress, and energy.

Also, it’s fun!

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

Do You Need A Visa When Traveling From US to UK?

The UK is a popular travel destination for many US residents. It’s home to lots of fine tourist attractions like Buckingham Palace and The Tower of London. Indeed, it might be the next place you decide to visit… CONTINUE READING >> 

The UK is a popular travel destination for many US residents. It’s home to lots of fine tourist attractions, including iconic places like Buckingham Palace and The Tower of London. Indeed, London has long been the main destination for tourists going to the UK, but plenty of other places and regions have started to offer delights for travelers. Moreover, the UK has become a great family holiday destination as there are loads of things to do with your kids. So, it might be the next place you decide to visit!

If that’s the case, you obviously have a few concerns to think about. For now, let’s imagine you’re traveling in a world without any travel restrictions due to the virus. Let’s assume you’re planning your trip for when it’s safe to do so! Here, the big question is a simple one: do you need a visa to travel from the US to the UK?

No, if you’re staying for less than 6 months

In short, most people won’t need a travel visa when journeying across the ocean to stay in the UK. Usually, all you need is a valid passport – preferably with 6 months remaining on it – and some sort of proof that you’re traveling for tourism. This tends to include things like your return tickets for the flight home, hotel bookings, etc.

You won’t need to fill in a long visa application beforehand, or even bother with things like indefinite leave to remain documentation. You and your family are free to stay and enjoy all the UK tourism for up to half a year! Most families will only go on holiday for a couple of weeks – maybe even a month at most. So, you should all fall into this category, meaning you have nothing to worry about.

Yes, if you’re staying for over 6 months

However, if you are planning to stay for over 6 months, you will need a visa to enter the UK. There is a series of long-term visas that last 2 years minimum for people to apply for. This will let you stay in the UK for up to that period, and you may be able to extend it beyond that. Still, this seems overkill for most families visiting the UK on holiday. The chances that you will stay beyond 6 months are incredibly slim, but who knows, you may decide to move over there! Generally, 99% of you reading this won’t have to worry about getting a visa because your trip will be within the 6-month range.

On that note, it’s fair to say that you don’t have to go through loads of complex immigration or visa applications when journeying to the UK for a short vacation. Again, this is one of the reasons it’s become a popular destination for families in the US. It’s easy to get to, and there are few things to stress over while planning your trip. Now, you can focus on pinpointing which areas of the UK to visit, and which tourist sites to see!

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

A COMPLETE GUIDE about IMEI number you MUST KNOW

When you buy a used phone, you need to consider a few factors like price, accessories, working conditions and test real or fake ones.

To find whether the second-hand phone you are buying is safe enough to buy or not, we have one method- A IMEI check for free.

In this article, you will get to know about the IMEI number from A-Z. So, read it till the end.

    • What is an IMEI number?

IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. Every device, be it any model that requires cellular connectivity has a unique IMEI number.

It comprises basic cell phones, smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets. An IMEI check for free identifies your mobile device no matter whether your SIM card is present in it or not.

For instance, Suppose your mobile is stolen, and the SIM card is removed from the device; the mobile provider can still block the phone accessibility using the IMEI number.

    • The Basics about IMEI number

An IMEI number is a 15 digit number unique for every phone, even for the same brand and model.

The manufacturers have purposefully enabled this uniqueness for the users to track their mobile device conveniently.

If you are going to buy a second-hand phone from a third party vendor, you need to understand how to check the IMEI number.

    • Difference between the IMEI and Serial number

Often, the IMEI number is confused with the serial number. A serial number is a set of letters and numbers given to a product to identify the place and time of manufacture to understand its features and determine its origin.

It is created by the manufacturers and maybe the same for other devices. You can find them on the back of the phone box or in the settings like the IMEI number.

However, an IMEI number is produced by an international organization called Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA) that handles all mobile network operators.

The IMEI number only consists of a 14 digit unique number with a check digit at the end. Without an IMEI number, a mobile device is invalid.

 

    • How to find your mobile’s IMEI number?

You can identify your mobile’s IMEI number using various methods. It might vary for iPhone and other Android phones.

IMEI check for free methods include

    1. Get it in your settings.

 Go to settings> General> About> IMEI number.

    1. Call *#06#

Go to call dashboard> Enter *#06#> Call> IMEI number

Screenshot or note down this number for future use.

