13 Best Things to do in Kazakhstan

If you have been travelling for so long and are running out of places to visit, why not consider visiting Kazakhstan? Yes, the one and only Kazakhstan! Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world and the most developed of the -stans countries, and the largest country in Central Asia. Because of its large area,  It is surely difficult to run out of places to go and things to do in Kazakhstan. Cool, right? Hope you like our Travel Guide Kazakhstan and our Kazakhstan Travel Itinerary!

I first heard of Kazakhstan in the movie Borat. It is a really interesting place despite it not being in the usual travel bucket list of many. In this blog post, we will enumerate places to visit and different things to do in Kazakhstan that will surely make your trip remarkable. We will teach you how to move around Kazakhstan and where to stay in Kazakhstan.

Like I said earlier, Kazakhstan is a landlocked country, meaning it is almost entirely (maybe even entirely) surrounded by land. Its neighboring countries are Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, and China. The only sea border it has is the Caspian Sea, which is also a landlocked sea. Because of this, backpacking Kazakhstan is not that difficult because you can get there through land and air, which we will talk more about later. 🙂

Kazakhstan has a history that involves people of different nationalities- from Russians, Germans, Ukrainians, to Uzbeks, and many more. They comprise the people of Kazakhstan along with the country’s biggest ethnicity Kazakhs, which comprise 63% of the population.

They practice freedom of religion in the country but 70% of Kazakhstan’s population are Muslims. If you are wondering what their language is, it is called Kazakh. Russian is also widely spoken, and some people can also speak English.

BEFORE BACKPACKING KAZAKHSTAN

CURRENCY AND ATMS

Kazakhstan’s official currency is Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT). 1 USD = 340 KZT. There are many money changers or currency exchange in the airports, train stations, and streets of Kazakhstan. The rates in the streets are very competitive. 

ATMs are found everywhere in the streets of big cities. However, it may be hard to find one in small towns so make sure you withdraw before traveling to smaller towns. We also advise you to keep your loose change (coins) just in case you need it for train and bus rides and street snacks. Trying street foods is one of the top things to do in Kazakhstan.

SAFETY AND HEALTH

Vaccinations are common thing to consider before traveling to another country. Make sure to have an appointment with your doctor a month or two before the date of your trip to get the vaccines and medicines you need. However, no specific vaccine is required when visiting Kazakhstan. Yay, a good thing, right?

Is it safe to travel in Kazakhstan? Of course, it is! If you have ever heard or have read that crimes such as robbery and pickpocketing are common in Kazakhstan. We can’t say that it is really widespread because I did not experience it when I visited Kazakhstan and other Baltic countries last June 2016.

We suggest that you just take precautionary measures (like avoiding getting out at night and going to dark, quiet places) to avoid theft and be mindful of your belongings always. Foreigners are the usual targets so always be vigilant and of course, don’t forget to have common sense! 😉

Another reminder is to always bring your passport when you are outdoors! The authority may ask for it and they will fine you for not bringing it.

VISA

There are some nationalities who can visit Kazakhstan without visa for 14 days, 30 days, and 90 days. Europeans get 15 days free Visa upon arrival with no additional costs.

The requirements for backpacking Kazakhstan if you are a foreigner are:

– Passport valid for at least 6 months before intended stay in Kazakhstan

– Visa

– Tickets and Documents for return or onward travel

WEATHER/BEST TIME TO GO TO KAZAKHSTAN

If you will ask me, I would say summer is the perfect time to visit Kazakhstan. The weather is warm and it’s perfect for outdoor activities. Summer lasts from the end of May until mid-September. If you want to experience the very cold winter in Kazakhstan, visit here in November until the end of April. But we are warning you of the strong cold air that can be up to -50 °C!

You can also visit during the short and dynamic spring (from mid-April to end of May) and autumn which is also a short season in Kazakhstan (from end of September to beginning of November). But beware of the unstable weather during spring, you may experience changes in weather really quickly.

Click here to get real time weather updates in Kazakhstan.

Travel Tip: Equip yourselves with the right kinds of clothes so you can save yourself from buying new ones all the time. Check the weather before travelling and plan your clothes as well.

HOW TO GET WI-FI IN KAZAKHSTAN

Normally, Wi-Fi connection in the big cities can be easily found. You can get great internet connection in bars and restaurants. The opposite exists in rural areas in Kazakhstan, as Wi-Fi and data connection are hard to find.

If you want a prepaid sim card in Kazakhstan, then it’s better. Prices for a prepaid sim card and costs of prepaid load are crazy cheap!

HOW TO GET TO KAZAKHSTAN

When I went to Kazakhstan for my trip, I did it overland coming from Magnitogorsk, Russia. If you are coming abroad, let’s say Europe, most flights are destined to Astana and Almaty, Kazakhstan.

From London to Astana, it will cost you around $585 USD to 870 USDwith one stop (approximately an 11-hour trip) and around 1000 USD for a nonstop trip, taking approximately 7 hours.

From London to Almaty, it can cost you around $700 USD for a one-stop flight taking 10.5 hours, and around 880 USD for a nonstop flight taking 9.5 hours

HOW MUCH BUDGET DO YOU NEED PER DAY: TRAVEL GUIDE KAZAKHSTAN

You can make it through the day in Kazakhstan with a daily budget of 20-30 USD. Accommodation will be 10-15 USD per day. But food, water, tea and sodas are very affordable. Traveling in Kazakhstan is easy and you can manage to get through the day with less than 10 USD per day for basic local food, water and tea since it is so popular in Kazakhstan. For local transportation, in the cities you can get a bus for less than half a US dollar. For long distance buses, you will have to pay around 10-20 USDdepending om where you are going! Most of the museums and mosques in Kazakhstan are for free, so you will not spend extra costs in entrance fees! Local SIM Card is also very cheap, from 3-4 USD and you get internet and calls for a couple of weeks.

You can spend higher with your budget by going to restaurants, bars for nightlife, and expensive hotels if you want to have more comfort in your accommodation. But it´s also true that you can go below this daily budget if you do hitchhiking, couchsurfing, sleeping with locals or using your tent during your trip in Kazakhstan.

