🌎 World Aware

Welcome to World Aware, your weekly roundup of global news and insights that actually matter if you travel internationally, live abroad, or you're thinking about it.

Leap Alert: Querétaro, Mexico – Nov 6-20, 2026

Since our Leap to Panama City sold out in just 40 minutes, we decided to add another Leap to Querétaro, Mexico in November.

The Leap ends the Friday before Thanksgiving, and it's close to the U.S., so you'll have plenty of time to get back home for the holiday.

Querétaro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with tons to see and do. Plus, we'll be taking day trips to San Miguel de Allende and Bernal, which are both UNESCO Sites AND Pueblos Mágicos.

We're stilling ironing out the final details, but we'll be opening it up for 24-hour Member Early Access next Wednesday.

If you would like to go, check the Turtle Discussion for the link and ensure your notifications are on so you know when we post it.

We shouldn't have to APOLOGIZE for This...

Did you see this week's video about how we travel full-time on a budget?

Over the years, several people have commented about how we must be rich to afford to travel full-time.

From our perspective, we're not rich. At least not by American standards.

In 2025, the median annual earnings for full-time individual wage and salary workers in the U.S. was $63,180.

We both work full time on our move abroad and travel club businesses, inspiring and helping thousands of people leave the U.S. for a higher quality of life and a lower cost of living.

Amelia also works part-time (about 10 hours per week) for a company back in Denver where she worked before we moved abroad.

All of our taxable income streams combined are less than $126,360, the median amount earned by two full-time workers in the U.S.

Our comfortable, middle class income allows us to travel full-time mostly because we are minimalists and don't own any expensive liabilities like a car or house. We also minimize our taxes by limiting our time in the U.S. to less than 35 days per year.

But earning less than half of all workers in the U.S. means we are in no way "rich" compared to truly wealthy Americans.

However, everytime we make a comment like this or talk about how "cheap" something is, we get comments about how rich and privileged we are.

An average wage earner from Thailand or Ecuador or Mexico could never afford the lifestyle we lead, they say.

Yes. We understand that, but we're not speaking from that frame of reference, and we don't make these videos for people who can't afford to leave their rural hometown in Thailand.

Back in 1999, after I moved to Vienna, Virgina from the Kansas City area, I went to dinner with a much older work college and his wife.

I was still in my 20s and doubled my income overnight from $36K per year in KC to $72K in DC.

Of course, my cost of living also nearly doubled overnight, but the higher wages more than made up for it.

Regardless, I was far from rich 27 years ago, and I make even less today!

While driving to dinner in my colleague's Mercedes to their 3,500 square foot luxury home on a one acre plot in Maryland just outside DC, I was surprised to hear them talk about their "rich" neighbors with bigger houses and nicer cars.

From my perspective, my colleague was rich, but from his perspective, his neighbors were rich.

When we lived on the coast of Ecuador in Manta, one of our Ecuadorian friends told us about a man who lived in a one-bedroom cinder block home with his family of 5 overlooking the ocean.

The man was poor by almost any standard, except the one that mattered to him.

He said he was the richest man in the world because he was able to live on a cliff overlooking the ocean and watch the sunset with everyone he loved nearby.

I can understand and appreciate both of these perspectives, and they each drive home the point that being "rich" is relative to the observer.

At the end of the video, Amelia and I said that we may not be rich when it comes to finances, but we're rich in experiences.

Unlike the Ecuadorian, we do focus a lot on our finances because it takes money to live this lifestyle and we're not independently wealthy so we need to earn it.

And honestly, I would be bored out of my mind if my entire life existed on such a small footprint.

But I think about my old colleague from Maryland from time to time, as well, because he WAS empirically rich by American standards, and yet, it wasn't enough for him.

Wealth is such a subjective concept. I wish I could be more like the Ecuadorian, but I'm not going to lie to myself or to you.

Money may not buy happiness, but it sure helps mitigate unhappiness.

And I'm certainly not going to apologize for when and where I was born, or for working hard and making sacrifices so we can keep going.

Our American incomes allowed us to leave the U.S., move to Ecuador, and now travel full-time, which has made me very happy.

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Upcoming Webinar: Ecuador Residency Explained

Join us on Saturday, June 27th for a free webinar about Ecuador residency visas.

Amelia will be chatting with Maite from Gringo Visas about the recent changes to Ecuador's visa application process, different types of visas, current income & investment requirements, application costs, and more.

You'll also be able to submit your questions ahead of time so Maite can answer them during the webinar.

