Simply Live Anywhere

Discover the best region of France on a bicycle

Aquitaine, which is the region on the Atlantic coast just North of the Pyrenees mountains, boasts some of the most splendid scenery to be found in France.

I combined my September visit with a stay in the relaxing surroundings of Villa Souvenir, a private property set in its own wooded park in a small village surrounded by enormous pine forests. They offer guided cycling tours which cover areas you would just not get to see on your own. That combined with excellent food, makes this my top recommendation.

Their website emphasises their knowledge in guided cycle tours and cycle training camps in France.

 

 

The good Lords fighting to protect personal privacy

A recent vote in the House of Lords in London proves that there are fortunately still some intelligent people who are thinking about privacy and personal freedom.

The United Kingdom is about to embark on the most ambitious and complex ID system ever contemplated anywhere in the World, yet it is found flawed by industry experts and third parties.

US bullies Europe and honest travelers legal rights

Naturally most European citizens do not even realize that this is going on... The EU Commission has now caved in to the US request to transfer PNR passenger data, despite contravening current EU privacy law. I discussed this recently Personal Privacy at risk as EU ponders new laws.

Travellers to Central America can avoid flying via the USA

Due to more airline alliances, cuts in travel and the synergy effect of sharing resources, Central America is in some ways becoming cut-off from Europe. This results from the fact that many flights to Central America are now optimising aircraft capacity and flying via the USA.

People living overseas: glacial ice beats the famous brands

Over the past few months I have written about many of the practical reasons that motivate ordinary people to pack their bags and take off for a life overseas. Let us now take a look at first-hand reports.

Personal Privacy at risk as EU ponders new laws

Personal Privacy is at risk as the EU ponders new laws, which if introduced, would in part mimic the hastily enacted and controversial US Patriot Act.

The simple life motivates many to live abroad - PT3.

Many people are just longing to get out of the rat race and are enchanted by the opportunity to simplify their life and live abroad in a different culture. Simplifying your life does not have to infer frugality, but just means ridding yourself of superfluous commitments.

Lurn vee langwidg en u ken git a gud job

Force them to learn the English language. Track them down, put them into solitary confinement for a few years and force them to learn their mother tongue!

Dr. Otto Weizman begs to not meddle with other cultures

In one of the updates to his book, I remember Dr. Otto Weizman's sage advice not to meddle with other cultures. By all means visit other peoples - if it is acceptable - but do not attempt to convert them to anything else.

Brilliant Masses or Perpetual Travellers?

Living abroad and/or living a simpler life doesn't necessarily mean being on a discovery mission, although it can. It has often been falsely interpreted that everybody who decides to go and live abroad, maybe on a desert island, is still trying to find himself or herself. Some people however, have very consciously determined that they wish to escape the rat race. Other travellers have decided that they are just happier when perpetually travelling. On the other hand, maybe you belong to one of the "Brilliant Masses"?

Privacy alert: US snooping on innocent travellers breaks International law

The Guardian reports that the US authorities in light of recent cancellations to Washington were scanning lists of passengers for future flights.

This is in blatant disregard of current laws and not even in line with future agreements to be drawn up between the USA and the EU (European Union.) No current or planned data-sharing agreements permit the transfer of data based on a future reservation.

Living a simpler life - maybe abroad - but who mentioned frugality?

Whoever associated a simple life with a frugal life was missing part of the message. I try to live a simple / simpler life, but that does not mean that it has to be frugal. I have NO desire to live high in the mountains in a log cabin without hot water. A swimming pool or a hot tub /Jacuzzi is just fine, as long as there is somebody to clean it!

Why moving abroad does not mean saying goodbye

Although many people are looking forward to moving abroad, one thing that holds some back is the fear of having to say goodbye to friends and loved ones at home. That is understandable, but it's really not necessary to say goodbye.

Living abroad: thoughts on its meaning

What does living abroad really mean? Obviously, it depends where you are located. The definition of where you are currently living or where you are currently not living is necessary in order to be able to define where living abroad might be.

Illegal US - EU Axis of Surveillance

US Travel Surveillance authorised by EU. Can US data protection measures be trusted? Passing European airline passenger data to US authorities contravenes European privacy law and puts passengers at risk that their personal data could be misused.

Visa regulations frequently reciprocal

Visa regulations when traveling abroad are frequently reciprocal. Trade regulations / barriers are often similar.

How to get good food when flying in economy /coach class

Many travelers value good food regardless of how much they have paid for their airline ticket. Of late, more business travelers have had to endure the often poor quality of food onboard aircraft due to corporate cutbacks and general economy measures.

Is your #1 resolution - go to live abroad?

Some people are fed-up with the rat race and have decided to live abroad; perhaps even having now made this their New Year's Resolution. Despite many guides and expert advice on hand, often a type of writers-cramp sets in. They don't know where to start their planning and don't know exactly where they want to go.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year. A Happy New Year to all readers.

Flights with Air Marshals probably more dangerous than those without

US Government pressurised UK to adopt Air Marshal idea. Safety factor remains in doubt...

Royal Command to the US Immigration Authority (amongst others): Queen Elizabeth demands the freedom to travel

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (implicitly) defies (the new) barriers against the freedom to travel for her subjects.

Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas. Peace and goodwill to all men!

Join in the festivities when living abroad

Some people living abroad ask me what to do at festive times. They feel left out of things if they don't have their family around them. I always recommend that they try to join in the festivities.

200 palms absolutely free

You are not going to find this just by sitting at your computer. You have got to be prepared to travel - out of the way too. But then travelling is great fun ...

Obtaining healthcare information when living overseas

Obtaining health-related information when at home is easy, but how do travelers and people living overseas cope when they have language difficulties?