    1. Check-in your phone box

 As mentioned earlier, you can find the IMEI number at the back of the phone box. Every mobile comes with the IMEI details on its parcel.

 

    1. Apple website (only for iPhones)

If you have an iPhone, you can sign in your account details on the Apple website and select your device to find the IMEI number.

You can also get the IMEI number from your mac pc and MacBook using the finder option present in it.

You can also use find your iPhone option in your MacBook or other devices connected to your phone to trace the IMEI number.

    • What to do when your IMEI number is BLOCKED or BLACKLISTED?

When you buy a phone and notice that the phone is blocked or blacklisted, you have only limited options to access it.

These phones with blacklisted IMEI numbers are shared only between the carriers, and you cannot unblock them easily.

Your device is locked to the particular network, so you have only one option. Try to contact the previous carrier and request them to unlock the device to access the device entirely.

Conclusion

When you know the IMEI number’s value, you will get to escape the trouble in advance. So, take your phone and note down your device’s IMEI number to secure your personal details.

We hope our valuable insights help you to make a wise purchase. Kindly share with us your experience of buying a second-hand phone in the comment section below.

 

 

7 Interesting Facts You’d Wish You Knew Before Moving to San Francisco

Moving to San Francisco can feel a bit different from moving to other places. The city has its own set of rules and regulations for moving trucks. Therefore, we would advise you to hire a San Francisco mover when you plan to move to the city…
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Even if you have lived in a big city in the United States, moving to San Francisco can give you quite a few surprises. Some of these surprises can feel great, while the rest not so much.

Moving to San Francisco can feel a bit different from moving to other places. The city has its own set of rules and regulations for moving trucks. San Francisco is also known for its hills, which can be quite difficult for new drivers to maneuver.

Therefore, we would also advise you to hire a San Francisco mover when you plan to move to the city as they would be aware of the regulations and also have the experience of driving a heavy truck through the neighborhoods. We hope that you find this blog post helpful if you are planning to move to San Francisco. And if you are already living in the city, you would probably get a good laugh out of reading it.

Morning and Evening Temperatures Can Be Different

If you have lived somewhere on the East Coast, you would be used to the weather being warm on a sunny day till about 10 PM. But it is not the same for San Francisco. Even if it is 70° during the day, the temperatures can drop by up to 10° after 5 PM. So always be prepared and have a light jacket with you when you’re in San Francisco.

Your Neighborhood Can Define You

People in San Francisco can judge you by the neighborhood that you live in. Although, like any other stereotyping, it is not always applicable to everyone. But once you start living in the city, you will indeed find several examples of it. So when you move to San Francisco, it is best to understand the neighborhoods before you start living somewhere permanently.

Cost of Living Is Very High

San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities to live in in the United States. Even with roommates, you could be paying up to $ 2000 every month. Finding an apartment in San Francisco, California can feel like playing pro football.

If you want to save on your living expenses, you will have to buy things online and compromise on supporting local businesses. So if you are moving here for a job, keep in mind that you will spend a lot more than what you used to live.

Something Cool Is Always Going on

One of the best things about San Francisco is that there are festivals, concerts, and other random cultural events going on all the time. San Francisco is well known for shutting the streets down to allow performances and yet, make it easy for people by adjusting public transportation. Many websites can tell you about the different events that are held regularly.

The City Is Dog Friendly

Whether you have a dog or just love dogs, you will find that San Francisco is an extremely dog friendly city. You will find parks in every neighborhood with dog-friendly areas. Many bars allow dog owners to bring in their dogs when it is not crowded. However, not all landlords allow pets, so check that before you move in with your dog.

Divisadero Is San Francisco’s Fog Line

San Francisco’s fog is one of the biggest contributing factors to the evening temperature drops we mentioned before. Divisadero is a street that runs from the North to the South of the city and cuts it into two halves.

If you choose to live on the east side of Divisadero, you will probably enjoy a lot more sunshine than those living on the west side. The entire city gets engulfed in fog every quite often, but it is more frequent on the west side.

Tips to Use MUNI

The bus system in San Francisco is called MUNI that you would either love or hate. But there are three things that you must keep in mind when you travel by bus to San Francisco. Never rely on Google Maps to find out when the next bus is coming and use apps like Rover or NextMUNI instead.

