ShEvo vs. The First World | A Skeptical Look at Western Culture

Did you miss us? We missed you. And we wish we could say that to you in a foreign language. But since we’re proud Americans the grew up in the ‘80s, we don’t speak any other language but one. And poorly at that! That’s the issue we’re tackling today: The differences in language education in America vs what it’s like overseas. Full episode details: https://www.theopportunistictravelers.com/blog/2019/11/8/why-is-foreign-language-education-a-foreign-idea-in-america Become a Patron and get early access and great bonus content: https://shevo.wtf/patreon.

We’re back after a long absence -- an absence explained in detail to our supporters -- to talk about air travel in America. Recent cross-country trips for both of us are causing us to pine for the ease, reliability, and cost-savings of traveling overseas So leave your assumptions aside and listen in as we tell you why air travel in America downright sucks when compared to the experience in many developing nations. Full episode details: https://www.theopportunistictravelers.com/blog/2019/4/4/american-air-travel-is-awful Become a Patron and get early access and great bonus content: https://shevo.wtf/patreon

Back in 2015, Evo spent several hours in a tattoo chair in Thailand. Just a few weeks ago, Sheila got a new tattoo in America. The differences were vast. Join us as we talk about the finer details, including Time investment Overall skill of the artists Sanitation and sterilization … and more! We’ll leave the decision to permanently remember your next trip overseas with indelible ink -- or Hep C -- in your hands. Full episode details: https://www.theopportunistictravelers.com/blog/2018/12/24/tattoos-over-here-vs-tattoos-over-there-season-5-episode-11 Become a Patron and get early access and great bonus content: https://shevo.wtf/patreon

Recorded during a road-trip to San Diego, we were inspired to compare our current situation to where we just were for the better part of three years, traipsing all around a developing nation wherever the road would take us. Also, this episode is very late. We’re sorry about that. And the audio is rough, but that makes it more “authentic”, right? Tune in and hear us talk about comfort, safety, and law enforcement differences from here to there. Full episode details: https://www.theopportunistictravelers.com/blog/2018/12/5/tripping-out-on-road-trips-abroad-season-5-episode-10 Become a Patron and get early access and great bonus content: https://shevo.wtf/patreon

Today, we are going to talk about travel. Yes, we’ve talked about travel for the better part of 4 years. But this time, we’re taking a broader look at how air travel works in places like Southeast Asia. Because unless you’ve experienced it first hand, you likely have some misconceptions about air travel in developing nations. Topics covered include: “Taxis” aren’t always taxis curbside check-in Airports that make LAX and DFW look like regional airstrips Standing on the walkways Why we really dislike KLIA (Kuala Lumpur Int’l Airport) Immigration miscues and mis-queues Planes don’t fly out of the sky No chickens on the plane Only beautiful people allowed as flight crew Exceptional food … and more! So leave your assumptions aside and listen in as we tell you why air travel to developing nations is often rather great. Full episode details: https://theopportunistictravelers.com/blog/2018/10/31/airing-out-the-stereotypes-of-third-world-air-travel-season-5-episode-9

Let’s talk about your place of residence. Specifically if you’re renting the place in which you live. And even more specifically, the horrible “switching costs” associated with moving from one address to another. Moving. It sucks. Which is probably why, statistically speaking, you’ve probably lived in the same place for a very long time. Moving… sucks. At least, it does here in the west. But in developing nations? It’s kind of a breeze. We’re sharing with you just how incredibly simple it was to move around condos in Bangkok with literally the clothes on our back. Because in many developing nations, the concept of owning furniture is downright odd. Full episode details: https://theopportunistictravelers.com/blog/2018/10/3/its-too-painful-to-move Become a Patron and get early access and great bonus content: https://shevo.wtf/patreon

It’s hard to believe we’ve been making this podcast for four years, across five different seasons. And in that time, we’ve never really talked about religion. Well… that’s changing.Based on our time abroad in some 20-ish countries in 3.5 years, we’re qualified enough to discuss the “optics” of religion in societies around the world. This isn’t a comparative study of religion for college credit. No, this is real-world things we’ve seen and heard in more than a few nations, from emerging to established. Full episode details: https://theopportunistictravelers.com/blog/2018/9/26/proselytizing-from-west-to-east Become a Patron and get early access and great bonus content: https://shevo.wtf/patreon

As you might imagine, there are lots of little things that we notice that bug us. Things you probably ignore.  Things that we ignored the first four decades of our lives. Some of those are so baked into the very fabric of our lives, they disappear into the background. So much so, that you don’t think about them. Until you’re out of clean underwear. Listen to this episode and find out exactly how convenient it is to have access to nearly full-service laundry in every home really is. Hopefully you’ll never look a gift clean pair of underwear in the mouth again. Though why you want any sort of underwear in your mouth is beyond me. But keep flying your freak flag. We won’t judge. Full episode details: https://theopportunistictravelers.com/blog/2018/9/16/dirty-underwear-abroad-season-5-episode-6 Become a Patron and get early access and great bonus content: https://shevo.wtf/patreon

Traveling the world, we’ve had some pretty great coffee. But the Senegalese spiced coffee we found tops the list. Listen in to learn more and to discover that, if you play your cards right, we just might send you some as a token of our appreciation, Patron. ----- This is the actual episode we released to our patrons over the weekend. We're giving it to you, the listener of our "regular" show, so you know what sorts of things we get into on the Patreon-only show.  If you like where you hear, Sign up. And help it spread. Invite your friends to check out our Patreon page. Please? https://shevo.wtf/patreon ------------------

We’re taking a look inside your refrigerator.  Not that we care what kind of food you eat. You do you. No, what we want talk about is how the items in your fridge or your pantry got there. We’re claiming expert knowledge of shopping around the world.  Where many travelers stick to dining out when they visit a new country, we LIVED in most of the countries when we traveled,  and tried to live as “locally” as was possible. That means we shopped in lots of grocery stores, bodegas, fresh produce stands, and boutique markets in lots of different places. Which was, for the most part, a lot of fun. Full episode details: https://theopportunistictravelers.com/blog/2018/9/11/grocery-shopping-the-western-way-season-5-episode-5 Become a Patron and get early access plus bonus content: https://shevo.wtf/patreon

Living in Phoenix Arizona, it really seems like there is a new ethnic restaurant popping up on every corner. Ethiopian food. Peruvian food. Dominican Republic food… You could probably eat the cuisine of a different culture at least once a week (maybe even twice a week) for an entire year and still not have covered all of our ethnic food choices. And that’s us in this overgrown cow-town we call Phoenix! ----- Key Links: Niccolo Chengdu - Best hotel experience in China! Thipsamai - Best Pad Thai in the world! Support us! - The best way to help the show ----- We’re not so bold as to assume our 3.5 years living abroad has made us qualified to talk about the state of cuisine around the world. But we can sure poke fun at our American obsession of seeking out “the most authentic ethnic food”. Spoiler: It’s dumb to think think there’s anything “authentic” about a single dish that’s supposed to represent the way that dish is prepared in a continent-sized country. We’ll give you some specific examples. You’ll agree with us at the end. Full episode details: https://theopportunistictravelers.com/2018/9/4/is-the-ethnic-food-you-are-eating-really-authentic-season-5-episode-4 Become a Patron and get early access plus bonus content: https://shevo.wtf/patreon

Key Links: renuval - Medical tourism to Thailand Bonus content & early access ----- One of our biggest concerns was what to do about healthcare as we traveled the world. As good Americans, we bought into the story of incredible the healthcare in America is compared to anywhere else in the world. Turns out, we were suckered. Our first-hand accounts of encounters with the medical system of countries like Denmark, England, Spain, and Thailand have give us a new perspective on what we used to accept. If you’re one of those who’ve drank the “socialized medicine in other countries is a fiasco!” might want to listen to this. While anecdotes don’t add up to evidence, they can cause you to take a bit more of a skeptical look at what you think is true. Full episode details: https://theopportunistictravelers.com/blog/2018/8/28/make-american-healthcare-great-again-season-5-episode-3 Become a Patron and get early access plus bonus content: https://shevo.wtf/patreon

Before we go too far down highway 420, we need to stress that the two strongly support a comprehensive repeal of America’s stupid federal ban on cannabis. We’re also keenly interested in the good studies on the medical uses cannabis -- either the whole flower or isolated compounds -- might have on public health. 28 countries -- including the US and Canada -- have some form of medical cannabis law that ostensibly allows an authorized patient to spark up a spliff in the comfort of their own home. 12 of those are developing nations, spread around Central & South America, Eastern Europe, and even a couple of countries in Africa. In America,  30 states (well, 29 plus the District of Columbia) have passed medical marijuana laws. Even Oklahoma, which surprised both of us. Unless you’ve been ignoring any and all media, you have likely heard near-magical stories of cannabis as a medicine, curing just about every kind of disease and condition under the sun. But these personal stories are simply anecdotes, and anecdotes don’t add up to evidence. Worse, quality scientific studies on the medical effects of cannabis are few and far between. Largely, many claim, because of America’s federal ban on cannabis. That makes it extremely difficult -- bordering on impossible -- to find money to fund a large-scale study. But there have been some studies. We know, for example, of very interesting compounds that come from cannabis:  two of them are THC and CBD. Generally speaking, THC is the psychoactive component -- that which gets you high. CBD, on the other hand, doesn’t. Go deeper than that, and things start to get messy. Many in the scientific and medical community ask a simple question: what’s the proper dosage of either of those two compounds -- either isolated or in combination -- that will provide the necessary medical effect on any given patient? So why did we pick medical marijuana as our critique on first world culture? Because Evo thinks that the stoner culture might be “imperfect messengers” for the cause of medical marijuana. Though, as you’ll hear in this episode, his opinion is changing.

Key Links Smart medical advice from Dr. Terry Simpson Support us on Patreon ---------- There's a common stanza for Americans who travel abroad: DON'T DRINK THE WATER. To find out why -- or even if -- that's a problem, we enlisted the help of one of our good friends, Dr. Terry Simpson. Prepare to be terrified back to the tap… unless you’re traveling overseas.

