Why foreigners like our country more than we do?

The previous posts were about events held in Africa. I don't know much about the culture, but now I am very interested in going there, specially after watching the video.
Thanks to Taptrip,  I could make friends in many countries and I can count on them if I need someone to introduce me the place. This year I've been in France and a brazilian friend took me to hang out in Paris. In Japan a chinese friend went with me to show the shopping area of Tokyo. And both looked more excited than in telling me things about each country people from there. Then, we think: why foreigners like our country more than we do?

This is me with friends. We are all foreigners who love Japan.

According to Ana Gasparoto, Taptripper and student of Tourism in the University of Sao Paulo, people interested in some other country can fall in love for its culture, maybe much more than locals. 
"In Brazil I've met two argentinians who decided to open a youth hostel in Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte. I think both know the city much better than any person who was born and raised in there. (...) After all, outsiders can see things that insiders cannot see." - she said.

And this is me with foreigner friends who live in Brazil and love it much more than I do.

So, maybe I will not be surprised if, after landing in Africa, a russian takes me to have a walk around. Have you also introduced another country to someone or had an outsider who did that for you? So, share your story in the comments! 
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Why do you travel?

During childhood I used to say that didn`t like to travel. Of course going somewhere new with the only purpose of having fun is amazing, but I was too lazy to organize backpack / suitcase, run to take the flight / bus and spend a lot of money on it. 

Of course that time my parents paid all the expenses, but it changed when I grew up. I prefered to use my salary to buy things that could last more like cloths, magazines, games than just memories and pictures of short funny days.
I was born in Rio de Janeiro, one of the most touristic destinies of the world. So, was not unsual to have a walk and see a lot of foreigners visiting the city for a couple of days. Some of them had money and time to spend on trips, but I met a japanese who quote his job to travel during one month and two argentinians who used to work a lot and use all the money to spend one week in Rio every two years. And I still asked myself why. Why do they make so much effort for it? Why do they travel?
I started to ask everyone, but answers like "to have fun" or "to know somewhere new" didn´t convince me at all. But, then a friend gave me a very good answer that opened my eyes, he said: "I travel to know the planet where I live". Some years after another friend complemented and said: "World is too big and life is too short to live always in the same place".
Those two phrases were enough to motivate me to go everywhere I can while I am still alive in this world. Unfortunately, some people cannot do the same because they don´t have enough time or money. But, they can still use Taptrip to make virtual trips around the world and make friends in many countries. That`s why I like this app so much.

Life is too short, so enjoy it! Download Taptrip and make friends in this so big world! Download Taptrip App and make friends in more than 200 countries worldwide!
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Reviews of Taptrip are released in websites about Android and iOS.

Taptrip's mission is breaking the barriers of languages and distance to promote the integration of people in the whole world. For this reason we want many people to use Taptrip and hope this blog also help them to see how interesting and fun this app is.
Currently, websites have reviewed for Taptrip to clarify new users how they can enjoy the virtual trips and make friends worldwide. Here there are some main reviews from sites in many countries.

1) Universiando (Global) explains the purpose of Taptrip. Taptrip is a mobile app which allows you to make virtual trips. This is a social network which you can meet people from many countries, exchange messages and talk about their cultures.
Translated from spanish. Source: http://www.universiando.com/contenido/detalle_vacilate.php?id=9023
2) Superdownloads (Brazil) points in which areas users can make virtual trips.
With Taptrip is possible to travel through seven different areas: Asia, Africa, Middle East, Europe, North America, South America and Oceania.
Translated from portuguese. Source: http://www.superdownloads.com.br/download/27/taptrip/ 3) Aplicaciones Android (Spain) explains how to communicate with foreigners.
We can talk to people in our native language without problems because the app translates automatically the message, the same happens when someone chats with us.
Translated from spanish. Source: http://www.aplicaciones-android.org/habla-gratis-con-gente-de-todo-el-mundo-gracias-a-taptrip/ 4) App Review Central (USA) explains how useful Taptrip is.
I can see the potential of this app being helpful to students who might be studying International Relations and globetrotters who may want to know about the country they are traveling to from a local resident. With this app, you will have the ability to travel from Australia to Zanzibar from the comfort of your own couch
Original in english. Source: http://www.appreviewcentral.net/2013/09/18/taptrip-android-app-review/
5) Androwire (Japan) shows testimonials of three users from different countries.
"I live in the Philippines, but made ​​friends with Japanese, you can hear about anime and samurai, ninja, geisha..."
"I am from Chile and was able to make friends in Spain. We could talk about music, football and the cuisine of Spain."
"I am backpacking around the world now, so was able to actually meet in person my friends from South Africa, Morocco and Tanzania. The next plan is going to South America."
Translated from japanese. Source: http://androwire.jp/apps/com.taptrip/Taptrip/
With these reviews you can understand much more about Taptrip's mission and functionality. If you use Android, you can download it on Google Play. If you use iOS, you can download it on App Store.  If you still cannot take a flight to your dream destination, enjoy the virtual trips of Taptrip! 
Download Taptrip App and make friends in more than 200 countries worldwide!
Download Android Version on Google Play!