KAZAKHSTAN TRAVEL ITINERARY

This is my own Kazakhstan Travel Itinerary for two weeks that I recommend- starting from Kostanay, North Kazakhstan since I was coming from Magnitogorsk in Russia on my past trip. Having a local experience in remote areas where internet is not available was one of the highlights of my trip in Kazakhstan.

For your trip, maybe you are coming by plane to Almaty. This modern city can require 3-4 days of exploring in my opinion. You can do activities such as walking around, sightseeing, plus meeting locals and trying local food. To avoid a very long trip to Almaty, you can stop in Karaganda.

There are a few things to do in Karaganda and explore markets. Since it is not a big city, 2-3 days can be fine if you have time. From Karaganda to Almaty you will have a very long trip, I recommend you to take a night bus so you will save one night accommodation and you can go around during the day. Or if you find a place to stop on your way to Almaty and have your own local experience, it can be amazing too.

Once in, Almaty 4-5 days are fine. There are many places to go around Almaty. You can go hiking in the mountains and you can also visit the city which is very beautiful. After Almaty? I went to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. It’s not a very long distance and it’s a perfect place if you can continue your trip around the Stans! This Kazakhstan Travel Itinerary is over 2000 kilometers from North Kostanay to South Almaty.

TRANSPORTATION

Are you wondering how good or bad transportation is in Kazakhstan? Well, it is not really bad in big cities. There are local buses between cities and there are mini vans for small towns called Marshrutka. If you will take long trips, buses should be the first option. Roads from Karaganda to Almaty are so empty and the journey can last up to 16 hours! Almost one day of bus trip ha! Make sure you prepare for that very loooong trip. Prices are very affordable, so you don’t have to worry about high transportation rates. 🙂

HITCHHIKING IN KAZAKHSTAN

If you are backpacking Kazakhstan and you are going to hitchhike, transportation might be a little bit difficult because there aren’t many cars, therefore, you must be on a good spot to wait and ask the car drivers to drive you to your destination.

Make sure you pack enough food and water cause waiting for someone to drive you might take long! If you are taking the road between to Almaty from Karaganda, there won’t be anything in the middle of the roads, so it will be hard to find water and food. Take note that some drivers might ask for money in return of their service for you. Just negotiate and always haggle for the cheapest price. Read here about my experiences hitchhiking in Kazakhstan, Russia and the Baltic countries. Can be useful if you are planning to do the same in your nest trip!

ACCOMMODATION: WHERE TO STAY IN KAZAKHSTAN

Since Kazakhstan is not very touristic, there aren’t thousands of options on where to stay in Kazakhstan. However, there are still many places where you could spend the night.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN ASTANA WITH TRAVELPAYOUTS.COM!

You can find accommodation in hostels starting from 10 USD. You can always look for better but more expensive options if you prefer.

PLACES TO VISIT IN KAZAKHSTAN AND THINGS TO DO IN KAZAKHSTAN

1. EXPLORE ASTANA

I was surprised and amazed how modern the capital of Kazakhstan is! Transportation in Astana works really great. If you have a friend to show you around, it’s a plus, so you can enjoy the capital city the most. Also, prices in Astana are sooo affordable! Here are some of the things you can do in Astana:

VISIT MODERN PARKS

There are many modern parks in Astana like the Presidential Park, Lovers Park, Bauyrzhan Momyshuly Park, Central Park, Astana Triatlon Park, and a lot more.

VISIT LANDMARKS

Another one of the things to do in Kazakhstan (not just in Astana) is visiting its famous landmarks such as the Bayterek Tower, Nur Astana Mosque, Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, Astana Opera and Astana Arena.

WATCH BEAUTIFUL SUNSETS

Of course, going to the top places to visit in Kazakhstan, one thing to do is to watch its beautiful sunsets. Watching sunsets is one thing that you should never forget to do when visiting a country because I believe that sunsets in each country is different and unique in their own way. Capturing it with your own eyes and your camera is the best way to have a memory of it. 🙂

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN ASTANA WITH TRAVELPAYOUTS.COM!

2. VISIT KARAGANDA

Although Karaganda is not a very touristic place. It’s a great city to visit in the middle of your trip to walk around, meet locals and try Kazakh food.

When I visited here, WiFi connection was working well and there were a few street markets. The city isn’t big and it´s a short trip from Astana. Before going to Almaty, you should visit Karaganda to do these worthwhile and relaxing activities:

TAKE A PICTURE WITH MONUMENTS

Monuments and statues that are famous in Karaganda are Monument Mining Glory, Independence Stele, Monument to Cosmonautics, Statue of Lenin, and many more.

Statues of Lenin in Karaganda (Source: Wassily)

You should definitely take time to visit and take pictures with these famous statues and monuments to have more memories to keep from your trip to Kazakhstan.

VISIT CHURCHES

Karaganda Regional Mosque (Source: Evgeny Tkachenko)

There a lot of churches and mosques to visit in Karaganda. Some of which are Vvedenskiy Cathedral, Church of the Intercession, Church of Peter and Pavel, Karaganda Regional Mosque, which is one of the largest in Kazakhstan.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN KARAGANDA WITH TRAVELPAYOUTS.COM!

 

3. GO TO ALMATY

Almaty was the capital of Kazakhstan until 1997. It was the country’s trading and cultural hub and has a bigger population (1.5M) than Astana (814 000).

It isn’t that modern, and you can feel the local vibe everywhere. There are many good places here such as bars and restaurants, markets, and churches. Here are some of the things to do in Almaty:

VISIT LAKE ISSYK

Lake Issyk (Source: Leonid Dyachenko)

If you want to see and experience some beautiful nature, then visiting Lake Issyk should be on your list of things to do in Kazakhstan. You can capture one of Kazakhstan’s most beautiful landscapes here and you can relax and watch the sunset as well.

VISIT CHURCHES AND MOSQUES

Central Mosque of Almaty (Source: Sergey Rubtsov)

There is a Zenkov Cathedral in Almaty called Ascension, which is claimed to be second tallest wooden building in the world. You can also visit the Central Mosque, which is near The Green Bazaar, a large market for vegetables in the city.