As a special treat to those of you who stay subscribe to our podcast, we’ll be releasing some special, long form audio over the coming weeks as we travel to Cambodia, China, Japan, and Korea before landing back in America.Today, you’ll hear a long-form ambient audio recording of one of the most bizarre -- at least by western standards -- religious events in Thailand. It’s called the Sak Yant Wai Kru. It takes place every year at a temple called Wat Bang Pra, which is about 50 km NW of Thailand. Each year in early March, more than 10,000 afficiantos of the sak yant tattoos gather at the temple and well… go a little crazy. The reason for the gathering is to get the tattoos recharged. In the strange amalgamation of religion and mysticism that is Thai Buddhism, sak yant tattoos imbue their owner with special protective powers. And just like it’s a good idea to reboot your computer or update the apps on your phone once and awhile, the tattos need a little recharging.Or a lot, as you’ll hear.What follows is just over 2 and half hours of un-cut audio I recorded at the 2018 event, my third time attending. Sheila took a bunch of pictures and has them on Flickr. She also has a great video from the 2017 event on YouTube. In the audio, you’ll heave me interacting with some of our favorite people that we’re going to miss a lot when we leave Thailand in just a few days. Ric, Jack, Karina, Ian… and a bunch more. You’ll also hear me clearing my throat a lot, as I was just getting over a cold. And from time to time, you’ll hear my reactions and Sheila’s reactions to the quite literal insanity of the event.If you can’t make it through all 2 and a half hours, I understand. The first three minutes of the audioclip gives a fairly good representation of the rest of the audio. Of course you might be sucked in after that. IT happens.So here we go. Thanks for listening. We’ll be back from time to time with more audio. And eventually, season five of our podcast will start up again. Whatever we decide to call it. Cheers!

It’s almost impossible not to learn things as you travel. After traveling to 20 different countries as we’ve lived as expats for over 3 years, we’ve racked up quite a few memories and life-lessons we’ll take back with us to America. On this, the final episode of the 4th season of podcast, we’ll list the major life lessons each of us has learned from every single country we visited across three continents. Some might surprise you. Some might make you think. But all of it should make you laugh. Season 4 may be ending, but it’s not too late to get postcards from us as we hit a few more countries abroad. Not only will you get access to all of our bonus content, but you’ll also be among a group of people who’ll still get content from us on a regular basis before Season 5 begins. Stay subscribed, enjoy this episode, and we’ll see you back in a few weeks from somewhere new! Insanely Inaccurate Machine Transcription Yeah, I don't think I'm getting tired of this any time soon. Descript is getting much better. But still, here's what it thinks we said. Yeah, did you learn that you can take the boy out of America, but you can't take the Evo out of Evo. That's about it. Maybe Maria was. Oh, oh one time so this one time one time this you know what this one time this one time. Oh my God this one-time. Good podcast. I also use coasters. Coasters that you stole it's all part of the experience of living abroad which is coming to an end if we don't have a question this week, but we have something even better right we should tell the people who we are that's a great idea honey. I'm Sheila D. And I am Evo Tara. We are Shiva. You are listening to this one time the podcast the final episode of the season four. Of our crazy travel life is here. This is the 30th episode. Of season four we've been this four times there have been four other episode 30s, which three others all three other right math is hard. There was there were three others that we had a final episode of actually one went to 33 really yeah, and then we did some mini bonus ones when get a whole bunch of many bonuses, so I think we have around 150 +. Wow episodes of the Shiva Studios on tour or whatever we were calling it.  That encompassed our lives abroad and each season was very different each season was quite different every single episode of those seasons is available up on the website at Shiva WTF / podcast. We are also not done season 5 will continue, but we have to first End season 4. That is true is where we are today my love, so we had the great idea actually we did not you have the amazing idea of as our recap. Yes to talk about not just where we were because listen you've heard us do that you've heard us tell you where we have been those of you. Who've been listening since day one my camel coat along with us.  Kelly all the others that have been out there, thank you guys very much for your listening. We're not going to force you to sit and listen to us rehash the same stories what we decided to do from Sheila's infinite wisdom is to talk about all of the. Trees we have traveled to since this began and then share with you a lesson that each of us learned yes at that location or in that particular country that we will now carry with us back to America. Which will influence how season 5 is going to go so that's what you're in for today. It is the idea of advice and life lessons except. We are the recipients of said lessons now life has given these things to us, and it's what we have learned we can be taught. Well, we'll find out that's what you guys are in for for this particular program. Thank you very much. Would you like to begin? My love sure well we started our adventure in France and what I found very quickly because we were in a small town of I don't know 800 people well population of 800 right. With cattle I'm certainly we're not 800 people when we were in the skeletal bitty tiny town of l'aquila which is terrible...

In the three years we’ve been traveling the world, we’ve eaten some weird food. But what’s the most bizarre food we’ve encountered. That’s the question we’re answering on this, the penultimate episode of Season 4 of our comedy/travel/advice podcast. (Don’t worry: Season 5 is right around the corner.) For Sheila, the answer was mashed potatoes covered in fish eggs she found -- and loved -- in Spain. Your challenge is to replicate the recipe the next time you sit down for a traditional ‘meat-and-potatoes’ dinner in the West. Evo’s palate is a little more adventurous than most, so ‘eating bizarre’ is what he does. If you listen, you’ll hear a lot about eating some tasty grubs, whole frogs, live termites, crabs-in-the-shell, offal soup, grilled intestine, and more. What’s more interesting is how our concept of favorite foods have changed (or in one of our cases) not changed after three years exposure to new dishes and flavors. Take sushi and pizza, for example. One of them should never be eaten outside of America, and the other might kill you. And then there’s laab moo, a dish we probably won’t find at many Thai restaurants back in America. One thing is for sure: living abroad for three years has opened up Sheila to spicy food. And Evo has accepted that eating soup for breakfast is pho-king incredible. Next week is the last episode of Season 4, but it’s not too late to (http://shevo.wtf/patreon) , and you’ll be the first to know when the next season drops. Plus you’ll get access to all the previous bonus episodes we’ve published. See you next week for the final episode (before we start something new!) Insane Computerized Transcription Of This Episode We're using a new service this week to create this section. It's called Descript, and it's arguably better. It would also likely be a lot easier to massage this to a good transcript you actually want to read... but where's the fun in that? Also, no time stamps in this one. Not that they were all that helpful over the last 10 episodes, right? If the food itself is making a weird sound you might not want to eat it. Oh, oh, oh this one time so this one time one time this you know what this one time this one-time. Oh my God this one time good podcast another question this week, my love also not voicemail little bit. That's fine. I listen losing battles. I don't fight it any longer this one comes from Eric in Ireland, and he asks us quite. Simply. What's the most? Czar food, you've tried as you travel the world. That's a great question Eric. Thanks for asking. I'm Sheila D. And I am Evo Terra. We are Shiva. You are listening to this one time the podcast strange foods. Maybe I know this one you've got an answer wow great. I know I know, but I can't I don't remember what it's called. I just remember eating it and when I saw it I went. That looks disgusting and it's in a weird container, okay, and oh, but I'm going to try it anyway. Well. That's the idea that bizarre food should look weird sometimes smell weird, but definitely look weird occasionally sound weird. And by sound weird I mean the name sounds weird if the food itself is making a weird sound. You are great. You might not want to eat it now. Maybe if it's making a weird sound before it is actually slain. That's okay. We could talk about lobsters. Webster's ya as showing when they are in actually you know what lobsters really aren't screaming or even hissing don't that is sustained escaped exactly right breaking through the carapace. It's just it's just the noise of their insides boiling and then passing through their carapace make-up sound. Okay, we should get back to the question about this is my question Bizarre Foods ok so my bizarre food was when we were in Spain. Yes. We spent about three knows what at six weeks in Spain all over Spain from Galicia in the north to Costa Brava in the Western or Eastern side and then down in Majorca Island, which is only on Spain as much as

If you haven't heard the news, we’re going to be grandparents in the next few months. So of course, the most important thing we have to decide is the names we want this new kid to call us. Today on the program we’ll detail all the names we’ve considered, settling on a few we’d be happy with. We found a few lists of trendy names for grandparents, and a lot of them are just silly. Which we kinda like. Here are the ones what we’re considering, some more or less seriously than others: Ace Bama Bebop Bibi Big Daddy Biggie D Bobo Dabado Dally Faux Mau G-Man Gigi Ginja Gogo Grandiose Granette Granite Grammy Khun bpoo Khun yaa Lala M’dear Mellowman MoreDaddy Nooni NaNa NotherMother Panda Pebbles Rocky Slick But as we’ve no practical experience, we’re asking you, the listener, to chime in on our choices. Maybe you even have something in mind that keeps the special “ShEvo-ness” inside? Listen in and let us know in the comments. You can ask us a question for a future show, and you can get on our fresh new Patreon page to support us the rest of the season and the next! Ridiculous But Funny Computer-Automated Transcription Of This Audio If computers struggle with English, they really have a tough time with Thai. Luckily we didn't use much in this episode, so we probably didn't burn out PodcasterPro's logic board. But as usual, the results are quite funny. Read on and see if any of this makes sense. (Spoiler: it won't.) 00:00:00 Who trusts infants with any effect, let alone naming you that would will be called for the rest of your life. I don't think so. Oh, home one zero This one drawn us one this. No, this morning. This one siree. Oh my God. Just one time. The other question this week, my love, And this one comes from general by the name of net Banjul from Arizona. And he ask is very simple question. What's the one thing that might make us give up this life of living abroad and moved back to America? That's a great question. Nothing new thinks for asking, I'm She Ledee and I am Ibo Tara. We are Shiboh and you are listening to this one time, the podcast. If you haven't figured it out yet, people. And I don't know how you manage to do that, but I guess as possible, maybe you just consume this in podcast warm. I suppose that's pupils. No follow us. Not everybody Follows us. Nerve annual is Our son. He in you might have heard us referred to him has in Jhang. He is our kid and NJ didn't listen to a conversation I had with him some sixteen years ago. I think he did because otherwise he It would this would have happened a long time ago. That is true. How do you want to just quickly answer the question? And then we could get onto the rest of the program. Sure. In July, You're going to be really, really old And that's not your birthday greenery really, really old because you're going to be a grandfather. And that is the answer to the question. The only thing which would make us give up this life of traveling abroad. 00:02:03 Is have been grab marriage and I'm super excited. I'm getting super excited . I am certain learn that, so Yeah. So here's here's the deal kids I we're gonna be grandparents. Uh, which means we're moving back to America. So yeah, we're doing that. But instead of us talking about as moved back to America, what I thought we would do on the program today, my love is come to an agreement on a very important topic. Net very important topic is, how do we wish to be referred to as an additional generation above parent grandparents? I'm sure yours is wet Mac Daddy or something like that. Well, I have been giving it some thoughts on warming up to the idea. My family has a lilies. In my generation, We had a relatively street bore word naming Convention for four grandparents. Okay? Because like like, almost everyone out there listening, although certainly not everyone, but the vast...

