Last-minute holiday: probably California

The homelessness problem is largely because the person themselves wants to be homeless, why not just find a job, even be it at McDonald's, move to a cheaper area and start saving some money from the salary?!

Here, in Germany, it is almost virtually impossible to be homeless - because unemployed people get money either from the Arbeitzamt or JobCenter. And this money are pretty good.
 
4K8KW10 said:
The homelessness problem is largely because the person themselves wants to be homeless, why not just find a job, even be it at McDonald's, move to a cheaper area and start saving some money from the salary?!

Here, in Germany, it is almost virtually impossible to be homeless - because unemployed people get money either from the Arbeitzamt or JobCenter. And this money are pretty good.
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I don't think you understand the problem.

In America, if you don't have a job you don't have healthcare. A lot of the homeless have mental health issues, or alchohol/drug dependency but have nowhere to go for treatment, so the majority are never in a state where they could work.

And even McDonalds managers aren't in the business of hiring homeless people.

In some cities it's a criminal act to even feed the homeless!
 
VincentHanna said:
I don't think you understand the problem.

In America, if you don't have a job you don't have healthcare. A lot of the homeless have mental health issues, or alchohol/drug dependency but have nowhere to go for treatment, so the majority are never in a state where they could work.

And even McDonalds managers aren't in the business of hiring homeless people.

In some cities it's a criminal act to even feed the homeless!
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Oh, I indeed didn't know that :(
Then, America is a cruel place and the problem is in a vicious circle. They can't find a solution unless they change the laws and start actually helping these homeless people - not leave them to die from starvation :(
 
Strangely a lot of hate for LA here. I love it so much I permanently moved here. If your tourist experience is Hollywood Walk of Fame and Skidrow then I am not surprised you dislike it.

@Raymond Lin @G-M California is one of the few places on earth you can grab a tan on the beach one day and go skiing the next. As someone else mentioned on here, if you head to places like Venice or Manhattan beach for the relaxing beach and beer style break. You can head to Downtown LA or Downtown Santa Monica for some night life. West Hollywood is a little more crazy (think a larger, crazier London Soho). I personally live in Long Beach and it is amazing, 5mins to the beach or 2 hours to San Diego or 1hr to Los Angeles/Santa Monica/Venice. Head up to Malibu Hills for awesome scenery, sunsets and wineries.

@Scam Personally one of my favourite spots is The Kettle in Manhattan beach. Open 24hours serving all sorts of food and beverages https://goo.gl/maps/k3E71sN1AHQ2

For scenery drive up to Santa Barbara, go further to Big Sur. For awesome mountains and open nothingness head up to Big Bear or further afield and go to Mammoth Mountain.
 
JBod said:
Strangely a lot of hate for LA here. I love it so much I permanently moved here. If your tourist experience is Hollywood Walk of Fame and Skidrow then I am not surprised you dislike it.

@Raymond Lin @G-M California is one of the few places on earth you can grab a tan on the beach one day and go skiing the next. As someone else mentioned on here, if you head to places like Venice or Manhattan beach for the relaxing beach and beer style break. You can head to Downtown LA or Downtown Santa Monica for some night life. West Hollywood is a little more crazy (think a larger, crazier London Soho). I personally live in Long Beach and it is amazing, 5mins to the beach or 2 hours to San Diego or 1hr to Los Angeles/Santa Monica/Venice. Head up to Malibu Hills for awesome scenery, sunsets and wineries.

@Scam Personally one of my favourite spots is The Kettle in Manhattan beach. Open 24hours serving all sorts of food and beverages https://goo.gl/maps/k3E71sN1AHQ2

For scenery drive up to Santa Barbara, go further to Big Sur. For awesome mountains and open nothingness head up to Big Bear or further afield and go to Mammoth Mountain.
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I don’t like the beach or winter sports...:p
 
Update: now booked accommodation. 3 nights in Kyoto, 5 in Tokyo and one in Osaka. I can start planning days out!

Ahleckz said:
I land at 9.45am on the 21st...

Hey, if we can meet it'll be a cool story but don't put yourself to any trouble.
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Think I'll manage to get you a coffee if you're not too jet lagged :)
 
LuckyBenski said:
Update: now booked accommodation. 3 nights in Kyoto, 5 in Tokyo and one in Osaka. I can start planning days out!


Think I'll manage to get you a coffee if you're not too jet lagged :)
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Congratulations, I've got some time off soon and was thinking of going to Japan alone, never gone abroad alone so I'm quite nervous. Haven't been abroad in years which doesn't help.

Just need a bit of convincing and get out of my shell
 
flibbage0 said:
Congratulations, I've got some time off soon and was thinking of going to Japan alone, never gone abroad alone so I'm quite nervous. Haven't been abroad in years which doesn't help.

