Probably the safest solution is to get a basic domestic individual health insurance plan for the US and supplement it with one of the international plans such as those offered by insuremytrip. The domestic plan will cover the usual medical treatments in the US and the interntional plan will cover overseas treatment. Individual plans via bcbs are very expensive, at least $230 a month, so one of the state's subsidized medical plans would be more affordable. Therefore, which state plan do I get? Which international plan do I get? Can I cancel my travelplus insruance, which offers 100,000 evac insurance and get a prorated refund if the other medical plans offer suitable coverage? How does it work if both insurers offer coverage for the same thing?

Traveler's Emergency Network, provides emergency travel services, including $100,000 evacuation insurance for $129 annual individual membership. Limits trips to 90 days.
InsureMyTrip.com, quotes and comparisons of several travel and medical policies; very convenient.

According to Joe Romm in Hell and High Water, we need to reduce carbon emissions by 8 billion tons per year, which he suggests can be accomplished by implementing 8 "wedges", each of which reduces emissions by 1 billion tons per year. It was unclear whether this needed to be done worldwide or whether he was referring only to steps the US must take. One of the wedges involves replacing vehicles with cars getting 60 mpg (miles per US gallon), or 25.4 km / L or just about 4 L / 100 km. Here, it was unclear , or I cannot recall, if this applied to all vehicles' average fuel efficiency (including trucks and cars, etc.) At any rate, the main point was that he said vehicles need to get 60 mpg and that this can best be accomplished, given current technology, using hybrid vehicles. Does converting to hybrid vehicles make sense?

Letter to Representative Barney Frank (D-MA):

I object to this sham 700-billion bailout plan. It doesn't include proper regulatory mechanisms, public ownership, etc. At least Rep Kucinich had a better thought out plan. Now the bill has grown to hundreds of pages of disgusting pork projects. Sweden dealt with a similar (but smaller) problem in the 90s, and it wasn't by just throwing money at banks and handing out random tax breaks. This is my money you're talking about stealing and giving to a bunch of corrupt rich criminals. We already have bankruptcy laws. Let these rich bastards who stole our money and ruined our economy loose the shirts off their backs before you hand over any of my money. I don't trust a word out of Paulson's mouth, Mr. Investment Banker himself-- they are just paying off their buddies. And to top it all off, this is a 700 billion dollar bandaid on a much larger problem; will you be coming to me in a year's time begging for another trillion dollars? You and the other Democrats failed to bring our troops home, which would have saved lives and drastically reduced government debt (since the US is paying for this war the wrong way--by taxing future generations). You bet I'm angry, and I'm angry with the inept failure of the Congress to exert oversight over the runaway fraud permitted (or encouraged?) by the US government.

Thai Bhat rates at Bangok Bank, approximately standard conversion rates (give or take).

Some convenient financial information.

Getting local currency overseas can be done several ways.

- Carry convertible foreign currency, usually US dollars or Euros, and have it converted at banks or on the street. Have some of this. Good for paying for visas and when first arriving in a country. Always have stashed in several secret places (along with a bit of local currency).

- Carry travelers' checks, e.g. Amex or Thomas Cook, , and have it converted at banks or on the street. Good to have some of these on hand for places where no ATMs or need quick cash. Replaceable in case of loss or theft.