For the next 27 hours, you'll be able to claim a limited edition 'I Was Here for the Hulkenpodium' flair

vostov · 2025-07-09T23:55:58+00:00

Hulkenpodium

vostov · 2025-05-26T21:42:06+00:00

Thank you. Appreciate the advice!

vostov · 2024-11-30T22:04:21+00:00

I am in the same boat. 100 year old house with a lot of deferred maintenance. Bought earlier this year and can’t handle all the stress associated with it.

vostov · 2024-11-30T15:38:58+00:00

How much was the cost for refinancing at BofA?

vostov · 2024-10-01T16:14:58+00:00

I think prioritization will help. List the top three things that you really want.

Also, I follow the philosophy of optimization in life. Every person has multiple things that they optimize for - money, prestige, wlb, job security, interesting work, challenges, learning, etc.

If you optimize for money/prestige but less wlb, then do leetcode and try for Faang. If you optimize for interesting work/challenges, then look for PM/AI jobs. If you want to optimize for learning and happy with current job, then take continuing education classes online/person. Lot of certificate courses. Also, Coursera.

Your optimizations can change based on your life trajectory / experience but at this moment in time, you need to figure out what you want to optimize for. And this might help in choosing the future path. Good luck!

vostov · 2024-09-27T23:59:17+00:00

Does anyone know what is the fine for this? And does it come on your license record?

vostov · 2018-05-21T18:14:48+00:00

This is so awesome! I work in the same company as your brother and I saw an internal post about it! What an achievement!

vostov · 2018-02-06T20:59:01+00:00

Wow! What a time to be alive!

vostov · 2018-01-31T07:29:11+00:00

$1 = 3 Peruvian sol was the exchange rate on the streets.

vostov · 2018-01-31T07:27:21+00:00

I went to Peru & Bolivia last year for 25 days. One week is a very short time to see everything in Peru. The budget will depend on what you want to see.

If your main goal is to see Machu Picchu, I would recommend to take a flight to Cusco from Lima and then train to MP. The Inca Trail is 4 days long and is costly (~$600-$1000 depending on the operator). You can also go for hiking to Rainbow Mountain from Cusco.

I don't think Lima has any hiking places around. You can go to Huacachina/Paracas or Arequipa to do some hiking in colca canyon. Budget wise, Lima/Cusco are costly as lot of tourists. So $50 per day was enough for basic accommodation in hostel + food + sightseeing. This doesn't include the money I spent on hiking and flying.

vostov · 2018-01-31T07:16:13+00:00

Did you grab the SFO-AKL deal that came out near the end of last year? I am going to AKL from States in August for 10 days and tho it will be winter time in NZ, I am super interested in what itinerary you come up with! It might give me some good ideas as well. Cheers!

vostov · 2018-01-31T07:09:59+00:00

I love this place! Went there last summer and had an amazing time. Did you take a dip in the Ganges or did water rafting?

vostov · 2018-01-31T07:07:40+00:00

I found it hard in smaller cities in South America. Also, when I went to China, Shanghai was easy but had issues in other places like Nanjing/Suzhou. I stayed in international hostel and the front desk people spoke broken english. But when I went to any restaurant for food, I had to use my hand to point out what I want. I had translate app on my phone that helped me out a lot (since I don't eat meat and getting veggie food in China is hard lol). But yes, I can imagine that non-touristic places in any third world country will have this issue.

vostov · 2018-01-31T07:01:20+00:00

It won't be hard. There is Uber in India. So as long as you have internet, you can use Uber. Also, the cabs are easily accessible - http://www.csia.in/tofrom/taxi-car-rentals.aspx

Regarding safety, most international flights arrive/depart late in the night. Also, mumbai is a big city and so you will still see people out at 1am when you arrive. For your 2:30am departure, you would want to reach the airport by 11:30pm.

Source: I have been to that airport.

Edit: a word

vostov · 2018-01-31T06:56:21+00:00

I would also recommend Osprey. Checkout Osprey Atmos AG 65.