Listener Tiffany from Puerto Rico wants to know what we think about this racist, ignorant map that supposedly denotes how Americans really view the world. Now obviously, we don’t like it, and Tiffany wasn’t looking for us to confirm its accuracy. So we take it as a springboard to talk about the realities of terrible geographic knowledge that plagues American… and probably every other nationality. If you l (https://goo.gl/zb4JGN) ? We have those, too. Crazy Computer Transcription Of The Audio We get a kick out of letting the PodcasterPro computer brain try to interpret our words every week. No, this isn't how transcripts of podcasting should be done, but it's funny! 00:00:00 We're he be get on a bus to do when they got up to go to Africa. What's wrong with you from rare year. You can take it. Oh, it's one tower. This one is one time. This is one on this one time. Oh my God, Just one time. You're going to be not question this week, my love from Tiffany, Paul, Reds, She writes, Hi, she though, And I'm not going to be Burrel. She says, Hi Shiboh. I recently saw a map on the Internet, which I have a close to this email message titled The world according to Americans. Since you are American world travelers, I would like to get your personal perspective of the map, especially These statements related to the countries you have already visited, looking forward to your response. Thank you very much. Tiffany Rama. Put the reco is where Tiffany is from now. Obviously, you can't see this map will put a link through the map in the show notes. So if you're listening, I'd just scroll down your lessening notes which should be in the app if not get a better podcast app and click on this map. That's a great question. Tiffany. Thanks for asking. I'm She lady And I am Ibo Tara. We are XIV. Oh, you are listening to this one time the podcast. Now this Map my love which the people listening right now should have pulled up on their phones. Yeah. Given his question was what about the commentary around the So I'll describe it because I know some of you were driving. Some of you are too lazy to follow instructions and click through do not offend our listeners. It's only the one person. 00:01:51 You know who you . So this is a map where Americans have like I guess it's two supposedly making fun of the fact that Americans don't know about things. So here's the one for Europe. For example, everything in the far eastern side of Europe and into Asia is called just Khamis. The area where Turkey is call Thanksgiving meal France's smelly people, England is just the word Mummy as a variety of things like that. If you go over to the Asian side of things that India is yoga, for example, You get the picture. You kinda get what this is all about the for some reason in South America, Brazil is listed as the Land of no pubis. I guess for a Brazilian waxes. The idea though, anyhow, This is the map in question my love and Tiffany would like to know how we feel about it in general. And also I think she's asking, Does do our experiences into some of these countries. We have been to match the expectation listed by the Americans. What do you think? Uh, I haven't checked South American. I've met several South Americans, K, but I have not check them. All right, I that's one half. Yes. So the spot would Thailand were Yes, Thailand. Thailand is here, and of course, Thailand is you're not not you shouldn't be teacher was raised on this map. It shows up as sex slaves, but it's not just Thailand. I mean it that they've got Thailand, They've got me in Maher And they've got Lau and Cambodia. 00:03:28 Yeah, All of that is mixed together just as one bigger area says sex-slave right above that is the People's Republic of China town. So this is not a nice map. No, it's not a nice map. And and I think that there there's more to those areas Thailand included than the sex slaves. There's so much more thing. I mean, we'll yes. Are you going to me and asked on this...

Recorded live on location at  Save Our Souls after probably too many beers, Evo goes on a tear about the English alphabet. What predicated this outrage/outburst? Learning the Thai alphabet, obviously. (Don’t worry about the incorrect number of Thai consonants and vowels Evo says on the show. Did we mention he’d been drinking?) Linguists probably won’t care much for this episode. But pragmatists, realists, and anyone who isn’t a native English speaker but has learned this goofy language will likely love it. If you l (https://goo.gl/zb4JGN) . And Now, An Unfortunately Literal Audio-to-Text Transcription Once again and for your comedic enjoyment, we present to you a transcript of our audio by the big computer brain at PodcasterPro. No, it's not very good at interpreting our content. But it is funny! 00:00:00 The trick is not putting it all the way in. When we make I am not, you're going to respond to that. Paying l o one one draw as one this. No. What this morning? This one time. Oh my God, Just one time. The girls. So no question this week. Love. No. What I thought this, we are rapidly approaching the end of the fourth season of the show. This is episode out four hundred twenty six Glad though the or the foil, the 26th episode of the fourth season of this one time. Um. Um, I thought we can talk about. My hatred of the American Alphabet . And and when did you come to this realization? They hated the American Alphabet vis has come at the combination of living in Southeast Asia for two years and trying. With with poor results. To learn the Thai alphabet, which which makes a lot of sense. Okay, not so much on the American off that though. Before we jump into that, I should mention the fact we are sitting outside listener of the save our souls, our neighborhood craft beer place manned by the fantastic Q who just got married recently. Congratulations Q and we are recording here with only do the show live her. We can introduce ourselves get we probably should do that. I'm She lady And I am either terror. You are listening to this one time and we are Shiboh dammit. I did it backwards again. You know you've had a couple of beers now back to the original conversation. We were having My hatred of the American off that thanks in large part to my attempted study. Poor as it is of the Thai ask that you know the task but has like 74 characters in their teen vowels. And do you have the mall down pat 74. 00:02:08 Consonance and thirteen vows note or have her half of them. I don't have of his Horter with him down. You do a really good job of speaking an and attempting to read like your. You've got the speaking done pretty well. You've got the sounds and things like that. And I know you, you work on trying to read as we go through and see things senior printed on signs and stuff like that. So I've been super impressed. I am. I know nothing fix Emilia across the street from us. There is a sign that says, uh, the name of our road. And the name of the road we live on is Sharon a home. Yes, which is in American that spelled chair Row One Nakhon C H A R O and a big space in a knock-on far guys shares of I. Nick next bought next, but all right Hamdan. Okay by 30 not alive. So General Nicholson is build C H A R O eat in space in A K H O N. So that is what? Set one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten eleven letters per se, Gerenek home. And my my mouth jumbles at every time I go to say it to a taxi driver, Right? Right. So our our twelve letters, What are the number is a spelled out a knock-on in Thai is spelt with one two, three, four, five, six, seven, half the number of letters required, but they have more letters than we do 74 consonance and thirteen valet. But I wanna talk about the Thai-language. Okay. I want to talk about how much I hate the American Alphabet. Okay, keep going. So now I should start by saying, I don't have any problem with vowels. 00:03:53 The vowels make sense. A e- I o u, We need...

Today’s show was inspired from Maria, who asked the following: “I wanted to ask your opinion on [NAME REDACTED] travel writer's program. As a travel writer, do you think this program is a good investment?” Without any personal experience with the travel program in question, we decided to reinterpret her question as: “Should I pay good money to take travel-writing specific online course that promises to make me a travel writer rich beyond my wildest dreams?” In a word: No. In more than one word -- an entire podcast episode, in fact -- we’ll break down the cash-flow realities of being a for-profit travel writer/travel influencer. We’re sharing *all* the times we got paid to create travel content over the last three years, so you can decide if this is the life for you or not. (Granted, you’re only getting our perspective.) Here’s what we’re talking about: How we established and how much we were paid during our more-than-a-year working relationship with TravelSmith that ended when the company sold How much I was paid to write a nifty article for a nifty travel app, Findery A paid podcast episode for Ricola, Thailand Evo’s paid gig as the keynote speaker at Nordic Bloggers Experience in 2017. A week-long free and luxurious trip to Chengdu, China thanks to (https://www.withhusbandintow.com) Three great days at the Khao Lak Marriott All the great reasons to attend TBEX, including lots of free trips and experiences thanks to the various tourism boards and vendors at the destination Free experiences in Bangkok from Expique and Taste of Thailand Free beer (because we’re clever) from Bottles of Beer and Save Our Souls in Bangkok, and Oskar from Pegasus in Tallinn, Estonia. Not that we have anything against being better writers, or paying money to hone your craft as a writer. But we’re skeptical of any  get-rich-quick schemes. But YMMV. Got a question for us? (https://goo.gl/zb4JGN) . Silly Transcription Of The Audio For This Episode By A Computer Computers are getting much better at listening to human speech and turning it into scannable text. At least that's the theory. It's not working all the well for us. But we're still using PodcasterPro's free service if only for the comedy value. 00:00:00 I assume they listen to the show what they should have known, the kind of content we produce, and the Czech cleared even been done done. It has good. Oh, that's one time. This one is spend one time this, No, what this morning? This one time. Oh my God, Just one time. Are you my loved had been email cooking? Shoot. He actually was a very long questions rather than the entire thing. I'm going to summarize it. This comes in from Maria, and she basically said in a lot of words, I want to be at travel writer. Should I pay good money to take this online course their promises to teach me to be a travel writer. Thank you. Bye Riga. You are great at summarizing. Thanks, maybe. Thanks for asking Maria. I'm Sheila D and I am Ibo Tara. You are listening to this one time. We are Chievo. I think I got that backwards, but nonetheless, the. Idea is out there. So let me Marie is question was two-fold. The biggest one was kitschy become a travel writer and be should she take this shouldn't sign up for this chorused a teacher had to be a travel writer. Can you answer the second part of that one First for me, honey? Should she sign up to take this course learn how to be a travel writer? I'd say now I say Hell no, rudder way. I I say just jump in If you're going to that, But I will get some some information about that. 00:01:42 Regarding like funds and things like that, it's a it's a hard life as a travelled blogger. Yeah, aged Rich, a heart trouble. But before we go down that road back to the original question, would you suggest someone pay money to take a course to teach them how to be a travel writer? No, but I don't think it's a bad idea to take a writing course. Um, I think...

