For years we have heard stories about Sombor. For us, it’s a distant land that has that fairy tale essence. It always seemed like a magical place. KK Joker, the local basketball club that Nikola Jokic played for long ago, Jokic’s old school and the concrete ground he grew up on, the stables and the Sombor race track are all here. We knew these places existed, but we never knew if we would actually be able to feel them for real.

We arrived in Sombor on Sunday afternoon and met Jokic’s first coach Srdjan Stojkov at KK Joker. Srdjan gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of the entire facility, changing rooms and team offices, and let us into the gymnasium. It was an amazing experience. Mostonga Hall, the KK Joker facility, is old and was built in 1971. Some parts look very old school while others have been redone.

Once you walk through the doors, dim lighting and a pink brick hallway lead to a sparkling courtyard that can hold 1,000 fans. We’ve been told that Jokic and his family help lead the team and have invested heavily in the facility. They also recently upgraded the pitch to the standards needed to play in the Serbian First Division (KK Joker currently plays in the Second Division.) Branislav Jokic, Nikola’s father, is the chairman. Changing rooms and offices have also been redone recently. Srdjan shared stories about Jokic he remembers coaching him and we got to shoot on the pitch. It was special.

We then drove with Srdjan to the stables. Yes, Dream Catcher Stables. Surreal doesn’t even begin to describe what it’s like to be there. It was too perfect, almost fake. But the funny thing is that it’s exactly as you imagine it. The dogs – the same ones that interrupted his MVP interview on TNT – are still barking. The chair and table he used in this interview are still there, right next to the wall where they’ve probably been for years. The race track is exactly as you imagine it too. It is just off the street and behind the stables and a white gate. There’s a little grandstand on one side, and that’s it. Again, that’s perfect. It’s simple, authentic, calm, quiet and peaceful. Just perfect.

Then, the old school of Jokic and its basketball court. It was also so perfect that it didn’t seem real. The mural appears more than I expected in person. Surrounded by neutral colors and verdant trees, it stands out as it should. We played on the pitch for about an hour. It was so special to be there. Walk in the footsteps of the greatest player in the world. Playing on the same concrete he once played on. Like I said, surreal.

Afterwards, dinner at Restoran Slon Sombor (Elephant Restaurant). Apparently, this is a place that Jokic frequents. We ate fish stew, Jokic’s favorite, and other traditional Serbian dishes, as well as lots of Jelen beer, Serbia’s most popular beer. We remembered an incredible day. An incredible day. A day that will be talked about forever. Srdjan Vlaskalic, our guide in Sombor, also joined us for dinner. I’ll talk more about him tomorrow.

This trip has been a whirlwind. It was blurry. We have done so much in such a short time. But I was always able to feel incredibly present throughout our days here. Maybe it’s because each individual moment felt so important. It’s impossible not to be in the moment while experiencing this distant land. KK Joker, Hippodrome, Mural and Sombor were such powerful places to visit.

One final note: we spent the night at a place in Sombor called The Old Brick Pub. It’s a bar with dorm style rooms above. Yes, we slept above a bar. Also, kudos to Miroslav Cuk and Milan Mijalkovic from Serbian Corner and the Nuggets Serbia podcast who were lifesaving and accompanied us every step of the way and got us to Sombor. The nine of us sitting in a circle outside the old brick at 1 a.m., passing around a bottle of Rakija and reminiscing about what we had just experienced in Sombor is another flash memory that will live on forever. never.

What a day. More Sombor tomorrow.

For years we have heard stories about Sombor. For us, it’s a distant land that has that fairy tale essence. It always seemed like a magical place. KK Joker, the local basketball club that Nikola Jokic played for long ago, Jokic’s old school and the concrete ground he grew up on, the stables and the Sombor race track are all here. We knew these places existed, but we never knew if we would actually be able to feel them for real.

We arrived in Sombor on Sunday afternoon and met Jokic’s first coach Srdjan Stojkov at KK Joker. Srdjan gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of the entire facility, changing rooms and team offices, and let us into the gymnasium. It was an amazing experience. Mostonga Hall, the KK Joker facility, is old and was built in 1971. Some parts look very old school while others have been redone.

Once you walk through the doors, dim lighting and a pink brick hallway lead to a sparkling courtyard that can hold 1,000 fans. We’ve been told that Jokic and his family help lead the team and have invested heavily in the facility. They also recently upgraded the pitch to the standards needed to play in the Serbian First Division (KK Joker currently plays in the Second Division.) Branislav Jokic, Nikola’s father, is the chairman. Changing rooms and offices have also been redone recently. Srdjan shared stories about Jokic he remembers coaching him and we got to shoot on the pitch. It was special.

We then drove with Srdjan to the stables. Yes, Dream Catcher Stables. Surreal doesn’t even begin to describe what it’s like to be there. It was too perfect, almost fake. But the funny thing is that it’s exactly as you imagine it. The dogs – the same ones that interrupted his MVP interview on TNT – are still barking. The chair and table he used in this interview are still there, right next to the wall where they’ve probably been for years. The race track is exactly as you imagine it too. It is just off the street and behind the stables and a white gate. There’s a little grandstand on one side, and that’s it. Again, that’s perfect. It’s simple, authentic, calm, quiet and peaceful. Just perfect.

Then, the old school of Jokic and its basketball court. It was also so perfect that it didn’t seem real. The mural appears more than I expected in person. Surrounded by neutral colors and verdant trees, it stands out as it should. We played on the pitch for about an hour. It was so special to be there. Walk in the footsteps of the greatest player in the world. Playing on the same concrete he once played on. Like I said, surreal.

