Episode 19: The cost of living vs saving up for travels

Hey there, and welcome back to "Southern Summers and Northern Winters"! In this episode, Anders and Mark are catching up on all sorts of interesting stuff. They chat about what it's like to be in Rome during Easter, especially if the Pope happens to pass away, and they even get into the idea of flying taxis—yep, just like in the movies! The guys also share their thoughts on Munich's beer gardens and how politics in the U.S. might be shaking things up globally. Plus, they swap stories about travel costs, grocery shopping, and even a wild theory about China's population. It's a fun, laid-back conversation that covers a bit of everything, so grab a drink, get comfy, and join us for a good time!

**Episode Overview: Southern Summers and Northern Winters Podcast** 

**00:00 - 00:21**: Introduction

- Mark and Anders begin the episode with a casual conversation about their video setup and how things are going.

**00:21 - 01:13**: Easter and the Pope

- Discussion about Easter, the Pope's message, and the hypothetical scenario of visiting Rome when the Pope dies.

**01:13 - 02:25**: Conclave and Vatican Films

- Anders mentions a film called "Conclave" related to the Vatican, which they watched around Easter.

**02:25 - 04:15**: Personal Updates

- Mark shares his Easter activities, including cleaning his office and transforming it into a more productive space.

**04:15 - 06:00**: Tidiness and Productivity

- Anders and Mark discuss their preferences for tidiness and how it affects their productivity.

**06:00 - 08:25**: Flying Cars and Future Technology

- A nostalgic look back at "Back to the Future" and the current developments in flying taxi startups.

**08:25 - 10:58**: Safety Concerns with Flying Vehicles

- Concerns about the safety and regulation of flying taxis and the recent helicopter crash in New York.

**10:58 - 12:59**: Airline Experiences

- Mark talks about his upcoming flight with Cebu Pacific and the experience of flying on a densely packed plane.

**12:59 - 16:22**: Long-Haul Flight Challenges

- Anders shares his experience of a long-haul flight from New Zealand to Denmark and the discomforts of economy class.

**16:22 - 18:28**: Nostalgia for Past Airline Experiences

- A discussion on how air travel used to be more luxurious and the changes over the years.

**18:28 - 20:57**: U.S. Tourism and Politics

- The decline in U.S. tourism and the political implications of the current administration's policies.

**20:57 - 24:03**: Global Manufacturing and Trade

- The challenges of manufacturing in Western countries and the impact of global trade dynamics.

**24:03 - 28:28**: Munich's Beer Culture

- Anders talks about Munich's beer festivals, the history of strong beer, and the city's beer gardens.

**28:28 - 32:29**: Beer Brands and Export Markets

- Discussion on various German beer brands and their presence in international markets.

**32:29 - 36:08**: Dining Out Costs

- Comparing the costs of dining out in Germany and Australia, including the price of beer and meals.

**36:08 - 41:15**: Grocery Prices and Cost of Living

- A look at the cost of groceries in Australia and Germany, and how it affects disposable income.

**41:15 - 45:26**: China's Population Theory

- Mark shares a theory about China possibly overestimating its population and the implications of such a claim.

**45:26 - 49:50**: Global Population Concerns

- Discussion on global birth rates, the potential for underpopulation, and societal changes.

**49:50 - 52:52**: Work-Life Balance and Childcare

- The challenges of balancing work and family life, particularly in Germany, and the infrastructure needed to support working parents.

**52:52 - 56:51**: Saving for Travel

- Strategies for saving money for travel and the importance of prioritizing experiences.

**56:51 - 59:15**: Travel Plans and Destinations

- Mark discusses his travel plans and the decision-making process for choosing destinations.

**59:15 - 1:02:10**: Indonesia's New Capital

- Brief mention of Indonesia's plan to build a new capital city due to Jakarta's environmental challenges.

**1:02:10 - 1:02:38**: Closing Remarks

- Anders and Mark wrap up the episode, inviting listeners to engage with them on social media and share feedback.

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