Download iPhone Version on App Store!

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Top 5 beaches in the world according to Taptrip!

This week the Autumn has started and many people in countries like United States, Canada and Japan had to say good bye to Summer and beach days. There are famous beaches in those countries like Miami and Myrtle, but do you know other beautiful beaches in other countries too?
Last time I listed the breakfasts of the main countries of Taptrip. This time I will introduce the most famous beach of each destination.
1) INDIA: Agonda Beach - a good place for sunbathing and swimming. There are not many tourists and no WIFI, so you should go there if your only intention is relaxing.  

2) SAUDI ARABIA: Jeddah Beach - unfortunately many beaches of this country are covered with concrete, for this reason many five stars hotels & resorts have own private beaches for their guests. However, you can still find places as Jeddah which is full of people, buggies and jet skies on the weekends.

3) ALGERIA: Doumia Beach - is a rocky, mid-sized natural beach with crystal blue waters situated in the region of Tipaza in the northern Algeria. Usually many people go there to fish.

4) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Punta Cana Beach - the country is full of beaches and balnearios, which face both the Caribbean and Atlantic. For this reason, has been a popular tourist destination for many years and Punta Cana is one of the most favorite destinations.

5) BRAZIL: Ipanema - not just the Carnival is famous in this country, but also the beaches. One that attract many tourists along the year is Ipanema which became worldwide famous thanks to the song 'Girl from Ipanema composed by Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes.

Have you been in some of those beaches? So, leave a comment telling your experience! And if you took pictures, share them in Taptrip!
Download Taptrip App and make friends in more than 200 countries worldwide!
Download Android Version on Google Play!

Download iPhone Version on App Store!

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Do you know how to use Taptrip in Android and iPhone?

After the release of iOS 7 this week, some people have asked if they can use Taptrip in iPhones which have this new operating system. Yes, you can.
Taptrip users (or just Taptrippers) are already familiarized with the app, but if you still don't have it in your mobile, you can check this tutorial and learn how to install and have a lot of fun with the app.
If you have an Android, you can download in Google Play. If you have an iPhone, you can download in App Store. The download has to be made via cell phone.

After it, you will need to install and a little tutorial will introduce the main functions of Taptrip:
- Tap to explore a big world. - Be a guide and introduce your country. Be a traveler to make trips around the world. - Make Trippals while traveling. Trippals are your friends around the world. Then, you can start to Taptrip. But, one important thing: it's necessary to have a Facebook account to create yours in Taptrip.

After your account is created, you can immediately start to Taptrip and find new friends from many countries. This is a print screen of the app after the installation. 

This is the menu. With these four buttons you can easily use Taptrip. The first button shows your current trip. The second button shows the timeline of other trips. The third button shows your messages, it has a Friend Finder tool to search new friends around the world and that red number means there are new messages. The fourth button shows your profile, you can also configure the setting using this same button.

And this is all you need to know to start using Taptrip. As said before, you don't need to worry about the language because all the messages are translated automatically by the app. Wish you a lot of fun and feel free to leave your feedback in the comments.

Download Taptrip App and make friends in more than 200 countries worldwide!
Download Android Version on Google Play!

Download iPhone Version on App Store!

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Curiosities about the Harvest Moon of last night!