Afterwards, dinner at Restoran Slon Sombor (Elephant Restaurant). Apparently, this is a place that Jokic frequents. We ate fish stew, Jokic’s favorite, and other traditional Serbian dishes, as well as lots of Jelen beer, Serbia’s most popular beer. We remembered an incredible day. An incredible day. A day that will be talked about forever. Srdjan Vlaskalic, our guide in Sombor, also joined us for dinner. I’ll talk more about him tomorrow.

This trip has been a whirlwind. It was blurry. We have done so much in such a short time. But I was always able to feel incredibly present throughout our days here. Maybe it’s because each individual moment felt so important. It’s impossible not to be in the moment while experiencing this distant land. KK Joker, Hippodrome, Mural and Sombor were such powerful places to visit.

One final note: we spent the night at a place in Sombor called The Old Brick Pub. It’s a bar with dorm style rooms above. Yes, we slept above a bar. Also, kudos to Miroslav Cuk and Milan Mijalkovic from Serbian Corner and the Nuggets Serbia podcast who were lifesaving and accompanied us every step of the way and got us to Sombor. The nine of us sitting in a circle outside the old brick at 1 a.m., passing around a bottle of Rakija and reminiscing about what we had just experienced in Sombor is another flash memory that will live on forever. never.

What a day. More Sombor tomorrow.

Day 2 in Serbia was…

Unforgettable. Incomparable. Lifestyle change. It’s hard to describe what happened here in Belgrade on Saturday night. Whatever I say, I won’t do it justice.

We organized a meeting in a local bar in Belgrade (Kafana Mali Kalemegdan) to watch the Serbia-Germany friendly match with DNVR and Nuggets fans. It rained for much of Saturday and we didn’t know how many people were going to show up. But then we walked up the hill and saw the crowds ahead. Then someone shouted “Mile High City, Baby!” We knew we were going to have a hell of a night from then on.

The next five (or six, or seven, who really knows) hours were amazing. It’s rare to feel such a close connection with so many different people, from all walks of life, all educations, all walks of life, all at once. But that’s what we had. There was a special bond between everyone at Kafana last night. People I had never met were suddenly like family. We talked, laughed, hugged and drank like we were brothers all night.

It’s crazy how not just a sport or a team but a player can unite a group from Denver with one from Serbia – halfway around the world. This is the power of Nikola Jokic. We are all in Serbia because of him. We want to better understand it and Serbian basketball by immersing ourselves in this culture. Last night at Kafana, surrounded by everyone, I really started to discover what we had come here for. While we are so eager to learn about this country and its culture, Serbs are just as eager to share. This is highly appreciated by our DNVR group.

It’s such a proud nation. Serbs are so proud of who they are as a people, what they have overcome and what they have been through. He still shapes them today. They are willful and confident. They are serious and get to the point quickly. They don’t bullshit you. They tell you straight, although I’m pretty sure someone told me very seriously last night that Serbia was in fact responsible for the discovery of the United States.

I met people who came from different countries to be at the meet-up. Someone drove over 10 hours to pick up a special mark from Rakija and bring it to us last night. Man, it’s a special feeling when there’s that kind of love in a room. It’s the kind of environment you never want to leave. It’s the kind of night you never want to end. This will probably be the highlight of the trip, and I can say that after spending 48 hours here.

I am so impressed with the basketball knowledge of this country. So many people I spoke with last night had some clever take on the Nuggets. I’ve always heard what a nation that lives and breathes sport, and it’s absolutely a fact after being here for two days. And the connection they had with DNVR was so meaningful.

These are Nuggets fans who stay up or wake up at 3 a.m. to watch Nuggets games and then stay up for another five hours to watch the entire DNVR post-game show. Many of the fans we met last night don’t miss a single game or show. Last night so many people remembered specific segments or moments from post-game shows over the years. Last night someone complimented me on a take I had on Gary Harris from a 2019 episode.

By the way, Serbia beat Germany and Jokic scored 22 points (10-11 shooting) in just 17 minutes.

And it came after the — and this is not an exaggeration, this is not hyperbole — the best meal of my life.

We met the good people at Ambar, a one of a kind Balkan style restaurant in Belgrade, by Tim Connelly. It was an amazing experience. As our host Marko, who is another absolutely legendary character we met on this trip, explained to us, Serbian cuisine is generally very traditional. I’m talking big portions and everyone has their own meal. But Ambar is the first restaurant in the Balkans to go the small-plate route where sharing is encouraged. Marko says that at first the Serbs were hesitant to embrace the concept, but now they are more and more comfortable with it.

First, we started with a Rakija tasting and tasted three types of Rakija, plum, apricot and quince. Unlike how we tend to belittle Rakija on our post-game show, it’s a sipping drink. We also learned that you are supposed to drink Rakija from a Chokanche, it is a tall skinny glass and not a shot glass.

Then the food. We were treated to what I think was probably a seven course feast. The food kept coming. We started with meats and cheeses, Serbian cornbread, and too many types of spreads to count. Salads and dishes with pork, sausages, beef, pasta and potatoes then followed.

I felt something new and different during this meal. Everything that came out of Ambar’s kitchen was so good and so unique that there was this level of anticipation for each new dish that I had never felt before. The excitement that I was about to taste a dish I had never tried before was an incredibly cool feeling. And each time, what I ate did not disappoint at all.

It was a special experience. Marko walked us through each dish and gave us the backstory of everything we ate. It was a history lesson crossed with a cooking class. I really feel like I understand more about this culture and the Serbs after learning about their food.

