Costa Rica, Your Dream Vacation
Are you travelling on a budget and trying to find the best way to visit your dream vacation location, Costa Rica? While you may be worried that travelling with a family is going to cost a fortune, consider a few money saving tips that could make your next vacation a bit more affordable without having to sacrifice all of the great activities you can’t wait to enjoy.
Planning ahead is a great way to set your budget and try to organize activities within your price range. Figure out how much money is a comfortable amount to spend each night and plan in a bit of expense padding for when you hit those forgotten costs like tips, tax, and even the small souvenir here and there. If you do have kids maybe even use this as a way to help teach them about budgeting.
Give them an amount of money that they can spend on souvenirs, and let them figure out how they would like to budget it. Help them process through the idea that if they get something small at each location, the money will last longer, or if they want something big like a t-shirt or a wall hanging, they will have to make that choice as well.
Also, you can save some money by cutting out any extra costs. Sure, you can assume that with a small family, a rental car is a necessity, especially since you normally can get pretty decent rates if you book ahead. Just be aware that there are extra fees associated with renting a car in Costa Rica. Even if your credit card company covers the car, you will still need to purchase a different coverage that is required by law in Costa Rica.
This can, at times, double the cost of the rental by the time all is said and done. Depending on where you are travelling to in Costa Rica, see if you really even need a rental car. You can book shuttles to most places, which are much cheaper then a taxicab, and once you get to a location, most of the activities in the area are within walking distance. Lots of tours also provide transportation to and from as well, for no additional fee. Depending on how much of the country you are planning to explore, choosing to avoid the extra rental cost could be the way to go.
A vacation rental is also a great way to save some cash. Just think of all those times you went out to breakfast, just because you had to feed everyone before that day’s activities, even though all that the kids really wanted was maybe some fruit and cereal. Those small meals add up, and oddly enough the simple grilled cheese for lunch usually will suffice. Plan to enjoy at least one meal per day at home and you can save loads of money. By staying at Costa Rica Rental Properties you can even stock the place with delicious local ice cream and treats so that after dinner everyone can have some dessert without adding to the dinner bill. While it may not seem like much, the $40 plus food bill at each restaurant can pack a heavy toll by the end of the week.
Another way to try and get some extra deals while planning your vacation is to seek out off-season specials. If your trip allows it, try and go during the “off season.” Many tours and accommodations offer better deals during the slower tourist seasons to try and encourage visitors. You can always chat up the locals as well and see where they would recommend for a good deal. No matter what details you can’t live without during your trip, or which locations you just have to visit, where there is a will there is a way, and with a little bit of extra planning you can organize the adventure vacation of a life time.
Emerging Fun Spots for Chance and Enjoyment
The gambling industry has changed massively since the rise of the internet and there are many ways to play your favorite games online nowadays. For those of you who consider yourself to be a more adventurous sort, there are plenty of popular and less popular destinations. The world is a pretty big place and it’s not difficult to think of at least a few places where the tourism industry is heavily dependent upon high-rolling holidaymakers coming into the country to try and make their dreams come true. A place like Las Vegas is the obvious top answer, but there are a few less well-known destinations that fill the same criteria, but aren’t quite as busy or, to be blunt, touristy.
Japan is more widely recognized as being a popular spot for those who like their games and their gadgets, but in recent years the leisure industry has branched out into more recognized forms of gaming, such as casino favorites like Poker and Roulette. It is still very much a traditional country, and their customary games such as Pachinko are as yet unlikely to be beaten in popularity by the newcomers, but the market and the players are there. It’s just a matter of time until Japan becomes as popular for its casinos as they are for its cuisine.
For those of you who enjoy online casino games using sites like this, you are no doubt aware of just how exciting it can be to find yourself raking in a huge jackpot after a few hours of playing the tables. No matter what your game, there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing your hard work and determination pay off with a big win. There aren’t many players who would disagree that for sheer pleasure and convenience, playing online casino games at home is the way to go, but those that would have found that it might be worth traveling slightly further than you might think.
The Ultimate Guide to Boosting Hair Growth Naturally
MD is a well-known brand that sells a variety of supplements for hair growth that are meant to promote healthy hair growth in a natural way.
