Travel Guide - ThePointsOfLife

Nothing to Rent in Tuscany, But Maybe I’ll Buy a House in Italy

thepointsoflife

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July 6, 2021

I have been in Puerto Rico for basically 18 months straight. I only left to go to terrible Miami, Mario’s favorite city, for two days. In need of a change of scenery, I finally sent in my application for those 1 euro restoration houses posted all over CNN. I’m not going to tell you what locale of Italy interests me because I don’t want the Festivus crew showing up. In the words of the maestro, “If you’re thinking of getting a place there, don’t bother. There’s really nothing available.” If I actually receive a response from the city, I will blog about the process and create yet another Trip Report. Most can only dream of an ocean view home in the Caribbean and a villa in Italy. For TPOL, it might become a reality.

a room with a bed and windows — Park Hyatt Milan can be my blueprint.

AA Refund!…7-20 Business Days

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July 5, 2021

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Don’t book tickets using vouchers if there is even a 0.00001% chance that you may cancel. After fighting with American Airlines, they finally agreed to refund the value of my voucher (see Another Day, Another Fight With American Airlines). In AA fashion, they said that the refund would be processed in 7-20 business days, just in time to go nowhere.

No More Masks in Puerto Rico

thepointsoflife

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July 2, 2021

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The stupidity is over as Puerto Rico is getting rid of the mask mandate*. Technically, it’s only for those who are fully vaccinated. Those who aren’t can also run around naked and take their chances with the Delta variant (see Doom & Gloom: COVID Is Still Here). It’s a move that’s long overdue as the CDC has already said that those fully vaccinated don’t need to wear masks. While I may get infected as no vaccine is 100% effective, it’s a risk I’ll gladly take here and around the world. It’s time to test the efficacy of this vaccine firsthand.

Of course, the measure isn’t effective immediately. There’s a chance for a super spreader event this 4th of July. COVID knows this which is why pragmatic progress can’t begin until July 5th.

a man wearing a mask and goggles on a boat — Where was my freedom last 4th of July when I was on a deserted island with a mask mandate?

*Subject to change on the whim of government impulse.

Another Day, Another Fight With American Airlines

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July 1, 2021

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Remember when TPOL cancelled the trip to Vegas (see No Vegas for TPOL). Part of that trip was a flight on AA. Despite cancelling within 24 hours of booking my basic economy ticket, AA refused to issue a refund. I called customer service and after an hour and fifteen minutes, I was told that nothing could be done. I took to Twitter and they wrote, “We see a fare difference of $25.60 was paid, after applying the voucher to issue this ticket. You’re given the prompt of no credit, as you’ve purchased a Basic Economy ticket. This is non-refundable, and non-changeable, so currently there’s no value on it to rebook. To hop on board again, you’ll need to purchase a new ticket.”

I persisted and wrote that it was cancelled within 24 hours and that I was entitled to my money back. Finally, someone looked into it and responded.

Of course, now the fare has gone up for the flight that Ms. TPOL was going to take. Thank you AA for your prompt attention in this matter. Please continue to enjoy your government bailout.

“To hop on board again”? What a bunch of jerks.

Simply The Best: June 2021

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June 30, 2021

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Half the year is done! This month included posts from years past, churning approvals making it feel like years past, and a reminder that life still isn’t back to normal.

The World’s Most Expensive Cities for Expats
Remember when TPOL was supposed to move to Albania and then I used COVID as an excuse not to go?
IC Bora Bora Thalasso: Cockroach, No A/C, Some Champagne, What The Duck!
I give my photo shoot and photographer two thumbs up. I give the IC no rating and may God have mercy on its soul.
Blog Roast OMAAT: Starting Posts with Ouch, Wow, Uh Oh, Wild, Major, Whoa
I am going to write a roast post on each blog that I read where I dole out tough love and provide unsolicited advice on how to make the blog better.
Chase Sapphire Approved!
I logged into my Chase account and could not believe my eyes.
Golf in Tahiti? Not in This Town
The novelty of saying I golfed in an exotic locale is no longer reason enough to golf in those locations. If the course is not up to international standards, it is worth skipping.
No Vegas for TPOL
1) Who wants to fly 20 hours in coach? 2). Only amateurs go to Vegas on the weekend.
Doom & Gloom: COVID Is Still Here
The solution is not social distancing, nor is it wearing masks 24/7. The solution is certainly not another lockdown. The solution is vaccines, both globally and locally.

Doom & Gloom: COVID Is Still Here

thepointsoflife

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June 28, 2021

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I was watching the Suns playoff game and was almost tricked into believing that life is back to normal. The stands are packed, CP3 is still selfish, and the Clippers still suck. Then I switch the channel and see that Sydney is back on lockdown, SE Asia has new restrictions, and the continent of Africa is being pummeled by a third wave.

Is it 2019 or 2020? My answer is 2020, specifically February. At that time everything seemed normal only because we were ignorant to the truth of what was really going down. Back then I gave a warning and was slammed by morons who thought this was all fake (see Travel Or Stay Inside? TPOL’s Thoughts on Coronavirus). As someone who comes from a house of learned doctors, TPOL MD, once again, has to weigh in.

America

America was winning the fight against COVID with the availability of vaccines. However, the rate of vaccinations has slowed down while the infection rate will soon go up due to the loosening of restrictions and the influx of the delta variant. At this point, I could not tolerate another lockdown nor am I willing to wear a mask for eternity (see Another Useless Puerto Rico Lockdown). Unfortunately, due to vaccine hesitancy, I am guessing that the hospitalization rate will increase and we’ll be back to talks of bending the curve.