Yesterday the full moon could be observed from the Northern Hemisphere of the planet which marks the beginning of the autumnal equinox that starts next Sunday, September 22nd. 
The full moon is called Harvest Moon because a lot of fruits and vegetables ripen when the summer ends in the Northern Hemisphere, what will be good to prepare yummy meals like the ones I listed in the last post.
The Harvest Moon has many curiosities and mysteries which I will share and explain to you below:

1) As the moon rises in a row at or near sunset, it looks larger to observers near the horizon than it does high in the sky. This phenomenon is called "the moon illusion" and there are many other illusions caught by the human eye like the skycrappers in Hong Kong which seem to be falling.

2) Have you notices sometimes the moon becomes orange? It happens because of clouds and dust in the atmosphere close to the horizon. So the Harvest Moon gets not only bigger, but also orange and shining. 

3) Did you know people from different countries see different things when they look at the moon? In Brazil, for example, they see a knight hiding a horse and killing a dragon. In Japan, they see a rabbit cooking rice.
And what do you see when look at the moon? Leave a comment and tell us. Did you take a picture of the moon last night? So, share it here, share in Taptrip and show it to the whole world. 
Download Taptrip App and make friends in more than 200 countries worldwide!
Download Android Version on Google Play!

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Having breakfast in 5 different countries. - Part 2

Last week I listed the breakfast of the main countries of Taptrip. Seems many people liked that yummy post, so now I introduce other typical breakfast of other five countries where many people are taptripping.
6) MOROCCO: a traditional moroccan breakfast has tea, khobz (moroccan bread), harcha (fried bread), khobz b'chehma (stuffed bread), krachel (sweet rolls), omelet with veggies & cream cheese, sausage & egg tagine, beghrir & msemen (pancakes).

7) COTE D'IVORE: as the breakfast can vary according to each region, I decided to introduce the foutou which seems to be the most delicious one. It's made of creamy peanut butter, peeled & chopped cassava and plantains which attributes a salty taste, but also sweet.

8) GHANA: bread is the main food of this meal, and there are many kinds of bread: tea bread, sugar bread, brown bread and butter bread. All of them can be eaten with baked food, wheat flour and cassava flour.

9) PHILIPPINES: has a big variety of aliments, like: pandesal (small bread rolls), kesong puti (white cheese), champorado (chocolate rice porridge), sinangag (garlic fried rice), meat, fish or duck eggs. Coffee is also served and has a strong flavor.

10) IRAQ: it's basically composed by egg dishes, a flat bread known as khubz, an oval-shaped bread loaf called samoon, butter, jam, honey, cheese, libna (yogurt with olive oil), date molasses and sesame paste.

So, how delicious was this post? Do you know any other food from these mentioned countries? Your country also has delicious meals for breakfast? So, share with us in the comments and in Taptrip too!

Download Taptrip App and make friends in more than 200 countries worldwide!
Download Android Version on Google Play!

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3 places to go if you feel homesick.

Have you traveled somewhere for a long time? During this time, have you felt homesick? It`s not unusual to miss home when we are very far from it, and sometimes doesn´t need to be for so long. I´ve met people who were homesick after being just two or three weeks far from home.

Anyway, if you feel like that and want to feel again the warmness of your country, there are 3 places where you can go:
1) Shopping Center. Doesn´t matter where you are, they are always the same. The architeture is the same (just a few different details), there is no clock (this way nobody knows the time is running and spend more time and money in there), the most expensive stores are near to the escalators and that´s where many women like to go. I´m pretty sure must be the same in your country.
2) McDonalds. Ok, maybe it´s not the same in many places. In Japan, they offer hot dogs. In India, they offer curry. In Brazil they offer salad. In France they may offer the same as everywhere else, but instead of yellow and red, the logo´s collors are yellow and black. But, you still have the big M and advertisement with Ronald which can make you feel like if you were at home.
3) Dancing Clubs. Dark, loud music and drinks. Wherever you are, all the night clubs maybe like this. The language people speak can be different, but if the music is too loud, then it doesn´t really matter. You can not hear what people say, even if you were at your home country.

After it, you will not feel so homesick and will enjoy your destination much more! By the way, you can also enjoy the virtual travels of Taptrip! The link to download is below.
Download Taptrip App and make friends in more than 200 countries worldwide!
Download Android Version on Google Play!

Download iPhone Version on App Store!

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10 tips to get a Visa and travel anywhere.

