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Showing posts from May, 2016

How to Survive Your Fírst long haul plane ride with kids

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"In America there are  two classes of travel  - first  class , and with children." - Robert Benchley It's definitely not easy. It requires a lot of coffee and patience. Here are some tips I learned while traveling with four kids: Wear comfortable clothes.  No need to be glammed up when you're traveling with a tribe for 9+ hour plane ride and 2 layovers totaling 16-20 hr trip just because you trying to save money.  Remember on long haul flights major airlines have baby bassinets but a big nuisance because everytime seatbelt light come on you need to remove your peaceful sleeping baby and put him/her in your lap with a lap belt.  And if your flight has turbulence like I had on a trip to Barcelona it was just better to keep Vivi in my lap. lol   Remember you have to take off shoes so easy shoes to take off & on.  Crocs, Crocs, and more Crocs are the best invention since sliced bread and perfect for traveling with children. Bring plenty of snacks for the kids

Budget...

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My budget for any trip is very minimal for a family of 5.  For housing, I can usually afford between $400-$500 USD and food between $100-$200 monthly and the rest I spend on transportation, utilities, and the baby things for Vivienne.  Picking the right country is vital for us because if we pick somewhere too expensive we won't survive. We have lived mostly in Africa because the cost of living is within our budget but now we plan to venture to Europe.  Within Africa, we were free to come and go without purchasing a visa or applying for residences visa.  But with Europe, it's a lot more complicated and make it harder to move within Europe with my tribe.  Over the next couple of months, I plan to research the best location with main focus will be on Fits budget Provides free schools, Low crime rate, family friendly town. I came across a a little island that is wishing to increase population and revive its island and after a lot of reserch it's top of the list only

Easy money while traveling

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A couple of sources of revenue that I use while traveling that is simple easy money.  Usually, the places I live are less than $400-300 month rent so getting $200-$300 easy money is a bonus. First, one is a company called Vindale . They are primary a survey company and have tons of surveys to answer.  Plus the best part is they payout at $50 and I been able to get $100 a month from filling out surveys and questionnaire.  If you have a Paypal account they deposit the money via your PayPal account.  I have been using their site since 2011.  Now it does take time but pretty easy money. Second, freelance work. Many sites offer freelance work but I rather not have a middle man so I been freelancing for many years on the side from taxes to basic accounting functions like bank reconciliations, account recon, etc. Mostly word of mouth I get referrals. When I was in the states I would go door to door to small businesses that had Quickbooks/Quicken and offer my service which worked out w

Review of Sindi Sud Riad

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Sindi Sud Riad Review Located:  Riad Zitoun Lakdim Derm Sidi Bouloukate 109, Marrakech We stayed at Sindi for two months and was able to get to Old Medina within a 5-minute walk.  The price was super affordable for a family of 5. Some of the rooms had bathrooms some didn't but on the 3rd floor a community restroom and shower which is very tidy and clean with plenty of hot water was available but if you take showers during the check-out time it will run cold lol. We stayed in a room with no bathroom on the 3rd floor. They provided unlimited wifi but I have to say the internet would come and go and sometimes disconnect but okay for normal use.  But if you want to watch Netflix I advice waiting for a better connection. The staff is awesome, very helpful and resourceful.  They have great knowledge of the city and where the best affordable places to eat.  They offer breakfast for 25 dirham per person which includes fresh squeezed orange juice and traditional Moroccan bread.  But

People's fear...

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Before I came to  Morocco many people made comments advising that Moroccan people did not like African Americans, non-Arab, darker skin people. This was far from the truth. From the moment I got off the plane, the kids and I were showered with acceptance, love and compassion.  I never once felt other people's fears.  I think as American's the media has made the rest of the world a  "big bad place" and only America is safe and accepting of African Americans.  But this is not true and far from the truth.  Were accepted and loved and not judge by the color of our skin abroad.  My son will never be shot dead for the color of his skin in Morocco. Hence, America history of racism played a heavy part in African American fear and how they think the world perceives us.  I'm not saying their not racism around the world what I'm saying is that it's not how everyone suggests.  The best way to conquer fear is to venture out not just the Caribbean, but Turkey, Russia,

Marrakesh we LOVE you!!!

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What can I say, we love Marrakesh. Morocco is the most inviting and most friendliness country we been thus far on the continent of Africa.  From family friendly restaurants to strangers kissing Vivi.  It's deep in culture but also has a modern western feel.  Old Medina is a fantasy world with snake entertainers to the henna tattoo artist.  Here a short video of our adventure in Marrakesh, I hope you enjoy.