The MD hair Growth supplements comprise a combination of natural substances, such as vitamins, minerals, and plant extracts, that have been specially developed to stimulate hair development and general hair health.
These ingredients include vitamins, minerals, and plant extracts. In the following paragraphs, we’ll take a more in-depth look at some of the essential components that are included in MD-Factor supplements.
Biotin
Biotin is a B vitamin that dissolves in water and is known for its important function in maintaining healthy hair, skin, and nails. Biotin insufficiency has been connected to hair loss taking biotin supplements may assist to enhance hair growth and prevent hair thinning.
Biotin deficiency has been associated with hair loss. Since they include a substantial quantity of biotin, MD-Factor supplements are an excellent option for those who want to stimulate the development of their hair.
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto is an extract from the saw palmetto plant, which has a long history of usage as a treatment for hair loss. It is believed to operate by preventing the transformation of testosterone into DHT, a hormone that is associated with balding and hair loss. Saw palmetto may help to increase hair development and prevent hair loss by lowering levels of the hormone DHT, which is responsible for male pattern baldness. Saw palmetto extract is included in MD-Factor supplements, which makes them a good option for those who want to enhance the health of their hair.
The Extract of Horsetail
Silica is a mineral that is necessary for healthy hair, skin, and nails, and horsetail extract is a plant-based substance that is high in silica. Since silica helps to strengthen the hair shaft, it is less likely to get damaged or broken due to everyday use. Since they include horsetail extract, MD-Factor supplements are an excellent option for those who want to boost the strength and resiliency of their hair.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an effective antioxidant that shields the scalp and hair from the damage that may be caused by free radicals. Damage to the hair follicles caused by free radicals may result in thinning hair and hair loss. Vitamin E might assist stimulate healthy hair development by preventing damage to the follicles caused by free radicals.
As MD-Factor supplements are rich in vitamin E, they are an excellent option for those who are interested in enhancing the health of their hair.
MD supplements also include a variety of other advantageous vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin B6, and iron, all of which play key roles in ensuring that healthy hair development is maintained.
Vitamin C is necessary for the creation of collagen, which is needed for the development of hair as well as the general health of the hair. Iron is necessary for the production of red blood cells, which also help to deliver oxygen to the hair follicles. At the same time, vitamin B6 is involved in the production of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to the hair follicles. Vitamin B6 is also involved in the production of oxygen-carrying proteins that are called oxyhemoglobins.
It is simple to include MD Nutri hair supplements into your regular regimen because of how convenient they are. You just need to take two capsules each day with some food and drink in order to start seeing improvements in the health of your hair.
It is vital to keep in mind that MD supplements are not a miracle cure for hair loss or thinning, despite the fact that they have been shown to be beneficial in boosting hair growth. It is also crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to encourage good hair development, which includes eating a balanced diet and exercising on a regular basis.
In conclusion, MD supplements are an excellent choice for those who are interested in enhancing the development of their hair in a natural way. MD-Factor supplements may help to increase the strength, resiliency, and thickness of your hair by using a proprietary combination of important nutrients. Some of these critical ingredients include biotin, saw palmetto, horsetail extract, vitamin E, and other useful vitamins and minerals. To get the most out of them, you need to be sure they are part of your overall healthy lifestyle.
Things to Do in Takayama, Japan
The high altitude of Takayama and the terrain often separate this area from the tourists visiting Asia. If they do not take the chance to go and see what this city has to offer they are missing a great opportunity. It is located in the mountains of the Hida region. Because of the distance and relatively few residents, about 90,000, this city manages to maintain a charm that other bigger and more modern cities in Japan have. Visitors to the region can enjoy the rural charm at one of the many different places that are open to them.
1. Old Town – This area is preserved in such a way that many visitors think they have stepped back in time. The streets and buildings date back over 500 years and have been home to many wealthy merchants. Tourists can view the homes, visit a coffee shop or browse through one of the shops that line the old street. There are some homes that are open to the public. The normal hours of business for many of the shops are from 9:00 am to 5:00 PM. One of the great ways to see this historic part of the city is on a rickshaw. There are many that can be rented for this purpose.
2. Higashuyama Walk – A stroll on this path takes visitors through many of the sites of Takayama. Tourists will get to see the temples, shrines, and the ruins of a castle that are along this walk. The path leads through the rural countryside and is not meant to be hurried through.
