Field notes
Tips & insights
Practical wisdom from years on the road — packed light and shared honestly.
tip
Carry passports when needed (Menton France experience)
Menton France, French Riviera requires Passport check. Always check local requirements to ensure whether you carry passport or not
budget
Cash Helps in Buenos Aires
Cash exchange is everywhere, and paying by card often costs ~10% more.
transportation
Uber Works, But It's Not Instant
Uber is available but ride acceptance often took longer than expected.
general
Use Both Apple Maps and Google Maps
Buenos Aires is a rare city where Apple Maps actually pulls its weight.
general
Have Your Entry Answers Ready Before Landing
Know your stay duration, address, and have passport ready before descent.
transportation
EZE Airport: Arrive Early and Expect Extra Screening
Allow 90+ minutes after check-in for security and passport control.
food
Restaurants Use Instagram and WhatsApp
Many restaurants book through Instagram and Linktree, not traditional websites.
cultural-insights
Learnings from Travel in Madrid
My afternoon with a Venezuelan guide in Madrid reminded me how easily my worldview gets smudged by headlines and recycled scripts. While it is tempting to stick to the safety of our own political camps, travel provides the messy, lived reality that a newsfeed simply cannot capture. By choosing to listen instead of judge, I have learned that we are far more likely to find a shared human struggle beneath the noise of "us versus them."