Just need a bit of convincing and get out of my shell
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That's basically my position, though I've never been very far anyway. Just a few half terms in Western Europe. But I've always been a nervous traveller even in the UK, and haven't done much solo.

So far, I get more excited the more plans get made. Can't wait now! So in 2 weeks I can tell you if it worked out.
 
flibbage0 said:
Congratulations, I've got some time off soon and was thinking of going to Japan alone, never gone abroad alone so I'm quite nervous. Haven't been abroad in years which doesn't help.

Just need a bit of convincing and get out of my shell
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DO IT !!!

The language barrier is not a problem, you would have a bigger language barrier problem in places like eastern Europe or Russia IMO.

The biggest thing about travelling solo people should be concerned, after the language barrier about is safety as safety is no.1 and Japan is IMO the safest place you can go. You can, and I have, leave you things at the table and go off to the loo and come back to find your iPhone X untouched still on the table. You can walk down a dark alley way and not feel in danger. There are no chavs in sight.

Cost wise, it is easy to budget, flight and hotel you can see online, I budgeted £100 per day when i was there with £200 contingency. Which was spot on, I ended up spending the £200 on souvenirs. £100 per day was enough for all the temples, food, travel and shows I went to see. Also, there is no better time to go to Japan than right now, they are preparing for the Olympics in 2020 so putting in a lot of infrastructures in places, more English signs, more stores and restaurants in Tokyo now also cater for westerners if you are worried.
 
Well, it's happening! Bags are packed and I'm sat in the departures lounge at LHR. Feel like death, I am not a morning person.

Thanks all for swaying me from California to Japan. If you asked me now would I rather be going to the states, I'd say hell no! I guess this thread might need a name change :D

Will take and post pictures when I have time.
 
LuckyBenski said:
Well, it's happening! Bags are packed and I'm sat in the departures lounge at LHR. Feel like death, I am not a morning person.

Thanks all for swaying me from California to Japan. If you asked me now would I rather be going to the states, I'd say hell no! I guess this thread might need a name change :D

Will take and post pictures when I have time.
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...what you can expect.

When you land, you will be asked to do a finger print scan at immigration then your carry on bags checked where some guy with very little English will show you a folder with photos of banned substance asking whether you have any of those with you.

Before you leave the airport use the wifi to find out both where your hotel is on Google Maps (screenshot any hotel names you have in case you need to show it to taxi driver or people on the street), and also find BIC camera. Then get a sim card there.

p.s. Japanese don't do physical contact, a little bow is like a handshake to them, 45 degree angle. (90 degree is when you are REALLY sorry, like CEO of a company apologising for his company's failings).

Oh, don't forget to get a SUICA card at the train station, cash only.
 
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Raymond Lin said:
The biggest thing about travelling solo people should be concerned, after the language barrier about is safety as safety is no.1 and Japan is IMO the safest place you can go. You can, and I have, leave you things at the table and go off to the loo and come back to find your iPhone X untouched still on the table. You can walk down a dark alley way and not feel in danger. There are no chavs in sight.
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Dame right!

The safest country I have ever visited in my life. 1.30am walking down a dark alley, people outside drinking tea or playing mahjong. Never got a bad vibe, try doing that back here in the UK. You probably get ambushed.

Everyone knows how moody passport control can be, especially in the US. Not in Japan, they greeted me with a smile and welcoming me into their country.
 
LuckyBenski said:
Theoretically my work phone will start roaming and work fine. If not, I have a spare unlocked handset. Thanks for the reminder about BIC @Raymond Lin :)
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Lol, I hope it's part of the contract (free roaming) as I went to HK for 4 days and then got a text when I got back from Three in the lines of "Last month you saved £3,203 from free roaming abroad!"

It gets expensive FAST if it's charged by the mb.
 
Raymond Lin said:
Lol, I hope it's part of the contract (free roaming) as I went to HK for 4 days and then got a text when I got back from Three in the lines of "Last month you saved £3,203 from free roaming abroad!"

It gets expensive FAST if it's charged by the mb.
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Just emailed my Finance Director to double check with him so I can stop before it's too late, ha.
 
LuckyBenski said:
Just emailed my Finance Director to double check with him so I can stop before it's too late, ha.
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BTW, must try food in Osaka, as there are regional specialities in each area. Try to find these 4 things before you leave the area.

Kushikatsu - deep fried sticks, p.s. dip only once.

http://www.eatyourkimchi.com/kushiage-deep-fried-magic-sticks/

Takoyaki - octopus battered balls

Okonomiyaki - mixed pancake thing

Pablo Cheesecake - this cheesecake is famous on instagram.
 
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