3. Morning Markets – There are two main markets that tourists can see. They open at around 6:30. The two markets are the Jinya-mae and the Miyagawa market and the vendors of these markets offer local crafts, food, and many other things for travelers to browse through and buy. It is a great way to get souvenirs of the area. Craftsmen of Takinaya are renowned for their carpentry and this is often on display at the markets.
4. Yatai Kaikan – This hall is located next to the Sakayurayama Haikichan Shrine and is the location for some floats that are used in the festivals that are so well known in Takayama. Eleven floats are on display in this hall. Some are several hundred years old and are another example of the skill of tradesmen that come from this region.
5. Matsuri no Mori – This museum is dedicated to the Takayama Festival. The main hall of this museum is designed to resemble a cave and is filled with miniature festival floats. As visitors explore the museum they will find life-size floats for the festival along with the decorations and marionettes that accompany the floats. The museum uses mechanical marionettes for display purposes so visitors can see the puppets in action. Another favorite display of the visitors is the Taike drums which are said to be the largest drums in the world. Smart travelers can find a coupon that gets them discounted admission.
The Best of British Summer Time Visit Brighton
It happens every year, but I’m still none the wiser as to why. During the summer months, when we’re finally rewarded with warmer temperatures and a bit of sun, countless droves of us Brits pack our bags and abandon the glorious British Isles for foreign holidays.
Confusing when you consider the diversity, beauty and rich culture which our very own, dear Britain has to offer as a holiday destination. And where better to enjoy the precious (and rare) warm weather we’re blessed with, than the seaside town of Brighton on the Sussex coast?
Cosmopolitan, bohemian, fashionable, colourful, outrageous even… any of which can be used to describe this Victorian bathing town, which now occupies a top spot as one of the UK’s best party destinations.
But there’s definitely more to Brighton than partying. It’s also an epicentre for the arts, music and cinema, with the town’s numerous museums, galleries and theatres acting as a huge pull factor for visitors and travellers.
The next time you’re packing your bags and heading off to explore a new destination, keep it ‘in-house’ by spending your next holiday in Brighton and experiencing the best of a British summer!
When to Go
Brighton’s a fantastic destination year-round, although there’s no denying that the place comes alive during the summer months.
When you’re planning your trip to Brighton, it’s best to arrange your stay around the numerous events and festivals.
An event that’s definitely not to be missed is the Brighton MOD Weekender, which will be running from Saturday 24th to Sunday 25th of August. This is a celebration of all things MOD and is sure to be unlike any other summer event in the country.
2013 is the 40th anniversary of The Who’s ‘Quadrophenia’ album, so this year will be something of a special celebration for the UK’s MOD population. Though the characteristic fur-collared anorak won’t be entirely suitable during August, you can inaugurate yourself into the MOD crowd by wearing the iconic Ray Ban Wayfarer – available to buy online from Red Hot Sunglasses.
If you consider yourself a bit of a foodie, then the Brighton & Hove Food & Drink Festival is the one for you. This showcase of local produce, retailers and restaurants is running from Saturday 7th to Sunday 8th of September.
For more information on Brighton’s summer events, check out this guide from visitbrighton.com.
Where to Stay
Brighton’s a big town, with its fair share of chain hotels. If all you’re after is somewhere to lay your head, you’ll have your pick of accommodation – minus the character and the personality!
In a destination that’s as unique as Brighton, it would be a shame to choose a hotel you could find anywhere else in the country. Check out Snooze in the Kemptown District for a B&B that combines a vintage and contemporary design, with a little bit of luxury. It’s so good that it’s been shortlisted for the 2013 Best UK B&B Award by Food and Travel Magazine.
What to Do
When it comes to things to see and do in Brighton, travellers are spoilt for choice.
Popular sites like the Royal Pavilion and the Brighton Pier are so iconic that you couldn’t not be taken aback when you come to face to face with them. But if you’re fancying something a little more unusual, Brighton won’t fail to disappoint.
If ‘unusual’ is your buzzword, then look no further than the Brighton Murder and Mayhem Tour. This eerie, yet fascinating, walk through Brighton’s streets and cobbled lane focuses on the town’s history of grisly murders and ghostly tales. This one’s not for the fainthearted or the squeamish mind but is sure to get pulses racing for you thrill seekers.