Dinner at Ambar and our meeting at Kafana capped off a day in all time, which actually started in a podcast studio. Infinity Lighthouse hosted us in their building to film and record an episode of the DNVR Nuggets podcast. On the show, we were joined by Srdjan Radojevic, someone we are close to called the Zach Lowe of Serbia. We talked about Jokic, the Nuggets next season and European history, history. Srjdan has a great perspective. It’s a walking encyclopedia of Serbian hoops.

It was an unforgettable day. If we can top it while we’re on the road, I’d be blown away. But you never know. As I write this, we are on the road to Sombor. More to come tomorrow.

Day 2 in Serbia was…

Unforgettable. Incomparable. Lifestyle change. It’s hard to describe what happened here in Belgrade on Saturday night. Whatever I say, I won’t do it justice.

We organized a meeting in a local bar in Belgrade (Kafana Mali Kalemegdan) to watch the Serbia-Germany friendly match with DNVR and Nuggets fans. It rained for much of Saturday and we didn’t know how many people were going to show up. But then we walked up the hill and saw the crowds ahead. Then someone shouted “Mile High City, Baby!” We knew we were going to have a hell of a night from then on.

The next five (or six, or seven, who really knows) hours were amazing. It’s rare to feel such a close connection with so many different people, from all walks of life, all educations, all walks of life, all at once. But that’s what we had. There was a special bond between everyone at Kafana last night. People I had never met were suddenly like family. We talked, laughed, hugged and drank like we were brothers all night.

It’s crazy how not just a sport or a team but a player can unite a group from Denver with one from Serbia – halfway around the world. This is the power of Nikola Jokic. We are all in Serbia because of him. We want to better understand it and Serbian basketball by immersing ourselves in this culture. Last night at Kafana, surrounded by everyone, I really started to discover what we had come here for. While we are so eager to learn about this country and its culture, Serbs are just as eager to share. This is highly appreciated by our DNVR group.

It’s such a proud nation. Serbs are so proud of who they are as a people, what they have overcome and what they have been through. He still shapes them today. They are willful and confident. They are serious and get to the point quickly. They don’t bullshit you. They tell you straight, although I’m pretty sure someone told me very seriously last night that Serbia was in fact responsible for the discovery of the United States.

I met people who came from different countries to be at the meet-up. Someone drove over 10 hours to pick up a special mark from Rakija and bring it to us last night. Man, it’s a special feeling when there’s that kind of love in a room. It’s the kind of environment you never want to leave. It’s the kind of night you never want to end. This will probably be the highlight of the trip, and I can say that after spending 48 hours here.

I am so impressed with the basketball knowledge of this country. So many people I spoke with last night had some clever take on the Nuggets. I’ve always heard what a nation that lives and breathes sport, and it’s absolutely a fact after being here for two days. And the connection they had with DNVR was so meaningful.

These are Nuggets fans who stay up or wake up at 3 a.m. to watch Nuggets games and then stay up for another five hours to watch the entire DNVR post-game show. Many of the fans we met last night don’t miss a single game or show. Last night so many people remembered specific segments or moments from post-game shows over the years. Last night someone complimented me on a take I had on Gary Harris from a 2019 episode.

By the way, Serbia beat Germany and Jokic scored 22 points (10-11 shooting) in just 17 minutes.

And it came after the — and this is not an exaggeration, this is not hyperbole — the best meal of my life.

We met the good people at Ambar, a one of a kind Balkan style restaurant in Belgrade, by Tim Connelly. It was an amazing experience. As our host Marko, who is another absolutely legendary character we met on this trip, explained to us, Serbian cuisine is generally very traditional. I’m talking big portions and everyone has their own meal. But Ambar is the first restaurant in the Balkans to go the small-plate route where sharing is encouraged. Marko says that at first the Serbs were hesitant to embrace the concept, but now they are more and more comfortable with it.

First, we started with a Rakija tasting and tasted three types of Rakija, plum, apricot and quince. Unlike how we tend to belittle Rakija on our post-game show, it’s a sipping drink. We also learned that you are supposed to drink Rakija from a Chokanche, it is a tall skinny glass and not a shot glass.

Then the food. We were treated to what I think was probably a seven course feast. The food kept coming. We started with meats and cheeses, Serbian cornbread, and too many types of spreads to count. Salads and dishes with pork, sausages, beef, pasta and potatoes then followed.

I felt something new and different during this meal. Everything that came out of Ambar’s kitchen was so good and so unique that there was this level of anticipation for each new dish that I had never felt before. The excitement that I was about to taste a dish I had never tried before was an incredibly cool feeling. And each time, what I ate did not disappoint at all.

It was a special experience. Marko walked us through each dish and gave us the backstory of everything we ate. It was a history lesson crossed with a cooking class. I really feel like I understand more about this culture and the Serbs after learning about their food.

Dinner at Ambar and our meeting at Kafana capped off a day in all time, which actually started in a podcast studio. Infinity Lighthouse hosted us in their building to film and record an episode of the DNVR Nuggets podcast. On the show, we were joined by Srdjan Radojevic, someone we are close to called the Zach Lowe of Serbia. We talked about Jokic, the Nuggets next season and European history, history. Srjdan has a great perspective. It’s a walking encyclopedia of Serbian hoops.

It was an unforgettable day. If we can top it while we’re on the road, I’d be blown away. But you never know. As I write this, we are on the road to Sombor. More to come tomorrow.

Food is fundamental to discovering a new culture, making new friends and getting under the skin of a new place. If you’re a foodie, you’ll want to try just about anything, without worrying about blowing your budget. That’s where these foodie destinations come in.

