For me, it was about experiencing the world past fleeting vacations. I needed to immerse myself in different cultures, type significant connections, and push my comfort zone. The highs of waking up in a brand new nation, discovering hidden gems, and making lifelong friendships outweighed any of the struggles I encountered alongside the method in which. The level of element that you need to go into together with your budget is dependent upon how good you’re with money.
Using these online trip planner websites is tremendous easy since all you need to do is enter your vacation spot and hit the search button. You can filter the results by class, worth, period, and extra, so they’re two of the most effective journey planning apps out there. Depending on the vacation spot, a few of these cards can also include certain excursions or tickets for the sightseeing bus.
Its also clever to familiarize yourself with local emergency numbers. Staying healthy also means staying hydrated and consuming properly. Balance indulging in local delicacies with sustaining a nutritious food regimen. This steadiness is key to having fun with your prolonged travels to the fullest. Food expenses can quickly add up, so it’s necessary to have a plan. Research the typical meal costs in your chosen vacation spot, and determine how usually you want to eat out versus cooking your own meals.
You can determine the place to go next based on a number of elements, however I imagine the best means is to strategy it logically. Not only will this be the simplest method to plan, it’ll additionally probably save you money. We traveled by prepare to a lot of places, just hopping to the next nation over.
We always maintain all of our electronics in our keep on baggage. This means we all know it’s protected and we can access it simply at anytime. We hold copies of all important documents on our telephones and extra copies on a hard drive (cloud storage works too) so we can all the time access them if needed.
These paperwork function essential proof in emergencies or when coping with native authorities abroad. Carrying physical copies and digital versions ensures accessibility regardless of circumstances. Always verify that the documentation includes coverage begin and end dates, in addition to particular benefits and exclusions related to long-term journeys. In instances where policies do not mechanically renew or require reapplication abroad, contacting the insurance supplier instantly is crucial. Some suppliers provide multilingual customer support or local agents to facilitate communication. Maintaining copies of the unique coverage paperwork and proof of coverage can expedite the renewal process and supply reassurance in case of disputes.
Consider bringing two totally different playing cards, in case you have any bother with considered one of them. Your baggage are packed, your route is about, and the journey of a lifetime is just around the corner. But before you’re taking off in your long trip, take a few minutes to go over these final, essential ideas.
It is 100 percent alright to not love somewhere JUST as a result of everyone else does. Think of it like marmite, some people assume it’s the greatest thing on earth, and others can’t bear it. This is a common drawback I discuss in my trustworthy disadvantages of a niche yr submit. Photos today can make a spot look unimaginable, however then you arrive and see it’s MUCH smaller than you anticipated.
Some travellers prefer to report each moment, whereas others prefer to go utterly tech-free – it’s utterly right down to what you prefer. As writers and photographers we feature a lot of electronic gear, however that comes with its downsides too. It provides to the burden, and creates an additional layer of unease when carrying valuables in transit. For extra tips and insights on this, take a glance at our information to tips on how to handle money when travelling. Packing cubes are also a must-have for giant trips; we by no means travel without them.
It could be each extremely rewarding or extremely frustrating. In the start, we spent a lot of time learning how to find the best deals and created a internet site solely dedicated to motels (see it here). We also tend to go for an excellent location because this saves a lot time. We at all times use Booking.com and recommend you learn our suggestions for booking cheap resorts for more info.
Not solely will they be extra “portable”, and your journey will turn out to be extra budget-friendly, you additionally won’t need to think a lot about school and your kid’s training. Travel offers individuals the chance to see new places, experience new cultures, make new associates, and learn about themselves. But whether you’re on a 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, or open-ended journey, there are additionally downsides. Dedicate time each day to exploring your new surroundings.
Your insurer must learn about all pre-existing situations, not simply yours – additionally inform them about any situations your travel companions could have. This way, your insurer can supply the right stage of cover for everybody in your group. On the other hand, some companies supplied more complete protection, together with evacuation and repatriation. Additionally, worldwide insurance coverage often only covers quick care, not check-ups. Local vs International insurance is an important consideration for long-term travelers. Faye Travel Insurance is the best choice for worldwide journey, providing strong protection for travelers overseas.
