Physical Therapy and Traveling

In 2012, I took a 3 month backpacking trip around South East Asia and visited over 7 countries including Vietnam and North Korea (yes, North Korea). It was an amazing trip with a lot of memories and crazy stories. Although I had a really good time, I was constantly bothered by my right thigh muscle. I hurt it back in college and it just hasn’t been the same since. Because a lot of walking is involved in traveling, I was just always on it making the pain worse and worse. That’s when I had to end my trip early. You see, I was planned to stay in Tokyo, Japan for a year to teach English, but I couldn’t accept the offer, because of my leg.

The first thing I did when I went home, was visit a physical therapist. I went to In Motion Orange County, a physical therapy Orange County clinic, over the course of the following four months. Each session the physical therapist had me do 20 or so variants of stretches to I guess relax and realign my muscles, which apparently I needed. Whatever he did though, it worked, because not even a month in the sessions, I could feel a difference. As I’m getting older, I’m beginning to understand the important of my muscles and health of my body. I guess I’m realizing I’m not as young anymore!

Anyway, after the four months of therapy, I was completely fine. Actually, I haven’t felt better in years. I immediately continued some of the stretches he recommended at home. He said to do the stretches when my leg is feeling a little tight. After a few weeks of continued stretching I didn’t continue it. Fast forward a few months later, I’m back in Los Angeles at the Japanese embassy applying to teach English in Japan again. Luckily, I was presented an offer again! I was able to continue my dream of teaching in Japan.

Well, not even a couple months into my new assignment, my leg was starting to tighten up. You see, in Japan, people do a lot of walking. My apartment was a mile from the station and then my school was another mile form their station. So everyday, I walked 4 miles and quickly, my leg started to feel it. But thanks to going to physical therapy, I knew exactly what stretches I needed to do each morning to regain my strength. I was dedicated to being consistent and not missing a stretch. My persistence paid off in just a week and I was fine again.I was very thankful that I had that taken care of before I went to Japan, because I don’t know what I would have done if I had to go see a physical therapist in Japan when I don’t speak nearly enough Japanese to understand medical speak.

This is a good lesson to take in before traveling. Make sure you have your health checked out before you go and are prepared to take care of it something happens when you’re abroad.

A Small Paradise Called the Cayman ...

There are a few places on this world that can be rightfully called paradise. But one particular place called the Cayman Islands would be the closest thing that you will ever get to fully experience what the word “Paradise” really means. The Cayman group of islands is a small group of islands situated on the western Caribbean sea, south of Cuba and west of Jamaica. The Cayman group of islands are composed of three varying sized islands, Grand Cayman, being the largest of the three groups which has an area of 197 square kilometers, followed by two smaller islands called Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, which are located 120 kilometers from the Grand Cayman island and have a land area of 38 square kilometers and 26 square kilometers respectively.

The Cayman islands did not have an original ethnic community, as all inhabitants were migrants from around the surrounding islands. It was not until the 17th century that the British had set up a colonial out post for all it’s merchant marine vessels en route to the East Indies for spice trade. The very first westerner that was born there was a man named Isaac Bodden, who was a grandson of one of the deserters from Oliver Cromwell’s armies during the taking of Jamaica in 1665. The islands western inhabitants usually were exiles, pirates, shipped wrecked sailors and those fleeing from the Spanish Inquisition.

One reason why people flock to these islands is because of the enchanting scenery of it’s pristine sandy beaches and clear blue waters that win the approval and recommendation by scuba diver’s and enthusiasts around the world. Another good reason is that the Cayman group of Islands are only a few places in the world that has a majority of exemptions from duties and taxes. This could be recounted from one incident during the time of King George III, as ten merchant ships were seriously grounded on the shoal reefs of the Island and the local inhabitants helped in securing the ships safely back to sea. By this, King George III rewarded the islanders a promise of not being imposed taxes upon, as to their help and generosity in assisting with aiding the grounded ships.

It most certainly explains why it has become one of the most prospective places in the Caribbean sea. The absence of most taxes has enabled this tiny island chain to grow into one of the most prosperous regions of this part of the world, owing most of it’s revenues on the tourist industry and merchant marine businesses. The growing prospect of real estate has led Ken Dart, business man philanthropist, to develop adequate business and residential projects in the Camana Bay area, to support the local government of the Cayman islands. Infrastructure is a necessity to ensure that there are adequate amenities for locals and foreign businesses to use once they start up their business endeavor of the Cayman islands.