In the countries on this list, street food is king, eating out is the norm, and the varied climates and native spices create mouth-watering food worlds just waiting to be explored (and devoured). From Michelin-starred street food stalls to bustling night markets, here’s where you’ll get your money’s worth on a food-focused holiday.

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Mexico is one of the best countries in the world for street food, making it a great foodie destination. What you eat will vary depending on what part of the country you’re in, but you’ll usually find tamales dumplings, cheese quesadillas and tacos – whether al pastor (stuffed with marinated pork) or filled with fresh caught fish on the Caribbean Coast.

Almost 60% of the Mexican population eat street food at least once a week, spending less than £2 on average each time. Join them at one of Mexico City’s many markets (try Taco Roundabout and Mercado Coyoacán) or the casual street stalls of coastal Playa del Carmen.

Start your journey here:

1. Search for cheap flights to Mexico
2. Stay at Hotel Carlota in Mexico City and take a course in making mezcal cocktails
3. Book a Mexico City Taco Tour with a Local Foodie

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In every corner of the vast subcontinent, the passion for food is inescapable. And foodie travelers on a budget will be pleased to know that the best Indian food is usually the best value (around 50 pence per dish). Our advice? Wherever you are, look for the roadside thali stand with the longest queue of locals and join it at the end. There’s a reason everyone wants to eat what they cook.

In Delhi, you’ll find heavier Nordic flavors in meat skewers, stuffed paratha flatbreads and fried samosas. Travel south to Mumbai and you’ll be snacking vada pav (stuffed potato dumpling buns) or crispy, more indulgent bhel puri if you’re on the beach. And Goa is the only state where you’ll see beef on the menu, along with prawns the size of your fist, smothered in coconut-infused sauce.

Start your journey here:

1. Find cheap flights to India
2. Stay at the Taj Palace, New Delhi, which boasts two of the city’s best restaurants within the hotel
3. Eat India’s best street food on a guided walking tour of Old Delhi

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Thai cuisine is fragrant and light, spiced up with chilli and enhanced with tangy galangal, lemongrass and mint. It’s no wonder its most famous dishes – pad thai, green curry, massaman curry – have become UK staples. In the country’s capital, Bangkok, you will eat the cheapest and freshest in its markets: Ratchada Train Market, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Srinakarin Train Market.

But don’t skip Yaowarat Road, the beating heart of Chinatown. At 6 p.m., every aisle and doorway is filled with a street food stall selling cheap roast duck, shrimp dumplings, crab curry and more. All you have to do is follow your nose – and keep a few pounds of Thai baht in your wallet.

Start your journey here:

1. Find cheap flights to Thailand
2. Stay at the Bangkok Publishing Residence, a beautiful boutique hotel a five-minute walk from the Michelin-starred street food stand Raan Ja Fai
3. Take a night tour of Bangkok’s food markets

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The culinary culture of Nepal blends traditions from northern India as well as those from neighboring Tibet and China. You will become addicted to momos: dumplings stuffed with minced meat, coated in a soft dough and steamed (sold afterwards for less than £1). Then there’s dal bhat, a simple staple of lentil soup and rice, which fuels expeditions to Everest Base Camp and treks through the epic Annapurna mountain range. .

In the capital Kathmandu, you’ll see thukpa – a meat and noodle soup that’s particularly comforting during the winter months, while surrounded by mountains. During festival celebrations, look for salt roti, a round-shaped sweet bread. And don’t be surprised if you see a lot of chow mein, a popular Chinese noodle dish in Nepalese homes.

Start your journey here:

1. Find cheap flights to Nepal
2. Dine on Nepalese thalis at the excellent restaurant at Hotel Shambala in Kathmandu
3. Discover food markets and trendy restaurants on the Kathmandu Food Trail

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If you watched boobies rich asianyou might have an idea of ​​the street food culture in Singapore. Its food markets are just as they are portrayed in the film: frenetic, neon, cluttered with plastic seats and hazy with chicken skewer flavored smoke. This is where the locals eat and you should join them.

A peddler’s meal usually costs around £3, nasi lemak (coconut and pandan leaf infused rice served with eggs, anchovies, spicy sambal paste and meat – usually chicken or fish) being a local favorite. Don’t miss Hawker Chan in Chinatown, which was the first Singaporean street food restaurant to earn a Michelin star, for its simple chicken and rice (which costs around £1.80).

Start your journey here:

1. Find cheap flights to Singapore
2. Stay at the sustainability-conscious Parkroyal Collection Pickering on the edge of Chinatown
3. Discover Singapore’s best hawker stalls on a Chinatown food tour

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If you’ve ever eaten from a bowl of steaming pho, you’ll understand why foodie travelers fall in love with Vietnam. The food is irresistible – we’re talking fluffy stuffed bánh mì rolls and soft, fresh summer rolls filled with prawns and mint leaves. You can get a perfect bowl of pho for under £1 and a local beer for around 50p.

After raiding Hanoi’s street food stalls, take a 1-hour domestic flight to the lesser-known foodie capital of Hội An, where Chinese, French and Japanese influences combine to create a unique vision of Vietnamese cuisine.

Start your journey here:

1. Find cheap flights to Vietnam
2. Stay at Hotel La Beaute De Hanoi, a three-minute walk from Hanoi Night Market
3. Get off the beaten path on a food tour of Hoi An

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Visit these great foodie destinations and you can gorge yourself on as many local dishes as you want, without worrying about overspending. Save even more on your trip by searching for flights, hotels and car rentals on Skyscanner.