Start by thinking about the length of your trip and what actions you’ll be doing – this will help you determine what garments and equipment you may need. Then, bear in mind the climate of the areas you will be visiting and pack accordingly. Additionally, try to pack versatile gadgets that can be utilized for multiple functions.
For years, I’ve cut up my life between being a hermit in my Bandung, Indonesia residence and embarking on 2-3 month overseas adventures to vary the surroundings. You’d by no means consider how many individuals on the road would love to meet someone and have a relationship. But many of these people are not in a place lengthy enough to find a significant love curiosity. I am eternally being asked, “where will you settle when you’re accomplished travelling? You’d be shocked how many times you bump into the identical people additional alongside your itinerary. If you’re in a model new location each week then it definitely is tougher to ever really feel “at home”.
In the past two months when we’ve began to really feel this way — even just a bit — we’ve stopped for a couple of days. Every once in a while when touring for an extended time frame, you would possibly simply want a break, even when you’re in an incredible place. Many trip home booking websites enable travelers to make arrangements immediately with homeowners (HomeAway has this policy), giving travelers the chance to negotiate. On the road, you’ll be spending plenty of time together, often much more time than you spend with your vital different. We’ll be spending the next four months touring via Central and South America, attending to know the region, and practicing our Spanish. Often the most costly a half of travel is getting there so once we go to South America, we’ll go once for six weeks — rather than making 6 one-week trips — to save cash.
For most individuals, we will afford those issues we prioritize. And whereas life is rarely that simple, worldwide world journey is probably going more affordable than you assume—it all depends on how you save, where you go, and for the way long. These resources share the way to navigate budgeting and all issues money and journey. With higher planning and more of a “living in the moment” perspective, you could be happy with what you’ve seen and skilled rather than making an attempt to squeeze more into your trip schedule.
A well being check-up before travel can even assist identify any underlying health circumstances which will affect your journey plans. We discovered that many of these firms provide similar benefits, such as medical coverage and journey cancellations. You must also contemplate the scope of every coverage possibility, including the plan’s profit limits for lost baggage.
Picking long-term journey insurance means looking carefully at what advantages you’ll really use. Comparing plans and understanding what’s not included will assist you to avoid surprising medical costs and monetary burden. We don’t need to pack as many clothes and worry about packing additional sunscreen, treatment, and different essentials. Therefore, packing for a short-term trip is much simpler than packing for a backpacking adventure. Unless you’re planning your trip to the moon, there’s a high chance that you could buy the items you want at your vacation spot.
It even protected my laptop computer from spilled water on the plane as soon as. It’s no secret that I have a lot of different camera gear for travel. I now pack most of my stuff within the backpack above, however it hasn’t all the time been this manner. I will share some nice digital camera baggage for journey and in addition the cameras that I use now and have used up to now on extra of a budget. I put different things in each one – shoes and one packing dice within the backside, other packing cubes/bags and toiletries in the prime, and additional stuff in the sides. MY exact bag isn’t obtainable online proper now, however I linked two comparable ones below.
To find out extra in regards to the nuances of spending a lengthy time in a rustic and get insider ideas, ask other vacationers in Facebook travel groups like ours or these devoted to digital nomads. For instance, Western Europe is much more inexpensive within the winter months (except should you plan to go to the popular ski destinations). However, touring in the low season tentends to limit your options. At the very least, perceive in case your job shall be held do you’ve got to determine to journey for a few weeks or months. Remember to tell your financial institution of your long run journey plans before your departure.
Alternatively, you can buy an inexpensive bus or practice ticket out of the country and have this as your proof of onward travel. As this technique may not work everywhere, perform some research on your vacation spot nation beforehand to make certain. As some vaccinations consist of several photographs that need to be taken weeks or months aside, begin the method early. At the end of the day, which vaccinations you should get comes down to how much risk you’re willing to tolerate by way of doubtlessly contracting a disease whereas travelling.
You will quickly realise that the US greenback is king outdoors of Europe! We saved British Pounds for our trip, but every little thing we do now is in USD. We used a few tried and tested techniques to give you our every day price range to assist us calculate our bold budget of 30 USD a day for each of us. Keep in thoughts these are not suitable for all international locations, modesty is key in lots of Asian international locations. I personally only use my strap high as a base layer in colder climates. Merino garments usually are not cheap however in my opinion, they are value each penny.
