Waegook Tom

A Blog About A Globetrotting English Teacher

Americas

3 Day Guide to Mexico City

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If you have a trip coming up to Mexico then you shouldn’t miss out on the chance to visit its incredible capital Mexico City. Most people who fly to Mexico do so to visit the coastal spots like Los Cabos in Baja California or down to Cancun in Quintana Roo, for a great addition to your trip check out flights to Mexico City and see if you can’t squeeze in a 3 day city break to this cool city. Domestic flights in Mexico are extremely well priced and a couple of days in the capital will not set you back very much money at all.

If you do manage to squeeze in a 3 day break in Mexico City then here is a quick guide to how you can get the most out of the city during those days.

Day 1 – Teotihucan, Basillica de Guadeloupe, Una Cantina 

Teotihuacan

One of the biggest attractions to visit during your time in Mexico City is the ancient city of Teotihuacan, a fascinating archaeological site which is around and hour and half outside of the city. The site features 2 beautiful pyramids and much of the city has  been either perfectly preserved or well restored. Expect to spend around 2 hours walking in the footsteps of these ancient civilizations. You can find several tours for Teotihuacan online.

Basillica de Guadeloupe

The Basillica de Guadeloupe is a vitally important place for Catholics in this country and whilst from the outside the building doesn’t look the most appealing, inside it is a real site to behold. Given that you won’t have much time after visiting the ancient city this is the perfect place to stop off for 30 minutes and check out the intricate stained glass designs in this important basilica.

Una Cantina

A cantina is about as Mexican as it gets and it is the perfect place to round off your day. Essentially these places are working class bars where the food is free once you have bought a bottle of alcohol, or a couple of beers. Sample great local food and enjoy the traditional Mexican music.

Day 2 – Xochimilco, Coyoacan, Street Food

Xochimilco

Once upon a time Mexico City was nothing more than two dried out lakes which over time became this swirling metropolis. Areas of the city still have water and Xochimilco is a vast canal network in the far south of city. Here you can hire a large gondola called a trajinero and head out on the water for some fun. You can take drinks and food on board and the bigger the group you have the better it will be!

Coyoacan

Once you have finished the festivities in Xochimilco a great place to spend the rest of your afternoon is in nearby Coyoacan. This is a quiet and very pretty area of the city where you can wander through cobbled-stone streets and enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere than in the rest of the city. Mezcal is a drink which you must try here and if you head to Corazon de Maguey in the center of Coyoacan you’ll find a great range of drinks and waiters who can talk you through each type of Mezcal.

Street Food

Finish your day off with some great street food and here there is only one choice, tacos. If you are in Coyoacan then head to Rey de los Tacos on Division del Norte, they have a wide range of options which are cheap and delicious.

Day 3 – Zocalo, Anthropology Museum, Visit the Angel

Zocalo

Zocalo is the historic center of Mexico City and t is a great place to spend your morning.  Here you will find places to visit like the Plaza de Constitucion where many national events happen, including the inauguration of the president. You will also find the ancient cathedral here and Palacio de Bellas Artes is one of the most beautiful theaters which you are likely to see. Don’t miss out on taking some breakfast in the Torre Latino, which was one of the city’s first ever skyscrapers and offers some incredible views of the city.

Anthropology Museum

Given that Mexico City has over 150 museums it would be remiss not to visit at least one and the anthropology museum is the pick of the bunch. This museum near Chapultepec Park houses tens of thousands of artifacts from ancient civilizations, from the Olmecs to the Mayans, The Aztecs to the Incas. Here you’ll learn more about the history of Mesoamerica than you ever though possible, a truly fascinating place.

Visit the Angel

Before you slip off into the night to enjoy a final bit of street food and tequila, head to the Glorieta Insurgentes in Cuauhtemoc and visit the Angel of Independence. This golden angel sitting aloft a tall column is a symbol of freedom in Mexico and makes for the perfect photo opportunity before you go home.

Quick Tips

  • The currency in Mexico is the Peso.
  • Don’t use street cabs, they have a poor reputation and companies like Didi, Uber and Cabify are far cheaper and much safer.
  • Petty crime happens in this city, much like in any big city, so be sure to take precautions like not showing off your gadgets or jewels.
  • If you have a little bit of Spanish then give it a try, the locals love someone trying to communicate with them like this and they’ll help you out.
  • Be careful with the street food you buy, sometimes meat sits out for a very long time, avoid Moctezuma’s Revenge by eating in restaurants.
  • Tap water here is not potable, avoid drinking it and ensure that ice in drinks comes from a bag.

There you have it, a quick itinerary for your 3 day break in this awesome city, have fun!

Living in Jamaica — 5 tips for earning, learning and staying safe

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Jamaica’s crystal-clear Caribbean waters beaches and chilled-out culture make it a tourist magnet.

