Coming to you this week from 📍 Austin, TX

Hi -

We've finally made it to the great state of Texas - time to bask in that southern charm! But before we dive in...

... it has been a really, really tough time for friends and family back home in India. COVID-19 (and this fourth wave) is decimating the supply chain and impacting millions of lives across the country. Several of my (Akaash) own family members have been impacted. Our thoughts are prayers are with everyone in India (and the entire South Asian subcontinent) as we support them however we can (UNICEF USA has earmarked contributions through that link for the India COVID-19 effort, btw)

Now, grab a beer and crack a cold one with the boys... let's recap the past few weeks:

✍ Some recent ponderings and posts about travel, past and future ~

• A staple of pandemic travel has become spending more time outdoors. The National Park system in the United States is somewhat of a spectacle in that regard and has boomed as a choice destination for travelers this year. We were no exception 😊 and here are a few tips we've learned on doing it right.
• While in New Mexico, we made a weekend trip over to Santa Fe. To say we'd heard good things would be an understatement. And we just have to say... Santa Fe lived up in every way. It's the real deal when it comes to art, culture, food, and an eclectic vibe words cannot do justice. Instead, we hope you'll enjoy a few highlights from the coolest art exhibit and iconic remnants of history this gem of a city has to offer. We'll be reliving these until our return.
• New Mexico food was a total treat, too! Beyond just the green chile 🌶 Given how major of a component food is to our travel, we rounded up the best of New Mexico food in this guide (with an Austin food guide coming soon!).

📺 TV from the past we're enjoying for the first time ~

• I know we're about a decade late to the party, but to all those friends who sung praises of Modern Family back in the 2010s... thanks for not giving up on us 😏 Right after getting to Austin, we finally started watching from the beginning (thanks @fit.neesh for housing & entertaining us with this show!) and it has quickly become our evening binge.

💉 Health tips that saved us this weekend ~

• After a long-awaited, modest bachelor party celebration this past weekend, we've all been reminded of how the usual shenanigans 🍻🍷🥃🍾 hit different when we no longer have the liver of a thriving 21-year-old.
• Luckily, a few pro tips went a long way to keep us sane: 1) Pregame with this magical Liquid IV, alongside your pregame beverage of choice. Your not-so-dehydrated self with thank you later. 2) Before going to bed, pop one of these milk thistle pills. This herb is magic for the liver and does a shockinlgy good job of fending off the dreaded hangover headache. Finally, 3) if all else fails, swallow your pride, brace yourself, and jump into a ice cold shower (have you heard of the Wim Hof Method?!) in the morning. Besides shocking the hangover out of you, your body will thank you on so many fronts!

Lots more in store in the next few weeks! Until then, thanks for keeping up with us. If you've got any feedback, suggestions, or favorite spots in Austin, TX for us to visit, hit us up via reply or Instagram message.

🚗 Wondering how the heck we're gonna get our car back to Seattle,

Akaash (& Midori)

---

FYI - some of the links in this email, if used to purchase or signup for a service, may result in us earning a referral bonus. These small commissions help keep us on the road longer - and we appreciate the support! ✈ We stand by all of our recommendations. Read our full disclosure here.