World

While idiots are peddling conspiracy theories about vaccines, the rest of the world is begging for help. Entitled rich countries still don’t understand that this hell will not end until the world is vaccinated. And the variants won’t stop until the world gets ahead of the spread. It’s not the time to complain about how I can’t travel internationally. It’s time to unite and solve this with a global effort.

What’s the point?

Things may seem like they’re normal in the United States, but it’s an illusion. Doom and gloom will soon return unless there is the same urgency from 2020 to eradicate this virus. The solution is not social distancing, nor is it wearing masks 24/7. The solution is certainly not another lockdown. The solution is vaccines, both globally and locally.

a man wearing a mask and glasses — I’m not doing this bullshit again.

Blog Roast OMAAT: Starting Posts with Ouch, Wow, Uh Oh, Wild, Major, Whoa

thepointsoflife

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June 28, 2021

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Today’s travel blogs are becoming more like tabloid spam. How many videos do I have to see with people fighting on airplanes? How many times do I have to read about Chase’s 100k offer? I understand that no one is really traveling and content is hard to come by but when is the travel blogging going to go back to happy travel tales? For these reasons, I am going to write a roast post on each blog that I read where I dole out tough love and provide unsolicited advice on how to make the blog better.

I am starting today with the only blog I read consistently, OMAAT. Lucky publishes multiple posts on a daily basis and gently pushes credit card offers. However, I have to call him out for three things:

The use of emojis which has ruined the English language within his posts (Happy Emoji Day! = End of Civilization).
His overuse of the word ‘given’. There is a thesaurus.
His post titles that start with “Ouch, Wow, Uh Oh, Wild, Major, Whoa”. The title of the article speaks for itself. Why do you insist on using these words? It weakens the headline.

Other than that, keep up the good work. And nice job on calling out that Marriott in Greece.

Jamaica Carnival 2022: Marriott Still Unavailable

thepointsoflife

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June 25, 2021

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There’s nothing better in life than carnival. My first experience was in Rio (see Guns & Butter: Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide). The second was in Trinidad (see Last Minute Trinidad Carnival Guide! Everything You Need to Know And Stuff You Will Figure Out On Your Own!). The third was supposed to be last year in Kingston, Jamaica. It was cancelled again this year, and I have started planning for attending next year. Since April, I have been checking Marriott’s website. Since April, it shows that points redemptions are unavailable.

When I booked Trinidad’s carnival, I did it literally last second (see How to Book Trinidad’s Carnival Last Second for Free*). I am optimistic that rooms will open, but I will probably have to use the same last-minute strategy. Celebrating carnival will be the best way to return to a life of debauchery.

And now for some questions. Have you been to any carnivals? Which one is your favorite?

IQKhameleon: Halfway There!

thepointsoflife

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June 24, 2021

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If you haven’t heard of IQKhameleon (see IQKhameleon عقخ: The Lifestyle IS Coming), I won’t blame you yet. Given the boredom of the pandemic and inability to travel, I decided to develop a lifestyle brand. Marketing 101 requires everyone to follow on IG and to create of a website. Marketing 102 required the purchase of technology (see VIDEO: SkyDio 2 Inaugural Flight: Rio Mar, Puerto Rico & DJI Pocket 2: The Compliment to My SkyDio Drone). Now, the sample design has been made. The next step is to go visit my distributor in Colombia and approve the prototype.

IQKhameleon – Smart Sportswear

The World’s Most Expensive Cities for Expats

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June 22, 2021

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Remember when TPOL was supposed to move to Albania (see Vote Where TPOL Moves in December (For Real This Time)), and then I used COVID as an excuse not to go (see Canceled! TPOL’s Move to Albania)? I don’t regret that decision, but I have learned that living in Puerto Rico is no bargain. 11.5% sales tax, an electric bill that cost more than my former Acura Integra car payment, and a water bill that is as erratic as the rainforest weather in Rio Mar are reasons why I am looking forward to splitting my time abroad. That’s why I will not be living in these places, which made the Top Ten List for most expensive cities for ex-pats in 2021.

10. Bern, Switzerland: I know nothing about this city except for the daily weather which is reported on BBC International.

9. Beijing, China: The Great Wall is great. Other than that, I do not like Beijing. In fact, it’s my least favorite city in China.

8. Geneva, Switzerland: I haven’t been but Vlad and Uncle Joe were there. “I don’t see any reason why it would be?”

7. Singapore: Great food but boring, no thanks (see “You can get anything you want here.”).

6. Shanghai, China: My favorite city in the world (see TPOL’s Travels: The Best Big Cities in the World) is no longer up and coming. It’s there and it’s expensive.

5. Zurich, Switzerland: I went to Zurich expecting it to be Geneva. I found fancy and filth (see Glamour And Grime: My Time in Zurich).

4. Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo has always been expensive and continues to be. I prefer Osaka.

3. Beirut, Lebanon: Tragically Beirut is on this list not because it’s a thriving metropolitan but because of economic instability (see Guns & Butter: (Overrated) Beirut Travel Guide).

2. Hong Kong: Hong Kong is a value buy at #2. Hong Kong was consistently ranked #1 but now there’s a mass exodus from the island.

1. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan: “Turkmenistan’s ongoing financial crisis, which has led to food shortages and hyperinflation, is cited by Mercer as the reason why Ashgabat’s cost of living has risen over the past couple of years.” Add this one to the list of places I need to go for my Country Count List when I leave my basement.

Maybe Albania is a good idea after all.