Mappy November!
A small red pill, my 80-year-old self, a Viennese hot box, an octopus life coach, and a French booty call walk into a newsletter...
Well, hello!
You’re reading Mappy Monday, a free monthly newsletter about budget travel, self-help experiments, money hacks, movie and book gems, and occasional silliness. You’ll also learn what’s new on my MappyEverAfter website.
New on MappyEverAfter: Route 66 through the Land of Enchantment
AI Shenanigans: I Talked to My 80-year-old Self
Experiment: 5 Days of Sauna for Back Pain
Travel: Check out European Christmas Markets
Health: Better Heart, Eyes, and Skin with Astaxanthin
Money: Marvelous Gifts and the Card to Buy Them
Watch: Documentary “My Octopus Teacher”
Mind Hack: No Doggie Bag for Bad Memories
Just because: French vs English Booty Call
Note: I will always tell you if I’m getting any referral bonuses and how much they are. You’ll find a couple in this letter, in the “Marvelous Gifts and the Card to Buy Them” section. When you click on any product link, Amazon tosses a little change my way based on what you add to your cart—even if it’s not the exact thing I recommended. And, if you get the Quicksilver card and spend $500 in the first 90 days, Capital One will give you a $250 bonus, and I’ll get a $100 referral fee. A win-win all around!
New on MappyEverAfter website - Route 66 Backwards, Part 2: New Mexico
After days buried in my photos (and possibly a few coffee-stained notes), here’s the next chapter of our west-to-east Route 66 trip. Part 2 drops us into New Mexico, where the ghosts of Gregory Peck and Katherine Hepburn still linger in El Rancho's wooden halls.
We stood on the spine of America (though it looks suspiciously like any other patch of desert), and at Villa de Cubero, we made friends with King, a gentle giant who rules over what was once Lucille Ball's refuge.
We cruised Albuquerque's Central Avenue like proper tourists, got impossibly charmed by Santa Fe's perfection, and – after an embarrassing detour – finally found that must-see mythical Blue Hole.
Come and ride shotgun through the Land of Enchantment!
AI Shenanigans - I Talked to My 80-year-old Self
MIT News talked about a free AI chatbot that acts like the Future You. After you answer a series of questions and download your photo (or avatar, as I did), the interaction looks like texting with a friend.
My 80-year-old Self made some wild predictions! We chatted for about an hour and she, among other things, came up with this:
Even after 23 years of marriage, I should keep looking for “the one”
I’ll temporarily turn gay and leave my husband for a woman named Maria
I will have made money investing in green energy and medical AI
My dad will be alive and well in 2053, aged 112 (which we all kind of saw coming) and he’ll still crack his jokes (Send help!)
There is also a before and after wellness questionnaire—MIT researchers are trying to find out if chatting to your future Self improves your well-being.
And you know what? In a weird way, it does! Even though it’s fictional, the Future You gives you a feeling that in 30 years’ time, you’ll still be fine.
Experiment - Sauna for Sore Back
This month's "experiment" was more of a serendipitous discovery during our trip to Vienna’s Christmas markets.
For months, my lower back has been going through a repertoire of unpleasant sensations that laughed in the face of yoga, exercise, and my growing frustration. I was one step away from asking for an X-ray.
Then came two lovely hotels in Vienna, Austria (with Chase points, of course, see the Travel section below), and their glorious saunas.
This was the ritual: Each day, 20 minutes of near-impossible heat—we're talking a scorching 90° Celsius (194° Fahrenheit), ribbons of sweat running down my body, followed by a freezing cold shower. To amp up the shock factor, I'd grab handfuls of crushed ice and rub them all over my skin. I’d wrap myself in a terry cloth robe, a quick drink of water, and then sink into a soft lounger in a quiet relaxation room. Rinse and repeat (pun intended) 2 to 4 times.
Five days of this regimen, and my back pain surrendered. Not a complete miracle cure, but a solid 90% improvement.
Sometimes, the best medical treatment comes wrapped in a terrycloth and served with a side of Austrian hospitality.
