Hi Reader!

Well, it's been a while since we sent a newsletter or published a YouTube video. We've been very busy with our Leaps and travel so we've had to prioritize our limited time.

In November, we hosted our Leap to Panama City. We had SOOO much fun exploring the city with the Turtles!

We also secured venues for our Leap to Tirana (Sold Out), Prague (Open for Booking), and Riga Latvia (Coming Soon).

AND, we secured a venue and announced the dates for our inaugural Global Living Summit in Manchester, UK next August 12-16, 2026.

​Click Here to join the waitlist for the Summit so you're the first to know when tickets go on sale and you can lock in your early bird discount.

After the Leap to Panama, we spent a week in Cancún before starting our slow trek back to the Eastern Hemisphere for our next round of Leaps in SE Asia.

We did take some time to relax and recharge, but with a view like this, we couldn't complain about doing some work.

We're never fully on vacation, but I'll take the worst day living like this over the best day in a cubicle. Every. Single. Time.

A Word about VPNs

A couple of the articles below are about VPNs and logging into public WiFi at airports, train stations, lodging, etc.

As we've been saying for a while (see the NOTE below), VPNs have become less reliable.

A lot of web hosts and websites are blocking IP Addresses owned by VPN providers for safety and security reasons because criminals are using them, as well as legitimate users like you and me.

If you go to a website and it doesn't load or you get an error, it's probably because you're using a VPN. If you disconnect it, the site will load.

This kinda defeats the purpose of a VPN, which is to make your online activities more secure and anonymous.

Unfortunately, not all VPN providers are created equal. We've been recommending SurfShark and NordVPN for years, and both are considered safe and reliable, but there are a lot of sketchy VPN companies that are stealing and selling their users' data.

In an effort to protect users and servers from criminals and scammy VPN companies, the baby has been thrown out with the bathwater: Even safe and reliable VPN providers are being blocked.

Now, Google is telling everyone to stop using VPNs altogether. Of course they are. Data is big business for them and if you use a VPN, they can't reliably track your online activity.

Thank you very much for your "sincere" concern, Mr. Google, but we'll continue using our VPN. At least when we can.

A Word About Free WiFi Networks

The worst place for criminal activity is anywhere a free WiFi network is available, like airports.

Scammers are creating fake "evil twin" access points that look legitimate, like "Free Airport WiFi" or "Free American Airlines WiFi" or "Free Starbucks WiFi."

When you connect to one of these "evil twin" networks, the owner uses software to steal your personal information.

A VPN could protect your data from these scammers, but we've found that most airport WiFi networks no longer work with the VPN enabled.

So how are we supposed to connect to a safe network in a foreign country so we can buy an eSIM and activate it?

There is no easy, one-size-fits-all answer.

Last July, while we were back in the US, we switched our mobile carrier to Tello. It's saving us $92/month over our old Verizon plan. Plus, it has an affordable international roaming option, which may work in lieu of a separate eSIM from a company like Airalo or Saily.

We're going to test it out when we get to our next destination to see how much the Tello roaming costs compared to a 3rd-party eSIM.

Worst case, we can use the international roaming to buy and activate a 3rd-party eSIM rather than connecting to the free airport WiFi. We'll keep you posted about what we discover.

In the meantime, please be very careful when you connect to free WiFi networks. If you don't see the access point name on an official sign, ask the staff what the official WiFi router name is, especially if you see two or more routers with very similar names.

And if you use a VPN, make sure the company you chose is reputable. And understand that you may have to turn it off to get some websites to load (like ours).

It's frustrating that criminals always seem to be one step ahead and the rest of us are always in reaction mode. 😡

We offer hands-on support for these types of issues to our Turtle Travel Club members and Leap attendees. If you're over 40 and want a different kind of travel experience with a fun community of like-minded explorers, come check us out. We would love to meet you!

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NOTE: If the LINKS do not work, you'll need to disable your VPN, try a different server, or visit AmeliaAndJP.com/NewsArchive to view this newsletter in your browser. Sorry for the inconvenience, but more and more websites are blocking VPNs.

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News for Global Citizens

Here's what we learned about the world this week...

Travel News

TSA Sounds Alarm About Public Wi-Fi, Charging Ports

The TSA is telling you to think twice before connecting to free Wi-Fi or charging your phone at public spots like airports, hotels, or cafés. Their warning isn’t just about dodgy networks anymore: unencrypted Wi-Fi, sketchy “guest” networks, public Bluetooth, and even USB charging ports can expose your phone to hackers or data-stealing malware. If you travel or often hop between networks, it’s smarter to disable auto-connect, avoid unknown networks, use a trusted VPN (or better yet, your own data connection), and skip public USB charging. Think of it like locking the door before you walk in — your digital safety depends on it. Source​

