Great thread.
Quote: (12-26-2018 05:56 PM)RespirationVaginale Wrote:
- Logistics pre-arrival : Before arriving I will already have done a logistical map of the city. Open google maps. Search "malls", star the most popular. Search "universities", star the most popular. Search nightlife, star the most popular. If there is a subway/metro I also star every subway station. I cross-reference my findings with rvf datasheets to make sure I mapped all the essentials. Now i have a basic logistic template which will serve as my map for searching airbnb. I also cross-reference with other websites, ususually in big cities there is what I call the "backpacker zone trap" where tons of cheap airbnb results will show up but I must avoid that kind of zone so I make a mental note (eg : nana in BKK). Also I check on google street view the neighborhoods that I like to be sure they are not too noisy. I use tripadvisor restaurant map to superpose it to my logistical map and help me make my choice. Once I made my choice I pin my address on google maps. I also pin in "want to go" on google maps all the accessory logistical points near my chosen address. Coffee shops, supermarkets, gyms...
- Logistics post-arrival : exploration by foot of my territory.
This is pretty much exactly how I do my logistics too. I star the fuck out of the place in Google Maps with anything and everything I find useful, then drill down and categorize a bit. Then I zoom out and look for clusters of stars -> 90% of the time this correlates with areas I should stay in.
I do give extra weight to RVF threads, if the consensus is to stay in a certain area or avoid a certain area, I will usually follow that advice.
Do not underestimate the importance of logistics. It's the one thing I am willing to invest time and money in and go over budget for. Cough up the extra few bucks for location and convenience, it's worth it every single time.
Some more stuff that comes to mind, in random order:
- I usually take 30 minutes to skim-read the most important RVF threads, take notes of everything I find useful immediately, and download the rest of it to read on the plane journey.
- While figuring out logistics, I tap into my personal network and also RVF to find out if anyone has been there, has lived there or is currently there. I ask them about where to go, if they want to meet up etc.
- It's infinitely easier to arrive at a new place and have someone you already know, and/or a vetted RVF member, welcome you and show you the ropes. I've experienced numerous places around the world without ever having seen the tourist hot spots, instead going into the sticks and experiencing the local way of life with someone I know. It's so much better, especially if that person is red pill.
- I start pipelining about a week in advance, earlier than that seems to have a lower ROI for me.
- When I arrive, I spend about 2 hours scoping out my immediate neighborhood, making it a point to remember landmarks, grocery stores and opening times, bars and anything that could be useful later. I also pick up basic groceries that'll last me for the next couple days.
- If I plan to be at a new place for a longer time, I make it a point to walk the fuck around. I usually walk around my immediate neighborhood all the time. I check out the scene at 7am in the morning, 10am, noon, 3pm, dinner time, late night and even the middle of the night. I make it a point to walk around as much as possible at every random time possible. There is no better way than this to get familiar with how things work and how people live.