👉 Click here to register for the free webinar...​

World Aware News

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

Expat News

Retiring in Europe Requires More Than Choosing the Perfect Place

A new ranking highlights 12 European countries that offer retirees a mix of healthcare, safety, culture, and quality of life. While Mediterranean destinations tend to be more affordable and Nordic countries offer stronger public services, each comes with different residency rules, tax considerations, and financial requirements. The country that best fits your retirement plans may depend less on lifestyle and more on whether you can legally and affordably stay long term. [Source]

Why One American Family Traded Kansas City for Chiang Mai

After relocating from Kansas City to Chiang Mai in 2022, interior designer Clea Barry, her husband, and their three children discovered a slower-paced lifestyle that has kept them abroad longer than planned. Lower housing costs, an international school community, and fewer daily logistics have given the family more time together and made regional travel easier. For families considering an overseas move, the story highlights how lifestyle changes can matter as much as financial savings, with less time spent commuting and coordinating activities and more time spent with family. [Source]

Lisbon Tops New Ranking of the Best Cities for Canadian Expats

A new global ranking places Lisbon as the most livable city for expats, ahead of Amsterdam, Melbourne, Vienna, and other major international hubs, using measures such as safety, health care, air quality, affordability, and ease of settling in. While the list highlights quality of life, several top-ranked cities are among the world's more expensive places to live, and some offer limited or increasingly restrictive pathways to long-term residency. For anyone dreaming of a move abroad, the rankings are a useful starting point, but visa eligibility, housing costs, and immigration options may ultimately matter as much as livability scores. [Source]

For Some Families of Trans Kids, Leaving the US Is Becoming a Serious Option

A new documentary, "The Dads," produced by NBA All-star Dwyane Wade, follows fathers of transgender children as they navigate a wave of state and federal policies affecting gender-affirming care and legal protections. While the film centers on parental support and advocacy, it also documents families who ultimately decide to relocate abroad or pursue second citizenships because they no longer feel confident about their children's future in the United States. For families directly affected by these policies, decisions about where to live are increasingly becoming questions of healthcare access, legal rights, and long-term security. [Source]

Travel News

Chase Sapphire Preferred Expands Rewards Without Raising Its Annual Fee

Chase is adding new rewards and travel benefits to its Sapphire Preferred credit card while keeping the annual fee at $95. Starting June 15, cardholders will earn more points on gas, EV charging, and vacation rentals, receive larger hotel credits, and gain added travel protections, including emergency evacuation coverage. The changes make the card more competitive for frequent travelers, while some longtime users may notice the phaseout of the existing 10% anniversary bonus benefit. [Source]

For Many Fans, the World Cup's Biggest Obstacle Is Getting There

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, fans from several qualifying nations say visa restrictions, travel bans, and high rejection rates are making it difficult or impossible to attend matches in the United States. The challenges are especially acute for supporters from parts of Africa and the Middle East, with some spending thousands of dollars on applications and travel plans only to be denied visas. For international travelers, the tournament is becoming a reminder that holding a ticket does not guarantee entry, and that passport access can shape who gets to participate in global events. [Source]

Japan Is Raising Its Departure Tax to Help Manage Tourism Growth

Japan will triple its departure tax for international travelers from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 ($7 to $21) starting July 1, with the additional revenue earmarked for airport upgrades, tourism infrastructure, and efforts to address over tourism in popular destinations. Officials also hope the investment will encourage visitors to explore less-visited regions beyond major hubs such as Tokyo and Kyoto. For travelers, the increase adds a modest cost to future trips while potentially improving transportation, border processing, and access to destinations across the country. [Source]

Bolivia’s Protests Are Disrupting Travel, Not Shutting It Down

Ongoing protests and roadblocks in Bolivia are creating transportation challenges, particularly in and around La Paz, but most of the country’s major tourist destinations remain open. Travel operators say visitors are still reaching places such as the Uyuni Salt Flats, Lake Titicaca, Sucre, and the Amazon, though road travel can be unpredictable and domestic flights may face delays due to fuel shortages. Travelers with upcoming trips may need extra flexibility, alternative routes, or flight changes, but most experts are recommending itinerary adjustments rather than cancellation. [Source]

Japan Returns to Normal After Typhoon Jangmi Disruptions

Most of Japan’s transportation network and tourist attractions have resumed normal operations after Typhoon Jangmi brought flooding, power outages, flight cancellations, and rail disruptions across parts of the country. Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and other major destinations remain open to visitors, although some rural areas, hiking trails, and coastal regions are still dealing with localized flood damage, landslides, and road closures. Travelers can generally proceed with planned trips but should check conditions before visiting mountain, coastal, or remote areas where recovery efforts are still underway. [Source]

Egypt Remains Open to Tourists Despite Regional Tensions

Egypt remains open to visitors despite renewed missile exchanges between Israel and Iran, and the UK Foreign Office continues to consider major tourist destinations such as Cairo, Hurghada, Luxor, and Sharm el-Sheikh safe to visit. While no new travel warnings have been issued, officials are advising travelers to monitor developments closely as airspace disruptions and flight delays remain possible across the region. Anyone planning a trip should be prepared for schedule changes and keep an eye on airline updates before departure. [Source]

Despite Economic Pressures, Britons Still Prioritize Travel

New research from ABTA finds that nearly two-thirds of UK consumers plan to travel abroad in the next year, even as concerns about the cost of living and instability in the Middle East weigh on booking decisions. Many travelers are waiting longer to commit, with a growing number booking just weeks before departure as they monitor prices and world events. For travelers, that could mean more last-minute planning and potentially greater flexibility, but also fewer choices if demand remains strong. [Source]

That's all for this week. Let me know if you have any questions.

Safe travels.

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

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