GO TO CHARYN CANYON

Charyn Canyon (Source: Anna Anikina)
The majestic Charyn Canyon (Source: Dmitry Chistoprudov)

Charyn Canyon, or Sharyn Canyon, is an impressive 90-km canyon that boasts colorful formations in different sizes and shapes. It should be definitely on your list of things to do in Kazakhstan on your next trip.

HIKE IN THE MOUNTAINS

There are many mountains which you can hike in Almaty. One of which is Zailiyskiy Alatau, a mountain range that extends up to Kazakhstan’s neighboring country Kyrgyztan. The peaks of this mountain range are easily accessible from the center of Almaty, only a 30-minute bus ride. Hiking these peaks can give you one of the most beautiful sceneries you can ever see!

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN KARAGANDA WITH TRAVELPAYOUTS.COM!

BAYANAUL NATIONAL PARK

Bayanaul National Park (Source: Zekkadrb)

Another activity for nature lovers and adventure seekers, visiting Bayanaul National Park should never be forgotten in list of things to do in Kazakhstan! This national park is in Pavlodar Province. It is a protected site and a favorite spot of tourists.

Bayanaul National Park (Source: Zekkadrb)

Some activities you can do in this national park are hiking, biking, rock climbing, and swimming. Swimming can be done in Jasybay lake. There are guided yours around many areas of the park that you can avail when visiting. It is a must-see place in Kazakhstan! If you like hiking read how to hike Taal volcano in the Philippines and also read how to climb Mount Rinjani in Lombok, Indonesia.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN KARAGANDA WITH TRAVELPAYOUTS.COM!

4. ROAD TRIP ON THE HORSEBACK RIDING STEPPES

Kazakhstan is a country made of different kinds of land formations- meadows, desserts, plains, and steppes. If you have a car or have a companion to do a road trip with, then we recommend that you do this activity in Kazakhstan!

Did you know that Kazakh steppe is believed to be the first land where horses were tamed? It just proves that horses are tamed in Kazakhstan and these animals are a great provider in the country, whether be meat, milk, or their labor! In the present, you can even use these animals for trekking (horse trekking).

5. EXPLORE KOSTANAY

Kostanay, for me, is one of the memorable places in Kazakhstan. It is a rural area where I stayed with a Muslim family for three days. They were really nice and it where I tasted different Kazakh cuisines (which I will talk about later) like Kumis, Kurt, and Horse Meat. It was a really great experience for me! It´s a must having your off beaten path experience in Kazakhstan.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN KARAGANDA WITH TRAVELPAYOUTS.COM!

MORE THINGS TO DO IN KAZAKHSTAN

WHAT TO EAT IN KAZAKHSTAN

Kazakh food is a very unique cuisine that I really loved! It is very different from the food of Western countries and also the Southeast Asian food. Kazakh cuisine is heavily influenced by Russian food and some cuisine from Turkey.

Oh, its prices are cheap, so I really loved it! It is cheaper than Western food but not as cheap as the Southeast Asian food. Here are some of the Kazakh food I loved:

6. KUMIS OR HORSE MILK

As what I’ve said earlier, horses are a common source of milk in Kazakhstan. This kind of milk is very healthy and tasty! I actually liked it when I tasted it in Russia. Would you ever try kumis or horse milk?

7. TRY KURT

It is a very popular dish in Kazakhstan. It is a salty snack and it is made from dried salty cheese. I didn’t have many when I tasted it because the flavor is too strong and savory.

8. HORSE MEAT

Another popular food is the horse meat. It is one of the kinds of food I tasted when I stayed with a nice Muslim family. We tasted Beshbarmak, a dish which means “five fingers” because you are supposed to eat it with your five fingers. It is meat with boiled noodles and onion.

9. SHASHLIK OR KEBAB

This is a very famous dish in middle east and from other parts of the world. It is skewed meat (mostly lamb/beef) with vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions.

10. PELMENI

These are delicious dumplings with meat fillings such as pork, beef, or lamb. It may also be filled with vegetables. They also eat in Russia, it was one of my favorite food in Kazakhstan!

11. HERRING UNDER A FUR COAT SALAD / SHUBA / SELEDKA

This dish is a traditional one which has finely chopped pickled herring, beets, potatoes, carrots, eggs, and dressing. It is inspired from the Russians and a popular dish to make in Kazakhstan.

12. EAT BORSCHT

This is a very popular soup dish around the world. It has beetroot (which gives the soup its reddish color), cabbage, and potatoes.

12. JOIN FUN FESTIVALS

If you really love fun festivals, then traveling to Kazakhstan must be really for you! Here are some of the festivals you shouldn’t miss in Kazakhstan!

January 1-2 – New Year (according to Gregorian calendar)

March – The International Women’s Day

March 22 – Nauryz Meiramy

May 1 – Kazakhstan People’s Unity Day.

May 9 – Victory Day (a national holiday to honor the victory in Great Patriotic War)

August 30 – Constitution Day

October 25 – Day of the Republic

December 16 – Independence Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan

During these days, people usually dress in traditional dresses and visit their family and friends to have festive meals. Kazakhs really love festivals and they prepare for each festivity.

13. MEET AND BEFRIEND THE FRIENDLY LOCALS

This is something you shouldn’t miss when visiting Kazakhstan! You should definitely meet and make friends with locals as they are nice and friendly and will surely make your Kazakh trip memorable! Don´t be surprised if locals invite you for a tea, lunch or dinner. They will be surprise of meeting you and they are so hospitable people. Just relax and have fun with them!

Source: gamintraveler.com

This New Ferry Service Takes You From Manila to Bataan in Just 50 Minutes

By Sam Beltran on wheninmanila.com

Jan 28 2018

Depending on whether you’re riding by private car or by bus, a trip to Bataan can take you anywhere from two and a half hours to almost four hours, making the province one of the relatively closer weekend destinations to Manila. This should make your trips even easier, though: the local government of Bataan has announced the commencement of a new ferry service from the Mall of Asia (MOA) complex that will shuttle passengers to Bataan in just 50 minutes!

The new Fast Ferry boat service is operated by 1Bataan Integrated Transport System, which will transport riders from the Esplanade Seaside Terminal in Pasay City to Port Capinpin in Orion, Bataan via the Manila Bay. From the Orion port, passengers may also avail of the free shuttle service that has dropoff points along the Roman Superhighway, from the town of Dinalupihan in the north to the Authority of the Freeport Area (AFAB) Mariveles in the south.

