u/TangerineTanlines

My travel partner and I have a tripped planned to visit Cartagena this November for 3-4 days as part of a larger South America trip. We're coming from the US and already have our flights and hotels booked. A couple of days ago my partner started exploring recommendations on things to do, and stumbled upon a good number of Reddit threads discouraging people from visiting for a variety of reasons.

I'm wondering if this is just a case of human behavior where we often complain online more than we compliment. That's lead me here to ask locals or previous visitors: what are the good things you have to say about visiting Cartagena? Can you tell me anything that would help me feel excited again about this leg of the trip?

We have it planned at the end of our two week trip and hope it can be a relaxing last couple of days.

Two or three days ago I found a stuffed full backpack sitting in my driveway. It had a Cap Metro flyer sticking out and looking pretty beat up. There is a bus stop a block or two away from my house, and there are a few businesses and a CVS across the street, as well. I do not see many unhoused people in my neighborhood, but about a mile down the road there are several encampments and it's more common. This led me to assume it was an unhoused person's backpack and I moved it under the tree in my yard so I could pull out the car from the garage. It's been a few days and it's still there.

Today, I *extremely* carefully unzipped the backpack and poured out it's contents. It's a bunch of clothes, several cans of sunscreen, a wallet with an ID (not a license, but some other form of ID that kinda looks like a student ID card but isn't), a CVS bag with a sticker that has the same name as the ID (looks like a pick-up order of some sort), and charging cables. I really think it's an unhoused person's.

The ID shows a photo and name of this person and I've confirmed they're not in my Facebook neighborhood group and I cannot find a general account for them either. I've carefully put everything back in the backpack and left it outside, but I'm unsure how to help return this to someone who may really need it's contents. Any recommendations?

He was my soul dog, without a doubt, and I'm missing him so much. I'm looking for any sort of connection. I don't have a specific question for him because I could be here all day thinking of things I want to know, but I'm open to hearing anything from him. If you're able to connect with him, I'd appreciate it.

https://preview.redd.it/p2d6zl9dp2gh1.png?width=1046&format=png&auto=webp&s=94baf302dc8954685ad8e6d87d00ab4d3e6c3a38

https://preview.redd.it/g7crhkndp2gh1.png?width=1034&format=png&auto=webp&s=074ced9150dfd02d403da5c5839369d85ba67261

https://preview.redd.it/ly0w9dcep2gh1.png?width=1050&format=png&auto=webp&s=f66d27a3c1d92605ca5029fe7a33c8d9602dd010

I do use the active activity tracker when I'm exercising. For me, exercise is getting my heart rate into zones 2 and 3 through weighted walking or incline walking. In time I'll add in additional weight training and maybe some heavier cardio, but I'm building up to that.

Would it be more accurate to track my calories with my TDEE at sedentary, which I believe includes light exercise, or would Oura be more accurate since it's actively tracking my exercise alongside knowing my weight, height, and daily lifestyle?

https://preview.redd.it/sgmrvxgj1ueh1.png?width=692&format=png&auto=webp&s=2bc0e03cb8eec4929641175b98cc5562023e1922

35F with psoriasis, taking Skyrizi, Wegovy, and Pristiq as prescription medications. Also take pre and probiotics, fiber, stool softeners, and daily women's vitamins/supplements. Not a big drinker or smoker or drug user.

I'm trying to figure out if the issues I'm experiencing with my fingernails and toenails is my psoriasis affecting a new area of my body. The part of my nail that is missing had separated from my nail bed and I cut it down. This week, the darkening towards the base of my nail bed popped up, along with the white vertical line part that looks like it's splitting from the bottom. This area of my nail feels like it's dented in and when I press it, it feels similar to a dull bruise. I have not done anything to cause injury to the nail.

I have a toenail that is behaving very similarly, but didn't want to spam reddit with my feet pics.

https://reddit.com/link/1v3qdmr/video/tiz4zwc81ueh1/player

I know there are pill vs injection forms of this medicine, but when specifically talking about the injectable, why do people like to call it "a jab"? I just took my first jab... I do my jabs on Mondays... Thinking of going up on dose of my jab...

WHY?! It's a silly question, I know, but I'm just so curious why people prefer to call the shot or injection a jab? Especially for anyone with a fear of needles, calling it a jab seems more intense than just shot?

Anyway, welcome to my dumb question of the day.

I have had my Oura Ring 4 for 6 months now and I'm really liking it, but I'm already eyeing the 5 for aesthetic reasons. I'd love to switch sooner than later, but I'm also on a weight loss journey right now and worry that my ring size will go down. If you've had to downsize due to weight loss, around how many pounds did you lose before noticing your ring didn't fit anymore? I think mine is already loosening a bit, but that may be wishful thinking lol. I likely will not get a 5 until I need to downsize. I wear a 10 now and tried on the 10 sizer for the 5 in store, and it does seem to fit a little more snug than the 4's 10.