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Related

“Do you know any free and easy to use blog type websites?” asked my niece before leaving for Costa Rica. “Google Slides,” I said.

It might seem like a fun choice. Google Slides is generally used for PowerPoint-like presentations. But there’s no reason it can’t be used for travel blogging as well. The recommended blogging tools, even the “kid-friendly” ones, are way more complicated than they need to be. My niece agreed. “I know Google Slides,” she said, “but I hadn’t thought of using it as a travel blog. It’s a great idea.”

On a computer, go to slides.google.com and click the blank presentation at the top, or the “photo album” template. If you choose Photo Album, you’ll get a traditional album layout, letting you swap out Google’s photos and text for your own.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or using a template, head to the “Insert” menu at the top of the screen. From here you can insert photos, videos, music, voice recordings, text, animations, art and more. If you are confused, click “Help” and type what you want to do. Google practically does it for you. There is also a free Google Slides app for the phone, but I have trouble handling small images and text.

When you’re done, click on the word “share” to email or text a link to your friends. Be sure to change the link’s default setting. Under ‘General Access’, next to the word ‘Restricted’, click the little arrow and change it to ‘Anyone with the link’. Otherwise, your recipients will have problems opening it. Remind them to go to the “View” menu at the top of the screen and choose “Slideshow” to see it in its best light.

Even after sharing your link, you can continue adding to your Google Slides album or blog. Your audience will automatically see the latest version each time they click on it. But you can also resend the link every time you add, to remind them it’s up there. As long as your Google Account is never deleted, it should last virtually indefinitely. And you can print it.

INCREDIBLY GOOD TOOTHBRUSH

Normally, I don’t include electric toothbrushes in my tech coverage. But a new one, the Hanasco “Sonic Electric”, for $33 on Amazon, gets my teeth surprisingly clean, better than the much more expensive Oral B.

A dental hygienist friend says she’s long suspected that sonic toothbrushes, ones that vibrate rather than spin back and forth, are superior. My local dental practice says any electric toothbrush is great. “The 7 Best Electric Toothbrushes,” a recent article on NYmag.com, quoted experts who said that sound versus rotation is just a matter of personal preference.

When Hanasco offered me two of theirs for review, I asked them to send one to a friend. He wrote, “After using the new Sonic for several days now and comparing the results to Oral B, I can definitely say that my teeth are more polished after using the Sonic. With Oral B, I feel like ‘there’s still a light film on my teeth.’

The Hanasco Sonic will save you a lot of money on brush head replacement. At my local CVS, a single Oral B brush head costs between $9.33 and $14. On Amazon, Hanasco sells four brushes for $13. Since you have eight to start with, you should be ready for at least two years before you need more, if you replace them every three months. The toothbrush handle should also last longer than the Oral B handle, as the vibrating type wears less than the rotating type. A friend said his Oral B wore out after a few years because the part that holds the brush head deteriorated.

The Hanasco Sonic has four modes: polishing, whitening, cleaning and sensitive gum care, all incredibly gentle. A two-minute timer reminds you to switch between quadrants every 30 seconds, and it’s rechargeable. The only thing missing is the manual. Although easy to follow, it is obviously written by a non-native English speaker.

A GOOD OLD WIRED CONNECTION

If you’re experiencing errors on your smart TV, it might be time to consider a wired connection between it and the router. I use one, but most people get so used to Wi-Fi that they forget about wired.

I was reminded of this by an article on HowtoGeek.com. The writer’s friend received a message on his TV: “Netflix has encountered an error.” So he grabbed an Ethernet cable (remember that?) and plugged it in. So ! Problem solved.

My TV was already connected by Ethernet cable when a very technical friend inspected my configuration. He noticed that I was still using a WiFi signal for my desktop computer. A wired connection makes your Internet experience faster, he pointed out. My God, I had forgotten that.

ARE TECH COMPANIES PROFITABLE?

According to Approve.com, many tech companies are yet to make a profit. These include Epic, maker of Fortnite, founded in 1991. Also Reddit, founded in 2005. Airbnb rakes in $5.30 billion in revenue but has yet to make its first profit. Ditto for Twitter and Snapchat.

The fastest-grossing companies include Intel, founded in 1968, which took three years to complete. Apple, founded in 1976, took two. Google, founded in 1998, also took two years. Amazon, founded in 1994, took nine. Tesla, founded in 2003, spent its first 17 years as an unprofitable company. More information at approve.com/time-to-profit.

Joy Schwabach can be contacted by email at joy.schwabach@gmail.com.

“Do you know any free and easy to use blog type websites?” asked my niece before leaving for Costa Rica. “Google Slides,” I said.

It might seem like a fun choice. Google Slides is generally used for PowerPoint-like presentations. But there’s no reason it can’t be used for travel blogging as well. The recommended blogging tools, even the “kid-friendly” ones, are way more complicated than they need to be. My niece agreed. “I know Google Slides,” she said, “but I hadn’t thought of using it as a travel blog. It’s a great idea.”

On a computer, go to slides.google.com and click the blank presentation at the top, or the “photo album” template. If you choose Photo Album, you’ll get a traditional album layout, letting you swap out Google’s photos and text for your own.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or using a template, head to the “Insert” menu at the top of the screen. From here you can insert photos, videos, music, voice recordings, text, animations, art and more. If you are confused, click “Help” and type what you want to do. Google practically does it for you. There is also a free Google Slides app for the phone, but I have trouble handling small images and text.