The ferry service offers a promo fare of P450 for a one-way ride until February 28.

So if you’ve been planning to visit the famed Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, here’s your chance! You can also check out other sights and activities in Bataan, such as the Mariveles Five Fingers, among other spots to be explored.

Tag a friend you want to go to Bataan with!

Travel & Adventure

This New Ferry Service Takes You From Manila to Bataan in Just 50 Minutes

‘Get off your phone!!’ Day care’s message to parents goes viral

A day care in Texas has one message to parents picking up their children: Get off your phone. And it’s going viral.

Juliana Farris Mazurkewicz was picking up her kids at the day care outside Houston on Friday afternoon when she spotted a new sign welcoming her at the door.

The sign read: “You are picking up your child! GET OFF YOUR PHONE!!!! Your child is happy to see you! Are you not happy to see your child??”

It continued: “We have seen children trying to hand their parents their work they completed and the parent is on the phone. We have heard a child say ‘Mommy, mommy, mommy…” and the parent is paying more attention to their phone than their own child. It is appalling. Get off your phone!!”

Farris told Fox News she totally agreed with the message. She said she happened to have her phone in her hand at the time – usually she doesn’t bring into to the day care for the same reasons mentioned in the sign – and decided to snap a photo to share with her friends.

“I thought it was awesome,” she said on Wednesday. “I thought it was funny and it definitely made me (think).”

Farris uploaded the photo onto Facebook soon after and it has been shared more than 957,000 times.

“I think (the message) definitely resonates with people,” she said. “And it’s not just at the day care, it’s anywhere.”

Farris said she had not heard from other parents at the day care – though she hasn’t seen anyone on their phones since the sign went up. But people on Facebook have been weighing in.

“This needs to be posted everywhere this is a child trying to talk to their parents,” Maxime Singleton Guy wrote.

Some people did not share the sentiment.

Janise Warren wrote: “Sorry, I’d remove my child from that school. They are right, of course, but that sign is not how you talk to another person, especially one paying your salary. I’m sure it’s true to be heard by many parents, but these are the people I would have entrusted to help teach my kids respect and they were just as disrespectful with that sign as the parents were with the phone. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

“Some people have to work on their phones. I have my personal cell and a work cell,” Kirstin Ramsey wrote. “Just because I clock out of the office doesn’t mean I’m finished with my work day. There have been plenty of times I’ve picked up my daughter and been on a work call.”

As of Wednesday morning, the sign was still up, Farris said.

“We love this day care. It’s a great place – really loving,” she said. “They obviously care for the kids.”

Lucia I. Suarez Sang is a US/World News Editor/Writer for FoxNews.com.

She can be reached at lucia.suarez@foxnews.com.

What an Icelandic Airline Owner Can’t Travel Without

Photo
Credit
Getty Images

Skúli Mogensen, the founder and owner of WOW Air, the Icelandic budget airline that now flies to Reykjavik from Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, spends a lot of time in the air.

“Some say I live on an airplane,” he said. “I fly, on average, once a week.” When he isn’t traveling for work, Mr. Mogensen is based in Iceland and in London, but he tries to explore one new country each year.

“I just got back from a trip to Iran, which was very interesting,” Mr. Mogensen said on the phone from Reykjavik. “I met a lot of smart, open-minded people who as soon as they are given the right opportunities will thrive. I think there is an overwhelming understanding that they will need to continue to open up.”

He added that the capital was one of a few surprises he found in the country. “Tehran was far more developed and built up than I had anticipated,” he said. “One and a half hours away from Tehran you have huge mountains with amazing skiing. Most people think of Iran as a desert, but they actually have some of the best skiing in the world.”

Skiing is a favorite hobby of his. “That’s how I would love to spend all my winters; my favorite places are Verbier and Courchevel,” he said, referring to the Swiss and French ski meccas. “Here in Iceland we have phenomenal heli-skiing. You can ski from the top of the mountain down to the Atlantic Ocean. If you’re going in, say, late May, the sun never really sets and if the snow is still pretty good, you can take off at midnight. It’s spectacular.”

Photo
Skúli Mogensen, the founder and owner of WOW Air, the Icelandic budget airline.

With around 50 flights a year, he has perfected the art of packing.

“I’m a master packer,” he said. “I will always take just a carry-on. To be efficient, you do not want to have lost luggage. I’m running an airline and unfortunately these things happen. I try to travel as light as possible.”

His top packing tip? “You should know in advance what you’re going to wear,” he said. “If I’m traveling with colleagues, or my better half, they might bring three suits or five pairs of shoes for two days. I prefer to decide exactly what I’m going to wear beforehand and only take that.”

Here is what he brings on every trip:

“I bring running shoes and one set of gym clothes. It’s extremely important when you sit on a plane a lot just to go out and get some fresh air during your travels. It’s the best way to counter jet leg and travel tiredness. I also bring goggles and a bathing suit, which don’t take a lot of space.”

“I used to travel with my computer all the time. Now an iPhone or iPad is more than enough unless I’m going to do some heavy work on the plane. Any way you can reduce weight and hassle and keep it simple, I think that’s a good thing. The screen on the iPhone 7 Plus is so good that I can pretty much get anything done. I have very good thumbs.”

“I will always bring a paper book; I’m old-fashioned when it comes to books. I recently reread a fantastic book called ‘Abundance: The Future Is Better Than You Think,’ by Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler. I’m a huge optimist, and I couldn’t recommend it more. Now I’m reading ‘Bold,’ the follow-up.”

“I take my Garmin triathlon watch for tracking my running or swimming. I try to stay at a hotel with a 24-hour swimming pool so I can do some laps — sometimes you don’t want to go running outside at 4 a.m.”

“I have a Swiss army backpack that’s very robust. That’s my day bag. I use that a lot and I can use it to go hiking, so it’s multipurpose. Sometimes if I’m flying for a day trip, I’ll just take that.”

A version of this article appears in print on January 29, 2017, on Page TR2 of the New York edition with the headline: A ‘Master Packer’ Who Also Happens to Own an Airline.