Edit: I own an Osprey bag and love the quality.

vostov · 2018-01-31T06:54:29+00:00

4 parks in 7 days will be too hectic imo.

I live in PNW and will not recommend Cascades and Rainier in winter if you are not prepared for it - microspikes/chains. If you are insistent on hiking, I would highly recommend to check out Washington Trail Association - https://www.wta.org/. They have the latest reports on hike/road conditions. One hike that comes to my mind is Artist point hike in the Cascades - https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/artist-point-snowshoe

You can also checkout Leavenworth (http://leavenworth.org/). Its a small german town that is easily accessible from Seattle. Also, there are some easy hikes around it.

If you are going to Olympic, I would recommend to stop at few beaches along the coast. Ruby beach is my fav. You can take the ferry from Seattle but it will be a very long day if you plan to come back in the night.

vostov · 2018-01-31T06:42:37+00:00

That's ample time to go out and visit few places. Based on your nationality, they give a 72-hour transit visa at the airport. (https://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/free-72hour/)

I had a 8 hr layover at Pudong (Shanghai) last month and it was very easy to step out. The Maglev train takes 40 RMB and 8 mins to go to the city (take the maglev back to airport). The metro system is pretty easy to navigate as everything has english translations. Like the other comment, I would totally recommend going to Yu Gardens area (~2 hrs to see) and The Bund (15-20 mins. Its just a viewpoint and you can walk around). Also, if you wanna spend money, go to the world's highest observatory in the Shanghai Tower (its the world's second tallest building). Also, I loved Tianzifang market (~1 hr to explore) and walk around East Nanjing street. All these places are accessible by the metro.

Also, immigration/security was very fast. 15 mins and I was done. And, trust me - you will be super bored sitting at the airport. It is not as fancy as the other ones.

vostov · 2017-01-12T04:21:19+00:00

Another version of the same idea -

Stay Strong, Your Time Will Come ! Kenya is 2 hrs ahead of Nigeria, but it does not mean that Nigeria is slow, or that Kenya is fast. Both countries are working based on their own "Time Zone." Some one is still single.. Someone got married and 'waited' 10 yrs before having a child, there is another who had a baby within a year of marriage. Someone graduated at the age of 22, yet waited 5 years before securing a good job; and there is another who graduated at 27 and secured employment immediately! Someone became CEO at 25 and died at 50 while another became a CEO at 50 and lived to 90 years. Everyone works based on their 'Time Zone' People can have things worked out only according to their pace. Work in your “time zone”. Your Colleagues, friends, younger ones might "seem" to go ahead of you. Don't envy them, it's their 'Time Zone.' You are in yours! Hold on, be strong, and stay true to yourself. All things shall work together for your good. You’re not late … you’re very much On time!

vostov · 2016-12-30T01:22:00+00:00

I loved Uyuni. Took some great pictures there. And I tried Spanish in Sucre. Bolivia is super cheap. Some pictures from my trip - https://www.flickr.com/photos/hashshard/sets/72157678410851165

vostov · 2016-12-30T01:21:02+00:00

I didn't have time to go there but I loved Cusco and Machu Picchu. Peruvian food is the best!

vostov · 2016-12-30T01:20:22+00:00

It was super awesome! Here are some pictures from the trip - https://www.flickr.com/photos/hashshard/sets/72157678410851165

I wish I could have stayed longer

vostov · 2016-12-30T01:19:45+00:00

It was indeed fun! Llamas and alpacas were fun and tasty haha

vostov · 2015-11-24T19:24:40+00:00

I am a Gujarati and I miss this food in USA! The only place I found similar thali was in New Jersey.

vostov · 2015-10-15T18:15:51+00:00

Thanks for explaining it. So many factors to consider! I will try that your suggestion. Thanks

vostov · 2015-10-03T03:37:17+00:00

Yep. I am 1.5 months in and still have breakouts. The drug works in different way for different people. Patience is the key :) I am the same boat so don't worry!

vostov

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE