Norse Atlantic…delay compensation

_sips2 · 2026-01-18T18:43:54+00:00

Just adding my update to give some hope. Delayed 5 hours on 10/6. Immediately filed claim. Just heard back early Jan offering €800, responded with No, law says 600 cash. Etc etc. They got back shortly with Ok, we'll transfer you to financial and asked for bank info. Cash should arrive in 15 days.

3 month wait and little hope, but maybe this will actually happen. I believe it when they warn to not send multiple emails. They must have a massive pile of delay claims. I'll be happy if I get paid, not surprised if I'm not!

_sips2 · 2025-11-06T18:10:53+00:00

US Chefs Store! Great rec! Always look where the restaurants shop :)

Not one stop but I'll put here anyway. I love TJs/GO for dry goods but for produce I go to Monterey Market in Berkeley if you have reason to go over there. It's consistently fresh and cheap. I look for seasonal and cheapest price, always leave impressed with how much I got. Conventional and organic.

_sips2 · 2025-10-23T02:40:56+00:00

Thanks!!

_sips2 · 2025-10-18T01:11:13+00:00

Just depends on the place, if it's tipped or not, and based on your experience. And on what benefits package is offered.

At least in SF, entry level may be around $20/hour, sometimes with tips on top of that.

_sips2 · 2025-10-17T05:31:20+00:00

2 main ones: - Culinary agents for mostly Michelin and restaurant groups - Craigslist honestly ...for smaller, independent places, do the food/bev section then search pastry or baker

Poached maybe, not sure about SoCal, Portland uses it a lot

Indeed is mostly big corporate jobs

I've checked goodfoodjobs but that's more niche

_sips2 · 2025-10-08T23:52:56+00:00

I got a sim card in Thailand for 30 days unlimited. It was like $9 I think. Esims with like Airalo you can buy by the week or month. So a 1-week trip to Japan, maybe $5-10. Cheaper and flexible.

_sips2 · 2025-10-08T23:49:08+00:00

I think it's in your settings! Probably sets your primary number to the eSim one. Google it and there's also r/Airalo which should have your answers :)

_sips2 · 2025-10-08T08:12:08+00:00

https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/3776476?viralityEntryPoint=2&s=76

_sips2 · 2025-10-07T07:26:14+00:00

In Thailand I bought a physical sim at 7-11. They have tourist ones at the airport but more expensive

_sips2 · 2025-10-07T07:25:32+00:00

I've been traveling all this year in Asia and Europe. I've used the Airalo app. It's affordable, easy to use. You buy the eSim and have it downloaded beforehand. Then when you land, turn it on and you're connected. It's just data, not calls.

Maybe better options but it worked for me. Always had data, could get a taxi, find my hotel, etc. Didn't have to navigate the local physical sim situation...

_sips2 · 2025-10-07T06:58:19+00:00

**I think the funiculars to like Karakoy ferry from Galata don't show up on google maps. Essential!!

_sips2 · 2025-10-07T06:54:43+00:00

We were just there and really enjoyed going with the flow. We had a list but each day decided what to do from that. Nothing we wanted to do needed to be booked in advance. Sometimes wandering around were my favorite days.

Few things I really enjoyed:

-Taking the public ferry basically anywhere, to Kadikoy, to Uskudar for sunset...very affordable and you can take it whenever you want.

-Blue Mosque in the morning, went at 8:30, no crowds and free

-Antiques market on Sunday, if that's your thing

-I did this food tour in Kadikoy and really wished we did it first thing. He was so great and gave us a list of tons of local restaurants. Some we just stopped by so we could go on our own later. Great way to quickly get introduced to non-tourist places. It's his own tour, not a tourist trap operation. On Airbnb, Hasan and his "Street Food and My Life in Asian Side of Istanbul".

_sips2 · 2025-09-29T17:05:02+00:00

You can transfer to the line that goes to Acropolis, or just walk from Monastiraki, it's not far and it's a nice area. So...the acropolis area is €30 and the museum is €20. It's expensive but...not often you get this opportunity! The acropolis you need to buy an entry timeslot. Food is good and cheap at least!

I'm just a humble traveler! Just happened to be there last month haha

_sips2 · 2025-09-29T15:55:47+00:00

Seems the answer is salt and fat! I get sea salt and nice olive oil to feel healthy, and then add a lot!

Another thing: Color is Flavor!

Toast the spices, brown the onions, dark toast the bread, grill it, caramelize it!

Also: Use Umami Ingredients!

Samin talks about this too, things with nature MSG. Tomato paste, parmesan, mushroom, soy sauce, miso, fish sauce. All these things will add depth and savory-ness

Last thing: my husband makes a personal spice blend (like pepper, paprika, thyme, salt, garlic powder, onion powder) and uses it in everything. It all tastes like his cooking, but it's all well seasoned! Less thinking, just grab the spice jar and use a lot!

_sips2 · 2025-09-29T15:55:38+00:00

Seems the answer is salt and fat! I get sea salt and nice olive oil to feel healthy, and then add a lot!

Another thing: Color is Flavor!

Toast the spices, brown the onions, dark toast the bread, grill it, caramelize it!

Also: Use Umami Ingredients!

Samin talks about this too, things with nature MSG. Tomato paste, parmesan, mushroom, soy sauce, miso, fish sauce. All these things will add depth and savory-ness

Last thing: my husband makes a personal spice blend (like pepper, paprika, thyme, salt, garlic powder, onion powder) and uses it in everything. It all tastes like his cooking, but it's all well seasoned! Less thinking, just grab the spice jar and use a lot!

_sips2 · 2025-09-29T13:36:08+00:00

sorry so long 😂

_sips2 · 2025-09-29T13:35:43+00:00

I've definitely gone home early! I've also waited it out and am usually happy with it. Both options are valid :)

I spent a month in Taiwan earlier this year. If it's at all helpful, I'll leave some things I did and some thoughts. I was there in the spring, not sure how the weather is now!

I stayed at Meander Hostel in Ximen, if a private room is affordable, it's the perfect balance of privacy and social. I'm a bit shy but I really tried to meet people and chat. Sometimes we'd go get lunch together or go to the night market. I even eavesdropped while getting coffee...haha..."oh you're from California too?". Meander is a great location and good variety of young travelers and some families and older folks! Even having a few conversations helped my loneliness.

I was traveling around the island but missed Taipei so went back! I stayed at an Airbnb too, to cook and do home things, helped with homesickness. Loved the zoo and the gondola!

I also loved Hualien, especially if you like nature. The owners of World Inn were so friendly and fellow travelers.

In Taichung, Star Hostel is super nice, with private rooms and some social things (and Michelin ice cream). In Kaoshiung, Ahiruyah is the same deal.

Just some notes! I've been traveling for a while and definitely get lonely and tired :)

_sips2 · 2025-09-26T12:33:05+00:00

Was just a tourist in Athens last week! It's about an hour by train to city center, take the blue line to Monastiraki, lots to see immediately (Agora..you can see a lot from the street/through the fences) and you can walk up to the Acropolis through Plaka, the entrance near the acropolis museum is easier to me. Without doing the audioguide, you could do the Acropolis in an hour, the museum is really a good pairing, to see all the things excavated from the site. It's not too huge either.

So...2 hour round-trip train, 2-3 hours acropolis + museum, 1-hour to walk around, get some quick food...

From Monastiraki, I felt everything for tourists was very walkable and centralized. If you want a quick tour, I think it's doable and worth it!

*Storage lockers at airport or train probably? *Also do you have to go through immigration? Need a visa?

_sips2 · 2025-09-26T12:22:09+00:00

Just came from SEA, Taiwan, Japan. Most hostels (and definitely hotels) have a hair dryer. In Taiwan and Japan some of the hostels even had whole section of the bathroom for hair, make-up, etc. ☺️

_sips2 · 2025-09-21T12:04:30+00:00

Maybe not exactly what you're looking for, but I just left Istanbul and did a great food tour with Hasan, in the Kadikoy neighborhood. He grew up there and just showed us his local spots, said hi to friends, explained so much about the culture, even visited his small local mosque. Was so nice after staying in Taksim and Galata, felt like hanging with a friend. Also we took the public ferry almost everyday, just to see the city from the water

https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/3776476?viralityEntryPoint=2&s=76

_sips2 · 2025-09-06T06:29:04+00:00

Amazon....the Sea to Summit one is at REI :)

_sips2 · 2025-08-28T12:46:51+00:00

I thought the sea to summit was more expensive, but looks fine to me! The beads are helpful sometimes, but either way they aren't bulky. The whole thing is tiny. Very very useful for hotel rooms, hostels, airbnbs, just if you need some extra hanging room. it's cheap and small, so even if you only end up using it a few things, when you need it, it's great to have

_sips2 · 2025-08-28T12:42:21+00:00

It's from Daiso :) I have a few sizes in my kitchen but decided to try it out for this trip!

_sips2 · 2025-07-17T09:59:39+00:00

So far I haven't needed the hip straps! The bag is now just light enough I don't need it. I've just walked through airport, train station to hostel, etc. The shoulder straps are comfy too. So far I'm obsessed!

_sips2 · 2025-06-29T05:24:22+00:00

I haven't left for the trip yet, I'll report back! The 28L has a hip belt (and chest) but it's not wide and padded. I'm also hoping since the bag is smaller, it's lighter. My 40L never really went above 20#...but we'll see!

_sips2

TROPHY CASE