c/digital-nomad-life

Overheard a guy at a cafe in Medellin bragging about never paying for a co-working space, just using hotel lobbies. His laptop got snatched 20 minutes later.

My friend in Lisbon swore that a $15/month local SIM was better than my global plan, and after my eSIM failed in Split, I had to admit she was right.

I mean, I was paying like $80 a month for my fancy global data, but it just gave up in Croatia while her cheap local card from Vodafone worked perfectly, so has anyone found a good provider for the Balkans?

Met a guy in Medellin who said digital nomads are ruining his city

I was working from a cafe in El Poblado last year, the usual spot with good wifi. This local guy, maybe in his 50s, sat next to me and just started talking. He pointed at my laptop and said, 'You people come here, pay one month's rent what I pay in a year, and then leave.' He wasn't even angry, just tired. He told me his family's rent went up 80% in two years because landlords want to rent to foreigners. I tried to explain I was just trying to live my life, but he said, 'Your life makes mine harder.' It stuck with me because I never thought of it that way before. Do you think about your impact on local housing costs, or is it just part of the deal?

Rant: I showed up to a beach cleanup in Thailand dressed for a client call

I was staying in Koh Lanta and saw an event listed online for networking. I thought it was a casual meetup for digital nomads to chat and share tips. When I got there, everyone had gloves and trash bags, and I was in my nice shirt with my laptop. It was a local beach cleanup day, not a work event, so I felt really silly. But the organizers handed me a bag and I joined in, laughing at my mistake. We ended up talking while picking up plastic, and I learned about their conservation projects. Small win: I helped the environment and met some great people who invited me to their co-working space next week.

Stranded without cash? How a digital wallet bailed me out in Vietnam

I was in Hanoi last week and went to a market to buy some snacks. My credit card got rejected at three different stalls. I thought I had enough funds, but it turned out my bank put a hold on it due to unusual activity. Luckily, I had set up a mobile payment app on my phone a while back. I transferred some money from my account to the app and paid with my phone. It was quick and I didn't have to find an ATM or wait for bank support. Now I always keep a bit of money in my digital wallet when I travel. It's a small step that can prevent big headaches when you're working on the go.

Warning: Ditching my big camera made my travel photos improve.

You don't need expensive cameras for good travel photos.

A quiet corner in a Lisbon park became my favorite office

I was feeling stuck working from my rented room every day. Then I tried setting up in a small park with benches and shade. The change of scenery really boosted my focus and mood. Has anyone else had success working outdoors in European cities? I would love to hear your spots.

PSA: I remember when cafes welcomed digital nomads with open arms and free refills.

These days, it's like they're counting the minutes until you buy something else.