You may not have thought of it, but Brighton’s surrounding countryside is perfect for walking and cycling. A popular choice with walkers is the ‘Chattri and Windmills’ route, through the breathtaking beauty of the South Downs. Chattri, meaning umbrella in Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu, refers to the stone monument which can be found along the route. Revealed in 1921, this monument is dedicated to the Indian Soldiers who lost their lost lives in the First World War and is as beautiful as it is moving and thought-provoking.
The next time you’re planning a holiday, avoid the stresses of the departure lounge and ditch the jet lag: sample the best of what British summer has to offer with a trip to the unique and diverse seaside town of Brighton. Enjoy!
Apartment Rentals a Great Alternative Hotels
When travelling, near or far, one of the main things that have the potential to make or break your trip is the quality of your accommodation. Badly chosen accommodation could turn your experience in a wonderful city into something you’d rather forget. For this reason, putting a bit of time into selecting where you stay is worthwhile. Many people will automatically start their search on a hotel or hostel website but this article is here to tell you about why you should consider an apartment rental instead. For apartments, the London Serviced Apartments website is a great starting point.
Self-Catering
One reason is that apartments come with a kitchen which means that you can whip up your own meals while you’re there. This means you’ll save money by buying groceries to cook for yourself and, depending on what country you’re in, it will give you a great opportunity to whip up some local recipes. It’ll also encourage you to break from the tourist trail and head to a local market or grocery store to stock up which will add an interesting element to your trip.
Get a Taste of Life as a Local
Though there are many apartment options in a city’s main tourist areas, those spots aren’t the only places to see. Neighbourhoods outside of the usual recommendations often have a personality of their own with plenty to see. Hotels might not have been set up in these places yet, but apartments are often an option. Staying a bit outside of the usual places and exploring a local neighbourhood will set your trip apart from the usual experience and add a bit extra to the mix.
Cost
Hotel rooms are expensive. Hostels are less so, but you get what you pay for. Apartment rentals often come with a much cheaper price tag than a hotel room would, especially if you’re planning on staying a week or more.
Set Your Pace
If you’re staying in a busy, hectic city and you have lots on your agenda (either work or tourist activities), an apartment offers a personal space to zone out and relax without having to stick to your dorm or hotel room. You can wake up and wander around in your undies for awhile while reading a book and waiting for your coffee to brew. Or if you’d rather go go go then wake up and scatter 20 maps around the room! Apartments give you a level of personal space that lets you set your own pace.
More Space
With some exceptions, apartments are likely to be larger than a hotel room and certainly much larger than your dorm space in a hostel. Feeling cooped up in a hotel room can make returning there at the end of the night feel like a punishment rather than a reward for a hard day on the city’s streets. Apartments will usually have several rooms beyond just the bedroom and this makes your accommodation feel a lot less claustrophobic.
Finding the Right Apartment Rental
Searching for accommodation shouldn’t be rushed, no matter what type you’re looking at. If you’re looking for a place that’s not in an obvious tourist area, take some time to research that neighbourhood. If you’ll be relying on public transportation to get around, take some time to see what each neighbourhood has to offer. If London is your target city, for example, check out this map to see where each place is located and then start your research from there.
Finding a great place to stay while you visit a new city is key to having a good time so do your research and make sure to find a place that’s a great fit for you!
Tips for Buying a Caravan
Travelling is exciting and enriching, but at some point, everyone starts to long for their own bed. When you own a caravan, you can wave goodbye to expensive holidays where you have to pay for pricey accommodation and expensive restaurants. Instead, you can enjoy a budget caravan holiday in comfort, where you can cook in your own kitchen and sleep in your own bed.
If you choose a static caravan, you can return to your favourite location year after year, knowing you have a second home to go to. Or if you opt for a touring caravan, you can explore and travel at your leisure, knowing that you have your own bed and luxuries in tow.
If this all sounds appealing, then here are some tips for buying a caravan.
Size Really Does Matter
When it comes to purchasing a touring caravan, you must choose a model that can be pulled by your car. While larger caravans give you extra space and offer a higher level of luxury, you will need a much larger and more powerful car to tow. Generally speaking, the weight of the caravan should not exceed 85% of the weight of your vehicle.