When you’re done, click on the word “share” to email or text a link to your friends. Be sure to change the link’s default setting. Under ‘General Access’, next to the word ‘Restricted’, click the little arrow and change it to ‘Anyone with the link’. Otherwise, your recipients will have problems opening it. Remind them to go to the “View” menu at the top of the screen and choose “Slideshow” to see it in its best light.

Even after sharing your link, you can continue adding to your Google Slides album or blog. Your audience will automatically see the latest version each time they click on it. But you can also resend the link every time you add, to remind them it’s up there. As long as your Google Account is never deleted, it should last virtually indefinitely. And you can print it.

INCREDIBLY GOOD TOOTHBRUSH

Normally, I don’t include electric toothbrushes in my tech coverage. But a new one, the Hanasco “Sonic Electric”, for $33 on Amazon, gets my teeth surprisingly clean, better than the much more expensive Oral B.

A dental hygienist friend says she’s long suspected that sonic toothbrushes, ones that vibrate rather than spin back and forth, are superior. My local dental practice says any electric toothbrush is great. “The 7 Best Electric Toothbrushes,” a recent article on NYmag.com, quoted experts who said that sound versus rotation is just a matter of personal preference.

When Hanasco offered me two of theirs for review, I asked them to send one to a friend. He wrote: “After using the new Sonic for several days now and comparing the results to Oral B, I can definitely say that my teeth are more polished after using the Sonic. With Oral B, I feel like ‘there’s still a light film on my teeth.’

The Hanasco Sonic will save you a lot of money on brush head replacement. At my local CVS, a single Oral B brush head costs between $9.33 and $14. On Amazon, Hanasco sells four brushes for $13. Since you have eight to start with, you should be ready for at least two years before you need more, if you replace them every three months. The toothbrush handle should also last longer than the Oral B handle, as the vibrating type wears less than the rotating type. A friend said his Oral B wore out after a few years because the part that holds the brush head deteriorated.

The Hanasco Sonic has four modes: polishing, whitening, cleaning and sensitive gum care, all incredibly gentle. A two-minute timer reminds you to switch between quadrants every 30 seconds, and it’s rechargeable. The only thing missing is the manual. Although easy to follow, it is obviously written by a non-native English speaker.

A GOOD OLD WIRED CONNECTION

If you’re experiencing errors on your smart TV, it might be time to consider a wired connection between it and the router. I use one, but most people get so used to Wi-Fi that they forget about wired.

I was reminded of this by an article on HowtoGeek.com. The writer’s friend received a message on his TV: “Netflix has encountered an error.” So he grabbed an Ethernet cable (remember that?) and plugged it in. So ! Problem solved.

My TV was already connected by Ethernet cable when a very technical friend inspected my configuration. He noticed that I was still using a WiFi signal for my desktop computer. A wired connection makes your Internet experience faster, he pointed out. My God, I had forgotten that.

ARE TECH COMPANIES PROFITABLE?

According to Approve.com, many tech companies are yet to make a profit. These include Epic, maker of Fortnite, founded in 1991. Also Reddit, founded in 2005. Airbnb rakes in $5.30 billion in revenue but has yet to make its first profit. Ditto for Twitter and Snapchat.

The fastest-grossing companies include Intel, founded in 1968, which took three years to complete. Apple, founded in 1976, took two. Google, founded in 1998, also took two years. Amazon, founded in 1994, took nine. Tesla, founded in 2003, spent its first 17 years as an unprofitable company. More information at approve.com/time-to-profit.

Joy Schwabach can be reached by e-mail at [email protected]

Q: What prompted this last adventure?

Michelle – After watching the movie “Much Ado About Nothing”, we decided to go to Tuscany for our honeymoon but, due to the schedules, our honeymoon was during the Christmas holidays, which didn’t It’s not a good time to be in cold, dreary Tuscany. Fast forward to 2022, we both turned 50 this year, we wanted to do something epic and at the same time celebrate our 15th anniversary, so Italy immediately came to mind.

brian – We had heard of the Via Francigena (VF) during other pilgrimages and the idea of ​​discovering Italy on foot appealed to both of us. We might be a bit old for a “gap summer” backpacking through Italy, but why not?

Q: Why was it important for you to take this trip?

brian – Many people go on pilgrimage for spiritual purposes, but it is not necessary to be Catholic or religious to walk the Camino or the VF.

Michelle – A long walk is good for the soul and the health of our relationship. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of life puts a spark back in our soul like nothing else can. I find that we’re both more in touch with each other, more creative in our work, and come home refreshed in a way that can’t happen on a typical vacation. Not to mention, who doesn’t love pasta?

Q: What kind of reactions do you get when people find out about your background?

Michele- People who know us aren’t surprised, but they already think we’re a little crazy. Some people think we’re trying to “top off” one adventure after another, but that’s not the case. We strive to vary our lives and push the boundaries of what we are comfortable doing. Many often wonder how we have the time. We are grateful to have similar work schedules and empty nests so that we can afford this time together.

brian – Here in Italy, we had more than a few “Mamma Mias!” inhabitants who hear that we are marching towards Rome. A surprising number of people here have no idea this trail runs through their town. Many Europeans will walk a week or two at a time and complete the VF over many years, not a long hike like we do.

Explore15 events not to miss in Dayton this weekend

Q: How does this compare to your first pilgrimage? What lessons have you learned?

Brian- Climbing to the top of the Grand Saint Bernard pass in the Alps was probably the greatest hike we’ve ever done. Then coming back down over two days was also very hard on the body. Looking ahead, walking through Tuscany we have huge elevation gains and losses every day, even through the hills are not that high. We have several days where we will be climbing over 3,000 feet. Great challenges still await us.

