My 2016 Spring & Summer Travel & Life Plans

I'm a nomad. Here are my current travel plans. Also see Late 2015 Travel, Early 2016 Travel, and Where I Slept in 2015.

I have a clear picture of where I’ll be until about October 2016. Last week, I booked a flurry of awards, mostly with obscure mileage programs to lock in my dates for 2016.

New Wearable Translator to End Language Barriers

I've wondered when we would get a real-time wearable translator. The makers of "ili" say that it will be this Summer. Watch their first commercial.

Note this disclaimer: "UPDATE: In light of viewer feedback, we would like to clarify that the man and women are all actors and actresses; no one was forced to act against their will in any way."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6ngM0LHxuU

The commercial shows the actor's British English being converted to Japanese in real time, though I have no way to judge the quality of that translation.

If You Go to Tokyo, You Have to Play This Game

I just spent two days in Tokyo, and the most fun I had was playing "Tokyo Metro The Underground Mysteries," a game that sends you around the city by Metro to solve puzzles.

It took me three hours of hopping on and off trains, heading from place to place. I would not call the game a great way to see the city--although I did see some parts of the city I wouldn't have otherwise--because you spend most of your time underground;

If You Go to Tokyo, You Have to Play This Game

I just spent two days in Tokyo, and the most fun I had was playing "Tokyo Metro The Underground Mysteries," a game that sends you around the city by Metro to solve puzzles.

It took me three hours of hopping on and off trains, heading from place to place. I would not call the game a great way to see the city--although I did see some parts of the city I wouldn't have otherwise--because you spend most of your time underground;

Argentina Becomes a Normal Country Today!

Since 2010 (I think), Argentina has had an official exchange rate that was a complete fiction. You could not buy dollars at the official rate.

They Got Me Again: Second Time I’ve Ever Had Something Stolen While Traveling

Update five days later: in the post, I estimated how my behavior would change. Now I have some data. For one day, I was (irrationally) afraid to walk the streets at night. That's gone.

I am still taking my new phone out a lot less on the street, usually holding it in two hands and taking a look around to make sure no one is nearby first.

I have also started to feel less bad about getting ripped off as I've walked the streets day and night and frequently been within arms' length of someone else's phone.

Interesting Scam at Bogota Airport

I first came to Colombia 11 months ago, and $1 equaled about 2,000 pesos. Now $1 equals about 3,000 pesos. Since inflation has been low in the period, everything is about a third cheaper for me.

In the international baggage claim at Bogota's airport, I saw a money exchange. As everyone should know, money exchangers make their profits from the difference between the prices at which they buy and sell currencies. Airport money exchangers usually have a huge spread between the two. Suckers change their moneys at airports.

I’ve Booked Basically All of My 2015 Travel

I have a clear picture of where I'll be until about April 2016. Last week, I booked a flurry of awards, mostly with obscure mileage programs to lock in my dates for 2015.

I’ve Booked Basically All of My 2015 Travel

I have a clear picture of where I'll be until about April 2016. Last week, I booked a flurry of awards, mostly with obscure mileage programs to lock in my dates for 2015.

Top Five Countries I Still Want to Visit

Updated June 6, 2015: 3/5 accomplished, a fourth I've booked for this month. North Korea is still tantalizing.

I've passed the 55 country mark this year, but there's still so much more of the world I want to see.