Travel Archives - foXnoMad

Category: Travel

The Ethics Of Travel Blogging: Where Do Creators Draw The Line?

by | Nov 19, 2020 | , , , | 0

jessie festa foxnomad podcast

How do you as a reader know that the content a travel blogger is making is entirely independent, sponsored, or heavily influenced by free trips or financial incentives? The online space is rapidly evolving and for a long time was an unregulated wild west, leaving many creators to come up with their own guidelines… or not.

I recently asked can you trust foXnoMad, to answer how I go about things, though there’s no single approach for all travel bloggers. It’s one of the reasons Jessie Festa recently joined me on an episode of the foXnoMad Podcast to explain her approach and outline what some of the potential conflicts of interest can be for new creators.

In addition to her site Jessie On A Journey, Jessie runs Travel Blog Prosperity which guides bloggers on how to make their sites profitable and manage what happens when do that. There’s a lot to learn for creators but also consumers of travel content online, including a few lines we won’t cross.

Asking Demonstrators Why They Attended The Million MAGA March

by | Nov 17, 2020 | , , , | 1

The Million MAGA “Make America Great Again” March didn’t draw a million people to Washington D.C. but it did bring with it thousands who show the divide in the United States. Compared to the widespread party D.C. turned into after the election was called for Joe Biden, MAGA marchers were a demonstration of the ideological contrast in the nation.

I walked through the crowds, asking why people were attending the MAGA March – you can hear their replies in the video above. Since I published that video the reactions have been as divisive as the march itself. Some were upset that I didn’t counter the claims or add an opposing opinion.

I may go more in depth into the controversy on an upcoming foXoMad Podcast episode but these are pro-Trump supporters in their own words. They speak for themselves but depending on who’s listening it’s either disturbing or encouraging; a division which ultimately surprised me. It’s worth noting the demonstrators were more diverse than I expected, defiant, and as the evening wore on some turned to violence.

Some of you may have rather I not have made this video. Despite what many in the crowd think, on January 20th Donald Trump will no longer be president yet the march is a reminder that 72 million voted for him. A significant percentage of whom believe were it not for an election conspiracy Trump would have won a second term.

Here’s The Party Washington DC Turned Into After Election Called For Biden

by | Nov 10, 2020 | , , | 0

One week ago on election night around the White House the initial energy waned as the night wore on and no clear result in sight. A few days later on Saturday late morning, Pennsylvania’s vote count made Joe Biden president-elect and not long after Washington D.C. erupted into a massive party.

There were groups of people on every block dancing to music, random cheers of joy, air horns, and what was the most jubilant I’ve seen a city… for any reason. I was there and you should watch the video here to catch a glimpse of the atmosphere.

It’s been a busy week filming and for those of you who want a bit more behind the scenes of what it was like interviewing, editing through the night, and things that didn’t make it on film – check out the latest episode of the foXnoMad Podcast.

What It Was Like On Election Night 2020 In Washington D.C.

by | Nov 5, 2020 | , , | 2

A few hours before the polls closed on the east coast of the United States on November 3rd hundreds of people gathered in front of the White House. The combination of a Black Lives Matter demonstration plus the U.S. election turned the atmosphere from party to protest, with people there for all the reasons in between.

I spoke with a few of them throughout the night to hear what brought them to Black Live Matter Plaza in front of the White House’s security fences. You can watch their stories in the video here.

How Apple’s Trade In Program Works

by | Oct 27, 2020 | , , | 0

Getting a new Apple product can be pricey but if you’ve already got one it can help take the bite out of that purchase. Apple’s Trade In program lets send back all but the oldest iPhones, Macbooks, and other devices for credit toward something new. Although it doesn’t give you the absolute best prices you might get selling on a site like eBay, Trade In has a number of advantages worth considering.

How It Works

Apple’s Trade In program gives you the option to send in an old Apple device (or select phones from other manufacturers) for credit toward a new one. You can get a quote online to see how much your device is worth in a few seconds by entering the serial number and quick condition description.