Michelle – Mentally, it’s easier because you know what to expect. The more we travel abroad, the less overwhelming it seems. Physically, this is the hardest walk we have done so far. Another challenge is the distance between the villages where we have accommodation. We have several days that require walking more than 15 miles, which is where the buses and trains come in. We plan to walk most of each step and use public transportation as needed. This is one of the things we have learned from our past travels. Yes, it’s a pilgrimage, but it’s also a vacation. We want to enjoy walking while being realistic about what our bodies can handle day in and day out.

Q: What is the most rewarding part of this experience?

brian – While eating! I love exploring local foods from every region and even the city. Tonight I had a local specialty for dinner: frogs. Pizza, pasta, risotto, polenta, the list goes on and on. I also like to explore local culture and history. Seeing these amazing churches and works of art is amazing.

Michelle – Besides getting a great workout every day? Immersion in Italian culture. We are not just tourists; we meander through small villages that most tourists would overlook. We eat in restaurants and sleep in accommodations that have been owned by the same family for four or more generations. We engage and interact with the locals in a unique way that normal tourists never experience.

ExploreDairy Queen, Dunkin’ and Popeyes head to Xenia

Q: What is the most difficult aspect?

Michelle – It’s more than a long walk. We carry everything we need for 10 weeks on our backs, minus the tent and cooking equipment. This means that I have two outfits to wear for the whole summer. Our daily routine is to walk, eat, walk, wash our clothes by hand – often in a small sink – eat, sleep, repeat. It can get monotonous, but the views make up for it. My backpack weighs about 18 pounds and Brian’s weighs about 20 without water. This is another attractive part of pilgrimages in Europe – every night we have a shower, local homemade food and a bed to sleep on. Our gear weighs a lot less than a typical backpacker and we appreciate that luxury.

brian – Language can be a real barrier. We started in Switzerland where people mostly spoke French and after a week we were in Italy trying to use Italian. I’m learning the language quite quickly, but it can still be difficult. Showing the locals you’re trying goes a long way and they usually help or even kindly correct our mispronunciation. Charades can also be useful. It’s humbling that most people in Europe speak two or three languages ​​while some days I struggle with one.

Q: How important is it to you to let people know about your experience via social media platforms?

Brian- We started our YouTube channel so friends and family can follow our travels and follow us, but it’s grown into a bigger network of even more friends who want to “go on adventures” with us. We’re honored that anyone cares about the crazy things we do, let alone take the time to watch and read about our experiences.

Michelle – As educators, we know that many of our students watch our travels and we are challenged to inspire them to travel the world. We want travel to be accessible to everyone. We hope that after watching our YouTube videos, our granddaughter, and everyone watching, will say, “I want to do this too!”

Go to www.cruisinwiththecolemans.com to follow the adventure.

Q: What prompted this last adventure?

Michelle – After watching the movie “Much Ado About Nothing”, we decided to go to Tuscany for our honeymoon but, due to the schedules, our honeymoon took place during the Christmas holidays, which did not It’s not a good time to be in cold, dreary Tuscany. Fast forward to 2022, we both turned 50 this year, we wanted to do something epic and at the same time celebrate our 15th anniversary, so Italy immediately came to mind.

brian – We had heard of the Via Francigena (VF) during other pilgrimages and the idea of ​​discovering Italy on foot appealed to both of us. We might be a bit old for a “gap summer” backpacking through Italy, but why not?

Q: Why was it important for you to take this trip?

brian – Many people go on pilgrimage for spiritual purposes, but it is not necessary to be Catholic or religious to walk the Camino or the VF.

Michelle – A long walk is good for the soul and the health of our relationship. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of life puts a spark back in our soul like nothing else can. I find that we’re both more in touch with each other, more creative in our work, and come home refreshed in a way that can’t happen on a typical vacation. Not to mention, who doesn’t love pasta?

Q: What kind of reactions do you get when people find out about your background?

Michele- People who know us aren’t surprised, but they already think we’re a little crazy. Some people think we’re trying to “top off” one adventure after another, but that’s not the case. We strive to vary our lives and push the boundaries of what we are comfortable doing. Many often wonder how we have the time. We are grateful to have similar work schedules and empty nests so that we can afford this time together.

brian – Here in Italy, we had more than a few “Mamma Mias!” inhabitants who hear that we are marching towards Rome. A surprising number of people here have no idea this trail runs through their town. Many Europeans will walk a week or two at a time and complete the VF over many years, not a long hike like we do.

Explore15 events not to miss in Dayton this weekend

Q: How does this compare to your first pilgrimage? What lessons have you learned?

Brian- Climbing to the top of the Grand Saint Bernard pass in the Alps was probably the greatest hike we’ve ever done. Then coming back down over two days was also very hard on the body. Looking ahead, traveling through Tuscany we have huge elevation gains and losses every day, even through the rolling hills that aren’t that high. We have several days where we will be climbing over 3,000 feet. Great challenges still await us.

Michelle – Mentally, it’s easier because you know what to expect. The more we travel abroad, the less overwhelming it seems. Physically, this is the hardest walk we have done so far. Another challenge is the distance between the villages where we have accommodation. We have several days that require walking more than 15 miles, which is where the buses and trains come in. We plan to walk most of each step and use public transportation as needed. This is one of the things we have learned from our past travels. Yes, it’s a pilgrimage, but it’s also a vacation. We want to enjoy walking while being realistic about what our bodies can handle day in and day out.

Q: What is the most rewarding part of this experience?

brian – While eating! I love exploring local foods from every region and even the city. Tonight I had a local specialty for dinner: frogs. Pizza, pasta, risotto, polenta, the list goes on and on. I also like to explore local culture and history. Seeing these amazing churches and works of art is amazing.