Continue reading the main story

Source

Woman Goes Viral for 230-Pound Weight Loss

At just 25 years old, Lexi Reed weighed nearly 500 pounds. The Indiana native knew she was putting her health — and potentially her life — in jeopardy, which is why, on January 1, 2016, she decided something had to change.

Kicking off the new year with her biggest weight-loss resolution yet, Reed teamed up with her husband, Danny, to work their way toward a healthier lifestyle. Now, a little over a year later, the couple is still going strong — and they’ve lost nearly 300 pounds combined!

“The first 30 days we didn’t eat out,” Reed told local news station WTHI-TV. “We didn’t party with our friends or anything anymore; we didn’t have cheat meals. We just were constantly healthy. I think after that first 30 days, it just became so much easier because we had learned what we couldn’t eat. From there on, it wasn’t a resolution anymore; it just became our lifestyle.”

Once Reed lost her first 100 pounds, she decided to take her journey to social media, where she started her Instagram account, @fatgirlfedup. There, she posts gym selfies, meal ideas, and motivational quotes for an audience of more than 56,000 followers.

Reed never expected her weight-loss journey would matter to more than her immediate circle of friends — much less for it to go viral. But now that she has such a large Instagram audience, she hopes her weight-loss journey can motivate others.

“I just hope that if [people] do come to my page, they can find inspiration; they can find somebody to say it’s possible,” she said. “You don’t have to have surgery, and you don’t have to pay crazy amounts of money just to eat healthy or to have a trainer. Just move, start walking — all those things are just going to make a difference.”

Reed says there isn’t any special secret to how she lost 236 pounds. She simply credits changes to her diet and exercise routine. But there have been other benefits to her major lifestyle makeover: Reed says setting (and achieving!) weight-loss goals with her husband by her side has made their relationship even stronger, and the experience inspired her to head back to school to study nutrition.

This slow cooker recipe is going viral! How to make it for $1 a serving

Do you like burrito bowls from Chipotle? A recipe that’s going viral on Pinterest will feed a family of six for the price of just one burrito bowl at a restaurant.

Pinterest’s most popular slow cooker recipe

This slow cooker chicken burrito bowl recipe was first posted to the blog No. 2 Pencil in 2014, but Good Housekeeping reports that it has been saved nearly 600,000 times on Pinterest since then.

The magazine described it as the “most popular slow cooker recipe on Pinterest.”

You’ll want to check out the full recipe from No. 2 Pencil (and read the comments section for tips and tricks), but here are the basics so that you can try this at home just like I did!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 3 teaspoons of onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
  • 3 teaspoons of chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons of cumin
  • 3 cups of low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 can of black beans
  • 2 3/4 cups of instant whole grain brown rice
  • 1 1/2 cups of shredded Colby-Jack cheese
  • 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

This slow cooker recipe is going viral! Here's how to make it for $1 a serving

Start out by adding the chicken breasts, chicken broth, tomatoes, olive oil and spices to the slow cooker. The instructions said to set it on low for four hours.

This slow cooker recipe is going viral! Here's how to make it for $1 a serving

After four hours, remove the chicken from the slow cooker. Add the black beans and instant brown rice. Cook on high for 30 to 45 minutes.

This slow cooker recipe is going viral! Here's how to make it for $1 a serving

After that, shred the chicken and add it back to the slow cooker. The final step is to sprinkle the shredded cheese and put the lid back on until it melts.

This slow cooker recipe is going viral! Here's how to make it for $1 a serving

No. 2 Pencil suggests that you top off your burrito bowl with things like fresh tomatoes, avocados, green onions and sour cream.

This slow cooker recipe is going viral! Here's how to make it for $1 a serving

When I took a look at my receipt from Aldi, the cost of the meal worked out to a little more than $1 a serving, excluding the cost of spices.

  • Chicken broth: $1.39
  • Instant brown rice: $0.99
  • 1 pound chicken: $2.29
  • 1 ½ cups cheese: $1.35
  • Canned tomatoes: $0.49
  • Canned black beans: $0.59

A few people in the comments section of the No. 2 Pencil blog said they didn’t drain the tomatoes and black beans, so I didn’t either. Others added water to keep it from drying out.

The ultimate list of best travel movies

There is something awesome about watching one of those best travel movies which not only give you the wanderlust but inspire you to enjoy an endless adventure around the world. Whether you fancy a backpacking movie, an adventure travel movie or a movie about travelling the world, this list will take you beneath the surface and behind the scenes of cities and cultures around the world. Here is my ultimate list of the best travel movies.

Tracks Best Travel Movies

This is perhaps one of my favourite travel movies to date. Tracks is an Australian drama film which focuses on Robyn Davidson (Mia Wasikowska) who travels for 1700 miles Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean. She has four camels and her dog, and her journey is documented by photographer Rick Smolan. Tracks made me believe that any type of travelling can be done as long as you have the motivation and will to do it. Although most of the action happens in the Australian desert, Tracks is anything but boring and monotonous. I’ve seen Tracks on my way to Tokyo during a long-haul flight, and I can’t wait to re-watch it very soon!

Wild

Wild Best Travel Movies

Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) is determined to hike 1,100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. Her solo trip is in pursuit of healing and self-discovery, despite her lack of hiking experience. Although she encounters numerous problems and issues along the way, Strayed wants to redeem herself and continues on her journey.

Wild is an emotional drama about the turmoil of life and desperate need of redemption and hope.

Captain Fantastic

Captain Fantastic Best Travel Movies

Captain Fantastic is definitely not your ordinary travel movie, but it’s a film which inspires me to travel more and live unconventionally. Ben and his wife Leslie decide to live freely, in nature, together with their six children. As they don’t want to live the ordinary American life, they decide to educate their children in a non-conventional way. All children have great survival skills, know how to be self-reliant and think critically. Leslie is hospitalised and eventually commits suicide. The plot develops as Ben and his children have to go on a road trip to recover Leslie’s body and meet her last wish.

The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Grand Budapest Hotel travel movies

Grand Budapest Hotel is a fantastic movie which presents the life of Zero Moustafa who tells the story of how he managed to acquire ownership of the Grand Budapest Hotel. The film itself is very quirky, fun and incredibly well executed. Although set in the town of Nebelsbad in the Republic of Zubrowka (a fictional country), there is something about the Grand Budapest Hotel which is sure to give you the wanderlust.