Tip: If you require extra space, consider buying an awning. An awning is a tent-like structure that attaches to the side of your caravan and can double your space.
Finances
Whether you choose a brand-new caravan or a used model, the cost is key. The most expensive part will be your one-off investment. To make sure you are paying the correct price for your caravan, search the web for price comparisons.
However, you will also have to consider insurance and storage. There are secure storage facilities for touring caravans, or you can keep your static van in your favourite park, but both will charge a monthly fee.
Consider Layout
Just like a house, caravans come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you are searching for a 2 or 6-berth, browse layouts and find out what will work best for you. You can look at layouts online, but nothing works as well as seeing them in the flesh. Visit local caravan showrooms and experience the space for yourself.
Figures show that the popularity of caravanning holidays is on the increase. During 2012, one in three people had been on a caravanning or camping trip, compared to one in five in 2009. So why not buy a caravan and follow the trend?
Three Unique Venues for a Weekend Getaway in the UK
Getting away for a weekend is something everyone enjoys and offers respite after yet another hard week at work.
It’s important to try and give yourself a break every now and again, and if you’re lucky enough you might be getting away from home more than just a couple of times a year.
But if you are blessed enough to be enjoying several mini-breaks a year, there’s a hidden curse to be wary of – those breaks could become routine or boring. Staying in lookalike hotels is no fun, even if you are staying in different locations.
Fortunately, there’s a way around this problem, and that’s to book accommodation through a glamping UK provider like Quality Unearthed. The company has a wealth of unique and unusual properties throughout the UK, so we thought we’d take a look at just three of their quirky properties.
Treehouse holidays
Quality Unearthed has several treehouses on its books and one of them is the spectacular Bensfield Treehouse in Sussex. Just an hour south of London it offers amazing countryside seclusion, as well as access to the country’s capital city.
It’s equipped with all the mod-cons (as are all the treehouses on offer on the Quality Unearthed website) and is exceptionally comfortable.
Guests also get full use of a dozen acres of farmland and woodland surrounding the treehouse, making it the ideal place for an evening stroll to the local pub for dinner and back again. A fantastic way of getting back to nature without any discomfort.
Eco Pods
For conscientious travelers, there’s often a worry about carbon footprints, and how traveling all around the country can negatively affect the environment. If that’s something that concerns you then why not stay in an eco-pod?
The environmentally friendly accommodation pods are carbon neutral yet still warm and comfortable.
Quality Unearthed has them across Sussex, Dorset, and Somerset and arguably the pick of the bunch is the Adam pod, near Glastonbury.
It’s a retro-style cabin perfectly situated for glamping in Glastonbury, set in a quiet paddock facing the famous Glastonbury Tor. It looks intriguing and any mathematician worth their salt should be able to tell you why at a glance – it was designed and built by local craftsmen using the outline and dimensions of the famous Fibonacci spiral.
Gypsy Wagons
Quality Unearthed has dozens of gypsy caravan wagons offering accommodation, so why not enjoy a stay in one and live like a Romany?
One of the best is the Goldfinch Gypsy Caravan in the Wye Valley on the England and Wales border.
A stay here will be a quintessential romantic break as Goldfinch is a pretty wagon tucked into the corner of a field in a stunning part of the Wye Valley.
With detailed paintings of birds and fruit on the side, the caravan is beautiful and makes for a quirky glamping alternative to the holiday cottages also available on site.
What Alone People or Someone Do For Fun
Step #1 – Know where you really are
In to be able to have fun in your life you have to be sincere with yourself. You have to invest some chance to genuinely consider where you currently are in your lifetime. Some individuals are sensation alone because they have selected to separate themselves. Others experience alone because they have some type of recognized social stress to fit into some type of standard system of what is culturally appropriate.
The great information is that no issue the reason you really experience alone, you can still have a lot of fun and take it easy. Regardless of whether you are going through complicated times and are self-identifying or if you think you are not suitable for what the community says you should be. Either way, just recognize that you are currently sensation alone and allow that to be the power behind your next phase.
Step #2 – Know what you think is fun
Once you have the bravery to recognize that you really experience alone the next phase is a little more spirit-looking. You need to invest some chance to mirror don’t forget what it is you have done in previous times that was fun. You have to invest some chance to really keep in mind what is fun to you and be sincere about it.
