Hey Reader,
This week I'm traveling to Missouri. Sadly it's not for fun but for my aunt's memorial service. She passed away rather suddenly so I'm still pretty much in shock. It's going to be a tough trip, but I'm sure there will be laughter too as we all tell stories.
I'm not taking Shelby this time. It's just going to be too crazy with so much family in one place. She'll stay with my dad and stepmom.
Last time she stayed with them she got hold of a stick of butter. I still laugh imagining my stepmom trying to get it away from her. It did not end well for any of them. But luckily she's welcome back.
Here's what I have for you this week:
✈️ Travel Spotlight: Stress-Free Spanish
💻 Digital Nomad Life: Nomads.com
🐾 Travel With a Dog: Vaccinations
✈️ Travel Spotlight
This Week: Spanish for Travelers
When I first started spending time in Mexico, I tried learning Spanish the traditional way and got frustrated fast. I know a lot of words but when it comes to real situations, I freeze.
That’s why I put together an ebook called Essential Spanish for Travelers. It’s not a textbook. It’s a simple reference you can flip open right when you need it.
Before I walk into a restaurant, I’ll glance at the section on food and remind myself how to say “para llevar” if I want my order to go.
On the bus, I’ll review how to ask the driver to let me off at the next corner (“la esquina, por favor.”)
I'm still working on learning Spanish, but at least I have a quick cheat sheet I can refer to.
I also included two bonus sections. One is a quick primer on Spanish basics like accents, vowels, and simple grammar so you can sound more natural without getting lost in the details.
The other is a section on general travel tips for Mexico. You’ll learn cultural do’s and don’ts, bathroom surprises you’ll want to be prepared for, how tipping works, and other practical advice that locals know but most tourists don’t.
👉 Grab Your Copy Here: Essential Spanish for Travelers
💻 Digital Nomad Life
Topic: Help for Nomads: Nomads.com
One of the hardest parts of being a digital nomad is figuring out where to go next and making sure you’ll actually enjoy living there. Nomads.com (formerly called Nomad List) takes out the guesswork by giving you hard data and real experiences from other nomads.
Some of what they provide:
City Rankings and Data: Thousands of cities are rated on cost of living, internet speed, safety, weather, walkability, nightlife, and more. You can filter by what matters most to you. They even break down things like safety for women and racism.
Cost of Living Breakdowns: See average prices for housing, food, transportation, and coworking so you can budget realistically.
Community Access: Join Slack-style chat groups by city or topic to meet other nomads, ask questions, and find meetups.
Trip Planner and Tracking: Map out your travels, log the countries you’ve visited, and see where your friends are right now.
Verified Reviews: Instead of relying on glossy travel blogs, you’ll see feedback from people who are living in each place.
You can get a lot of information for free, but to get the most out of it, you'll need a membership, which is $99 one-time. I think it's worth it. But check it out and see what you think.
(Note that I'm not an affiliate for them so I don't get anything out of referring you. I just think it's really helpful.)
👉 More on this: Visit Nomads.com for more info.
🐾 Travel With a Dog
This Week: Vaccinations for Travel Dogs
As a dog owner, you already know your pup needs core vaccinations like rabies. But when I started traveling with Shelby, I quickly realized there are a few more vaccines that matter, especially if you’re going to be around other dogs, near water, or crossing borders.
Here’s a list I keep handy whenever I’m planning a trip:
Rabies – This one’s non-negotiable. It’s legally required in most places, and for international travel, you’ll need a signed certificate. Some countries even require the shot to be at least 30 days old before you arrive.
DHLPP (or DHPP) – This is the “combo” vaccine most vets give. It covers distemper, hepatitis/adenovirus, leptospirosis (sometimes optional), parainfluenza, and parvovirus. Basically, it’s the foundation for keeping your dog safe from the nastiest diseases they can catch from other dogs or the environment.
Bordetella (Kennel Cough) – I learned the hard way that kennels aren't the only place that requires this one. Shelby has also needed it just for doggie day care play time. Bordetella helps prevent a nasty cough that spreads fast.
Leptospirosis – Shelby loves water, which means she’s at risk of picking this up from streams, puddles, or soil contaminated by wildlife. It can be serious, so I always make sure she's up to date.
Canine Influenza – Dog flu isn’t fun and spreads quickly in crowded areas like airports or city dog parks. Some places now require proof of this vaccine for boarding or daycare.
Many of these have different timing. Rabies can last up to 3 years, while others like Bordetella may only be effective for 6–12 months.
To keep it simple, I set reminders on my calendar for when each one is due so I don’t miss a dose. If you let one lapse, your dog may need to restart with a full series of shots instead of just a booster, which can mean extra time and expense.
🥸 Joke of the Week
Where do zombies go on vacation?
The Dead Sea.
I want this newsletter to be as useful as possible. What topics would help you most? Reply and let me know!
Happy travels,
Sherry
Digital Nomad and a Dog
P.S. Be sure to follow me on Facebook!
My general travel page is Digital Nomad and a Dog
I have a Facebook group specifically for travel in the Yucatan Peninsula called, you guessed it, Yucatan Peninsula Travel
I also have a private group, Women Over 50 Digital Nomads (you don't need to be over 50, but you do need to be a woman)
You can also follow me on Instagram