You will have to step down in most of the buses to get the back door to open up for you. If you fail to do it, you will have more than half the bus yelling at you, so it is best to avoid this rookie mistake. If your bus is going to pass through Chinatown, you will have to add some time to your trip because there are always delays.

So if you have chosen to move to San Francisco, come to the city with an explorer’s attitude. San Francisco has innumerable adventures and boundless opportunities that you can take advantage of. You will be able to discover new things anywhere you go in the city, so be ready for a few surprises.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

Ever Wonder How Our Adventure Began? Guess We’ve Always Been a Little Crazy!

A one-night stand (not ours!), a beat-up old car named the Sharkmobile, and the US Postal Service delivered a 1-2-3 punch we couldn’t ignore It might not be the most romantic story…
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Excerpt from Going Gypsy: One Couple’s Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All. Reprinted with permission from Skyhorse Publishing.

Once upon a time…

David James of GypsyNester.com in his youth
The Beanpole

When a twenty-two-year-old beanpole bass player with four years on the road under his belt, and all of the happy hedonism that goes along with that, meets an innocent eighteen-year-old Valley Girl who sneaked into a bar, the ensuing romance is likely to have a shelf life of exactly one night. But somehow that didn’t happen.

Even with the eagle-eyed clarity of hindsight, we can’t pinpoint the exact reason. It could be that we were all Shakespearean star-crossed. Could be we were both ready for a big change in our lives and just happened to collide. Could be we were just too dumb to know the odds; we certainly didn’t set out to defy them.

Veronica of GypsyNester.com in her youth
The Valley Girl

We are inclined to believe a fourth choice—all of the above. The one-night stand was going on in the next room with the roommate and the keyboard player while we fell into friendship instead of fake, temporary love.

But the road beckoned, and the band had to be back in Nashville, so that was that. Just two ships passing in the night. No one would ever know what might have been.

But that wasn’t that. Through the magic of pen, paper, envelopes, and stamps, they kept in touch. The Beanpole wrote to his new blue-eyed beach baby friend because something told him that couldn’t be that. A voice was whispering in her ear too, so The Valley Girl wrote back.

Before long, an old-fashioned, long-distance romance developed, almost entirely through the US mail. She says she fell in love through those letters. The Beanpole was already there when he started writing.

A few months later, fate—and a good bit of specific action seeking a band working on the West Coast—brought The Beanpole back to California for a face-to-face reunion. With this open-ended employment in the Golden State, young love had time to take its course.

The Sharkmobile. GypsyNester.com
The Sharkmobile – that’s a lot of metal.

Our story took a less fairy tale–like turn from there. The gig fell apart. What followed was a two thousand mile trek back to Music City in a $200 land barge named The Sharkmobile that had no reverse and no air conditioning, then a brief cohabitation and a “We ought to get married,” “Okay,” engagement. The next thing we knew, we were in the middle of a folding chair–bedecked wedding in a tiny, windowless, tile-floored church basement. Not exactly the groundwork for happily-ever-after.

* * * * *

The GypsyNesters at their wedding
The Beanpole was a bit nervous!

The odds of any marriage reaching ever-after are about fifty-fifty at best. Add to that a teenage bride and a road musician groom, then multiply that by being dead broke, and Veronica and I certainly seemed doomed. Good thing no one told us.

Before long we were calling our parents from a pay phone (our home phone had been shut off due to lack of funds) to tell them that they were about to become grandparents. I have often wondered what they must have been thinking.

Back when that beanpole bass player met The Valley Girl’s father, right before they ran off together, I remember being intrigued by the lack of any shotguns involved. But then, her dad did have an old hippie vibe about him. Old? He was a lot younger than we are now.

Even meeting my future mother-in-law went well. My new love wasn’t living at home, so I guess I wasn’t officially robbing the cradle, but still I expected to get grilled. Didn’t happen; Mom took right to me. Her stepfather didn’t say much at all.

By the time we were expecting their first grandchild, I had won over Stepdad, and we were joking that Mom liked me better than her own daughter.

As for us, few things can motivate reasonable human beings like the prospect of parenthood. We went with stunning velocity from laying around the love nest to up off our asses. Suddenly we were responsible for a life other than our own. We began to form tangible long-term goals.

The Spawn of the GypsyNesters
So happy to meet their baby brother!

In time, two more little ones arrived, and we learned that busting butt is what parents do. Find a way. A mother of three could start a company in her home because she learned how to make websites before most people had even heard of the Internet. A dad could successfully navigate a path in an occupation that regularly leaves the crushed carcasses of marriages and families in its wake.