US Government wishes to control use of the Internet

This is not a joke; the report comes from a credible source! Post by Sue Ngon.

Personal Privacy Alert - Your phone has been googled

Just imagine you pick up your phone and hear, "Hi, I just found your private phone number in Google, so I thought I would call to sell you a vacuum cleaner." What may be common knowledge to geeks is by far known to everybody.

Freedom to Communicate - not only a concern for Travellers

Frequent travellers and other people living abroad depend on their freedom to communicate with the rest of the world. But do we take it for granted and are we aware of what is going on behind closed doors? This affects the less mobile of the population too.

Freedom to Speak - Freedom to Read - Freedom to Think - a Traveller's Risk

A risk when travelling abroad is that you might not be free to read what you wish without Government control. So how can we have the freedom to form opinions if we are not free to read what we wish? When travelling abroad, it is wise to be aware that other countries have different interpretations of freedom.

Emotions affect people moving abroad

A complex and sometimes emotional subject for people moving overseas is what to take with them. Some people are almost tempted to take the proverbial kitchen sink.

CAPPS II - personal privacy violations increase ID Theft

If the loss of one's personal privacy is not enough, then the biggest concern regarding CAPPS II is the threat of Identity Theft. ID theft is the fastest growing crime on the Internet and is not under control.

A true traveller learns to respect the culture of others

We do no favour to the Guarani Indians by giving them computers and introducing them to the Internet.

The Emperor's New Clothes or The Traveller with NO Clothes

The similarities between the CAPPS (Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-screening System) and Hans Christian Anderson's Fairy Tale "The Emperor's New Clothes" would be laughable if it were not so sinister.

Black man, white man or yellow man: Clear communication only when living abroad?

The above descriptors are quite lucid in foreign countries, so why should the Western World have to convolute them? Why should I be offended at being called a white man? When visiting the multi-racial country of Mexico, I am regularly called "white man."

How to cook a turkey - Mexican style

A lighthearted post today for the many American readers celebrating Thanksgiving. (Includes a recipe).

Linking laws - a hidden danger for weblogs?

Germany passed an insane law that make a web site owner responsible for the content of any sites to which they link. A reference to the authorship of the other site is insufficient as a disclaimer.

Deceased government employees no longer allowed to travel!

If a Government employee dies on the job then his travel expenses cease immediately. Watch out James Bond!

Biometric data disagreement might impact freedom to travel

A recent EU meeting discussed personal biometric data on passports, however disagreement still exists as to which technology will be integrated. Time is running out before the freedom to travel to the US will be curtailed for many European travelers.

Motivation for living abroad - PT2.

Living abroad in a different culture and lifestyle - a fascinating first hand experience which has motivated many people to go and live abroad. Unless you plan on living abroad...

Mosquito Police now in charge in Singapore

Good Medical Service or Government Control Gone Mad? The Mosquito Police are checking householders to see if they have any mosquitos on their property.

Personal Privacy Breach - Pressure mounting against CAPPS II

The practice of the US Government in collecting and using airline passenger data is becoming known and meeting with resistance in several quarters. Any person flying within or to and from the USA is risking exploitation of their personal privacy. Dozens of...

Freedom of the Internet - keep it free from interference

Hands-off the Internet! Plea for the freedom of the Internet launched by software and Internet Guru.

Traveling or Living Abroad - Who to Trust?

How can you know whom to trust when traveling or living abroad, when it's bad enough at home? In this case, Seth Godin questions whom we can trust, when we are constantly confronted with fraudulent scams in the comfort of our own homes? Fraudsters, who are just waiting to steal your credit card number and personal details on the Internet or via email. Such scams can put your personal privacy and financial privacy at risk.

What motivates people to live abroad? PT1.

What motivates people to want to live abroad? Better weather, a lower cost of living and less stress are three points in a longer list of factors that affect people's decision to live abroad.

Escape the rat race - reduce stress, save money and lose weight

Various studies have shown that stress can lead to compensatory consumption that manifests itself in various forms, including overspending and overeating.

Does less stress therefore lead to saving money and losing weight? We wish to look at whether by simplifying your life you can help to achieve all three.

Patriot Act - Sell-by Date expired - Hope for more Privacy?

A sell-by date implies a justifiable starting date. In fact, parts of the Patriot Act, especially those concerning personal privacy, could never be truly justified from the start.

Gore now challenges Bush to rescind the Intrusive Patriot Act.

Syringe Use Overseas - Risk Higher than Imagined: Dr. Otto Weizman

It was common knowledge that syringes used for injections in some countries were unreliable. However, a new report reveals that the risk is much higher than imagined and taking one with you is no longer an option. Dr. Otto Weizman used to suggest taking a syringe on overseas trips, but due to heightened...

Reducing Credit Card Fraud Risk for Travelers

Frequent travelers and people living and working abroad use credit cards more often than most people do. By restricting the use of a credit card within user-definable parameters could help to reduce their fraud potential. Although articles in the press have not yet mentioned this feature, it is quite feasible if the credit card associations take up on the idea. The original idea was that the new credit cards containing a chip would have enough storage space to contain user instructions.

Homeland Security threatens US economy

Some business visitors and big bucks purchasers of US products are now turning their backs on the US. All business relations have a personal factor and the intimidation at the US border is something that people simply do not enjoy.

Frequent Travelers: Women Looking for the Ladies

A problem that besets not only women but also men when travelling is that at various times of the day they must attend to the call of nature.

In England, women then look for the "Ladies" and men naturally look for the "Gents." American travelers of both sexes will ask for the bathroom.

Whichever terms you use, frequent travellers sometimes find that their need to "go" doesn't always fit with their travel planning.