New Apple iPhone 12 Pro (128GB, Pacific Blue) [Locked] + Carrier...
New Apple iPhone 12 Pro (128GB, Pacific Blue) [Locked] + Carrier...
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    Assuming you accept the estimate, Apple will send you a box with a prepaid shipping label. Send it back within 14 days and you’ll get Apple store credit.

    Buying New

    Now assuming you don’t want to be left without an iPhone for example, you’ll have to buy a new Apple product. In this scenario when you’re ordering a new device you add your trade in to the cart. Once your order is complete, Apple then ships your new device and the prepaid box to send back your old iPhone.

    Once Apple gets your old iPhone back, inspects it, they’ll then apply the trade in amount back to the credit card used to purchase the new iPhone. It’s essentially applying the Apple store credit back to your credit card.

    Straight Store Credit

    Otherwise, simply using the trade in program (without a new purchase) will apply Apple store credit to your account. This is the method you’ll have to use if you want to purchase a refurbished device. There’s one major benefit to sending your old iPhone or Macbook early (if you don’t need it immediately or have a backup) – namely, you’ll get a higher value.

    Apple products depreciate slowly but they do depreciate. And if your old Apple product is too old for any store credit, Apple has a free recycling program.

    Trading Alternatives

    You might not be happy with Apple’s estimate, your device is too old, or you simply want to see how much you can get other places. Obviously there’s plenty of sites to sell used electronics if you’re willing to put in the effort. Otherwise, Apple’s Trade In program streamlines the process, is fast, and consistent with pricing.

    What’s Up With All The Cats In Istanbul?

    by | Oct 22, 2020 | , , , | 0

    Anybody who’s been, lives in, or will be visiting Istanbul, Turkey, is sure to know about its resident cats. They are everywhere in neighborhoods in various configurations – draped over car roofs napping, sleeping in small homes outside of apartments, or living in city’s most popular tourist site. (With a very popular Instagram account I might add.)

    It’s estimated there are over 130,000 Felis catus in Istanbul but why? You can watch the introduction to Istanbul’s cats in the video here or read on.

    Classy Cats

    Cats in the busiest parts of Istanbul have an outdoor but relatively good life. Neighborhood cats are often fed by the humans living around them who leave food out in bowls. Local cats may even get there own little cat houses usually at the food of apartment entrances for shelter.

    istanbul cat

    In many ways, the cats seem to own the city. They meander in and out of shops, sleeping where they choose, even if its a busy escalator. Watch out hoomans! One particularly popular chubby feline even got a statue built in her honor after passing away in 2016.

    Collective Pets

    Most of the cats are friendly particularly in the parks where they’re fed by city workers. Don’t have a cat but wouldn’t mind hanging out and petting one – many of the cats will appreciate your extra attention. As Legal Nomads noticed on her visit,

    The truth is, of course, that there are many cats Turkey and Istanbul was awash in cats also. Many were well-fed and clean, and  almost all were affectionate. To be sure, the cats slimmed down and dirtied-up when I walked outside the busier zones of the city into the immigrant areas – parts of Fatih, for example. In those laundry-strewn, narrow streets the cats were more feral, more hungry and certainly less curious. But one constant remained: there were cats everywhere.

    I’ve focused a lot on the cats but there nearly as many stray dogs as well. They too are fed in parks with ear tags indicating they’ve had their shots and are spayed or neutered. For cats, a small cut in the ear means the same.

    Paws To Agree On

    Getting a majority of people or politicians to agree on many things in a city of 15 million isn’t easy except when it comes to Istanbul’s cats. A pretty adorable part of Istanbul for a long time, these street cats have done what many indoor cats do, simply endeared themselves to their human pets.

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    About Anil Polat

    foxnomad aboutHi, I'm Anil. foXnoMad is where I combine travel and tech to help you travel smarter. I'm on a journey to every country in the world and you're invited to join the adventure! Read More

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