This was some time ago (early 2009). I had a short-term contract in Vancouver (BC) that was right next door to a Starbucks. If I brought my Thermos, they would fill it up for the price of a tall, plus 10 cents off. It came to about 1.60CAD. My Thermos wasn’t huge, but I got two full mugs of coffee out my fill. So for…

No idea if it’s common practice or not (I only drink Sol when there’s nothing better available). I imagine the salt would be nice with it. When I wintered in Texas, I’d have XX beer “dressed” with a salt rim and lime and loved it. Don’t think I’d dare try that down here, though! I am going to try your Sol salt tip…

For me, it depends on the beer. I’d run out of a pub that served me a pint of bitter served to me in a frosty mug, but if I’m drinking Sol on a malecón on sunny afternoon in Mexico, I’m happy if the mug is cold enough to literally freeze my beer. Most beers here in Mexico are served cold enough to make your teeth ache…

It only bothered me when I was in my truck all day since it was like baking in an oven (no AC). Plus side is that as soon as I’d step out of the truck, even 30+C felt cool. My house is well ventilated and I don’t use AC. (My favourite foods out here are relleno negro or salbutes de pavo. :) )

If you’re driving yourself, don’t forget to factor in decent hotels and restaurants and, most importantly, a thorough vehicle inspection if you’re using your own.

I agree with that to a point. I have very few friends that I am physically with at any given time, but my travels have allowed me to meet so many kindred spirits whom I keep in contact with online. When we meet up again, it’s like we were never apart. I have such a strong network I can rely on emotionally even if on a…

I share your enthusiasm, but could you please make a mayonnaise-free one?

Just an additional tip if you’re blanching veggies to freeze and then reheat later — blanch them about a minute less than optimal doneness so that they don’t get overdone when you prepare them later.

Never dreamed that the day would come that someone would make me eager to try soggy green beans.

I worked at a convenience store one winter and we got free coffee, tea, sodas, and slushies, plus any product that was pulled for being off date (including chips, sandwiches, and chocolate bars). Knowing myself, I just let myself overdose on free crap for the first couple of weeks and then never wanted to eat the…

My second language is English. :) First language is French (Canadian). I think that your German will help you with Spanish in that you’re already used to a gendered language and more intense verb conjugations. Of all the languages I’ve studied and dabbled with, I’d say that French and Spanish are the closest and…

Your first two points are the reason why I only read paper books in Spanish (my third language). While I’m technically fluent, I’m still nowhere near native level and reading in Spanish is only partly fun and mostly still like “school.” I find that I retain more if I can physically highlight and make notes as I read…

I bought the digital version of so many of my thousands of books so that I could downsize enough to move into an RV and I wouldn’t go back either, but there are some books that only my paper copy will do!

Believe me, if he hadn’t taken it to get a six-pack, there were dozens of people in the neighbourhood who would have grabbed it to resell. I consider that he took the initiative to babysit my package until I got home.

I find UPS service is MUCH better in the US than it is in Canada, where I’m originally from. In the US, I have literally had something shipped to “white RV by green truck, Magnolia Beach, TX, 77979,” and UPS came right to my door. Meanwhile, they wouldn’t even deliver to an RV park on the outskirts of town, much less…

I got off cheap — he could have asked for a 24-pack and I would have bought it for him!

This is my first experience with DHL and it’s been great. But FedEx down here has been bad enough that Amazon is reconsidering their relationship with them!

Meanwhile, my DHL driver here in Mexico always calls me if he gets to my house and I’m not home so that I can tell him what to do with the package. Depending on what I’m expecting, I have him literally throw it over the wall like one of those horror UPS videos, have him slip it through the bars of a neighbour’s fence…

That too.

UPS, in their infinite wisdom, once left on my front porch in a very bad neighbourhood a package that was clearly marked as being from Apple and computer-sized. They were supposed to get a signature for it rather than just leave it...