I am traveling for work more frequently and have also recently started taking two injectable medications—one of which is Wegovy—so I need to prioritize low calorie, high protein, high fiber foods. Trader Joe's is always my go-to grocery store on these trips, but I've never needed to shop with these goals in mind previously. I prefer to get a few things from the grocery store for quick, easy meals and snacks to avoid eating out.

I am looking for suggestions on items that I can buy that fit this criteria and that can be prepared in a hotel kitchenette (stovetop, microwave, freezer, and fridge). Ideally things that aren't too elaborate to make since these kitchens have unsharp knives and limited pots and pans.

I'm already considering pre-hard boiled eggs, greek yogurt, vegetables and fruits, edamame, salad kits, and hummus. Any other ideas would be excellent, as well as suggestions on some of their frozen meals that may fit my diet criteria. Any hidden gems out there?

On a recent flight, the man behind me didn't have a personal item under this seat and used that space for his feet. However, he was putting his heels on the bar under the seat that stops your personal item from moving forward, making it so that most of his foot and toes were directly under where my feet would be sitting down and not extending my legs. I am shorter so I don't really extend my legs in front of me, but usually just cross them directly under me when I'm sitting. Like where they'd naturally dangle if I couldn't touch the floor, for example.

I turned around and very nicely asked him if he could scoot his feet back a little and explained that his shoes were stretching over into what I believe was my space. He didn't say anything but moved his feet, and a minute or two later told me that I could move my backpack up above to create more space for myself. I said that I was fine with where my items were at but thanked him, to which he replied, "well you could just do it to make everyone else's flight more comfortable." At this point I did get a little snappy and said my job isn't to make him more comfortable, and that I'd like access to my things. Plus, I had a carry on already stored above so and it was a full flight with limited overhead space as it was.

About five minutes later he stopped a flight attendant during boarding and asked what the courtesy space allowance is for under seat space. She told him she was busy and would come back after the plane was fully boarded since we were running late. When she came back to check on him, he said he wanted to know if the space up to the bar was his or not because I had "complained" that I didn't have enough room. He told her he suggested for me to move my bag, too. She just said, "yes the space under the seat is yours...?" She looked at my kinda confused and I apologized for her needing to get involved, but explained that he was stretching his feet over the bar when I first asked him to adjust a bit, and again said I didn't want to move my backpack because I wanted access to my book, snacks, headphones, etc.

My question is: Was I in the wrong here? Was he actually in my space?

Editted To Address Confusion:

1. My backpack was under the seat in front of me, not under my own seat. His suggestion to move it was because he assumed doing so would give me more leg room to extend. I am short and don't need to extend my legs like that. I just wanted to be able to place my feet directly under me, not under my seat or the seat in front of me.
2. I did not involve the FA myself. That was his decision.

As the title says, I'm about the experience my first time traveling with injectable medicine (Wegovy, obviously!) and I'm not sure what to expect. I need to do some research on the best way to travel through the airport and keep it chilled for about 6 hours. I'll fly out the day before I need to take the medicine.

What are you best practices and tips? Anything I need to buy online before my trip to keep it cold? Going in blind here on how people travel with these kinds of chilled, injectable medications.

I started the .25mg injection 2 weeks ago and I'm looking for input on what my nutrition goals should be. I'm currently targeting 1,500 calories a day, 125 grams of protein, and 25 grams of fiber (not including the fiber supplements I take every evening). Does this seem reasonable for a 232 pound person looking to stay in a calorie deficit?

For background: I have always been compared to my sibling who is a CPA and incredibly fiscally responsible, and overall just much smarter than me. I chose a job in the creative industry and I've never been taken as seriously from my family, and many people in my life expected me to outright fail. I'm seen as irresponsible and running on whimsy, despite me being a planner, working very hard in my industry, and never having royally fucked up...

I come from a lower middle class family with no financial support and was never really given advice in financial literacy, so most of everything has been "figure it out as I go". I know it's silly to need a stranger to recognize that I've done okay for myself. I know that have more room to improve, but can someone just tell me if I'm doing a good job? Part of me just needs to hear it to keep motivated. The self doubt is hitting hard. That said, I'm not trying to turn a blind eye to how I could further improve my situation either, so I'll take any advise too.