Baraka Best Travel Movies

Full disclosure: I avoided watching this movie for a long time because I didn’t like the trailer, nor I tend to like documentary films with no narrative or voice-over. However, one sunny afternoon I decided to finally watch it and what do you know?! I thought it was one of the best travel movies ever. Baraka is a documentary film which explores our planet via a  kaleidoscopic compilation. Give it a chance, and I promise, it will change the way you travel because you will pay so much more attention to cultures, locals, activities and traditions.

Samsara Best Travel Movies

It’s only natural I’m going to mention Samsara, which is considered to be Baraka’s sequel. Samsara is a fantastic travel movie which is sure to give you the wanderlust. It’s a non-narrative documentary which was filmed over 5 years. If you love different cultures and fantastic landscapes, then Samara is the movie for you.

Eat, Pray, Love

Eat Pray Love Best Travel Movie

I still remember the first time I watched Eat, Pray, Love. As a result, I wanted to leave and teach in Indonesia for a year and then take it from there. It didn’t happen as in due course I met my future husband, but we both started travelling around the world. Elizabeth Gilbert (Julia Roberts) wants to rediscover herself and buys three tickets to Rome, India and Bali. It’s a romantic comedy and one of the best travel movies.

Handmaiden Best Travel Movie

Not the ordinary travel movie, but it sure instigates an Asian wanderlust. The Handmaiden was filmed partly in Japan and partly in South Korea. The movie is about a Korean con artist handmaiden whose sole purpose is to make the Lady fall in love with a fake Count. The plan is to steal her money and put her in an asylum. However, there are a few twists of events which make the movie incredibly exciting and rather unexpected. A real gem which will make you want to travel to both Japan and South Korea.

EuroTrip

EuroTrip Best Travel Movies

EuroTrip is a film is about Scott who got dumped by his girlfriend Fiona and decides to join his friends on a summer trip to Europe in pursuit of a German girl he really likes. The movie is about unpredictable adventures one will encounter during travels and it’s an easy movie which will put a smile on your face. Although some parts are highly exaggerated (like the trip to Bratislava), EuroTrip is meant to be a fun American movie which really plays on the European stereotypes.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Best Travel Movies

Walter Mitty is a man who always dreams of doing more, being more and having a spectacular life. He is a negative assets manager at Life Magazine and works with photojournalist Sean O’Connell. Mitty receives the latest negative from O’Connell which is meant to go on the cover of the magazine. Mitty realises that the negative is missing and has to go in pursuit of O’Connell to retrieve the missing picture. The movie is about the unexpected adventures Mitty has, a true travel movie which motivates us all to stop day-dreaming and start our journeys.

Into the Wild

Into the Wild Best Travel Movies

I know a lot of people really loved Into the Wild and in all fairness, it deserves to be on the list. BUT, although I totally understand the drive behind Chris’ travels, I’m not too sure I agree with his choices. Regardless, this is definitely one of the best travel movies out there which has to be watched at least once. The plot is relatively simple, Chris has enough of the material world and decides to break free. He is on a quest to get to Alaska and be self-sufficient into the wild…

The Best Marigold Hotel

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Best Travel Movie

This is an amazing story of how because of travels, people learn to become accepting and nice to each other. The Best Marigold Hotel is about eight individuals who have to go to India and decide to stay in the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which is not yet finished. The movie made me want to visit India and understand a completely different culture. One of the best travel movies for sure

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Wilderpeople Best Travel Movie

Set in the New Zealand bush, a young boy and his stepdad become the subject of a manhunt. The movie itself is quite an adventure with its comedy moments and dramatic parts. It’s definately a must see which will make you want to fly to New Zealand and explore the wilderness for yourself.

The Danish Girl

The Danish Girl Best Travel Movie

Not really classed as a travel movie, The Danish Girl is a must see for those interested in seeing beautiful Copenhagen. I loved the shots of the city, they made me want to visit the Danish capital. The Danish Girl is a romantic drama which about a husband who realises his lifelong identification as a woman. Are you ready to see Copenhagen in mid 1920s?

Moonrise Kingdom

Moonrise Kingdom Best Travel Movies

Going on an adventure has no age because these two twelve-year-olds fall in love and make a pact of living their lie in the wilderness. It’s a really nice movie which should inspire everyone to just follow their heart and embark on an adventure of a lifetime.

Under the Tuscan Sun

Under the tuscan sun best travel movies

Under The Tuscan Sun is about an American writer who decides to go on a trip to Italy as a result of a devastating divorce. This movie is a great reminder that life is a chain of unexpected events and we just have to take each day as it comes and make the most out of it.

In Bruges

In Bruges Best Travel Movies

Not your ordinary travel film, In Bruges is an action movie set in Belgium in the beautiful city of Bruges. I must admit, I watched this movie on several occasions just to admire the filming locations. Bruges is charming and quaint and it gives me the wanderlust, everyday, without fail.

Up in the Air

Up In The Air Best Travel Movies

Up in the Air is about Ryan Bingham (Goerge Clooney) who is a frequent flyer and spends most of his time in various airports. He wishes to become the seventh and youngest person to earn ten million frequent flyer miles with American Airlines.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Vicky Cristina Barcelona Best Travel Movie

Everyone recommends Vicky Cristina Barcelona as a great travel movie, but to be honest, I am not usually a fan of Woody Alan movies. I think he is an acquired taste. The movie is about two friends who spend a summer in Barcelona and become rather enamoured with the same artist.

Letters to Juliet

Letter to Juliet Travel Movies

Sophie goes to Verona, Italy and discovers an answered letter to Juliet, left at the lover’s Verona courtyard. She makes it her mission to find the mystery behind the letters and reunited the lovers. Set in beautiful Italy, Letters to Juliet is a wonderful romantic movie which is sure to make you want to travel.

P.S. I love you

P.S. I Love You Travel Movie

I was obsessed with the book and the movie when it first came out. It was because of P.S. I love you that I truly wanted to visit beautiful Ireland. A romantic drama where Holly received letters from her dead husband who helps her find her way.

