Vortex makes good points. If you are running short of cash, write a note on the bill, “I’m so sorry to be out of cash to tip, but your service was so appreciated”.
Hi Ash. Wanted to add as I watch this that it was a lovely piece by Vortex about tipping and such a good, positive message about being nice to those who are nice to you and go that extra mile. I too believe in pay-it-forward ❤😊
Brilliant! Thank you so much Ash for putting all this together. It really is a rare video you’ve created for us non-US citizens, I’ve struggled to find anything like this, and so helpful for our future planning and calming of fears ❤ Your journeys are all wonderful to follow, the PCT especially. Happy hiking, dancing and whatever lies ahead
In the US --service jobs like waiters in rural communities are not paid even the minimal wage so tips are expected by employers to supplement their employees pay
1:44 your experience was from covid/post covid times. I filed my DS-160 on January 14th, had my interview in Frankfurt on February 2nd (could even have had an earlier date), and got my passport with the visa on February 7th. - Don't panic! 😀 Requirements what to bring may depend on the country where you apply. I just needed the DS-160 confirmation page and my passport. No photo, I had uploaded it before during the DS-160 process. No supporting material - as about 6% of all PCT hikers are from Germany, any of the three ambassies may see at least 50 of them per year. The officiers know about the PCT. After my first answer ("PCT") just some smalltalk, no more real questions. 2 minutes.
Thanks for sharing your experience, glad you got sorted and Goodluck for your hike :) As I said I was sharing my experience and perhaps Belfast is so tiny we don’t have many appointments but once I had my interview the passport with visa arrived super fast, around 2 weeks :) Ash
Ive just started watching your videos - thank you for the work you put in! Ill be hiking this year. With your go pro and the level/amount of filming you did- how many batteries did you find necessary? And did you like the go pro shorty tripod or would you have preferred a flexible leg for uneven surfaces? Thank you!
Hi there :) Im actually hoping to do a video all on this topic although I might not get it out before class of 2024 hit the trail. I used two enduro batteries. I carried a 10,000 powerbank, and a solar panel. This combo was plenty for me. If I didn't have the solar panel I would defo take 3 batteries. Storty tripod was great, I love that it extended, great for vlogging and setting up. Uneven surfaces where a pain but not enough to make it a real problem. Wishing you all the best on trail!!
I usually would get cash out in town at an ATM and try to hold on to the smaller notes for donations/tips. If we didn’t have small notes, sometimes if there was a group of us in a hitch, one person would offer say $20 and then we would transfer some to that person/pay the next one
@@ashobrienoutdoors Thank you! - Normally I try (in the US) to pay everything by credit card and won't have change. - Another question on this topic: I guess you did not try to use Venmo? - I heard it is the way for money transfer within a group, but difficult to use for aliens.
@@ashobrienoutdoors Thank you! - Another question: did you try to use V*nmo? (seems to be a forbidden word on YT?) - I heard it would be the way for transfering money in a group, but difficult for aliens like us.
@@ashobrienoutdoors Thank you! - Another question: did you try to use V*nmo? - I heard it would be the way to share cost in a group, but difficult for aliens like us.
23:36 Again, very dependend on the country, and also your age! - as a senior I pay twice for the same health insurance than someone in his 20s or 30s; nevertheless, my health insurance will be cheaper than yours (around 70 US$ per month, plus 40$ SAR for the whole year). 24:33 So it is still "T-immobilize when you have servce" 😀 - I will go for Verizon. Automatic recharge from a non-US credit card seems not to work; I will have to do it manually.
Thanks for your great info. I will be hiking the PCT in the class of 2024, so any info is helpful. Thanks. and Ash, if you are interested I will be videoing my entire trip and uploading to RU-vid, so check it out. Plant Papa