For instance, a shawl could be worn as a scarf, headband, or belt. A good start is to contemplate the local weather where you may be going and pack for that region – assume heat weather in summer season, chilly weather in winter, and so on. Wanderlog’s Explore feature helps you uncover new and thrilling destinations based on your pursuits, price range, and travel style.
You will need bug repellant or clothes that covers your pores and skin for Southeast Asia. Hiking boots are a a lot safer possibility for hikes than Chucks. We all the time travel with headlamps for power outages or late-night/early-morning actions.
These are a bit heavy, so contemplate how lots of the four you truly need to hold. Both ladies have waterproof Columbia Arcadia Rain Jackets. While they roll up properly, they don’t fit into their packing cubes so we stock them in our luggage instead.
It’s a life-style, and it’s going to be just as scary leaping out because it was leaping in. As scared as I was after I finally walked into my boss’s workplace after months of planning and informed them I’d be leaving on the end of the month to journey the world, I’m dedicated now. It took a lot of deliberate, calculated steps to get to this point, and I’m sure it’ll take just as much work to cease. As onerous as it is to regulate to the tradition shock of being in a brand new place, reverse tradition shock if you return home is a lot worse. Every individual crosses your path for a purpose, and being in an unfamiliar place opens up your coronary heart and your thoughts to these lessons.
I don’t need to finish this record of the benefits and disadvantages of travel on a adverse, so here’s my ultimate main advantage. The extra you journey, the more you realise that there are such a lot of unbelievable issues to find, discover and study in this world and how essential utilizing your sources to expertise these is. Travel has been the biggest affect on my common mindset and outlook on life. It continually teaches me to value minimalism and helps me to actually perceive simply how little material wealth issues.
For anyone considering of long-term journey, extended journey or even shorter journeys I assume you’ll discover many issues arising helpful and attention-grabbing. 🛏️ Find great accommodation.Booking.com is essentially the one lodge reserving web site that I use. It has a wide and reasonably priced choice of traditional resorts, but additionally hostels and trip rentals, too.
In fact, we thought of skipping the last several weeks, shortening our around the globe itinerary and traveling to Myanmar or Thailand early. But our time in India changed us in so many ways…how we travel, who we’re as a household, and the way we take into consideration our place on the planet. Since we traveled as a family, we had to regulate to being with one another every moment of the day. We needed to get into this new groove of touring in a place that felt considerably acquainted to us. We did not need to cope with culture shock, exotic locales, and a new style of touring suddenly, so Italy made it as our first vacation spot of the journey.
A lot of people feel like they completely at all prices should leave the place they grew up in order to develop and get out of their consolation zones. Now, we each had great upbringings in nice locations, however we additionally had a burning need to go away. Another benefit of this firm is you could purchase a coverage even when you’re already traveling. You don’t essentially need to be in your home nation whenever you set it up, a requirement that many other insurance firms have. The SafetyWing Nomad Insurance Essentials has a monthly subscription mannequin and you’ll cancel whenever you want.
It takes longer to save for long term travel as a family and you will probably want a greater security net if you’re traveling with children. Some save harder for longer and work out distant work as they go, whereas others establish their remote work earlier than they set off. From finances lodging to splashing out on dream stays, finding genuinely kid-friendly locations to stay can be a nightmare at instances. After years of trial and error, we have labored out some suggestions that may assist every family discover higher accommodation as a household. Honestly, we really wish we had labored out lots of this sooner.
In the long run, once we plan for trips which are longer than two weeks, we’ll build in some downtime to reduce journey burnout. If you’re thinking of taking a last-minute vacation to a specific area or metropolis, check to see what’s taking place there right now, or what’s upcoming on the tourism calendar. If you’re not sure you can spend 24 hours a day along with your finest pal, it may be time to contemplate other travel companions. Just make sure you and your travel companion are on the same web page concerning the structure of your journey and who gets input into the planning course of, and you’ll be good to go. The solely things I’d add to this packing list for a longer round-the-world trip can be a shawl and a pair of lengthy underwear. Americans get a median of 25 days of trip every year, so after they think of travel, they often assume it must match into this time frame.
And if staying at hostels with shared dorms, a lock is important. We have listed a number of choices to keep your belongings secure right here. We at all times recommend leaving priceless locked at your lodging and considering shopping for an anti-theft bag. Pickpocketing will always put a damper in your mood however if you are alone and on a long journey, it’s additional necessary to make sure your monetary means are covered. Everyone wants to see as much as potential, however you have to take breaks where you slow down and process what you are seeing and doing.