Michelle – Besides getting a great workout every day? Immersion in Italian culture. We are not just tourists; we meander through small villages that most tourists would overlook. We eat in restaurants and sleep in accommodations that have been owned by the same family for four or more generations. We engage and interact with the locals in a unique way that normal tourists never experience.

ExploreDairy Queen, Dunkin’ and Popeyes head to Xenia

Q: What is the most difficult aspect?

Michelle – It’s more than a long walk. We carry everything we need for 10 weeks on our backs, minus the tent and cooking equipment. This means that I have two outfits to wear for the whole summer. Our daily routine is to walk, eat, walk, wash our clothes by hand – often in a small sink – eat, sleep, repeat. It can get monotonous, but the views make up for it. My backpack weighs about 18 pounds and Brian’s weighs about 20 without water. This is another attractive part of pilgrimages in Europe – every night we have a shower, local homemade food and a bed to sleep on. Our gear weighs a lot less than a typical backpacker and we appreciate that luxury.

brian – Language can be a real barrier. We started in Switzerland where people mostly spoke French and after a week we were in Italy trying to use Italian. I’m learning the language quite quickly, but it can still be difficult. Showing the locals you’re trying goes a long way and they usually help or even kindly correct our mispronunciation. Charades can also be useful. It’s humbling that most people in Europe speak two or three languages ​​while some days I struggle with one.

Q: How important is it to you to let people know about your experience via social media platforms?

Brian- We started our YouTube channel so friends and family can follow our travels and follow us, but it’s grown into a bigger network of even more friends who want to “go on adventures” with us. We’re honored that anyone cares about the crazy things we do, let alone take the time to watch and read about our experiences.

Michelle – As educators, we know that many of our students watch our travels and we are challenged to inspire them to travel the world. We want travel to be accessible to everyone. We hope that after watching our YouTube videos, our granddaughter, and everyone watching, will say, “I want to do this too!”

Go to www.cruisinwiththecolemans.com to follow the adventure.

GETTYSBURG, Pa., May 04, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ — Best-selling historical fiction author Jessica James is turning the page on a new career by sharing some of her favorite historic places to visit in the United States on her travel blog Past Lane Travels.

Author of 19 novels spanning genres from historical fiction and women’s fiction to suspense/thrillers and sweet holiday romance, James expands his writing possibilities by focusing on his love for history and travel.

“I travel so much to do research for my novels and only use a small portion of what I find,” James said. “I realized that these almost forgotten stories about American history are of interest to other people as well.”

Although new, the Past Lane Travels website features various historic sites such as cemeteries, old homes, plantations, battlefields, and off-the-beaten-track travel destinations located across the United States. James also plans to focus more on his hometown of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

“There are many hidden gems in and around the city that even frequent visitors don’t know about,” James said. She recently wrote about 15 Free Things to Do in Gettysburg to Help Visitors Save Money on Their Trip.

Some of the most popular articles on Past Lane Travels that highlight historic places to visit in the United States include the story of a little girl buried in a cask of rum at the Old Burying Ground Cemetery in Beaufort, North Carolina ; the history of the Harrison Brothers hardware store still in operation in Huntsville, Al.; and the beautiful home and gardens of Boone Hall Plantation in Charleston, SC

This summer, James plans to introduce a new section showcasing popular food and drink in the different regions she visits. “The cultural aspect of local cuisine has always intrigued me,” James said. “From fresh Maryland crabcakes to Louisiana Cajun cuisine, it’s like visiting a different country everywhere you go. I want to share these mouth-watering dishes with my readers.

A love for history, travel and writing

James is no newcomer to the field of writing, having started his career as a news reporter. She worked for 18 years as a journalist and editor before focusing on writing fiction.

Her debut novel Shades of Gray was recently re-released as a three-book trilogy and all three books in the trilogy were nominated for a 2022 RONE Award presented by InD’tale magazine.

His other novels have won more than two dozen major literary awards, including Gold and Bronze Medals from the Military Writers Society of America and four John Esten Cooke Awards for Southern Fiction.

One of James’ last novels reflects his love for history, old houses, small towns and sycamores. The women’s fiction novel Lacewood is about an abandoned mansion that brings two lost souls together in a love story that spans centuries.

“It’s part love story, part ghost story and encompasses all my favorite things,” James said.

In addition to travel writing, James is also branching out with more freelance writing, focusing on in-depth stories of historical, military, and cultural significance. His most recent feature article appeared in the June issue of Vietnam magazine, highlighting the importance of the Huey helicopter and the work of the National American Huey History Museum in Peru, Indiana.

With gas and travel prices rising, James thinks short car trips to historic destinations will be popular this year.

“You’d be surprised how many historic sites are within a day’s drive of your home that you may never have heard of,” James said. “You can take a trip back in time rather than a long vacation to a distant destination.”

James also enjoys writing about small towns, taverns and historic hotels. She offers a free weekly newsletter at https://pastlane.substack.com.

CVBs, DMOs, magazines and websites in need of a quality content creator are welcome to contact [email protected]. (An added bonus is that your historic destination or establishment may end up in a novel).

Those who love American history and plan to hit the road this summer can visit Past Lane Travels for tips, resources and insights to be posted in the coming months. Escape the present and discover the past!

Award-winning author Jessica James combines her passions for history and travel as she explores America’s back roads and discovers the best historic places to visit in the United States. You are invited to follow his blog Past Lane Travels, because you never know what you will discover in Past Lane.

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