Little Miss Sunshine

Little Miss Sunshine Best Travel Movies

This is the tale of an unconventional family who takes a cross-country road trip in their VW bus in order to get their daughter to the finals of a beauty contest. Noby said travelling with the family would be easy, but it will sure turn out to be full of weird adventures.

Departures

Departures Best Travel Movies

Departures is not about travelling per se, but it shows some touching customs from Japan. Along beautiful scenary, fantastic music and deep human connection, Departures is one of my favorite Japanese movies which always makes me want to move to the Japanese countryside.

Our Little Sister

Our Little Sister Best Travel Movies

This is yet another movie which will make you want to visit Japan and interact with the locals. It’s a story about family, loss and gain, betrayal and forgiveness. It’s a very simple story which will warm your heart and make you want to move into an old Japanese wooden house.

The Way

The Way Best Travel Movies

This is perhaps one of the best travel movies I’ve seen in recent years. Thomas Avery goes to France to retrieve the body of his son who died on the Camino de Santiago. Tom decided to walk the ancient trail and honour his son. This is a fantastic story which teaches us all that life is to be lives no matter what.

Leap Year

Leap Year Best Travel Movies

Anna Brady (Amy Adams) decided to fly to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend during leap year. The trip itself became an adventure and she is forced to take other means of transportation together with a handsome (and cynical) Irish innkeeper.

Lost in Translation

Lost In Translation Best Travel Movies

Please don’t hate me, but I didn’t like the premise of Lost in Translation at all. Sorry! But the reason why I would watch this movie over and over, is because of how cool Tokyo looks like in this film. The streets of Shinjuku, the beautiful view from the hotel’s window…WOW.

Bob and Charlotte form an out of ordinary connection whilst both having a bad time in Tokyo. They bond one night after experiecing the local Japanese nightlife and culture.

Priceless Best Travel Movies

Set in the beautiful French Riviera, Priceless is about a beautiful woman who only dates rich men. One night she falls for a hotel employee who pretends to be ridiculously rich. A fun little French comedy, Priceless is a great movie to watch during a flight. And of course, you will want to visit Nice after seeing the amazing filming location.

Made of Honor

Made of Honor Best Travel Movies

Who doesn’t want to watch a movie about Scottish traditions full of amazing views and sights of Scotish castles? Made of Honor is a romantic comedy about an American girl who finds her perfect Scotish fiancé during an art trip to Scotland and asks her best male friend to be her maid of honor.

Great Expectations

Great Expectations Best Travel Blog

I am recommending the Great Expectation from 1998, because this was by far my favourite version. Great Expectation is the contemporary adaptation of Charles Dickens novel. Finn falls in love with Estella which is set to break his heart.

The Shallows

Shallow Best Travel Movies

I watched The Shallows on my way to the Seychelles so probably, not the best choice! The Shallows is a survival thriller film starring Blake Lively who goes to a secluded beach in Mexico to surf.  Although the story itself is a little simple and far-fetched, The Shallows will make you want to surf and enjoy some seriously secluded nature by the beach. Just do me a favour, and don’t watch it before your honeymoon in the Seychelles…

I hope you enjoyed this list of the best travel movies and you are now ready to be inspired to go on an adventure. Which one have you seen already and which is your favourite? Let me know in the comments section bellow. 

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Please note that some of these links are affiliate links and if you decide to make a purchase using them, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. In doing so, you are helping me keep this site free and fun. 

7 super important travel tips for traveling with your dog in 2017

— dogs dogs dogs


Javier Brosch / Shutterstock

If whenever you leave home, you worry about how your poop pup will cope without you, then why not bring them along? You’re not alone in your undying love for your pooch. In fact, last year, dog ownership hit an all-time high. So we don’t blame you for wanting to keep your adorable dog by your side all the time. However, traveling with your furry BFF can be a headache if you don’t plan properly. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the most important tips for traveling with your dog in 2017.

Try to book a nonstop flight, because it will lessen your pup’s stress.

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Joanna B / Shutterstock

Just like people, dogs don’t like spending too much time going up and down in an airplane. So, for the sake of your pet, try to schedule travel so you only have one flight, instead of a connecting flight.

Familiarize yourself with your airline’s pet restrictions, so nobody’s surprised.

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Dora Zett / Shutterstock

There’s a lot to consider when taking your dog on the plane. If it’s small, most airlines will let your pup travel in a carrier that fits under your seat. BUT most still charge a pet fee. And if your dog is larger, it will have to travel in cargo. And some airlines, like Southwest, don’t allow dogs in cargo. Some airlines also want updated immunizations and other details on your pet. And also, some breeds aren’t allowed on airplanes, so make sure you do your homework before booking any nonrefundable tickets.

This awesome tool will tell you how “pet-friendly” your destination is.

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rebeccaashworth / Shytterstock

Barkability is a handy site created by DogVacay. Tell it where you’re traveling, and it will give your location a “Bark-a-bility” Score. It will also give you a map to nearby parks and info on Veterinary services in the area.

Take your dog on a nice long stroll before departure.

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Soloviova Liudmyla / Shutterstock

We could probably all benefit from this advice. A little exercise will get out some of your dog’s energy and help it relax. Plus, both of you could stand to move a bit before being stuck in one place for a long time.

If your dog’s flying in the cargo bay, make sure to clip its nails.

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wavebreakmedia / Shutterstock

You don’t want your pup getting their nails stuck in the kennel. Since it’s such a high-stress situation, best to make sure your pup is prepared.

The smell of lavender can help keep your pup (and you) calm.

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AlessandroBiascioli / Shutterstock

We all know how calming and serene lavender smells, and your pup likes it too. Just massage a little lavender oil between your hands and massage your pet. It’ll hopefully keep both of you feeling calmer.

Place your pup in its kennel for several pre-travel test runs.

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Sanit Fuangnakhon / Shutterstock

You don’t want your pup’s carrier or kennel to feel like a scary place, so get them used to it beforehand. Let your pet spend time in there while still in the comfort of its home, and it’ll probably be less freaked out when travel day comes.

With these tips, both you and your pet can travel safely and happily.

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puhhha / Shutterstock

And that will make your pet-friendly vacation even more special.

