The English language is widely spoken in both Canada and the United States. But if you visit our neighbors to the North, you might have a hard time following the conversation. Words like “gitch,” “gonger,” and even “double-double” are sure to leave Americans scratching their heads. How many of these Canadian terms had you heard? …
America encompasses over 3.5 million square miles of land and is home to countless natural and manmade landmarks. So, perhaps it’s forgivable that U.S. citizens have trouble identifying where some of them are. Then again, the landmarks on this list are among the most popular sites in North America. They include places that reflect the…
Using your left hand for everyday tasks is perfectly normal in the U.S. Try it in certain other countries, though, and you may earn a few dirty looks. In many cultures around the world, using your left hand is taboo. From eating to exchanging gifts to paying for a souvenir, there are many situations where…
A U.S. passport can take months to process. But if you don’t want to wait that long and put your travel plans on hold, you’re in luck. Americans can travel to these seven destinations without a passport. 1: Puerto Rico Known as “the island of enchantment,” the tiny island of Puerto Rico sits approximately 1,000…
Ask any American to describe Florida, and their responses will vary according to their experience and what they’ve heard. Beaches, alligators, warm winters, and hurricanes might all come to mind. I spent family vacations in Florida and lived there as an adult for five years. Of the many things I learned, among the biggest was…
Have you ever heard of “land subsidence”? For residents in certain coastal cities, land sinkage is a pressing issue. What causes sinking land, you ask? In the ten cities highlighted in this list, the phenomenon has less to do with natural climate cycles and almost everything to do with human activity: Buildings that are too…
Except for passengers who purchase first-class, flat-bed plane seats, falling asleep on a plane can be challenging. The good news? You can try implementing these savvy tricks from experienced travelers to help you get some rest. Did You Know? Nearly 40% of people 18 years and older unintentionally fall asleep during the day at least…
If you’re eager to start scuba diving, you might be wondering: Where are the best places to try first? PADI recommends the following destinations for new divers. To help start your scuba vacation planning, Mindfully American included each country’s air travel time from the United States. Ready to dive in? A Note on Distances We…
More than one American has argued that the USA is the best country in the world, and most certainly better than the United Kingdom. After all, we fought an entire war to gain independence from the English throne. The last thing we’d ever want to admit is that we were somehow inferior to our cousins…
Flight attendants love polite and considerate passengers, but sometimes good intentions turn into less-than-ideal behaviors. When an attempt to help makes a flight attendant’s job harder, you’ve left the realm of politeness and entered the landscape of rudeness. If you want to be seen as an all-star passenger, make sure you avoid these in-flight habits. …
