Rapid Travel Chai

On my mind: I have tried to step back from the frenzy of political news in the US, similar to Farhad Manjoo. Looking back at some of the more recent events, it is heartening to see that there still exists some actions or statements where a resignation is deemed appropriate by the immediate person as well as those around. Thinking back to the UK Conservative Party internal competition for Prime Minister last summer, it seemed bizarre how one candidate after another pulled themselves out of contention over statements or actions that would hardly have made a news report in the concurrent US election. The US appeared heading to a point where no politician or public servant would back down or resign no matter what they had done. Whatever the merits of specific cases, that there concepts of responsibility and honor still exist is heartening.

Hacks:

• Argentina money situation 2017. Is there still a black (blue) market?
• Basic economy is bad news for bank points.
• Here’s what World of Hyatt means to you. To me Explorist ≠ free breakfast, therefore, I tune out.

Travels:

• The NYT’s Frugal Traveler one of the first media mentions I have seen citing that credit card rental car insurance does not cover liability. One year in, five lessons learned.
• Deep in Brazil’s Amazon, exploring the ruins of Ford’s fantasyland.
• Flight turns back around 1.5 hours after takeoff when crew finds plane’s front door isn’t closed.

Events:

• The Prime Minister who disappeared.
• Amazon’s living lab: reimagining retail on Seattle streets
• China orders that every single car in Xinjiang prefecture must have GPS tracking system installed.

Ideas:

• Having no life is the new aspirational lifestyle.
• The 12 best Google Chrome extensions.
• Black like who?