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Ruben Arribas

About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.

High Income, Low Wealth? The Net Worth Test That Redefines Wealth in America

You can have a fat balance sheet and still live a thin life. The spreadsheets say millionaire, the Tuesday says takeout at 9 p.m., two cars that never stop billing you, and a body that needs coffee to impersonate you. You do not live inside your balance sheet, you live inside your week. Once you …

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This Is What Italians Actually Cook on Tuesday Night

If you think Italian home cooking is a never-ending parade of simmering ragù and nonna-approved feasts, you’ve been watching too much internet Italy. Real Tuesday-night Italian cooking is mostly about getting fed with what’s already in the kitchen, in under an hour, without turning dinner into a second job. The most “Italian” thing about a …

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5 Years in Spain: Why We’re Never Coming Back to America

Five years in, Spain stopped feeling like the “move abroad” experiment and started feeling like the default setting. Not perfect. Not always easy. But quieter in the ways that matter, and livable in the ways the US kept making expensive. We still love a lot about the US. We miss people. We get nostalgic. But …

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I Ate Mediterranean Breakfast for 30 Days, My Doctor Cut My Statin Dose in Half

So here is the quiet trick I kept ignoring because it sounded too simple. I stopped treating breakfast like a dessert or an afterthought and made one Mediterranean plate every morning for thirty days. Olive oil, protein that behaves, real bread in small slices, fruit that looks like it grew somewhere, and coffee that is …

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She Moved to Lisbon With $180,000 at 58: Bank Account Balance 3 Years Later

If you arrive with a tidy nest egg and no plan for rent, Lisbon will eat your confidence first and your savings second. The surprise is not that it’s expensive. The surprise is how fast “just one more year” becomes a full drawdown schedule. She landed at 58 with $180,000 in liquid savings, a carry-on …

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The Shower Habit Europeans Have That Completely Shocks Americans

And what it reveals about privacy, water, and why hygiene isn’t just about soap it’s about rhythm Americans traveling through Europe often encounter a familiar frustration: the shower. Sometimes it’s a handheld nozzle instead of a fixed head. Sometimes there’s no curtain, just a small half-glass partition. Sometimes there’s no wall hook at all. And …

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How to Make Pad Thai That Actually Tastes Like Thailand

Pad Thai is one of the world’s most beloved noodle dishes, often seen as the gateway to Thai cuisine. Its perfectly balanced flavors of sweet, salty, sour, and umami create a dish that is satisfying yet light, indulgent yet refreshing. Stir-fried rice noodles are tossed with eggs, tofu, crunchy bean sprouts, and your choice of …

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7 Things Tourists Should Never Do in Costa Rica

Costa Rica, a gem nestled in the heart of Central America, is renowned for its lush rainforests, stunning beaches, and a vast array of biodiversity that attracts nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Each year, thousands flock to experience its volcanic landscapes and the laid-back rhythm of ‘Pura Vida’ the pure life. Ready to see …

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22 Colombia Travel Errors That Can Ruin Your Trip

Traveling to Colombia can be one of the most memorable experiences you’ll ever have. The country’s landscapes, food culture, and warm hospitality are captivating, but they also come with social norms and unspoken rules many first-time visitors don’t realize exist. What might seem harmless to a tourist can easily come across as disrespectful, unsafe, or …

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Authentic Colombian Sancocho Recipe (Made the Local Way)

Few dishes capture the heart and soul of Colombian cuisine quite like sancocho. This beloved, slow-simmered soup is more than just comfort food it’s a cherished tradition passed down through generations, with each family adding their own touch. Made with hearty chunks of meat, root vegetables, corn on the cob, and plantains, sancocho is a …

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What YouTube Doesn’t Tell You About Moving Abroad

YouTube makes moving abroad look like a clean swap: better weather, cheaper groceries, nicer people, a cute apartment tour, and a life that finally makes sense. What it doesn’t show is the part where your bank account gets temporarily wrecked, your identity gets scrambled, and you spend an entire Tuesday arguing with a website that …

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