Life’s twists and turns took us from Nashville to the Virgin Islands, always in search of the best situation for our family. In general, we met our goals but realized that they revolved around getting the kids raised and started on their own lives.

That is the short story of how, after twenty-some-odd years, we found ourselves living on a tropical island in the Caribbean about to become childless again, and wondering what to do.

The Spawn of the GypsyNesters

We didn’t have a clue, but somewhere in the recesses of our brains we must have known that the time had come to do something just for us.

I know that sounds selfish, but any parent knows that once the kids arrive, there’s not a lot of room left for the “us” in a couple.

And our time arrived way ahead of schedule. Let’s just say that Veronica and I prove that even the best forms of birth control are only 99 percent effective, but in hindsight we wouldn’t have had it any other way.

We had the stamina to survive three little ones back then, and now they’re full-grown and we’re still young enough to enjoy our new life together.

That was our answer. That was what to do. Rediscover that pre-kid couple who, thirty years ago, didn’t have enough time together. Because now, we had all the time in the world…

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

Excerpt from Going Gypsy: One Couple’s Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All. Reprinted with permission from Skyhorse Publishing.

YOUR TURN: One a scale from 1 – 10, just how crazy are we?

The Hidden Gems Of Palermo

If you visit the island of Sicily in southern Italy, you can easily spend your time in the big cities like Palermo and Catania, but why not discover their hidden treasures instead? When you think of Sicily, most of us will think of Mount Etna, the ancient capital of the Roman Empire, and the Mediterranean Sea and its famous beaches.

If you visit the west coast of Sicily, you will land in Palermo, one of the most beautiful islands of the Mediterranean.

The beach of Capaci 20 km from Palermo is well known to tourists but has beautiful sand and is a great place for relaxing but what if you wanted to go off the beaten track a little and find some other gems and attractions?

A one day explore

If you only have one day in Palermo, then maybe start with a street food walk. It is a great way to see some of the highlights of the city, go to the markets and taste typical Sicilian street dishes without eating too much at once. If you have time visit the Palermo Archaeological Museum.

Palermo is a huge and diverse area, so take your time and enjoy the beauty of the city, its history and culture. If you have the good fortune to stay longer then an Airbnb in Palermo could give you a good base from which to explore. A good idea in Palermo would be to buy enough food for a picnic and enjoy it in one of its parks, such as Villa Giulia.

The Palatine Chapel

This chapel is close to Palazzo dei Normanni right in the heart of Palermo. It is an incredibly well preserved example of Byantine architecture. It was built in 1132 and was dedicated to St Peter. It is covered with beautiful and intricate mosaics and it is an incredible creation and worth exploring.

The Capuchin Abbey and Catacombs

After visiting the Palatine Chapel you will probably be underwhelmed by the abbey here but underneath it lies the catacombs. This is something very different to the normal tourist attractions.

Underground are catacombs that spread out with examples of burials across time. The monks used to preserve the bodies with embalming and then they would lay them here in their own clothing. The bodies number over 8,000 and are still preserved to this day.

Monte Pellegrino

Sicily has beautiful regions that are full of mountains and hills. Monte Pellegrino is right next door to Palermo and lets visitors have a break from the city. From here you can look over the Meditarranean and the city of Palermo. This is a popular spot with the locals too as it is only 9 miles from Palermo city centre. If you feel energetic you could take a bicycle here but there are other forms of transport too..

Food markets

After the macabre burials at Capuchin Abbey, some light hiking at Monte Pellegrino has hopefully restored your appetite. There are many fine restaurants and cafes in Palermo but if you want to see how a city eats you need to visit its food markets.

There are a few to choose from in Palermo and the centre has 3 main ones. Ballaro, Cap and Vuccira are all ideally located for tourists as they are near many of the top attractions in the heart of Palermo. If it is to your liking there are street food tours available too to let you explore Sicilian food and the locals’ way of eating.

The nightlife

Of course like anywhere, Palermo has its own after dark attractions. The nightlife here in Palermo is not to be ignored, as it is intense, colourful and sometimes out of control. It is easy to stop at Porta Nuova, and you should definitely stop by to see the place after dark, it is one of the best places to go at night in Palermo. After a look around the colourful markets, there are plenty of fun things to do that won’t blow your pocket, so it won’t be long before you take in all of them and you should definitely put it on your list when deciding what to do in Palermo.