When we booked a private Estonian sauna for a couple of hours in Estonia, we knew it was a perfect time to reflect on the best parts of our trip to Tallinn thus far. Even though there was beer involved (are you surprised?) we managed not to ruin our equipment as we recorded in the super-hot sauna or bubbling jacuzzi. But if you get hungry listening to us describe the fantastic beer, cheese, and bread we’ve had during our visit, don’t blame us. Instead, book a trip to Estonia! (No, they aren’t paying us to say that. We just really loved our time here.) And because we really do love you, we’re giving you this before the new year. Aren’t we nice? Got a question for us? (https://goo.gl/zb4JGN) . Here's Why You Shouldn't Use Computer-Generated Transcripts Sure, the technology has promise. But it's a long ways from perfect. Rather than work to make the output from PodcasterPro perfect, we're just using this for the funny factor. Cheers! 00:00:00 I do judge your choice in toilet paper. I'm pretty sure it's just Barak. I not even the interlining of I think if the outer lining of work is what they are giving for toilet paper. Oh one time. This one dollars one time this, No, what this morning? This one time. Oh my God, Just one time. Jio. Here's Chievo puts that noise. That's a great question. Sun her. Thanks for asking. I'm She lady And I am Ibo Tara. We are XIV. Oh, you are listening to this one time. The podcast in as Sowell Knack in Estonia. I may die. It's so hot in It big auditors, the lira. Oh, it's beautiful though. We are in a private Souna in Estonia this place is big enough. It says for eight people I'm thinking 18. It is. It's huge circuit You could easily fit well if you fit eight in this sound wanna inside of the actual Eskan impact, it would be kind of packed ripe. There's a lovely hot tub. We'll be recording from in just a moment as well as a seating area. Yes. In the summer. Because that's how they do this sound at Ain here in Estonia honey. You don't just stay in the heated Cedar box for an hour. You'd I don't think you could stay in here for an hour. You stay until you can't handle any longer. And then you go outside and you call for a while and have a snack and have a drink and have a chat with your friends. And then you come back into the Souna and you once again add the Lola firm. 00:02:00 I look at how they do it here there to goes low hit. It's one of the many things I like about Estonia. Unlike in it, Yeah. What are you like so far? This solemn now besides All right, So yeah. So I should say if we're talking about that real quick, Just objective everybody up who those of you who are new to our program. We are traveling to Estonia for the holidays. The holiday is over, but the 'nother holiday is coming up. Plus we collectively refer to this time of year as the holidays. Yes, But we will miss the hollered The next holiday day. You mean New Year's Day? New Year's Eve is what we will miss. That's true. We will experience the crossover between New Year's Day and New Year's Eve time somewhere in the air between talent Estonia where we are right now and Bangkok Thailand where we actually lift. I think I'll be in Russia. Some were over Russia, I think so Outer Mongolia. So I think we leave until late in the evening on one of the stands, perhaps. Maybe maybe never know. I guess all depends on what time it is, where we are as well as weaker. Yeah, Where does what is midnight happen? Anyhow? Uh, we have been here for the last week or so we'll have a few more days to enjoy. We thought we would get out of the heat of bank Arkhan enjoy cold weather because you've not seen snow in almost three years. I haven't met since Copenhagen. I don't think. But you saw some of the first day we were. And when landed we saw some in there in the Helsinki airport and also here in in Estonia there was some snow on the ground, and it's note and finally snowed on us on the 23rd Right now had a little bit of a snow.

We’re in Estonia traveling and really hadn’t intended to put out a show from the road. But on Christmas Eve, we were entertained by a drunken Finn named Miiko at one of Tallinn’s most notorious dive bar, Valli Baar. As our xmas present to you, we chopped the 48 minute rambling down to 5 of the better minutes. You wanted authentica travel stories? You’ve got one. Prepare to be  entertained by a  typical Finnish meat-eating man who’s way of life is under threat. It’s getting so a man can’t even be a proper lumberjack, or something? He just wishes for a better time, when Jimmy Carter was still president, Lassie was on the TV, and everyone wanted a Scottsdale? He gets a little side tracked, but that’s nothing medical marijuana can’t cure, even though he hasn’t smoked it for 30 years. And no, none of that was supposed to make sense. Got a question for us? (https://goo.gl/zb4JGN) . Completely Insane Computer Transcription Of This Episode While we're not huge fans of transcriptions of podcast like ours, we like to follow the trend. Below is a computer-generated transcription of the audio of this episode. Smart podcaster use this output as a springboard to help them to provide a cleaned-up, human-readable transcription... but where's the fun in that. This is comedy gold. Thanks, PodcasterPro!   00:00:04 Oh ones, although this one on one this No, this morning with one time. Oh my God, Just one with high gear. The most evil. I have question, What are you? Tell me what is like spending Christmas in Estonia. That's a great question around will scholar. Thanks for asking I'm She lady And I am Ibo Tara. We are XIV. Oh, you are listening to this one time the podcast. And yes, we are in Estonia. Yes. But instead of actually reporting an episode while we are in Estonia It's Christmas Day, and we thought What better things to do than to give you a real taste of what it's like to be in Estonia on Christmas Eve. The only way possible is to be at a dive bar with a drunken thin. Tell them, I guess all amount, the problems of the world. He is quite entertaining. Yes, he was. So without any further ado, here's Mieko Happy Christmas. I don't give a sheet about any. Early on it today. In this time, on the thing that I am interest on children, it added. I don't get anything. Live at the whole way by way of life Haas Jaso. Seeing the winning of the My life has changed so much during the last ten years. I don't even Is this the same. Yes. Oh yes. But. Things are quite different if you out to go La Vina. Green is meet. Man, Yeah. And what really happened to be live metro sexuals sh vessel than you are there. I I see as if Europe deeper golf team. 00:02:18 You know, we've Russia. Don't lumberjack driving right. So have you changed? Have you become Metro sexual? No. I'm a man . You are going to us. Power to the forest five best away and being on that. Uh, the atmosphere in sight We love. He's very, very much Udorn. No. Nobody knows now honored that is snow. Sure. 'cause you're there. But I I do have the same in US. Same kind of our spirit. Definitely adage, Y S. Yes, Yeah. Built the old ways. Have are definitely changing it. Yes. That's the problem. Today we have people who are responsible or the games day, make sure that they don't do it. Lackey has always done now. That's not option after doing some other way, right, new ways, yes. You'll Gant use that Gudo. No best option. Yes, That's the problem in the whole world. Change continues to happen. The old traditional ways are going by the way side. Yes. Set you up to them. Because there are certain things that just are like they are, But they add reindeer chains that Li lives change a desert Rob left in all over the world. Yes. As Brazilian their Wesson Congress. That's all not in India, growing nations spa in their own version, uh, US Western Europe. That's the problem. And if people are going to go crush ready. I don't know. I don't have anything against US. I remember before a run...

A not very funny thing happened on the way to pick up gifts for our supporters: Evo got into a motorcycle accident. As a passenger in an Uber in a very Thai neighborhood of Bangkok. How does a passenger in the back of a car find himself a player in a motorbike crash? Like we said, it’s not a funny story. Hopefully it has a happy ending. Got a question for us? (https://goo.gl/zb4JGN) . Computer Transcription Gone Terribly Wrong Making a transcription of a podcast episode is hard, unless you take the lazy route and have a computer do it. Which is what we did below, thanks to PodcasterPro. No, we're not using the tool the way they want us to, but the results -- for us -- are hi-larious. Let us know if you agree, and read this: 00:00:04 Oh ones, although this one on one with no. This morning with one side. Oh my God. Just one is high gear. Jio. Who Chievo This is great from the bank or podcast. I think the question for you has either Have you ever been in a car accident in Thailand? Thanks. Ooh, that's a great question, Greg. Thanks for asking, I'm Sheila D and I am Yvo Tara u-unless. No, We are Shiboh. You are listening to this one time and no one likes a smart ask, Greg. Yes, we have been in an accident by we I don't mean shoe on I talking to you again, Greg. I mean, you and I this just happened to us. Oh, hi, honey. Hey, it's been an exciting morning. Yeah, yeah, where to begin, I'm glad I stayed home. Actually had you'd the the whole thing would have been different. Butterfly effect had gone with us. It wouldn't have actually happen. Oh no, You make me feel bad weather. It wasn't my intention. I apologize for that. Let me tell you, find listener what is going on. A little bit ago earlier today, my partner, Greg, on the Bangkok podcast, we're on our way to go get something special, four hour patrons. Those who have supported us for the last six months are getting something very special from us. And so we were going today to to place the order to to, to grab these things. No, I'm not telling you what they are, but they are awesome. If you are not a listener, the Bangkok podcast, You don't know anything about this, but you should go check it out. Regardless of at us. We're not here to Pimp the show. I'm here to talk about what I did honey. 00:01:51 It's always you Michio hinterland no, it's usually me as we are telling the Uber driver that this is a good place to stop for us was a relatively not busy street here in Bangkok, the Uber driver polls over to the left because we drive on the left side of the road here. Not quite in a. Like a driveway area, but off to the side of the road to wear in here he hasn't. So he clearly we stopped and in is time for me to pop the door. So I can jump on the kerb. Well, I said it wasn't a busy street, but it was busy enough streak that I didn't notice the motorcycle. That was Uming along the left side abyss between us and the curb as motorcycles do as as I often. But do barracks. If somebody's dropping you off, they should be close enough to that. Curb that a motorcycle cake get through there. That is true. There were there were there really wasn't enough room for for a motorbike I I would assume not There were certainly no motorbike lane, which we sometimes do well, you're None of that was the case, and it was a curve. It was kind of a blind area. And again, the he had pulled over, so I assumed always go, Okay. I popped the door open and immediately here. Oh, a motorcycle taxi carrying two on helmeted ladies. Oh no clip that door As I popped it open. Now, It wasn't like a full on T-Bone assault. Not like the door was all the way open and then slammed into it because there's no damage to the Uber driver's car. I think I popped the door open and probably clipped One of either the driver or one of the passengers on the leg. It's very, very low. And that caused a motorbike to lean to the left even further an impact, the break. And so they were all three of them kinda piled up,...