Yeah, we long-term travelers save a bit for a wet day, however we don’t worry in regards to the future. Take care of your present, and your future works itself out. All of the maps of this around the globe itinerary have been made on Travellerspoint.com. Do you might have massive goals running through your head about touring around the world? Learn in regards to the journey planning course of, what it’s like on the road, and what to anticipate whenever you finally come home. In Myanmar, our first week was spent in Yangon, getting visas for Thailand, doing somewhat sightseeing, and getting get caught up on issues like homeschooling and future journey planning.
Remember, good financial planning can prolong your travel period considerably. When choosing journey insurance for long-term trips, it is important to judge the coverage scope relative to private needs and journey plans. Ensuring the coverage consists of complete medical protection, together with emergency treatment and hospitalization, is paramount.
Then once they do meet someone, except you’re both able to travel to the same places, for a similar length of time, it often comes to an end because of the logistics. This can additionally be one of many major reasons for people making sacrifices to their very own plans to please one other particular person. Compromise is okay, but sacrifices ought to be made with warning.
We’ve found these don’t have pretty a lot as good of back support as a conventional backpack, and different people end up wheeling them round more typically than not. We created a packing video of when Katie went on a month long trip around the world with the United Nations World Tourism Organization. And greatest yet, this packing listing is written for men and women, so everyone can use it.
Remember these solutions aren’t any one’s enterprise but your personal and it’s ok should you don’t have an answer simply yet. And not everyone needs to plan the rest of their life right now. I ran into 3 teams of associates at different factors in Southeast Asia! Having a number of familiar faces pop up throughout the journey can make you feel extra comfy in a new place. Always purpose to find one constant to offer you that sense of familiarity, maybe a food that’s related between destinations.
Staying versatile with my travel plans is something that gives me confidence. Plan every little thing the way you want, so you’ll be able to change it later if you like whenever you arrive at your destination. You will come across places you’d like to linger at in addition to places that are much much less nice. Some places may be costlier than you had initially planned. At the identical time, different locations can actually be less expensive.
Do you ever sit at work and suppose “I’d love to go to South America” or “Take me to a Thai Island beach! But now our travel bucket listing is sort of filled with ticked bins, and we really feel so content that we’ve seen many of the locations we have to. We loved the perpetual buzz of seeing major sights for the first time, consuming outrageously good native food and pushing onerous to finish extremely multi-day treks within the mountains. The constant nervous-but-excited butterflies feeling of going somewhere new is the explanation why travel is so addictive to so many people. It sounds fairly apparent, however the whole point of touring long run is to see the cities, international locations, continents and cultures in your bucket record.
Staying connected is essential, especially throughout extended travels. Regularly replace your liked ones and associates about your whereabouts. Utilize social media and travel blogs to share your experiences and tips with fellow travelers. This not only retains you related but also creates a platform for exchanging ideas and recommendation.
We recommend you obtain them all earlier than you allow and begin getting conversant in them so if you finish up on the road you’re like a fighter jet in a sea of snails. Crystal doesn’t do any long-term traveling without her Bluetooth speaker (she just loves music THAT much). The UE Roll is certainly one of the best choices as a outcome of the sound is obvious and loud and the actual speaker is small and flat-ish. It can be water-resistant, which comes in handy when traveling (spills, rain, and whatnot). If you ever use public entry WiFi whereas touring (like an airport, restaurant, trip rental, or hotel) then you’re probably putting your online security in danger by hackers.
Consider elements such as the price of flights or long-distance travel, in addition to the average nightly price of accommodation. You may also need to analysis alternative choices similar to hostels, Airbnbs, or house-sitting alternatives to reduce these costs. Additionally, contemplate the worth of local transportation and any long-term journey passes that might provide financial savings.
Group them by general location (country or region) and, if you’re formidable, a ranking of how much you need to see that factor. Traveling for a yr (or more) is a BIG task, and even if you’re the type of one who prefers to float, you have to start somewhere to flow FROM. Do you have any other things to contemplate whereas selecting your subsequent journey destination?
