Happy day after Mother’s day! I hope you all had a chance to connect with your wonderful mothers in whatever way you could. As my mother would remind me, it’s not what’s in your bag that matters most, it’s what’s in your heart. Enjoy! I travel with a 19 liter bag, which is the size of a school kids book bag. I’ve been traveling for 6 months straight, living out … Continue reading
“And then the lightning bolt struck me: surfing is more religious than religion” -Rob Gilley, excerpt from Surfermag article The Church of Yew For the last five weeks of my trip and since returning to the US I’ve been surfing almost daily. I’ve re-fallen in love with the sport after a 5 year hiatus during which time I surfed only a few times each year. Work, family, friends, interest in … Continue reading
I haven’t been writing much lately, I just haven’t had much to report. It’s been a bit like groundhog day out here – surf, sun, cards, reading, napping, beers with friends and reggeaton all night. I’ve purposefully sat still for over a month, creating a vacation from my vacation in one of my favorite places – Bocas Del Toro. Having hit my 6 month travel anniversary last week I’m feeling … Continue reading
I just hit my 5 month anniversary of travel in South America and to commemorate this momentous occasion I have put together the following list of signs that you have been travelling in SA for too long. If you’ve been there, I hope this strikes a chord! 10. The results from your blood test show you are 50% chicken, 25% beans and 25% rice. 9. You’re relieved to hear the … Continue reading
Travel pro tip (food): When in Brazil you must try the fried cheese sticks with oregano found on the beach (Queijo Assado), churrascaria (all you can eat BBQ), Acai fruit bowls and of course, Caipirinhas (alcoholic beverage with lime, sugar and Cachaça). I’m honestly lost with what to say about Carnival. How do I describe the absolute chaotic mayhem that consumes Salvador in heated frenzy to people who have not … Continue reading
“The important thing to remember, is that this simulation is a good one. It’s believable, it’s tactile. You can reach out, things are solid. You can move objects from one area to another. You can feel your body – you can say I’d like to go over to this location and you can move this mass of molecules, through the air, over to another location, at will. That’s something you … Continue reading
Quick travel tip: avoid the Argentina entrance fee by busing into the country from Potosi, Bolivia. If you fly in, you’ll pay $160 reciprocity fee. I Arrived in Salta the weekend before Christmas. Met a crazy Englishman nicknamed Frenchie who travels with two bicycles. He got the nickname from his Mom, who, during a family trip, accidently left him on the shore of France while the family took the ferry … Continue reading
If you want a kick in the pants to remind you how good you have it with your day job, just take a trip to Potosi, Bolivia, where for $14 USD you can take a 6 hour tour of the silver extraction and processing operation in the surrounding mountains. The tour can be organized through an agency in Potosi (I chose the recommended Koala Tours), and includes a trip to the … Continue reading
One of my goals with this blog is to convince people that international travel is not only within financial and temporal reach but that it’s also generally safe. It’s truly my belief that if you take proper precautions and stay aware of your surroundings you can travel to places that may seem a bit dangerous. This level of danger adds to the sense of excitement and adventure just like the … Continue reading
I had three priorities regarding my trip through South America before leaving the US; to sail from Panama to Cartagena through the San Blas Islands, to visit Machu Picchu and to be somewhere in Brazil for Carnival. I completed the sail trip last month and as of yesterday I can check Machu Picchu off my list as well. Shrouded in fog and mystery Machu Picchu excites the imagination, leaving you … Continue reading