After three years, we finally made it to Chiang Mai, the hot destination for digital nomads and freelance barbers, apparently. But that’s not why we visited. We here to walk with Elephants on the Twilight Tour from the Elephant Nature Park. We spend the last part of the day with a small herd elephants --  three adults and a couple of juveniles. Rambunctious ones, at that! This was a no-hook, no-ride experience, which was all about our small group feeding, tossing water on, walking with, getting ran over by (true story), and then feeding again these elephants. Very, very cool. Thanks to Bret Love from Green Global Travel for making the recommendation of a great way to spend the day with elephants in Thailand that won’t crush your soul. Got a question for us? (https://goo.gl/zb4JGN) .

This week’s question is oddly prescient: “Hi, ShEvo. Since you both have experience teaching in Thailand, could you give us American teachers some advice on  what to expect and how to to approach the mentality of Thai students, parents, and teachers? If you could give examples from specific situations and how you both dealt with them, that would be great!” Evo teaches digital marketing at a Bangkok learning center that specializes in relevant web skills. Before that, he taught a marketing class at a university. Sheila is the assistant principal at a private Thai school where she also teaches computer classes. That makes us more than qualified to answer the question from our anonymous caller. Here’s what we’ll get into: Thai students -- kids or adults -- have much more respect for teachers, and that’s built into the culture. But that works against teachers trying to get students to think independently. Parents of Thai students are interesting, because they coordinate as a collective and want their kids to succeed as a part of the collective, often at the detriment to the individual needs of their own child. That takes some getting used to. Our fellow teachers are great! Both of us are working with people at the top of their field, all with expanded worldviews, and all enjoying the benefits of teaching abroad in a culture that gives teachers plenty of room to succeed. Got a question for us? support us on Patreon (https://goo.gl/bCBxHn) .

Sheila is the artist in the family, and likes to explore creative endeavors. Oddly enough, Bangkok is a great place for people to explore their more creative side, with plenty of classes, seminars, and workshops available at cheap prices. But what’s it like taking creative classes in a country where you don’t speak the language? Listen in to talk about tentacle porn, painting with beer, drawing naked people, and making spaghetti faces in Bangkok. (Evo wrote the show notes, so he might have some of the details wrong.) Ask Us Your Question! In case you hadn’t noticed, season Four of This One Time is driven by listeners like you. (http://shevo.wtf/callus) and we’ll give you the answer in the form of a humorous (?) anecdote from our travels around the world. It’s sorta like Dear Abby meets Anthony Bourdain, only with less amazing food. Or swear words. Show Your Support For The Show We simply couldn’t produce This One Time without support -- financial support -- from our fans. (http://shevo.wtf/patreon) . While the advice we share may be questionable, perhaps you’ll feel the stories we share are worth that. Or a little more. Every little bit helps, so thanks in advance for your support. And to sweeten the pot, patrons get early access to the show and bonus content. You reward us; we reward you. Postcards From Abroad Yes, we still send several hand-written dozen postcards to select people each and every month from various places we travel to all around the world. Yes, (http://shevo.wtf/postcards) , too!

You know you’re a real world traveler when you have funny looking letters or an odd layout on your keyboard. Sheila’s laptop is setup for Italians, which means she has to hunt for the ‘@’ all the time. Evo’s features the Thai alphabet, though for some reason there isn’t ฿ symbol, which makes it hard to type amounts in the national currency. And that’s just the start. We’ve had to replace six different terribly expensive electronic devices during our world tour. Such is life. Luckily for us, we have some awesome supporters who help keep us semi-solvent around the world. That, and a mix of insurance and warranties. Funny Things You’ll Hear: Dropping a hard drive from six feet over your open laptop Why the bottom of an Italian canal is not a good place for laptop storage Why an open drybag isn’t a great place to keep your iPhone dry What happens to a different iPhone after three days of Vietnam rainstorms How your expensive DSLR camera can be destroyed at Thailand’s Songkran celebration Ask Us Your Questions In case you hadn’t noticed, season Four of This One Time is driven by listeners like you. (http://shevo.wtf/callus) and we’ll give you the answer in the form of a humorous (?) anecdote from our travels around the world. It’s sorta like Dear Abby meets Anthony Bourdain, only with less amazing food. Or swear words. Show Your Support For The Show We simply couldn’t produce This One Time without support -- financial support -- from our fans. (http://shevo.wtf/patreon) . While the advice we share may be questionable, perhaps you’ll feel the stories we share are worth that. Or a little more. Every little bit helps, so thanks in advance for your support. And to sweeten the pot, patrons get early access to the show and bonus content. You reward us; we reward you. Postcards From Abroad Yes, we still send several hand-written dozen postcards to select people each and every month from various places we travel to all around the world. Yes, (http://shevo.wtf/postcards) , too! Become A Regular Listener Listening to us every week couldn’t be easier. If you carry a smartphone, we’ll deliver new episodes of This One Time to you every week -- automatically. On iOS, one click adds our show to the Apple Podcasts app that’s already on your device. We’ve even made it easy to get the show on your Android device. And if you’ve already chosen a favorite podcast listening device, just search for “This One Time” or add our RSS feed manually. Seriously. It’s 2017. Listening to a podcast like ours has never been easier! About This One Time This One Time is a comedy travel podcast hosted by OG podcasters and world travelers (http://www.sheiladee.com/) for more information about this dynamic duo. And stay subscribed for the next episode!

Fair warning: While Evo doesn’t take aim at any one religion or make disparaging remarks against people who are religious, there is a great chance that devout listeners will take offence. That isn’t the intention of this episode, and there are some rather humorous moments throughout. But you have been warned. Ask Us Your Question! In case you hadn’t noticed, season Four of This One Time is driven by listeners like you. (http://shevo.wtf/callus) and we’ll give you the answer in the form of a humorous (?) anecdote from our travels around the world. It’s sorta like Dear Abby meets Anthony Bourdain, only with less amazing food. Or swear words. Show Your Support For The Show We simply couldn’t produce This One Time without support -- financial support -- from our fans. (http://shevo.wtf/patreon) . While the advice we share may be questionable, perhaps you’ll feel the stories we share are worth that. Or a little more. Every little bit helps, so thanks in advance for your support. And to sweeten the pot, patrons get early access to the show and bonus content. You reward us; we reward you. Postcards From Abroad Yes, we still send several hand-written dozen postcards to select people each and every month from various places we travel to all around the world. Yes, (http://shevo.wtf/postcards) , too! Become A Regular Listener Listening to us every week couldn’t be easier. If you carry a smartphone, we’ll deliver new episodes of This One Time to you every week -- automatically. On iOS, one click adds our show to the Apple Podcasts app that’s already on your device. We’ve even made it easy to get the show on your Android device. And if you’ve already chosen a favorite podcast listening device, just search for “This One Time” or add our RSS feed manually. Seriously. It’s 2017. Listening to a podcast like ours has never been easier! About This One Time This One Time is a comedy travel podcast hosted by OG podcasters and world travelers (http://www.sheiladee.com/) for more information about this dynamic duo. And stay subscribed for the next episode!

Funny things you’ll hear in this episode of our comedy-travel-relationship advice podcast: Why Bali is the very best place to have a motorbike accident The worst road in Bali and the difference between a pothole and a bodyhole How Bali bases an entire economy on barbers, tattoo shops, and dicks What happens when two atheists get their sins bathed away at a Hindu temple where dead bodies are washed Tips to make Balinese vendors less annoying Why boobs and dicks are also common in the sacred monkey forest Ask Us Your Question! In case you hadn’t noticed, season Four of This One Time is driven by listeners like you. (http://shevo.wtf/callus) and we’ll give you the answer in the form of a humorous (?) anecdote from our travels around the world. It’s sorta like Dear Abby meets Anthony Bourdain, only with less amazing food. Or swear words. Show Your Support For The Show We simply couldn’t produce This One Time without support -- financial support -- from our fans. (http://shevo.wtf/patreon) . While the advice we share may be questionable, perhaps you’ll feel the stories we share are worth that. Or a little more. Every little bit helps, so thanks in advance for your support. And to sweeten the pot, patrons get early access to the show and bonus content. You reward us; we reward you. Postcards From Abroad Yes, we still send several hand-written dozen postcards to select people each and every month from various places we travel to all around the world. Yes, (http://shevo.wtf/postcards) , too!

Funny things you’ll hear in this episode of our comedy-travel-relationship advice podcast: Which of us is much more into “doing nice things”, and which is much more practical What sorts of good and charitable work we have done during our travels around the world Second-hand information we’ve gleaned about the topic from some of our globe-hopping friends How voluntourism might turn you into an international criminal Suggestions on traveling the world without paying for lodging without all that much manual labor involved Ask Us Your Question! In case you hadn’t noticed, season Four of This One Time is driven by listeners like you. (http://shevo.wtf/callus) and we’ll give you the answer in the form of a humorous (?) anecdote from our travels around the world. It’s sorta like Dear Abby meets Anthony Bourdain, only with less amazing food. Or swear words. Show Your Support For The Show We simply couldn’t produce This One Time without support -- financial support -- from our fans. (http://shevo.wtf/patreon) . While the advice we share may be questionable, perhaps you’ll feel the stories we share are worth that. Or a little more. Every little bit helps, so thanks in advance for your support. And to sweeten the pot, patrons get early access to the show and bonus content. You reward us; we reward you. Postcards From Abroad Yes, we still send several hand-written dozen postcards to select people each and every month from various places we travel to all around the world. Yes, (http://shevo.wtf/postcards) , too!