If you buy the Annual Plan, you’ll find a way to journey as much as you want with the maximum consecutive journey time of 45 days. Travel insurance is extra difficult for households and you will want to do a bit extra analysis to work out what is true for your family. There are an excellent vary of journey insurance coverage choices but as you’ve in all probability started to notice it’s all the time a contact extra complicated to get it right for a household. Get into the small print and make calls if you’re not sure before you’re taking out a policy. We are actually greater than a yr and a half into full-time family journey and we definitely made some mistakes alongside the way. We thought we needed to adapt our travel type barely and slow down.
Track your bills utilizing apps or spreadsheets to remain on track. Leaving your house base for months at a time can sound intimidating, however there are many women who are making a go of it, including me. For the previous three years, I’ve practiced the artwork of the longer keep, living for months at a time in countries like Mexico, Spain and Italy. This 12 months, after our 30th-anniversary cruise in November, I plan to spend a number of months abroad and haven’t quite determined when or if I’ll return to Canada.
So which means when you wish to journey for a very long time you need to issue all these prices in and discover a way to afford it. The Complete plan is designed for the long-term nomad, with both health and journey upgrades for actually comprehensive protection. This plan contains routine verify ups, mental health care, maternity and more starting at $150 USD / month. SafetyWing offers two insurance coverage merchandise specifically designed for remote staff and travelers (plus one particularly for distant companies).
In short, travel insurance coverage protects you from theft or accidents that happen during your trip–and it can even cover emergency medical expenses! It’s necessary to purchase travel insurance coverage earlier than leaving home so that if anything does go wrong, you will be protected by the policy’s phrases and conditions. You should buy travel insurance from most main credit cards, or you might get a standalone coverage. Much of Heymondo’s enchantment is in its easy-to-use cellular app, via which you can file a claim, chat with a doctor or make a free worldwide call for help.
They are available a small reusable holder, so they’re straightforward to pack and don’t weigh a lot. These run very small, so get the grownup size, even for youthful youngsters. Cynthia has a Timex Ironman Transit 33mm Mid-Size Resin Strap Watch. She likes the 2 time zones and easy-to-read show with the day of the week and date and Indiglo. It just works for her, it’s colourful, and it’s not costly. We carry a collection of lotions, sprays, and different gels to take care of the results of bug bites and an excessive quantity of solar.
Everyone has had their device die on them on the precise incorrect time. A family journey is amongst the most rewarding experiences you can have as a household. With cautious planning, financial preparation, and an emphasis on creating a versatile and fascinating setting, your trip can offer both enjoyable and progress for every member of the family.
Some international locations request having a blank page for either an entry stamp or a visa. If you don’t have any clean pages left, you may be refused entry. They’ve been damaged up into daily bills and other non-daily bills.
Before I say goodbye, I need to advocate some trip planning apps that can make organizing your trip even simpler. We also carry a Wise bank card with us, which comes in handy when we have to withdraw more cash and need to avoid further charges. Currently, we have annual multi-trip insurance coverage with Heymondo, which is the most effective journey insurance on the market with one of the best coverage-to-price ratio. You can even get a travel discount with Heymondo only for being our reader. You don’t want to skip this step, particularly if you’re undecided the means to plan a trip or you’re visiting a place for the first time. Booking a tour or two will assist you to benefit from your journey, and since a information will lead you, it’ll be an informative and entertaining expertise.
Lay a folded t-shirt, a pair of shorts, and a pair of underwear vertically stacked. Put an extended sock across them like the top of “T.” Roll the sock down, keeping every thing neat, after which shut the ends of the sock, creating slightly outfit bundle. But I guess in some ways we’re creatures of consolation and even something as great as traveling can’t completely change that. But simply as, and if not more necessary, is that touring helped and nonetheless helps me to turn into a greater model of myself.
These pants run small—truly very small, like possibly go up two sizes in case you have giant hips/butt. I had one on my round-the-world trip, and it’s all the time with me now, too—over the years I invested in a long-sleeved one for cooler hikes as properly. It’s additionally the time to assume about should you only need to journey, or if you wish to consider one thing like a working vacation or volunteering as you go.
From Munich we flew to Africa, to a brand new continent for us. Plus, it’s pretty straightforward to fly from the US to South America, so we might go to this continent as quickly as we were home once more. In 2014 and 2015, we spent 13 months traveling around the globe. If you are considering long-term journey and wish some inspiration, or simply want to find out what we did, here is our around the globe itinerary.