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HelloGiggles is a positive online community for women (although men are always welcome!) covering the latest in beauty, fashion, lifestyle, female empowerment, culture, relationships, friendship, careers, and issues that matter most to young women’s lives. A platform for writers and artists to create and share, HelloGiggles welcomes reader contributions and publishes them daily. And now, we are growing beyond just the website to include video, film, television and events. We were founded by Zooey Deschanel, Molly McAleer, and Sophia Rossi in 2011 as a place on the Internet to inspire a smile. We’re still trying to do just that.

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Dream Places You Wish To Visit Before You Die

World Inside Pictures keep inspiring you to travel to your dream places check out bellow what we have choose for you now. Stunning beauty of the mother Earth and incredible places touched by mans hand. It is always a wonderful feeling when you get in there all these places are so dreamy and makes you feel fantastic.

Blue Grand Canal And Basilica, Venice

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Strasbourg, France

2

Killarney, Ireland

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Lovely Sakura, Tokyo, Japan

4

300 Year old Oak Trees, Oak Alley Plantation, Louisiana

5

The Spider Bridge in Sun City Resort, South Africa

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Eternal shores, Ireland

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Upper Cathedral Lake, Yosemite, California

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Sunset at Kiholo Bay, Big Island of Hawaii

9

The Floating Gate of Itsukushima Shrine, Japan

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White River Falls Oregon

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Chikuraku Festival, Oita, Japan

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Lake Lucerne, Switzerland

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Rock of Cashel Ireland

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Camaldoli, Italy

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Tayrona National Park, Santa Marta, Colombia

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Hallstatt, Austria

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Corkscrew Falls, Hocking Hills, Ohio, USA

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Horse shoe bend, Colorado river, Grand canyon

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Havasu Falls Grand Canyon National Park

1117image source

Strange, but true: Pokémon Go is a ray of hope in a bleak world

Chaos is the new norm. Though some news headlines may still be capable of eliciting shock, they will hardly surprise you anymore. It is a sign of the times when Chachi from the “Happy Days” can return from the celebrity wasteland to prime-time television as a speaker at the Republican National Convention. In Nice, a truck became a weapon of mass destruction when it plowed through a crowd for more than a mile and killed 84 people. Deliberate shootings of African Americans and police officers were seen in Minneapolis, Baton Rouge, and Dallas, yet, as Gary Younge writes, it remains “easier to obtain a semi-automatic gun than to obtain health care” in this country. In an attempt to flex his credentials as a future Secretary of Islamophobia and expose a mind bereft of constitutional knowledge, Newt Gingrich called for the testing and deportation of all Muslims who are Sharia sympathizers. Donald Trump, who has little appetite for reading or complexity, would potentially preside over such a world and make decisions of consequence. And so it is little surprise that 75 million people sought a reprieve from the madness and have chosen instead to tune out and hunt for Pokémon.

Pokémon Go is a pandemic. The game, which is available for free download on Android and iOS, is a resurrection of the Nintendo-owned Pokémon brand that became popular in the late 1990s. It is now once again ascendant. The feverishly downloaded app uses a cellphone’s GPS and camera to make creatures called Pokémon “appear” on a user’s screen in and around his or her surroundings, with the ultimate goal being to capture them. This encourages unprecedented physical exploration, for to catch them all, a player has to exhaustively wander around real-world locations in pursuit. And short of leaving the planet, players are going almost everywhere. A 19-year-old girl in Wyoming discovered a dead body in the river during her quest. Two Canadian teenagers, oblivious of their surroundings, made an illegal border crossing from Canada into the United States during their searches. The Auschwitz Memorial had to ask gamers not to play on its grounds. A Bosnian nongovernmental agency is encouraging users to be wary of landmines left over from the 1990s conflict during their pursuits. Inadvertently, players are also stumbling into health.

Quite simply, a Pokémon is so tantalizing that it compels us to do the unimaginable: exercise. Deconditioned gamers griped about soreness after being forced to walk, run, and jump during their hunts. Since the app’s launch on July 6, its effect on physical activity is best captured through fitness tracker data. Users who mentioned Pokémon Go in their trackers were found to be walking 62.5 percent more than usual. “Pokémon Go” is being entered in workout logs by users of Under Armour’s MyFitnessPal, with individuals burning between 250-300 calories per session. This melding of fitness and gaming is unprecedented and encouraging at a time when more than one-third of the United States is obese. The condition alone contributes to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and even cancer. Though the app is unlikely to be a panacea for obesity, high blood pressure, or diabetes, it sheds the classic association of gaming with prolonged immobility and establishes a new and hopeful paradigm through its incorporation of fitness and a connection with the outdoors.

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Apart from encouraging gamers to leave their homes and obtain some much needed vitamin D from the sun, Pokémon Go has also positively affected those afflicted with mental health diseases. Those grappling with anxiety and depression have noted an improvement in mood due to the app, which promotes social interaction. In addition, the hippocampus (associated with learning and memory) and reward pathways (associated with motivation and goal-orientation) of the brain, which are understimulated in depression and inevitably atrophy, are hyperstimulated during game play based on fMRI studies. The app thus becomes a neurological antidote to depression. Professor Daniel Freeman from the department of psychiatry at Oxford University notes: “It [Pokémon Go] could be used to refocus your attention away from threat by getting you immersed in engaging activity, or it could be used to present the things you fear for long enough to help your anxiety naturally decline. Combine the right psychological science and augmented reality and you’ll have a really powerful treatment tool.”

The Pokémon Go hysteria, which has even gotten the attention of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, can mean whatever we want it to mean. It can be considered a transient fad, an escape from the macabre headlines, or something more profound. In the wake of a Republican National Convention that was, as David Remnick describes, a “four-day-long Fox-fest, full of fear mongering, demagoguery, xenophobia, pandering, and raw anger,” President Barack Obama reminded us about the importance of seeing ourselves in others. In a world currently riven by class, religion, and race, Pokémon Go attempts to do just that as it unites disparate individuals and allows them to shed their toxic assumptions. In the context of our times, this may potentially be the app’s greatest contribution. And perhaps due to our insatiable desire to catch all the Pokémon, we may just stumble upon the elusive land of mutual respect, justice, and love.