Funny things you’ll hear in this episode of our comedy-travel-relationship advice podcast: Which doohickies are most often lost (or just left) by travelers How one of us managed to leave a pair of Chacos in a hotel while traveling around the world The best tip to stop losing things that’s deceptively simple -- if you have the stomach for it Why it’s a bad idea to drink (heavily) with the Irish before packing for an early morning flight Exactly how many USB power adaptors and tiny thumb drives you need when traveling Why a luchador mask will never be accidentally left behind Ask Us Your Question! In case you hadn’t noticed, season Four of This One Time is driven by listeners like you. (http://shevo.wtf/callus) and we’ll give you the answer in the form of a humorous (?) anecdote from our travels around the world. It’s sorta like Dear Abby meets Anthony Bourdain, only with less amazing food. Or swear words. Show Your Support For The Show We simply couldn’t produce This One Time without support -- financial support -- from our fans. (http://shevo.wtf/patreon) . While the advice we share may be questionable, perhaps you’ll feel the stories we share are worth that. Or a little more. Every little bit helps, so thanks in advance for your support. And to sweeten the pot, patrons get early access to the show and bonus content. You reward us; we reward you. Postcards From Abroad Yes, we still send several hand-written dozen postcards to select people each and every month from various places we travel to all around the world. Yes, (http://shevo.wtf/postcards) , too!

Funny things you’ll hear in this episode of our comedy-travel-relationship advice podcast: Which of us has personally experienced healthcare in almost every country in the entire world Why such world-wide experience makes us feel pretty good about healthcare options around the world What countries might not have the greatest healthcare services in the world, and why that never stops us from traveling Why bad healthcare is all the Commies’ fault Which country has the highest concentration of doctors and shape-changing aliens Two practical ways to keep your travel healthcare costs to a minimum Also, we’re announcing a second podcast from the two us us! Listen in to get the details. Ask Us Your Question! In case you hadn’t noticed, season Four of This One Time is driven by listeners like you. (http://shevo.wtf/callus) and we’ll give you the answer in the form of a humorous (?) anecdote from our travels around the world. It’s sorta like Dear Abby meets Anthony Bourdain, only with less amazing food. Or swear words. Show Your Support For The Show We simply couldn’t produce This One Time without support -- financial support -- from our fans. (http://shevo.wtf/patreon) . While the advice we share may be questionable, perhaps you’ll feel the stories we share are worth that. Or a little more. Every little bit helps, so thanks in advance for your support. And to sweeten the pot, patrons get early access to the show and bonus content. You reward us; we reward you. We’ve released bonus content the last two weeks! Become A Regular Listener Listening to us every week couldn’t be easier. If you carry a smartphone, we’ll deliver new episodes of This One Time to you every week -- automatically. On iOS, one click adds our show to the Apple Podcasts app that’s already on your device. We’ve even made it easy to get the show on your Android device. And if you’ve already chosen a favorite podcast listening device, just search for “This One Time” or add our RSS feed manually. Seriously. It’s 2017. Listening to a podcast like ours has never been easier! About This One Time This One Time is a comedy travel podcast hosted by OG podcasters and world travelers (http://www.sheiladee.com/) for more information about this dynamic duo. And stay subscribed for the next episode!

Funny things you’ll hear in this episode of our comedy-travel-relationship advice podcast: The relative safety is riding a motorbike in SE Asia when it’s been 30+ years since the last time you were on a bike Which SE Asia nation is the absolute worst place to ride a motorcycle Why Thailand ranks #2 for road fatalities, only behind Libya Negotiating tactics for the police for when you get pulled over without a local license The complete insanity of getting an International Drivers Permit in America. Because… really? Ask Us Your Question! In case you hadn’t noticed, season Four of This One Time is driven by listeners like you. (http://shevo.wtf/callus) and we’ll give you the answer in the form of a humorous (?) anecdote from our travels around the world. It’s sorta like Dear Abby meets Anthony Bourdain, only with less amazing food. Or swear words. Show Your Support For The Show We simply couldn’t produce This One Time without support -- financial support -- from our fans. (http://shevo.wtf/patreon) . While the advice we share may be questionable, perhaps you’ll feel the stories we share are worth that. Or a little more. Every little bit helps, so thanks in advance for your support. And to sweeten the pot, patrons get early access to the show and bonus content. You reward us; we reward you. We’ve released bonus content the last two weeks! Become A Regular Listener Listening to us every week couldn’t be easier. If you carry a smartphone, we’ll deliver new episodes of This One Time to you every week -- automatically. On iOS, one click adds our show to the Apple Podcasts app that’s already on your device. We’ve even made it easy to get the show on your Android device. And if you’ve already chosen a favorite podcast listening device, just search for “This One Time” or add our RSS feed manually. Seriously. It’s 2017. Listening to a podcast like ours has never been easier! About This One Time This One Time is a comedy travel podcast hosted by OG podcasters and world travelers (http://www.sheiladee.com/) for more information about this dynamic duo. And stay subscribed for the next episode!

Funny things you’ll hear in this episode of our comedy-travel-relationship advice podcast: How we live in the lap of luxury traveling the world (not really) Why all of our money problems can safely be blamed on our family tree How you too can sell off everything you own and live like bums traveling the world Which one of us is soon to be a huge TV star rolling in rupees Ask Us Your Question! In case you hadn’t noticed, season Four of This One Time is driven by listeners like you. (http://shevo.wtf/callus) and we’ll give you the answer in the form of a humorous (?) anecdote from our travels around the world. It’s sorta like Dear Abby meets Anthony Bourdain, only with less amazing food. Or swear words. Show Your Support For The Show We simply couldn’t produce This One Time without support -- financial support -- from our fans. (http://shevo.wtf/patreon) . While the advice we share may be questionable, perhaps you’ll feel the stories we share are worth that. Or a little more. Every little bit helps, so thanks in advance for your support. And to sweeten the pot, patrons get early access to the show and bonus content. You reward us; we reward you. We’ve released bonus content the last two weeks!

This week’s caller is about to get a hard lesson in high-stakes dating that will either make or break his relationship. Funny things you’ll hear in this episode of our comedy-travel-relationship advice podcast: How to survive an international trip with your girlfriend… and your parents Tips on booking a hooker on vacation before your father does it Why you probably shouldn’t take your girlfriend on a high-stakes vacation if you want the relationship to continue What makes Fluxx the greatest litmus test to determine if your child’s date is of worthy stock When you should show your parents how grateful you are and pick up the tab for the international vacation The world’s greatest dad revealed Ask Us Your Question! This week’s episode aside, season Four of This One Time is driven by listeners like you. (http://shevo.wtf/callus) and we’ll give you the answer in the form of a humorous (?) anecdote from our travels around the world. It’s sorta like Dear Abby meets Anthony Bourdain, only with less amazing food. Or swear words. Show Your Support For The Show We simply couldn’t produce This One Time without support -- financial support -- from our fans. (http://shevo.wtf/patreon) . While the advice we share may be questionable, perhaps you’ll feel the stories we share are worth that. Or a little more. Every little bit helps, so thanks in advance for your support. And to sweeten the pot, patrons get early access to the show and bonus content. You reward us; we reward you. We’ve released bonus content the last two weeks!

Funny things you’ll hear in this episode of our comedy-travel-relationship advice podcast: Easy tips for getting rid of responsibilities so you can travel Pros and cons of all-inclusive travel Suggestions on where first time travelers should spend two weeks abroad How much better travel would be with ballistic or supersonic jets Why to stop stressing and just pick some place to travel with mojito-weilding prostitutes Ask Us Your Question! This week’s episode aside, season Four of This One Time is driven by listeners like you. (http://shevo.wtf/callus) and we’ll give you the answer in the form of a humorous (?) anecdote from our travels around the world. It’s sorta like Dear Abby meets Anthony Bourdain, only with less amazing food. Or swear words. Show Your Support For The Show We simply couldn’t produce This One Time without support -- financial support -- from our fans. (http://shevo.wtf/patreon) . While the advice we share may be questionable, perhaps you’ll feel the stories we share are worth that. Or a little more. Every little bit helps, so thanks in advance for your support. And to sweeten the pot, patrons get early access to the show and bonus content. You reward us; we reward you. We’ve released bonus content the last two weeks!

Funny things you’ll hear in this episode of our comedy-travel-relationship advice podcast: What illicit substances you shouldn’t include in your carry on Why immigration officers in SE Asia love soiling your passport The travel privileges of those of us who won the birth lottery How to force the airline to cover the cost of your visa application Why you might need fat stacks to come to Thailand as a tourist A super-hacky way to gain access to the free booze & food in the airport lounge The greatest travel app that hasn’t been built Ask Us Your Question! This week’s episode aside, season Four of This One Time is driven by listeners like you. (http://shevo.wtf/callus) and we’ll give you the answer in the form of a humorous (?) anecdote from our travels around the world. It’s sorta like Dear Abby meets Anthony Bourdain, only with less amazing food. Or swear words. Show Your Support For The Show We simply couldn’t produce This One Time without support -- financial support -- from our fans. (http://shevo.wtf/patreon) . While the advice we share may be questionable, perhaps you’ll feel the stories we share are worth that. Or a little more. Every little bit helps, so thanks in advance for your support. And to sweeten the pot, patrons get early access to the show and bonus content. You reward us; we reward you. We’ve released bonus content the last two weeks!

Funny things you’ll hear in this episode of our comedy-travel-relationship advice podcast: Choosing between living in Antarctica or Libya GATTICA-style gambling when selecting a reproduction partner Increasing your chance of coupling with a deity from Finland Why you should put your own personal choices behind the needs of the species as a whole How to get bonus episodes and early access to our program… almost for free! Ask Us Your Question! This week’s episode aside, season Four of This One Time is driven by listeners like you. (http://shevo.wtf/callus) and we’ll give you the answer in the form of a humorous (?) anecdote from our travels around the world. It’s sorta like Dear Abby meets Anthony Bourdain, only with less amazing food. Or swear words. Show Your Support For The Show We simply couldn’t produce This One Time without support -- financial support -- from our fans. (http://shevo.wtf/patreon) . While the advice we share may be questionable, perhaps you’ll feel the stories we share are worth that. Or a little more. Every little bit helps, so thanks in advance for your support. And to sweeten the pot, patrons get early access to the show and bonus content. You reward us; we reward you. We’ve released bonus content the last two weeks!