The development program for the islands are strictly monitored by the local government as to ensure that it will not encroach the limits of the allowable number of structures in order to preserve the natural beauty of the islands. The Cayman islands is indeed a paradise by itself, as the millions of tourists that visit it year after year, attest to the splendor of it’s grand history steeped with culture that has evolved into one of the world’s leading business centers that has managed to mix business with pleasure.

Taking Care of Your Insurance Cover...

Last month I took my family on a trip to Europe, no worries just 5 weeks spent traveling across Europe to take in as many sights as we could, or so I thought. I got a call from my insurance company letting me know that they were dropping the coverage on our home due to the fact that they were no longer a licensed agent for my state of New York. This happened the first week in to our trip. Lucky for me, technology was on my side and I was able to get home insurance quotes right from my hotel room and I was able to follow up with calls using Skype so that I didn’t have to pay astronomical phone charges on my cellphone bill.

If you happen to be out of town and need to find insurance quotes on the run then these
FAQ’s about home insurance will come in handy. There was actually a lot I didn’t realize because we had always just done what our agent suggested when it came time to buy home insurance. You can learn more about how to find the best coverage for you and your family as well. I never expected to be in this situation but it actually worked out better for me in the end.

Within a day I had new home insurance coverage for our home and I got to continue to enjoy our European vacation. We continued on through France, seeing the Eiffel tower and ate at many of the street cafes before heading over to Germany and on to Ireland where we stayed for the last two weeks of our vacation. I have to say that every place we visited was beautiful but my heart was really warmed in Ireland. I don’t know if it had to do with my ethnic heritage being Irish or not, but I have to say the people of Ireland are like no other people in the world. They are warm and welcoming and love to have a conversation about whatever you feel like talking about.

We spent many late nights hanging out around a fireplace in a pub listening to the local people tell stories and conversing while tasting the many different local beers and stouts. I will never forget our time in Ireland. Any little problem we had while in Ireland was addressed and fixed with the help of some local Irish person every single time. My fondest memories include seeing some of the castles and things like the Blarney stone etc. but nothing beats the relationships we built with the people of the communities we stayed in. Every single time we had to leave a community to move on to the next community on our trip plan I had a hard time saying goodbye to the people we had grown so close to in such a short period of time. I plan on staying in touch with a lot of the people we met while we spent our time in Ireland.

5 Travel Tips for the Rocky Mountai...

Thinking of hitting the Rocky Mountains on your next vacation? The region is so vast, with such varying landscape and activities, that it’s important to plan your itinerary carefully and have a specific idea of what you want to tackle during your trip. Fortunately, there’s tons of advice available from seasoned Rocky Mountain travelers. Read on for the top five Rocky Mountain travel tips.

1. Deciding When to Travel
Summer is a great time to visit the Rocky Mountains, particularly if you want to enjoy swimming in the gorgeous natural lakes and rivers that the region has to offer. If you’re not as interested in water sports, you may want to consider visiting in the fall, when the mountains are awash with colorful foliage. And for winter sports aficionados, try hitting the Rockies in the winter, when skiing and snowboarding abound.

2. Consider Traveling by RV
If you own an RV or have the resources to rent one, this can be a great way for your family to explore the Rocky Mountains. Many of the parks in the Rockies have camping areas, which means that you can park your lodging and explore at will. In addition, you’ll have access to the park at less crowded times, such as the early morning and after dusk.

3. Drive Safely
A car is a good way to explore the Canadian Rockies, but be sure that you’re prepared for driving in the mountains. You should always make sure you have enough fuel, since gas stations aren’t always readily available. Always have a safety kit with a fully charged cell phone and extra food and water, especially if you’re visiting in the winter. Check in with park rangers and get current road reports to make sure your route is safe.

4. Prepare Yourself for Hikes
Even short hikes require some planning and preparation. Make sure you have a current trail map and a compass, as well as plenty of water. Wear hiking boots so that you’ll be prepared for short climbs and rocky terrain. Dress in layers, since the weather can change quickly in the mountains, and pack high-energy snacks like granola. And in case of thunder and lightning, hunker down in the lowest spot you can find.

5. Encounters with Wildlife
Though seeing bears, moose, elk, and other animals is one of the most exciting things about hiking in the Canadian Rockies, these creatures can also be dangerous. When hiking, make plenty of noise on the trail so you don’t catch bears unaware, causing aggression. If an animal attacks you, your best bet is to lay down and “play dead” rather than run or fight back. Humans are not food sources for wild animals.