But living in this island paradise is a more complex proposition which can be really rewarding — provided you plan properly.

If the thought of spending a year or two as a Jamdown resident floats your boat, here are five insider tips for earning, learning and staying safe.

1. Work

If you come from a nation with a social security safety net and plenty of job opportunities, life in Jamaica is far more focused on survival — so it’s absolutely vital that you secure steady work before you set off.

One top tip for immigrants is grabbing a position with your local embassy or consulate — for example, working at The British High Commission in Kingston can be interesting and reasonably well-paid. But be warned – if you’re recruited locally instead of being posted from your home nation, your terms and conditions won’t be as generous.

2. Accommodation

Crime in Jamaica isn’t nearly as rife as sensational press headlines would have you believe, but it’s still a significant factor.

Capital Kingston offers far more job opportunities than other metropolitan areas and jobs are few and far between in rural areas outwith international hotels. So discuss the safest areas to stay with local consular staff before making the move and avoid any hotspots highlighted by official government foreign travel advice.

3. Network

The best approach for long term travellers to Jamaica is to maintain an open heart and open eyes — take the opportunity to make new friends but don’t be naïve and place yourself in vulnerable situations.

One of the best ways to avoid pitfalls is by seeking advice from expats on a site like InterNations where you’ll grab tips on everything from the cost of living to the best nightlife and entrepreneurial opportunities. These groups also organise regular events where you can meet likeminded incomers in person.

4. Party

If you spend an extended time in Jamaica and don’t attend any parties or festivals, you’re really missing out on some of the most vibesy and unique experiences on the planet.

And provided you attend events in company and make travel and accommodation arrangements beforehand, it’s a perfectly safe place to let your hair down.

If you love roots reggae, Rebel Salute is one of the best live music events to soak in the superb atmosphere — there’s no alcohol allowed at this Rastafarian-inspired event, but vegan food and herbal supplements ensure you’ll have a terrific time nonetheless.

5. Study

 

If you want to keep an iron in the educational fire and upskill for a new job once you return home, Jamaica’s excellent broadband speed and service mean studying online is child’s play.

Earning an online degree from a uni like Anglia Ruskin Distance Learning ensures you’ll have plenty of time to work, socialise and return home with a vocational qualification under your belt.

And you might even connect with classmates from other exotic locations who inspire your next travel adventure!

That’s our list! Add your own tips for living in Jamaica in the comments section.

4 places to see exotic animals

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If you are passionate about wildlife and want to take your travel binoculars to gaze at some of the most wondrous species out there, we’re here to give you a hand. Some of those we’ve included in our list can be jotted down on a list of the weirdest animals in the world, but some are downright beautiful and will captivate you with their looks and behavior.

Without further ado, here are four places where you can see exotic animals.

West Virginia and Red Pandas

Even though it is located in the United States, the zoo where red pandas live is one of the most unique destinations you can travel to. Of course, visiting them does come at a cost, because for two people, you’ll have to pay as much as $165 for the ticket. For this price, you can even interact with the animals, which is an experience you will enjoy, for sure.

Visitors are advised that the little pandas might try to climb on them in order to get fed. Keep in mind that you are only allowed to feed the animals what the zoo staff recommends. It will be difficult for you to avoid taking one in your arms and giving it a hug.

Serengeti, Tanzania

We couldn’t make up our minds about the most interesting animal species you could see here, and that’s because it has a population of 2 million wild ones composed of gazelles, zebras, as well as predators such as cheetahs, leopards, lions, and crocodiles.

Besides, the giraffes and elephants will sweep you off of your feet, especially if you’ve never seen any before. Going to Serengeti will be an experience you might never forget. Just keep in mind that you can’t see these species up-close, especially if they are predators.

Uganda

It’s pretty difficult to get to see Uganda’s mountain gorillas, and that’s because you’ll have to do a lot of climbing to get there. There are porters that will carry your bags for a fee, however, so that might make it easier.

Mountain gorillas are among the critically endangered species currently inhabiting the Earth. If you do decide to take a trip to Uganda, it will be an amazing experience, and that’s because you can get a glimpse of tender moments between a gorilla mother and her son or daughter. These animals do not like interacting with humans and they will avoid contact with them, although at times they might not even care less as long as you do not invade their space.

Northern India

The snow leopard resides in some parts of Northern India, but it is so elusive that you might not be able to get to see one. However, if you can’t hold back, you can camp in some areas and wait for the predator to make his or her appearance. It’s often that leopards stalk bharals, so you should ask around to see where you can set up camp and take your photos.