Or is there another “digital nomad” gig that interests you? Maybe it’s even attainable to hire your home on Airbnb while you’re away. You can get some good insight from others who have gone before you; again, an excellent reason to learn these journey blogs. The idea of packing up the household and taking off for prolonged long run journey to different components of the country or globe sounds so blissful and worldly, however is it actually doable? We all know it’s exhausting enough to plan an adventure with just an grownup or two involved, but throw in the babies, toddlers and kids and you’ve received some serious variables to think about. Using a Excel travel planner template You can do plenty of research beforehand to save some big cash and discover the best choices for you and the opposite people you’re traveling with.
Take per week to determine all the bills you incur in addition to the month-to-month subscriptions and bills you get at home. In the following part, we’ll talk about a financial savings plan however first, you must have a tough estimate of how much money you will want. You can choose between shared combined dorms, feminine solely dorms or private rooms (which most hostels offer) when you feel like you need your individual area. Staying in hostels is a superb option for inexpensive long run travel and to meet other vacationers. Europe is more expensive than the other regions and the Schengen visa zone limitations mean you should plan your stops accordingly, except you maintain a European passport. Alternatively, we love the shoulder season and manage all our Solo Female Travel Tours during that time of year.
Our dream was to stay in the South of France, after which we stumbled upon Aix-en-Provence! The good spot to chill out halfway by way of the journey, and once more, work on our French. Plus, it was the right climate once we have been visiting in November.
In the wilderness, there are nonetheless locations where you’ll be disconnected for days. We do discover that we’d like some connectivity for work at sea nonetheless, and for this, we try to plan marina stops. For more long-range connectivity, you can also rig your vessel with a Wi-Fi Ranger or Iridium Go for world SAT voice and knowledge. We opt for single-sideband radio (for the novelty), and intervals of less connectivity when we can. For stormy, wet days on deck, you’ll want foul-weather gear. The jackets have cozy fleece-lined pockets, and with your bibs tucked into tall rubber boating boots, you’ll keep toasty and dry.
If you’re traveling around lots throughout your trip, transport costs can add up. Generally, the most affordable approach to travel from one metropolis to the next is by bus. Sometimes flying is the most value effective option thanks to finances airlines. When planning a trip, it’s simple to underestimate your costs and go over your travel budget. This guide explains the method to create an correct finances for touring. The experts at Yonder Travel Insurance can assist you in finding long-term travel insurance coverage.
Use these pro tricks to find the most effective journey lodging. Booking flights via this travel can be novel as it provides an AI driven search software that travelers simply love. It’s the best journey app that you’ve probably never heard of. The apps beneath are on my iPhone and work for all the completely different phases of a visit. These are my favorite road-tested travel apps that I even have used to help go to most of the 70 international locations that I’ve explored since my first around the world journey in 2008. Well, possibly I would change one thing… invest in a great place to stay throughout long term journey.
Regular video calls, voice messages, or shared picture albums can bridge the emotional distance. Listening to your physique and honoring its wants is a form of self-respect. You’re not obligated to climb every mountain or go to each museum. Skipping tourist spots in favor of a nap or a slow afternoon stroll can sometimes be probably the most rejuvenating choice. By establishing small every day anchors, you probably can present your thoughts with a sense of stability amidst the novelty of travel. This is especially useful in managing the stress that can come from frequent adjustments in location, language, and culture.
All 4 of the plans listed above embrace emergency medical advantages, including the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement for certain losses associated to COVID-19 and any future epidemic. It’s important to know, nevertheless, that these benefits are for emergencies solely, not long-term or preventive care. Just make certain you protect your funding — and yourself — with a journey insurance coverage plan that’s designed for long journeys. In today’s journey landscape, having coverage for COVID-19-related medical bills and disruptions is crucial. Many travel insurance coverage suppliers have adapted their policies to include pandemic protection, however it’s important to verify the details.
And, except you have a specific load agreement that will suspend repayments in case you are not incomes. At some stage throughout long-term travel you will want to earn cash. The only means this can remotely happen in today and age without working illegally is by exhibiting you’ve a college/university diploma. In many cases you’ll have to satisfy the bank abroad that you’re both a resident, working, or have viable funds before being thought-about.