• Posted on June 16, 2013

THE SITUATION IN ATHENS

In Italy, in Spain, in Portugal and throughout much of the world, people are talking about the recent economic crisis and how it’s changed their lives.  The Crisis has been a constant topic of conversation around dinner tables, in the homes of new friends, and a living study in real world economics for the kids. […]

  • Posted on February 01, 2013

OUR CUB REPORTER: SEVILLE GARBAGE STRIKE

In an otherwise ridiuclously beautiful city, we arrived in Seville to find the Andalusian capital in the grips of a mounting garbage workers strike.  We sent the youngest of our tribe to investigate the situation and, in doing so, we can all learn a thing or two about global economics through the prism of a […]

  • Posted on December 08, 2012

THE STORY OF RUBBER

Back in the 70’s, we grew up loving “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” especially the regularly featured short films showing, say, the process of how peanut butter gets manufactured or how blankets are woven and stitched.  So drawing significant inspiration from the late great Fred Rogers (who left this mortal coil in 2003), we decided to make […]

  • Posted on November 28, 2012

ROAD MATH: TEST YOUR TRAVEL I.Q.

Behold the price of gas in Thailand.  Here’s today’s assignment:  Tell us the cost for a gallon of gas in Thailand in US dollars.  Keep in mind, the prices you are looking at are for a liter.  Use your currency convertor to find out how many Thai Baht you get for a US dollar.  Then […]

  • Posted on November 26, 2012

THE RISKY MARKET

In a village in Thailand, about fifty kilometers from Bangkok, there is a daily outdoor market the locals have dubbed “The Risky Market.”  Come along with us and check out how this place got its well-deserved moniker.The music is Harry Belafonte singing about Jamaica, but the images are pure Thailand.  It’s interesting to see how […]

  • Posted on September 16, 2012

THE PRICE OF GAS IN AUSTRALIA

In our further study of fuel prices around the world, we present exhibit B:  The cost to fill a tank in a normal five passenger sedan in Adelaide, Australia.Yes, that’s $97.25 Australian dollars.  And keep in mind that currently it costs just over 105 U.S. cents to buy an Australian dollar, so that brings the […]

  • Posted on September 05, 2012

WHAT IT COSTS

When people hear you’re taking a trip around the world, the first question they ask is: What do you pack?  The second question that pops into their head (but is seldom asked) is:  How much does that sort of thing cost?  This video is the answer to the second question — broken down over the […]

  • Posted on August 11, 2012

WHAT WE SEE TODAY

The price of gas in Ecuador.  Yes, that’s per gallon.  Your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you.  It caused a double-take for us too.  Thanks to government subsidies, you can still fill your tank here for less than twenty bucks.  That’s nothing compared to Venezuela where the price of gas still hovers around 9 cents […]

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