Here's me and my partner's breakdown:

Expenses:
Current: $6,500/month (all in — bills & lifestyle without cutting back — although we can cut back a little more)
Future: $4,000/month (all in)

Debt:
$0, except our mortgage — student loans, cars, and anything else is paid off

Me, 35:
401k: $190,000
HSA (invested, not used): $28,286
Salary: $7,100 monthly take home (sometimes more with bonuses or commissions)

Partner, 38:
401k: $318,000
HSA (invested, not used): $35,154
Salary: $14,400 monthly take home

Shared:
$332,212 in a joint investment account
$95,000 in cash savings (in a HYSA, to be moved into investing)

Edit: correct from "joint Roth" to "join investment account"

I will begin my Wegovy journey tomorrow with my first injection. I've been reading this thread to make sure I'm as prepared as I can be to help prevent and manage any symptoms. Is there anything you swear by that I should add to my cart?

Fiber pills (already part of my daily routine)

• Stool softeners (already part of my daily routine)
• Protein powder
• Antacids
• Prunes
• Ginger Peppermint tea
• Nausea relief inhaler
• Dramamine (heading on a single-day boat trip this same week...)

We are first-time travelers to South America and are really excited about our trip! We're traveling this November and we're big foodies and wildlife enthusiasts who are adventure-seeking. We love educational content and museums, as well. We're mid 30s English speakers living in southern USA where we are used to hot and humid climates, and we are in generally good health (one is asthmatic).

Looking for:

• Activity and/or tour recommendations
• Restaurant recommendations (local hot spots & fine dining)
• Ways to kill any down time between planned activities and reservations
• Must-do tourist attractions
• Any local hidden gems

Here's the itinerary for the rest of our trip in case you have suggestions in other destinations (dates are not flexible):

• Quito — 4 nights/3 days
• Galapagos — 5 nights/5 days
• Bogota — 2 nights/2 days
• Lima — 3 nights/4 days

We are first-time travelers to South America and are really excited about our trip! We're traveling this November and we're big foodies and wildlife enthusiasts who are adventure-seeking. We love educational content and museums, as well. We're mid 30s English speakers living in southern USA where we are used to hot and humid climates, and we are in generally good health (one is asthmatic).

Looking for:

• Activity and/or tour recommendations
• Restaurant recommendations (local hot spots & fine dining)
• Ways to kill any down time between planned activities and reservations
• Must-do tourist attractions
• Any local hidden gems

Here's the itinerary for the rest of our trip in case you have suggestions in other destinations (dates are not flexible):

• Quito — 4 nights/3 days
• Galapagos — 5 nights/5 days
• Bogota — 2 nights/2 days
• Lima — 3 nights/4 days

We are first-time travelers to South America and are really excited about our trip! We're traveling this November and we're big foodies and wildlife enthusiasts who are adventure-seeking. We love educational content and museums, as well. We're mid 30s English speakers living in southern USA where we are used to hot and humid climates, and we are in generally good health (one is asthmatic).

Looking for:

• Activity and/or tour recommendations
• Restaurant recommendations (local hot spots & fine dining)
• Ways to kill any down time between planned activities and reservations
• Must-do tourist attractions
• Any local hidden gems

Here's the itinerary for the rest of our trip in case you have suggestions in other destinations (dates are not flexible):

• Quito — 4 nights/3 days
• Galapagos — 5 nights/5 days
• Bogota — 2 nights/2 days
• Lima — 3 nights/4 days

About Us:

• English speakers
• Live in southern USA, adjusted to hot or humid climates
• Adults only, no kids on the trip
• Mid to late 30s
• Generally very good health, one is asthmatic
• Traveling in November
• Big wildlife enthusiasts: previous vacations for ex: safari, great barrier reef snorkeling, manta ray dive, etc
• Adventurous: medium-level hiking, waterfall swims, paragliding, etc
• Foodies: local hot spots, hidden gems, fine dining, Michelin starred, wine tours, coffee tours, etc

Loose(ish) Itinerary:

• Thu–Mon: Fly to Quito (evening) | Spend 5 nights/4 days
• Tue–Sat: Fly to Galapagos, Board Cruise (morning) | Spend 5 nights/5 days
  • Booked and cannot be adjusted.
• Sun–Mon: Fly to Bogota (morning) | 2 nights/2 days
  • Must be in Bogota on Monday evening.
• Tue-Wed: Fly to Lima (evening) | 2 nights/2 days
• Wed: Fly Home (evening)

Questions:

• Is this too much/too little time in any place?
• Should we even keep Lima or switch to somewhere else?
  • Lots of opinions online about Lima not being worth the hype. We are planning to do Cusco/Machu Picchu on a different trip.
• Are we missing out on Mindo Cloud Forest?
• Anything else you want to share?
  • We'll take advice on literally anything...tour companies, restaurants, day trip providers, experience providers, hotels, whatever.