What is fun to you may not be accepted by other individuals but you need to remain real to yourself. You will probably discover studying silently by yourself is fun but individuals around you are informing you that you need to have more external fun because you really experience alone. They are perceiving that the response to solitude is to be more confident and push themselves to do “fun” things that coordinate what they say fun should be.
This is incorrect, you need to be real to yourself and do what is fun for you. If it looks like what is fun to you does not assist in avoiding your solitude then stop and recognize what will help your solitude will be to have more fun, no issue if those around you think that you are making the right options about your fun.
Step #3 – Take easy activity steps
This last phase can be the most difficult. You have to create a decision, an option to take some little activity to have fun. Once you know what it is you have fun doing, then decide to invest even just 5 moments a day doing what you will discover fun. And keep to this, no issue if others assess it or tell you to do something else.
Instead of getting upset or disappointed with those around you for them seeking you to do something different that they are the right type of “fun”. Instead, get in touch with them and ask them for assistance. Ask them to be there and motivate you in your selection of fun, and even a portion of that fun. Even if it simply indicates that the two of you sit in an area and study without speaking with each other then let that be what happens.
The real key to having fun when you are alone is to select to have fun. Know who you are and what is occurring in your life right now, then consider what you really believe to be fun, and then have fun, even if it is in little easy actions every day. When you select to create fun as a normal part of your daily lifestyle, you will have fun with the fun and want to have more and more. This will give you a better lifestyle overall.
NURSING SCHOOLS – HOW TO AVOID NURSING SCHOOL WAIT LISTS
Nursing schools have waiting lists two and three years long. If you want to become a nurse, but don’t want to stand in a long line to get into nursing school, rest assured that there are many ways to avoid the long waiting lists.
There are many job openings for qualified nurses. In fact, many employers pay to-start bonuses that range from $2,000 to $10,000. They will help pay for your continuing education.
In this article, we’ll discuss the quickest and least expensive way to become a nurse and will point you to other ways to bypass the long nursing school waiting lists.
The Career Ladder for Nursing Jobs
No matter where on the nursing career ladder you start, the nursing profession offers job advancement at a steady manageable pace. One scenario is to start as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Registered Nurse (RN), then obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
This method is great for anyone wanting to get into nursing, gain experience, and have their employer help pay for nursing school along the way. Many nurses enjoy working only 3, twelve hour shifts each week. This leaves plenty of time to attend nursing school to study for the next logical step in a nursing career.
Also, if you decide to start out as a CNA, it is a great way to get your feet wet without spending three years in school to then find out that the day-to-day nursing activities are not for you.
How to Become a CNA
Entering the nursing profession as a Certified Nursing Assistant is a relatively easy route to take. If you already have a high school diploma or a GED, there are several paths to getting the training and experience you need to become a CNA. You can attend CNA classes at community colleges and vocational or adult schools. Some hospitals still offer CNA programs but they are few and far between. Classes generally last 6 to 12 weeks or a minimum of 75 hours of instruction. Some states require more hours and programs range from 75-150 hours.
The quickest route into nursing is through a vocational school, but that is also the most expensive route. Waiting lists for Certified Nursing Assistant programs are either non-existent or very short.
Advantages of Becoming a CNA:
1. In a relatively short period of time, you can enter the nursing profession
2. While you work as a CNA, you can apply to a Community College or Vocational School to become an LPN
3. You can gain experience as a nurse, gain an understanding of where you would like to take your career
4. You will know nursing from the ground up
5. With the experience you gain, your application to any school will be considered more seriously because you have already demonstrated your commitment and passion for nursing.
6. It is the least expensive route to becoming a nurse
Disadvantages of Becoming a CNA:
1. You must juggle work, school, and other commitments such as family
2. There are limits to the care that a CNA can give. If you want to provide more care to those in need, you will need to wait until you gain your LPN or RN license.
3. It may take a little longer to accomplish your ultimate career goal
One pragmatic way to start nursing school in the next month or so is to consider earning your CNA certificate… Learn about other ways to attend nursing school with no waiting lists, and find listings of all nursing schools, and all nursing jobs in the United States.