Travel - European Christmas Markets in Full Swing
In Europe, Christmas markets are more than tourist attractions—they're living, breathing traditions that date back to the Middle Ages. Cinnamon and wood smoke mingle in the air, some recipes older than the cobblestones beneath your feet. You can wrap your fingers around a hot mug of Glühwein while taking in views that would make a postcard blush.
The hubby landed in Vienna in mid-November and instead of just picking him up, I arranged a little surprise: five days of wandering through the twinkling, just-opened Christmas markets.
We stayed at two great hotels in Hyatt portfolio, a total bargain (in points) since November is considered “low season”: the Lindner near Belvedere Palace (3,500 points/night) and the Andaz by the HBF train station (9k points/night, plus one free category 1-4 certificate)—both good locations, easy transit, and (gasp) free saunas!
In December, European Christmas markets are in full swing. But November has its own charm—lower prices, fewer tourists, and that pre-rush feeling like you've discovered something special.
Next on our agenda - Salzburg and Bratislava.
Here’s an article on 29 of the Best Christmas Markets in Europe
Health - Astaxanthin Makes You Healthier and Younger-looking
Astaxanthin, the red pigment in salmon, krill, shrimp, and flamingos is a powerful antioxidant that protects the heart muscle 1, makes your skin look younger (whether you eat it or mix the supplement into your moisturizer) 2, may have anti-tumor properties (at least in mice) 3, it’s great for male fertility and your eye health, as per Dr. Andrew Huberman:
While a daily seafood feast would be delightful, a supplement is more practical and easier on the wallet. Just remember, this little red powerhouse plays well with fats, so pair it with a meal for the best absorption.
Money - Marvelous Gifts and the Card to Buy Them
If you need gifting inspiration, I put together a list of our favorite things. These we bought, used, not returned, used again, and again, and feel confident recommending:
This is hubby’s new favorite. Super soft, 100% organic Merino Wool t-shirt. He can wear it for a week without stinking it up. Here’s a long-sleeve version
My favorite foldable day pack. It packs small, holds 25 liters, and is comfy to wear
I never travel without my Plant Therapy Germ Fighter essential oil, my exercise bands to keep me fit on the road, or this 120-decibel (i.e. very loud) whistle, which I carry on all hikes, especially when there’s a risk of bumping into a bear
This Gokhale StretchSit cushion saved hubby’s back on our 10k-mile Route 66 road trip
See more stuff we use at the end of my article 10,000 Miles and Still Married
And to make money from all that holiday shopping, I have a card for you.
For a limited time (not sure how limited), if you use my link, you will earn a $250 bonus (the regular public offer is $200) after you spend $500. You’ll also earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases and get a 50% discount on beverages at any CapitalOne cafe. That’s where I use my Quicksilver card the most.
All you need to do:
Have a good credit score
Apply for the Quicksilver card using my link
Get the card and spend $500 in the first 90 days with it
Get $250 bonus posted to your account!
Other perks:
Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Get 50% off drinks at every CapitalOne Cafe if you pay with your Quicksilver card
Watch - My Octopus Teacher
My Octopus Teacher is one of the most incredible documentaries I’ve ever seen. It’s about a filmmaker who develops an unusual friendship with a curious and intelligent octopus, as he gets immersed into the underwater world of a kelp forest off the coast of South Africa.
The whole movie is beautifully shot and very touching. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it—it’s such a heartwarming and visually stunning film!
Watch it on Netflix, or on DailyMotion (free with ads).
Mind Hack - Clear Your Mental Plate
Imagine you're at a restaurant and the waiter serves you rotten food. You'd never dream of asking for a doggie bag to take it home.
Yet we collect toxic thoughts like they're gourmet leftovers. That awkward moment from last week? That cutting remark from five years ago? We're storing them, reheating them, nibbling on them again and again.
Our minds aren't meant to be repositories for emotional rot.
Next time someone serves you something rancid, avoid the urge to make it your daily special.
Just Because - French vs English Booty Call
So there you have it. We went through New Mexico files, boiled ourselves in Vienna, and munched at European Christmas markets. Then we took a tiny red pill and pondered the finer points of international flirtation—all while an octopus taught us about life.
Just your typical, perfectly normal, totally coherent newsletter.
Be Mappy,
Mags