Funny things you’ll hear in this episode of our comedy-travel-relationship advice podcast: Tittering over Porn (capitalized on purpose) When putting ice in a beer is a good thing Encountering a maître d in a food court The extra organ Thai women are born with How to get even more podcast episodes about life in Bangkok And the source for all of this? An article posted on the Bangkok Post. Ask Us Your Question! This week’s episode aside, season Four of This One Time is driven by listeners like you. (http://shevo.wtf/callus) and we’ll give you the answer in the form of a humorous (?) anecdote from our travels around the world. It’s sorta like Dear Abby meets Anthony Bourdain, only with less amazing food. Or swear words. Show Your Support For The Show We simply couldn’t produce This One Time without support -- financial support -- from our fans. (http://shevo.wtf/patreon) . While the advice we share may be questionable, perhaps you’ll feel the stories we share are worth that. Or a little more. Every little bit helps, so thanks in advance for your support. And to sweeten the pot, patrons get early access to the show and bonus content. You reward us; we reward you. We’ve released bonus content the last two weeks!

Funny things you’ll hear in this episode of our comedy-travel-relationship advice podcast: The secret reason that special backpacker scent Why Europe should not be on your long-term travel destination list Why everyone assumes we have sex all the time Gooey-free romantic options for the Philippines Why morning coffee trumps evening sexy time The economics of flowers for romance, religion and death Ask Us Your Question! Season Four of This One Time is driven by listeners like you. You ask us a question and we’ll give you the answer in the form of a humorous (?) anecdote from our travels around the world. It’s sorta like Dear Abby meets Anthony Bourdain, only with less amazing food. Or swear words. Show Your Support For The Show We simply couldn’t produce This One Time without support -- financial support -- from our fans. (http://shevo.wtf/patreon) . While the advice we share may be questionable, perhaps you’ll feel the stories we share are worth that. Or a little more. Every little bit helps, so thanks in advance for your support. And to sweeten the pot, patrons get early access to the show and bonus content. You reward us; we reward you. We’ve released bonus content the last two weeks!

In case you missed the memo, we're building this season of This One Time around your questions for us. You (as in you) visit ShEvo.wtf/callus and ask us anything you like. Relationship advice? We've been together for 30 years, so we've got plenty. Embarrassing questions you wouldn't ask your mom? We're not afraid. Travel tips? We've been living abroad for a couple years now, so go for it. We're fresh out of questions -- as in the queue is dry -- so we're putting out this special not-really-an-episode episode to ask you to call us with your questions. Again, it's at ShEvo.wtf/callus. Use your mobile phone or visit on your computer. The magic of the internet makes it easy to use your voice to ask us a question. Because who reads email anymore? And if you really love us, you'll visit ShEvo.wtf/patreon and lend us your support each month. For just a couple bucks, you'll get early access to the show and bonus content you won't get anywhere else. Pretty please, with sugar on it? We'll be back next week with a full show. Assuming you call in with your questions, right?

Funny things you’ll hear in this episode of our comedy-travel-relationship advice podcast: Impractical tips on getting your kids out of the camper when it’s boom-boom time Why everyone assumes we have sex all the time Why sex on campus is a bad idea almost all the time What role the words like “swallow” and “teeth” have to do with any of this How to bear-proof your mobile pleasure palace and become kid-free Extended notes: This week’s question was sent to us by Bryan of the Wandering Gourmand travel blog. We met Bryan at TBEX in Huntsville Alabama recently, where a fair number of RV’ing families were in attendance. And that got Bryan thinking: How do you squeeze in a little hanky panky when the kids are watching from across the RV? While both of us did a fair amount of RV’ing when we were kids, it’s not part of our current travel repertoire. But when did that ever stop us from offering up our opinion, right? One thing we are (or at least were) pretty good at is (was) finding time to keep the fires of the relationship going, if you know what we mean. Listen to the episode as we offer up some practical -- and rather impractical -- tips on how others might sustain their marital bliss even under the watchful eyes of the wee ones. If you think you want to shove your family in a motorhome and take off for part as of yet unknown, you really should listen to the story told on Season Two of our podcast about one family who did that. Mexico may never be the same again. Ask Us Your Question! Season Four of This One Time is driven by listeners like you. You ask us a question and we’ll give you the answer in the form of a humorous (?) anecdote from our travels around the world. It’s sorta like Dear Abby meets Anthony Bourdain, only with less amazing food. Or swear words. Show Your Support For The Show We simply couldn’t produce This One Time without support -- financial support -- from our fans. (http://shevo.wtf/patreon) . While the advice we share may be questionable, perhaps you’ll feel the stories we share are worth that. Or a little more. Every little bit helps, so thanks in advance for your support. And to sweeten the pot, patrons get early access to the show and bonus content. You reward us; we reward you. We’ve released bonus content the last two weeks!

Funny things you’ll hear in this episode of our comedy-travel-relationship advice podcast: How we started in a long-distance relationship ...and just might end that way Why we still keep the bathroom door closed after 30 years living together Techniques for not killing your spouse as you spend every waking moment with them traveling the world New advances in the exciting field of teledildonics The value of receiving non-licensed therapeutic advice from us   Extended notes: Our question this week boils down to this: How do you keep the love going when you are apart for an extended periods of time. It’s not easy. Oddly enough (and somewhat of a surprise to Evo), our relationship started out that way. And here we are 30 years later, still together with plenty of advice handed out on the show on how we made it. Even after a kid, traveling the world together for an entire year, and now living in a foreign country. You’ll gain all the insight when you listen to the show. It probably won’t come as a big surprise if we tell you that communications and technology are a big part of how we manage on the rare occasion when we are apart. The good news is that we all live in the modern world. Great internet connectivity is almost ubiquitous. And failing that, there is teledildonics. Yeah, that’s a thing. Not that we can afford that advanced communication level. Speaking of that... Ask Us Your Question! Season Four of This One Time is driven by listeners like you. You ask us a question and we’ll give you the answer in the form of a humorous (?) anecdote from our travels around the world. It’s sorta like Dear Abby meets Anthony Bourdain, only with less amazing food. Or swear words. Show Your Support For The Show We simply couldn’t produce This One Time without support -- financial support -- from our fans. (http://shevo.wtf/patreon) . While the advice we share may be questionable, perhaps you’ll feel the stories we share are worth that. Or a little more. Every little bit helps, so thanks in advance for your support. And to sweeten the pot, patrons get early access to the show and bonus content. You reward us; we reward you.

Funny things you’ll hear in this episode of our comedy-travel-advice podcast: Why sleeper cars are for sleeping, not sleeping with someone Why it’s always smart to be upfront with your spouse when sleeping around, er… abroad The joys of international cuddling The difference between organized chaos vs organic chaos How a postcard from abroad can make you feel loved Extended notes: We humans are simple creatures, with simple needs. Close, physical contact -- cuddling, if you will -- is a biological imperative for human cultures all over the world. A shared bed is a great place to cuddle, a fact that’s not been lost on any of the countries we’ve visited during our travels. With few exceptions, the beds have been comfy, spacious, and private. Well, except for that one time we were on an extended train ride in Vietnam. [Side note: What a great place for a mattress or sleep aid ad, right? But alas, our podcast remains ad free. We really have to step up our promotional game!] That’s the relationship advice we have for our anonymous caller this week: Don’t book a 33 hour trip where cuddling is just not possible, unless you want to shock the three nice little old ladies with whom you’re sharing a birth. Who might report you to the authorities. Which could lead to getting arrested for public indecently. In a foreign country. One your country fought a nasty war in. And lost. Just… don’t. So when booking your next travel plans, make sure both of you are aware of the sleeping arrangements. Right, Sheila? Ask us your question! Season Four of This One Time is driven by listeners like you. You ask us a question and we’ll give you the answer in the form of a humorous (?) anecdote from our travels around the world. It’s sorta like Dear Abby meets Anthony Bourdain, only with less amazing food. Or swear words. Bonus: If we read your question on the air, we’ll even send you a postcard! So be sure to give us your mailing address. (Don’t worry: We’ll edit it out before we play it for all the world to hear.) Postcards for all! If you’re too shy to give us a call or you want a postcard from us every month, we’d love to add you to our postcard list! Your support helps us keep the show running and us traveling around the world. Plus, it’s hecka fun for us to scour through tiny markets as we try to find the word for “postcard” in the local language. Which, oddly enough, is almost always “postcard”. Go figure.

Funny things you’ll hear in this episode of our comedy travel podcast: How one museum in Copenhagen almost ended our marriage. Why marauding Burmese chopped the heads off statues of Buddha in Thailand How to avoid nitpicking your spouse when you travel the world and live abroad. How to get a postcard from all over the world sent to you every single month Extended notes: Every couple has to deal with one party nitpicking the other. And yes, if flows both ways. But we’d argue that the level of nitpicking ramps up exponentially when you quit your jobs, sell everything, travel the world for a year, and then decide to live abroad, away from everyone and everything from the world you knew as normal. As you might imagine, that puts quite a strain on any relationship, even a marriage that’s lasted 28 years. One of our fans shared a personal story and asked us how we deal with it. Our answer comes in the form of a story of that one time early in our world travels when we visited a museum in Copenhagen. A visit that almost put an end to our relationship. Not good. Listen in to to learn how we dealt with the pressure and managed to move beyond it. *But seriously; what’s with not putting things back together? I mean, for history’s sake, that statue wasn’t created without the nose. When you find the nose, put it back on the statue! Don’t display it separately. What the hells is wrong with you, curator?) Ask us your question! Season Four of This One Time is driven by listeners like you. You ask us a question and we’ll give you the answer in the form a humorous (?) anecdote from our travels around the world. It’s sorta like Dear Abby meets Anthony Bourdain, only with less amazing food. Or swear words. If we read your question on the air, we’ll even send you a postcard! So be sure to give us your mailing address. (Don’t worry: We’ll edit it out before we play it for all the world to hear.) Postcards for all! If you’re too shy to give us a call or you want a postcard from us every month, we’d love to add you to our postcard list! Your support helps us keep the show running and us traveling around the world. Plus, it’s hecka fun for us to scour through tiny markets as we try to find the word for “postcard” in the local language. Which, oddly enough, is almost always “postcard”. Go figure. Become a regular listener Listening to us every week couldn’t be easier. If you carry a smartphone, we’ll deliver new episodes of This One Time to you every week -- automatically. On iOS, one click adds us to the Apple Podcasts app that’s already on your device. We’ve even made it easy to get the show on your Android device. And if you’ve already chosen a favorite podcast listening device, just search for This One Time or add our RSS feed manually. Seriously. It’s 2017. Listening to a podcast like ours has never been easier! About This One Time This One Time is a comedy travel podcast hosted by OG podcasters and world travelers (http://www.sheiladee.com/) for more information about this dynamic duo. And stay subscribed for the next episode!