The Oratory of Santa Cita

The building goes all the way back to 1510. It was created as a place of worship and when you visit the Oratory you will possibly be less than impressed with the exterior of the building. However the hidden gem lies inside. The building has a much more intricate interior with some of the most incredible architecture crafted from marble. There are examples of angels and Cupid across the walls and is a real hidden gem in Palermo that most visitors will miss.

Summary

There are more hidden gems that you can search out yourself such as Palazzo Asmund, which houses a collection of ceramics and artefacts dating back hundreds of years and Santa Maria dello Spasimo an unfinished church in one of the oldest areas of Palermo. Outside of Palermo, Sicily has much to offer and If you wanted something different you could even take a tour of a chocolate factory! Spend your time exploring off the beaten track and you might find your own hidden gems in Palermo and further afield.

How Covid May Lead To Many More Digital Nomads

For many in the digital nomadic community, the months and years they spent working and traveling suddenly came to a halt this spring. Borders were closed and travel restricted. Many if not most digital nomads returned home.

In many cases home meant self isolation and lockdown. The very type of existence that digital nomads seek to avoid. The best way for those of us who do wish to keep traveling safely is to know where and when rapid testing near me is available.

Why do people choose to become digital nomads?

There are different reasons for changing lifestyles and heading off overseas but probably the most common one is a love of travelling. Many digital nomads make a living by writing travel blogs. This can be single people, couples and sometimes even young families.

Of course not everyone writes blogs, many people teach online, design websites or are graphic designers. There are a massive variety of ways to make an income online. Some people dropship to allow them to continue travelling. Just a few hours a week online can finance time in a less expensive country than home.

How much income do you need to sustain this lifestyle?

This really depends on where you were living. Southeast Asia is a popular place for working online although Thailand has said that digital nomads can work legally but have still raided working spaces, especially in Chiang Mai. Countries like Thailand offer a lifestyle that couldn’t be matched at home on a lower income.

What are the benefits?

For example imagine a Swedish man or woman in their late teens. Sweden is an expensive country with a lot of hours of darkness a year. That teen can travel around Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam and enjoy beaches, blue seas and sunny skies while working half the hours they would back home. They wouldn’t get rich but when you can rent private property for less than $100 a month and live on a few $s a day the appeal is obvious compared to the rat race back home.

Freedom is the main reason anyone would choose to live this way. Choosing your own work hours, having no boss, deciding on a whim to move town. Of course many digital nomads do end up settling in one place.

Why would Covid affect the future of digital nomads?

For a start there are a lot of people forced back home who are itching to get back on the road. They may have gone back to a country where work is now hard to come by and their online work that once provided a fun, exciting life is now barely allowing them to scrape by.

The other reason there will be more digital nomads is that there are millions of people who have lost their jobs and been forced to stay at home. Others have become remote workers either under orders from their companies or by their own free will as a way to earn money. These people are the ones who might now be realising they can work anywhere in the world.

Working almost anywhere in the world

The appeal of this shouldn’t be underestimated. While most people do enjoy work they also want freedom both financially and physically to do what they want. Being a successful digital nomad promises this and more.

The phrase being a ‘successful’ digital nomad shouldn’t be ignored. If you were thinking of doing this then a digital nomad guide will help you to plan ahead and see the pitfalls.

What if you want to become a digital nomad after Covid?

There are many unknowns and many questions to answer about what will happen after Covid is finally under control. There is a certain likelihood that you will not be able to travel to at least some countries without having proper insurance, certified as Covid free and quite possibly have a vaccination certificate. Certainly the Southeast Asian nations popular with digital nomads are being very strict and at the time of writing, Laos and Thailand’s borders are closed to neighbouring countries. Vietnam and Cambodia have strict controls for entry.

Being a successful digital nomad

This takes planning. You need savings. You need to know where you are headed to begin with and how you will work. Ideally you already have employment online. Heading off with just a laptop and a whim sounds great but financial backup is necessary unless you have a great knowledge of the country you are heading to including an existing support network. You need to be productive if you are to be successful.

It isn’t unusual for people to fail within months of arriving in a new country so do your research and save as much cash as possible. Some countries are more developed than others and you will need to know what to bring and what you can buy there. With preparation, work and a little luck it is possible and post Covid will surely see the return of digital nomads.