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  • A Weekend Escape: Spend a Day at the Palo Alto Festival of the Arts

    A Weekend Escape: Spend a Day at the Palo Alto Festival of the Arts

    If you’re looking for a simple weekend outing in the Bay Area, the Palo Alto Festival of the Arts is worth adding to your list.

    The festival transforms several blocks of downtown Palo Alto into an open-air gallery filled with artists, craftspeople, food vendors, musicians, and thousands of visitors enjoying a relaxed summer atmosphere.

    One of the nicest aspects of the event is its variety. Fine art paintings are displayed alongside photography, handmade leather goods, jewelry, ceramics, decorative pieces, and many other handcrafted items. Even visitors who don’t usually think of themselves as art collectors often discover something unexpected.

    The festival is also an excellent place to look for gifts. Handmade items have a different character than mass-produced products, and many pieces are practical enough to become part of everyday life at home.

    And, of course, there is food. Street vendors, cafés, restaurants, snacks, desserts, and a cold beer on a warm California afternoon turn the visit into much more than an art event.

    Even if you don’t plan to buy anything, simply walking through the exhibits and talking with artists can be rewarding. There is something refreshing about spending a few hours away from screens, surrounded by creativity, music, conversation, and people who still make things with their own hands.

    If the weather cooperates, the festival makes for an easy and enjoyable day trip.

    Useful links

  • Semi-permanent phone in Europe: Vodafone eSIM Is Convenient and There Is No Reason Not to Use It

    Semi-permanent phone in Europe: Vodafone eSIM Is Convenient and There Is No Reason Not to Use It

    Vodafone is a good European carrier. It makes it easy to obtain a local phone number and provides plenty of data, calling, and roaming options immediately upon arrival.

    What You Can Get

    • A potentially permanent local European phone number. A simple solution for locals as well as travelers who visit Europe several times a year.
    • Do not neet to pay constantly: 
      • Let the plan expire after the first month if you do not need it again immediately.
      • Reactivate it when you return to Europe.
    • An easy way to keep the same number
      • Recharge the account once every six months to keep the number active indefinitely.
    • Cheapest Tarifa S (€10 every 28 days) includes:
      • 90 GB of mobile data.
      • 500 minutes of international calls.
      • 15 GB of roaming data within the EU and the UK.

    Select and purchase sequence

    Vodafone prepaid plans:

    • Select Prepago (prepaid).
    • Select eSIM and verify that your phone supports eSIM.
    • Choose Tarifa S (€10) every 28 days: 90Gb data and 500 minutes. In my experience, it is more than enough.
    • Complete the purchase online.

    Activation sequence

    Screenshot
    • Select the Tarifa S prepaid plan and choose the eSIM option.
    • Complete the online order. The eSIM is available immediately, so there is no need to wait for delivery.
    • Activate the eSIM on your phone and follow the setup instructions.
    • Vodafone will send your new phone number by SMS.
    • Make the first recharge (top-up) through the Vodafone website or the Mi Vodafone app.
    • Start using the service with the data, calling, and roaming benefits included in your plan.