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Friday, February 28, 2014

Staying in Europe Longer than 90 Days

How to legally stay in Europe Longer than 90 days:

Some people desire staying overseas longer than a normal travel visa will allow (90 days).
First, most of Europe is monolithic, meaning the countries have a border-free agreement allowing residents to move throughout the area without a passport. Just think of Europe as a giant country.
The 90 day visa is known as the Schengen Visa.

This shows which countries participate.

Easy Way:
Fly into a Schengen country for 90 days then visit a non-Schengen European country (UK, Ireland, Balkans, etc) for 90 days, then your clock restarts for the Schengen countries.

What about Schengen Country for 90 days?

Is it worth risking to stay as long as you want? You may raise a red flag, or you may not. Some countries are stricter than others, the southern countries are more lenient than the northern. And by lenient, I mean they won’t notice. Some consequences are getting your passport stamped with an “illegal immigrant” type of message. This forces you to notify the embassy for approval prior to entrance.

Other ways:
Study abroad
Marry an EU resident
Non-business “self employed” visa (Germany)
Some countries like France, Italy, Sweden will take long term visitors with a number of requirements with the most important being proof of employment, income, and insurance
Most risky: Fly into England and have a proof of departure (180 days later, and should be cheap). Take the train to France. There is no exit stamp in England and no entry stamp in France via the Chuttle. Basically the immigrations can’t prove you didn’t leave England on day 180.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Double Check Your Documents!

“A clear conscience is the sure sign of a bad memory.”
― Mark Twain

When traveling internationally, it is ALWAYS important to bring your passport. The next most important thing to remember is to make sure your passport MATCHES your plane ticket. My dear wife found this out the hard way when we traveled to Peru. Apparently having your nick name on the plane ticket will cause problems. Lucky for us, the good people at United did not feel she was a threat (little do they know).

Passports are accepted as identification world wide. Also make sure you keep a careful eye on it, because if you lose it, find the nearest Embassy! Damaged passports may also be rejected, so when in doubt... make sure!

Let's Get it Started in Here!

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Laozi

Let’s start this off by stating some inconvenient truths.

1. Living comfortable feels good.
2. Getting a paycheck every 2 weeks is awesome!
3. Death is inevitable.
4. There is something out there for everyone.

Living comfortably feels good. Seems silly, but think about it. You enjoy waking up in your own bed, picking an outfit from your closet, driving your car to work, eating lunch at your favorite diner, going to the gym after work, and grabbing a drink with your friends. We have a habit of developing routines that turn into our comfort zone. I would recommend trying something new. It can be as simple as trying sushi for the first time. You may like it, you may not, but either way you will have learned something about yourself at a minimal expense.

Getting a paycheck every 2 weeks ties into the above section, but it can be imprisoning. Plain and simple, do not become a slave to a salary job. As nice as the money is, you have the rest of your life to develop a career and make money.















This website shares more in depth concepts like living the life society suggests you live.
Everyone battles the age old dilemma.

Once you have found what you like, nothing will make you happier. If you have not found it yet, keep searching because it is out there.

Basically what all this boils down to is... The time is now. You can procrastinate all you want until it turns into regret.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Travel Buddies

“I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” – Mark Twain

Traveling alone vs traveling with others

I know many people, including myself, that have made a cross country or out of country journey alone. The pros to this:
I do what I want
I control the budget
I go at my pace

The more common, but often argued approach, is with one or more persons. The pros to this:
Companion to enjoy the experience
Help take photos and make memories
Shine a different light on things

I do not like to dive into the negatives because it’s bad health to do so, but just be aware of the person or people you travel with. You do not have to necessarily be compatible, but tolerate is key. I do not like arts of any kind, but my dear wife and travel companion does, so I tolerate it. She does not like risking her life to climb and jump off a 30’ waterfall in the depths of Hawaii, but she makes one hell of a photographer. Only once I have traveled in a group of 8 people. We had to get 2 hotel rooms, 2 taxis and although we had no issues, it can become an issue. On a side note, I find the group begins to socialize exclusively within the group and almost neglect one of the reasons you made the trip.


Travel Buddies!
Tell us about your experience traveling alone or with others!

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