Funny things you’ll hear in this episode of our comedy travel podcast: Just why the hell we are in Huntsville, Alabama Teasers for Season Four of This One Time (Podcast) A comparison between Uber Huntsville and Uber Bangkok Vampiric flies, swarms of urchins, sinking kayaks, lighting storms, and a post-zombie apocalypse Cambodian hotel with comedian Steveo Joslin. Extended notes: So yeah… Huntsville. Not a place that was high on our travel bucket list, but when we picked up a housesitting assignment (http://shevo.wtf/stayforfree) and came in a few weeks early. Because now that we live abroad, we’re trying out the “vacation in America” thing. We opted not to rent a car and have been relying on Uber drivers to get us around. Beyond sticker shock, we’re experiencing the, er… local flavor Uber has in this town. We’re certainly not in Bangkok! While we’re here, we’ll be picking up, filling out, staining with something interesting, and mailing postcards to our supporters, just like we do every month. If you’re not on the list, now is the time to sign up. (Yes. We stain postcards before sending them out. What… that’s not a thing?) And because you’re probably sick of our funny stories, we brought in travel blog called Two Can Travel (http://www.stevojoslincomedy.com/) , though I’m not sure the story Stevo tells ever made it on the  blog. Because any story starting with “we were human flypaper” isn’t likely to bring in loads of vacations seekers, right? Are you a regular listener? You can hear us do our travel comedy show each week. You can get our show for free on Apple Podcasts, subscribe on your Android, listen with the iHeart Radio app (http://shevo.wtf/iheart) ... and a bunch more places. Music for our show is graciously provided by the fantastic band Velella Velella. They make killer tunes, and you should buy all of their stuff. It’s fabulous! To keep up with our travels, where we’ve been with Instagram (https://twitter.com/OppTravelers) … and probably a few more things. But that’ll do for now.

Season 4 is still in development (which means we don’t know what the hell we’re doing), but we still have stories to tell. So until we figure out what Season 4 will actually be, we’ll keep putting out great stories as they happen to us. If that’s OK with you. Gotta cover the fantastic time we had in Siem Reap, Cambodia. To call it “touristy” is stupid. Yes, it’s touristy. It’s the whole reason you show up at Siem Reap: To explore the most amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site the world has to offer. Not kidding. The Angkor Wat complex -- some of it build 1100 years ago -- is something you simply must experience. Hands down, it’s the most amazing historical site we’ve visited to date. No, we’re not archaeologists. But it beats the pants off Ayutthaya. Learn to stack a brick, people. Wanna see? Sheila has some of the photos published, though she probably still has a few thousand more to go. And remember, these photos aren’t going to do it justice. Which is why you have to go. Or I suppose you could just listen to us talk about it. (But seriously, you’ll want to put this place on your list!) Some topics you’ll learn if (and only if) you listen to the episode: Why you wouldn’t want to be a Khmer king Why you’re shouldn’t waste any time price-shopping for Angkor Wat tours How to detect bullshit from your guide as it relates to dinosaurs and precious stones used as lighting effects Why Traditional Khmer Medicine isn’t a thing, which is a good thing Why archaeology isn’t a spectator sport Why not all old things are cool, but why the old things in Siem Reap are more than cool We bought (and sent out already) a bunch of postcards from Siem Reap. But don’t worry: we have more. (http://shevo.wtf/postcards) ! Are you a regular listener? You can hear us do our travel comedy show each week. You can (http://shevo.wtf/iheart) ... and a bunch more places. Music for our show is graciously provided by the fantastic band Velella Velella. They make killer tunes, and you should buy all of their stuff. It’s fabulous! To keep up with our travels, (https://www.instagram.com/opptravelers/) … and probably a few more things. But that’ll do for now. -- This One Time (The Podcast) features retellings and recreations of the best (or worst depending on perspective) travel stories encountered in a life lived abroad. Stay subscribed on iTunes or whatever else you use to listen to podcasts and you’ll never miss an episode.

Last week, we were invited to a big, fancy party at the top of the Muse Hotel in Bangkok to (http://www.gregtodiffer.com/) netting him 325 grams of gold as a prize!   We were a little out of our league. Neither of us are Thai, and most of our audience is from someplace other than Thailand. But Thai downloads of our podcast are starting to increase significantly, so we’re happy to do our part to spread the Ricola story via podcasting. (Pretty sure we were the only ones doing that!)But back to the party, which was great! Fantastic food, an actual Swiss horn/accordion/bowl-with-a-coin-rolling-around musician, and an insane of amount of Ricola lozenges in various flavors and forms, all in their nifty new packaging. Oh, and one poor dude who was stuck in a Ricola box all party long. Which doesn’t sound all that bad, but Evo saw the same guy (or at least the same box) wandering the streets of Bangkok, spreading the message of Ricola. If you find yourself in Bangkok and want to sample some of Ricola’s wares… come to our place. We might have smuggled out more than our fair share! Or if you can’t make it to us, check out Ricola’s Thai page for more info, or just buy a box at 7-11, Tesco, Family Mart... they are everywhere! Embedd this image: https://www.instagram.com/p/BRNr1HpDxl3/?taken-by=opptravelers This is the 30th episode of the 3rd season for us. Typically, the 30th episode means we stop, take a break, and then come back with something new in a few weeks. Well… that might not happen. But it might. Hell, we don’t know. Just stay subscribed. We’ll make whatever it is we do painless for you, OK? What we aren’t doing is giving up on postcards. And hello, new recipients! Thanks for signing up. Along with all of our other supporters, you’ll be getting a postcard from Cambodia in just a few weeks. For those who haven’t yet signed up: there’s still time! We’ll grab a few extras, so  get (http://shevo.wtf/postcards) this month, next month… and so on! If you like, we can even include a little something special from the area on your card. (It’ll probably be a smudge from a Ricola lozenge, if you haven’t yet caught the theme of this show. Oh, and because it needs to be said: We were compensated to attend the event, produce this episode, and all the other stuff we did on behalf of Ricola. But Sheila really is a converted fan now! Are you a regular listener? You can hear us do our travel comedy show each week. You can (http://shevo.wtf/iheart) ... and a bunch more places. Or you can click the little player below this paragraph to just hear this episode. (But seriously, it's a good show. You'll want to get updates automatically. we promise!) Music for our show is graciously provided by the fantastic band Velella Velella. They make killer tunes, and you should buy all of their stuff. It’s fabulous! To keep up with our travels, (https://www.instagram.com/opptravelers/) … and probably a few more things. But that’ll do for now.

Evo still sick. But finally went to the doctor. Now on lots of drugs. Yay, modern medicine and a qualified pro to guide you! Yes, even in Thailand. Sheila’s tired and hungover because her birthday was Friday and celebrated all weekend long. Evo’s tired because he was guesting on (https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/geo500) , which you should watch. Ten years ago, Evo married his sister in Jamaica. As in officiated, not took-hand-in. But because of booking challenges, we had to switch properties for the last week of the long trip. So when she told us she found a good deal at an all-inclusive resort called Hedonism, we opted not to let her in on the not-well-kept-secret. Because the only thing that makes a newlywed’s unexpected stay at a swingers’ resort more awkward is being stuck there with your older brother. [sniff] They grow up so fast. No, we don’t have postcards to commemorate that experience, but we do have plenty from our current travels, and it’s almost time to send out our next batch, this time from Cambodia. We’d love to send you one. All you have to do is (http://shevo.wtf/postcards) next month… and every month after that! If you like, we can even include a little something special from the area on your card. (No, no swinger’s hot tub flotsam and jetsam. Gross.) Are you a regular listener? You can hear us do our travel comedy show each week. You can (http://shevo.wtf/iheart) ... and a bunch more places. Or you can click the little player below this paragraph to just hear this episode. (But seriously, it's a good show. You'll want to get updates automatically. we promise!) Music for our show is graciously provided by the fantastic band Velella Velella. They make killer tunes, and you should buy all of their stuff. It’s fabulous! To keep up with our travels, (https://www.instagram.com/opptravelers/) … and probably a few more things. But that’ll do for now.

For those following along, this is the last of four funny stories told while Evo was traveling near the top of the world in the winter. Previously, he told us why he’s now known as the American ice-hole, how Thai sauna can’t hold a candle to Finnish sauna, and the subtle differences between a KHL and an NHL hockey game. On this episode, he tells us why Estonia has been the dumping ground for the world. What? You don’t think that sounds funny? Think pratfall or physical comedy with a dark side. Then don’t stop for like 800 years. Evo was a guest of the Estonian Tourism board, and regardless of what he says on the episode you should definitely #visitEstonia. Though his grasp of history is rather shallow, he does have a connection, as he traces one of his earliest ancestors back to the early 1700s, where a great-great-great someone left the dark, cold, and apparently non-stop oppression and occupation of Estonia for a better life in America. A few highlights from this episode: We've been married longer than Estonia has been an independent country All of the old city of Tallinn is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site It's illegal to walk in the dark without a reflector Sneaky Estonians planned to build a monument to atheism out of a church It's a great place to look at larger-than-life statues of perpetrators of genocide It's arguably one of the best places in Europe to find craft beer Evo also grabbed a bunch of postcards while he was in Estonia, and they’ve not yet been sent out. So if you’d like one (and you really, really want one), (http://shevo.wtf/postcards) , just like we do for about 40 other people every month. Are you a regular listener? You can hear us do our travel comedy show each week. You can (http://shevo.wtf/iheart) ... and a bunch more places. Or you can click the little player below this paragraph to just hear this episode. (But seriously, it's a good show. You'll want to get updates automatically. we promise!) Music for our show is graciously provided by the fantastic band Velella Velella. They make killer tunes, and you should buy all of their stuff. It’s fabulous! To keep up with our travels, (https://www.instagram.com/opptravelers/) … and probably a few more things. But that’ll do for now.