I just wrapped up my week of vacation in San Miguel Mexico, and as with any successful time away from home, I’m coming home recharged and grateful. I hope your Memorial Day weekend was good to you and you found yourself off doing something that makes you smile. The following collection of Things I’ve Googled came up while I was away.

What percent of Americans have their passport? 
Sources say only 30-35%. Does anyone else find this staggering?! “Tourism experts and avid travelers attribute Americans’ lack of interest in international travel to a few key factors, including: the United States’ own rich cultural and geographic diversity, an American skepticism and/or ignorance about international destinations, a work culture that prevents Americans from taking long vacations abroad and the prohibitive cost and logistics of going overseas.” (CNN)

What is the difference between white and brown coffee filters?
Google says unbleached filters (brown ones) don’t necessarily brew a better cup of coffee, but they are more environmentally friendly. If you prefer white filters, the oxygen whitened ones are better for the environment. According to several coffee enthusiasts online, the quality of the filter seems to be more important than color.

Why are yawns contagious?
So far, scientists have observed “contagious yawning” in chimpanzees, humans, baboons, bonobos, wolves, and, to a certain extent, dogs and budgies… [Yawning] happens because you just can’t help it. If you become self-conscious about a yawn, it stops. (Are you totally yawning now? Because I am…) More on why yawns are contagious here.

What to do in an electrical storm
One night last week in San Miguel, we experienced some major thunder and lightening while visiting a rooftop bar. Lightening just happened to strike the lightning rod on the top of the building. It was loud, bright orange, and scary. I jumped into my friend’s lap. And yet, nobody else seemed to really care all that much. It wasn’t until it started raining that we made our way back inside. This pamphlet was totally my American girl reaction, “When thunder roars, go indoors!” but I was trying my best to not be the buzz kill. I mean, the lightening is the buzz kill – right?!

What’s in a tamarind margarita?
My friend Lisa ordered one in San Miguel and I followed suit after sampling hers. Tamarind syrup (which I had never heard of), the fruit pod of a tree native to Asia and northern Africa, is one of the five ingredients. Half of our group loved it. The other half hated it. I was in the former. Here’s the recipe. Salud!

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Things I’ve Googled is an ongoing series and comes from one of the standard questions Jim and I ask each other when we get home. Often, it’s a good indicator of where our minds have wandered off to in the middle of the day and the topics usually make us laugh. So consider this part educational. Part oversharing. Part nonsense. Completely random.