4 Errors That Music Producers Usually Make

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It is fine if you make a mistake in your career. However, if you repeat it multiple times even after understanding the reason, then it is problematic. Such mistakes are common in industries where creativity is needed, especially in the music profession. If you are an aspiring music producer, then it is possible that you are making one or more of the mistakes described in this post. Remember that you need to understand such errors and rethink over your strategy so that such mishaps are avoided in your career. After all, you do not want your career to jeopardize due to a careless activity that you could have ignored in the first place.

Being overconfident

Some artists think that they are more knowledgeable about a field than they actually are. This phenomenon has been termed as Dunning-Kruger effect. Thus, it is important that you do not act overconfidently during your career. Learn to accept where you lack so that you can improve them by taking classes and learning from experts. If you can understand your faults, you will surely get over them after committing to a stricter schedule and overcoming your weaknesses.

Promoting too much

While promoting yourself and your music creations is important for developing your fan base, it is not advisable to over exaggerate it. The best strategy is to promote the best songs created by you. Nobody loves average-sounding music, so it is futile to spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on such music. Instead, inspect all your songs and filter out the best ones with the help of a variety of listeners. Learn what they say about your music, so that you can also improve the areas that lack creativity. Are you planning to enter the music industry? View Job Description to learn more about this field.

Prioritizing fanciness over basic skills

You may feel impressed by the diversified list of music enhancing techniques used today, but this does not mean that such effects should be added to your songs in abundance. Keep it balanced so that the listeners can appreciate your natural talent as well. In fact, strengthening your basics over supportive effects is a better strategy to gain the love and admiration of your fans. Do understand that the music industry appreciates originality, which can only come when you are clear about the basics used in this profession.

Giving up early

Understand that surviving in the music industry is not at all easy. You will frequently face failures despite working hard and that too without any mistakes. However, you should understand that giving up early in this field would be your biggest mistake. Try to improve your music by surveying about what the people want to hear. Feel them through their hearts and create your music accordingly.

A career in music requires you to be patient, diligent, and positive at all times. Moreover, try to be better against your own self, instead of competing with other artists. Never compare your career with them or it will only depress and demotivate you.

The 5 Fastest Diesel Vehicles In 2018

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Source

When people hear the word diesel, they may instantly think of an old pickup truck. However, this is no longer the case. Now, some of the world’s fastest and most exciting cars are diesel-powered and are desired by drivers all over the world. They look good, drive smoothly, and are even considered environmentally friendly.

  1. Audi A7 3.0 TDi 310

Audi has long had a great reputation for producing fast diesel cars, so it’s no surprise to see the German automaker on this list. Its flagship model in the A7 range is an uber-stylish coupe, which churns out an impressive 309 bhp. An eight-speed transmission allows it to hit 155 mph, while a  quarter-mile sprint can be done in under 15 seconds. With an advanced AWD system for maximum stability and safety, drivers will feel completely in control regardless of their speed.

  1. BMW 640d XDrive

Matching the A7 with a top speed of 155 mph, but with slightly quicker acceleration, BMW’s impressive 640d XDrive is a powerful car. The sleek coupe’s two-liter turbo-diesel engine is extremely efficient, allowing it to offer a power-to-weight ratio of over 160 bhp per ton. It can also manage the 0-60 sprint in five seconds flat. The XDrive system automatically shifts power distribution between front and rear, depending on the conditions.

  1. Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6

The Germans don’t have it all when it comes to high-speed diesel cars, and the Quattroporte adds a touch of Italian flair. A classic rear-wheel drive transmission and a three-liter, 24-valve engine with over 440 foot-pounds of torque, give this Maserati immense power. With a top speed of 157 mph and the fabled Maserati trident emblazoned on the grill, the Quattroporte will turn plenty of heads.

  1. Porsche Panamera Diesel 3.0 V6

Although the Panamera has a similar basic setup to the Maserati, its slightly lower curb weight, and incredible torque of almost 480 foot-pounds, propel it to a mighty 161 mph. Featuring Porsche’s rear-wheel drive transmission and a stunning turbocharged V6 power unit, the Panamera makes for a smooth and fast driving experience.  You can visit blacksmokemedia.com to learn about more V6 vehicles.

  1. Audi R8 6.0 Quattro V12

While the previous four cars are relatively close in performance, one stands far above the rest: the top-of-the-range Audi A8. This spectacular diesel boasts a V12 engine rated at a staggering 500 bhp. It’s no surprise that this car can hit 60 mph from rest in a lightning-fast 4.2 seconds. The Audi can go on to hit a max speed of 186 mph. It’s also a pure enthusiast’s car, with a six-speed stick-shift gearbox and a two-door coupe format.

Conclusion

Having considered these five outstanding cars, it should be clear just why diesel vehicles are now so popular with performance lovers. These cars aren’t just about saving fuel on city streets: they’re about a great driving experience and the ability to go fast whenever needed. The next time you think of a diesel engine,  imagine it as a sleek performance car, rather than an old pickup truck.