If you’d prefer to have someone else plan your itinerary, you’re in luck. Caravan Tours offers convenient, affordable, action-packed excursions to the Rocky Mountains. If you’d like to explore as much as possible without having any stress or worry, using Caravan is a great route to take.

Affordable Eco-Friendly Life Tips

With all the pressure to “go-green” and live an environmentally friendly lifestyle, many people feel that is hard to know where to begin. There is an abundance of green this, tree-hugger that, products and services that are constantly being peddled to us on a day to day basis, it easy to get lost in the latest trend of enviro-living. However, the common misconception about living a green lifestyle is that you have to change your entire way of life in order to participate.

The reality is being a friend of the planet doesn’t mean you have to give anything up or dramatically change your habits. You can be environmentally conscious, without spending any money, buying any products or dramatically changing habits. It actually only takes a few small changes to lead a greener life and do your part to show that you care.
Carpool

Commuter traffic pollutes and when everyone is going in the same direction anyways there is no reason why you can’t just take one vehicle. Take the initiative to set up a workplace carpool with your co-workers and neighbors. This is a fun way to drive to work that is good for the environment.

Conserve Water

Water is one of the worlds most precious resources, it can be easy to take it for granted because we often use it in abundance. However, saving fresh clean water is everyone’s responsibility. By simply taking shorter showers, or opting for a bath when we want a relaxing soak we can conserve water and lower our environmental impact. Don’t let the faucet run, cut back on how often you water the lawn, and only run washing machines and dishwashers when necessary. These are great ways to save water that anyone can do and they actually do make a difference.

Adjust The Thermostat

If it is cold in your house, put on some slippers and a sweater. Try to limit how much power you use heating and cooling your home. Adjust the thermostat in the winter and summer to save energy.

Consider The Environment When Making Purchases

Is it time to buy a new vehicle or appliances for you home? When making big purchases take time to consider your environment and by things that are manufactured with a modern perspective.

Don’t go out and buy all new merchandise just to be greener! Think about reducing and reusing by making do longer. When it is time to upgrade, dispose of old vehicles, appliances, and electronics appropriately. Many communities have recycling programs that prevent these items from ending up in the landfill.

It is That Easy!

These are just a few ways that we can improve our lives and lead a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. As you can see, it doesn’t take much, just a few minor adjustments that make a real difference. Be a role model for your family and other people in your community by setting an example by following these affordable eco-friendly life tips.

Start A Green Company

One of the best choices I have ever made was to start my own company that is “Green.” Their is a whole market of people out there that want to help, or feel like they are helping, the environment. For this guest post, I decided to list out a few types of services you can offer to clients or start up from nothing:

1. Travel.

This is the type of company I run. Although it requires me to be all over the world, which isn’t always a good thing, I have been doing pretty well with it. I run trips in Nicaragua and take advantage of already existing services that are “green.” For example with people the folks up from the airport in a 4×4 hybrid, then take them up into off road type areas.

Once they get there, we make sure to set them up into a hotel or bungalow complex that is solar powered and only cooks local produce. This part alone lots of people seem to enjoy, they are in the middle of nowhere, and are just hanging out in the jungle. Just keep in mind this is no walk in the part, running these types of events takes a lot of work and you have to be willing to seek out the right people.

While they are there we offer surfing, snorkeling, check out turtles, and all kinds of trips that have minimum impact on the environment.

To my surprise many are willing to pay for good volunteering opportunities. For example I help folks find good projects to work on in Nicaragua, everything from building houses to farms.

2. HVAC

Their is a huge market and I am not sure I am naming it correctly. In my travels, I’ve met people in the AC and heating industry that do everything all green. Everything from the unit for their house, the window, and insulation in the walls. They appear to do really well with this type of industry.

Being that this technology is often very expensive, they often position themselves in area where the locals have more money…. Which is a great idea, from my experience the best customers are the ones that can afford your services.

3. Information Marketing.

Lots of people I have met seem to do pretty well information products. Pretty much they sell something on the internet that teaches you how to do something. One of my good friends has a jazz guitar course. He makes a pretty good living, enjoys his work, and it gives him a pretty cool lifestyle as well.

Another lady I know does consulting and fixes websites. He more or less makes them run faster and generate more Leeds. These two examples have very little impact on the environment. They pretty much just need a lap top and Skype to get started.

I am certain their are a lot more business models out there, but these are the three I actually know something about. If you know of a few more, feel free to let us know in the comments.