Feds (and Google) Say: Avoid Sketchy VPNs

If you use a VPN on your iPhone or Android, you might want to think twice: the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) now recommends against using personal VPNs — and so does Google. Their warning: many commercial (especially free) VPN providers have sketchy privacy practices or outright malware risks, which can leave you worse off than with a normal internet connection. For most users, a VPN may simply shift trust from your internet provider to a potentially untrustworthy VPN operator — increasing your exposure to privacy and security threats. We've been recommending SurfShark and NordVPN for years; both are considered safe and reliable. Source​

European Union Rolls Out New Border-Control System for non-EU Travellers

The newly implemented Entry/Exit System (EES) went live across Europe in October 2025, digitizing passport stamping for visitors. It’s expected to streamline border crossings but may also mean longer queues during the early rollout phase — an important heads-up if you’re planning a European trip soon. Source​

Thinking About Paris? Louvre Museum Is About to Raise Entry Fees for Most Travelers

Heads up — if you’re planning a visit to the Louvre soon, and you’re coming from outside Europe, be ready to pay more. Starting January 14, 2026, non-EEA (non-European Economic Area) visitors will see the standard ticket jump from €22 to €32 — a roughly 45% hike. The increase is meant to help fund urgent renovations and security upgrades after a high-profile jewelry theft exposed major vulnerabilities. If you have a trip on the books, you might want to lock in your tickets now before prices go up. Source​

Good News for Your Next Getaway: Bolivia Just Dropped All Visa Requirements for Americans

This week, Bolivia opened its doors wide to U.S. travelers — the country just eliminated visa requirements for Americans, making it easier than ever to explore its stunning landscapes, from soaring peaks to vast salt flats and lush rainforest. With just a valid passport, you can now visit visa-free for up to 90 days. It’s part of Bolivia’s push to revamp tourism and rebuild ties with international visitors. If you’ve been itching for an adventurous escape — now might be the perfect time to rediscover Bolivia. Source​

Nicaragua: The Underrated Gem Travelers Are Finally Noticing

Nicaragua is one of Central America’s most surprising rising stars. You’ll find a mix of untouched natural beauty — from rainforests and volcanoes to serene lake islands — along with colorful colonial cities like Granada and León. Add in surf-ready beaches, low prices, and a growing focus on sustainable tourism, and it’s easy to see why more travelers are giving Nicaragua a serious look for 2025. You can chase adventure or slow down completely — all without the crowds or cost of more popular destinations. Source​

Expat News

Spain’s Population Soars Toward 50 Million — and It’s All Thanks to Newcomers

Spain isn’t shrinking — it’s booming. New data from Spain’s national statistics agency shows the country’s population has climbed to a record-breaking 49.13 million as of January 2025, rising by more than half a million people in a single year. That surge is almost entirely thanks to newcomers, with immigration driving growth while births among native Spaniards remain low. For anyone following Europe’s demographic trends, Spain is becoming a striking example of how new arrivals are reshaping the country culturally, economically, and socially. Source​

How Parts of Spain’s Coast Are Becoming Little European Enclaves — And What That Means for the Culture Map

On Spain’s sunny coastal strips — from the Costa Blanca to the Costa del Sol and even southern Tenerife — European expats are clustering so heavily that in many towns they now outnumber native Spaniards. In some hotspots, foreigners make up 70–80% of residents, reshaping whole neighborhoods and giving those places a distinctly “international-expat” vibe. The surge reflects booming foreign demand for Spanish homes, driven largely by people chasing sunshine, sea views, and a different lifestyle. But it also means these coastal areas are transforming socially and culturally — creating communities where locals may feel like outsiders, and where Spain itself starts to look more like a mosaic of overlapping “parallel societies." Source​

Planning a move abroad? Check out our Move Abroad EXPRESS eCourse (it's on sale for 50% off until January 1).

What the New Mauritius Rules Mean for Expats in 2025

If you’ve been eyeing Mauritius as your next home or business base, the updated 2025 guidelines make clear what’s required — and what’s changed. The island’s agency for foreign investment and migration — Economic Development Board (EDB) — has refined the permit system for expats, laying out updated eligibility and financial expectations for those relocating as investors, professionals, self-employed persons, or retirees. That means if you want to work, launch a business, or retire there, you’ll face clearer criteria (and stricter performance thresholds) before you get approval — but the pathways remain open. Source​

Ecuador Votes NO on Constitutional Rewrite & Foreign Military Bases

In a national referendum, Ecuadorians rejected President Daniel Noboa’s push to rewrite the constitution and declined a proposal that would have allowed foreign military bases in the country. Voters signaled they weren’t ready for sweeping constitutional changes, nor for deeper military cooperation with outside powers. The results reflect a desire for stability at a time when Ecuador is grappling with security concerns and political uncertainty, showing that many citizens prefer incremental reforms over dramatic shifts in the country’s foundational laws. Source​

Planning a move to Ecuador? Check out the updated Ecuador EXPRESS eCourse (it's on sale for 50% off until January 1).

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That's all for now! Let us know if you have any questions by replying to this email 👍

JP (Amelia Says Hola)​
​AmeliaAndJP.com​

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