Many people like traveling. Everyone surely has a destination where would like to go most, specially Taptrippers who make virtual trips and await for the day a real trip comes.
But, many things need to be done in advanced for it. For example: booking a flight, booking a hotel, plan which places you will visit and, in some cases, getting the Visa for the destination. For many people it's a terrifying theme because the idea of organizing everything to travel and have the visa denied is really bad. And, believe me, it happens more often then you think, even when the traveler has everything in order.

Because of that, here you can check 10 tips to apply and get the Visa for the destination you want to go. When you decide to travel, be sure to:
1) Have a valid passport. pay attention on the expiration date. If it expires before or during your travel period, you may not be allowed to leave your country.
2) Have a flight booking. Even countries which you don't need to apply for a Visa may ask you this. In many cases you need to buy the ticket to return in advance, so don't take the risk of making airport authorities think you will never come back to your country.
3) Have a hotel booking: it's also necessary to prove you have a place to stay during your trip. You can book a hotel online and pay only 10% of the total. Even if you end staying somewhere else, it's better to spend a few money and avoid risks. By the way, if you will stay in someone`s house, this person needs to send an invitation letter in advance.
4) Have cash, credit card and travel card. Never (I said never) travel with a few money. It's not convenient and, if you need to prove you have enough money to stay where you go as a tourist, you may have problem if you don't have the right amount. Always bring some cash with you. And don't forget to request an international credit card and a travel card. With this last one you can withdraw cash from ATMs and pay a very low tax.
5) Purchase a medical plan. It's very important and can be request in immigration departments too. Furthermore, if you need to go to the hospital during your trip, it's better to be covered by a medical plan than paying much more money for a private hospital, for example.
6) Have all the documents. Before applying to the Visa, check the website of the embassy and don't hesitate in calling them too to confirm everything you need to show. It's better asking them to explain everything like if you were five years old than having the Visa denied because one document or one detail was missing.
7) Contact people got the Visa. And contact who didn't get it too. Ask advice for who got and try to do the same as they did. Listen to who didn't get it and try to avoid everything they did during the application. 
8) During the interview, be calm. Sometimes an interview is also necessary to get the Visa. Many people get nervous or anxious this time. I know it maybe a tense situation, but control yourself and DON'T be nervous or anxious! Authorities may interpret it as if you were doing something wrong or hiding something. Anything suspicious may end in Visa denied.
9) Answer only what they ask to you. Many people talk a lot during the interview and it may have a bad interpretation because some people tend to talk very much to prove something. If you have everything in order, short answers are enough. For example:
- Which city are you going to? - New York. - For how long? - 7 days. - Someone else going with you? - No.
10) Always tell the true. Some people believe if they lie - saying they have a better job, or more money, or friends where they are going to - can be easier to get the Visa, But, for God's sake, don't do it! Have your mom ever told you to always say the true? So, have this advice in mind during all Visa procedures; before, during and after the application. 

After all those steps, enjoy your trip as much as you can! Did you have problems to apply for a Visa sometime? Had you never any problem? Please, leave a comment sharing your history. And take good pictures during your travels to upload them in Taptrip. 
Download Taptrip App and make friends in more than 200 countries worldwide!
Download Android Version on Google Play!

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Having breakfast in 5 different countries.

The last post mentioned the 10 countries with the biggest quantity of Taptrip users. There are nations from Asia, Africa, Central America and South America. There are many differences among these countries, but the main difference must be the food.

I had meals in four countries up till now: Brazil, Argentina, France and Japan. And the most different meal was the breakfast. So, let's check what people and Taptrip users have for breakfast in the five countries below:

1) INDIA: has a big variety in the whole country, so it's easier to classify as breakfast from the north and from the south of India. In the south, for example, they eat idli, vada and dosa coupled with chutney and sambar.

2) SAUDI ARABIA: mainly consists of bread and dairy products, tea, labneh jam and cream. May have a variety of sweets and savory morsels too. 

3) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: has eggs or meat and mashed plantain which is called ''mangu''. May include salami and onions.

4) ALGERIA: has cornflakes, bread, home made biscuits, jam, milk and coffee. 

5) BRAZIL: basically has bread, butter, cheese & ham, fruits and may include home made cake, coffee, milk, tea or juice.

What do you have for breakfast in your country? Please, leave a comment here and tell us. If you are a guide in Taptrip, upload pictures of your breakfast and show it to people from the whole world too.

Download Taptrip App and make friends in more than 200 countries worldwide!
Download Android Version on Google Play!

Download iPhone Version on App Store!

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