Where the heart is....

Or where it should be now!

I still have no idea what I am going to do in the next few months but I really need to figure this out now. I do not have a plan yet but I've been thinking of flying to South America early next year and either travel around or pick a country to work and live in for the year 2014. I could be:

Here

or

or

or

or maybe even here

Even though I'm having mixed feelings about where I want to go, I do know my heart wants out. I was planning on being there ahead of time for the World Cup, but I've been wanting the expat life for awhile now. It fits me and who I am as an person.

I'd like to explore more of South America in 2014. Then I have been looking into the U.A.E., Rwanda/Africa, China, Japan, or South Korea. I can finally explore more of the Eastern Hemisphere!

I have a huge love for gaining new knowledge, appreciating all cultures and the people, learning new languages, appreciation for life, the various cuisines, and the whole world.

At the moment, I'm looking at the cost of living and which one will fit me at the time. I'll keep you all in the loop as the time winds down, hopefully sooner than later! 

Summer 2014

Now with the official date set for the World Cup 2014 tickets, I have my eyes set on Brazil next summer...

    

Now what to do or where to go until then!

The best thing I ever ate in....

Argentina


Carne Asada from a street parilla. The smell made me get off the bus while the bus driver was making his way back on the bus to get the show on the road. I begged for two more minutes and he just smiled! He knew. That's how good the smell was and how much I had to have it.



Of course I have to have my flan and te con leche



Dulce de leche is another must in Argentina



Mate. Mate. Mate. When someone offers you their mate, you better not say no!


And you can't go to Argentina and not eat their beef.
Brazil


Pumpkin Bean Soup. So hearty.


Pirarucu a Baiana. Years later and I still remember its taste.
Honestly, I preferred Northern Brazil. I felt I could really dig into the Brazilian culture up north. Southern Brazil is lovely of course, but I felt like I was really eating food made from someone's heart.

And of course...


Have açaí any way that you can.

Ecuador


Camarones al ajillo. Yesss.

The Galápagos Islands
Jugo de tomate arbol. No picture sadly, but introduced to the tree tomato on the islands. Surprisingly sweet and quite enjoyable to drink.



Very fond of the fresh albacore tuna steaks.

Chile


Machas a la Parmesana


Patagonian Lamb


Harina Tostada (Toasted Corn) Gelato

Colombia
Not making a decision yet due to not enough exploration. Next time!

Honduras


Spent most of my time near the Caribbean so I really just appreciated the fresh seafood.

Panama
Pretty much all of Central America, I just appreciated the seafood the most.




Costa Rica




Shrimp and Fried Red Snapper.


Agua de coco fresca

Curaçao
(Not pictured)A plate full of seafood. Fish. Shrimp. Scallop. Baby Octopus. Mussels. It went straight to my heart.

Mexico City
Have to dig a little deeper for my Mexico City pictures but pretty much everything I ate there was delicious. Mexican food hasn't tasted the same to me ever since.

Bolivia


Fried fish and Ispi with purple potato and corn


Sopa de mani. Really, all the food was wonderful and homey in Bolivia. Al paca was another treat.

Peru
Everything. Seriously one of the best cuisines in the world. Yes, I said it. Here's just a few dishes to drool over.


Lomo Saltado


Meat and potato on a stick. My choice was llama. Served with salsa.



Peruvian ceviche


Chicha Morada. I'm very fond of this drink and make it quite often now.

Egypt

Falafel. Fluffy and made to perfection.


Zalabiah




Really just loved the street fruit and corn.


You can't go to Egypt and not partake in drinking mint tea.

Turkey
Need more time to explore. Of course the food is amazing there.

Guatemala


It's just as simple as pollo asado, tortillas y cebolla. Made with love.
Food is just better when it is made with the heart.

Taking it back to 2009

Iguazu Falls. Argentina side. February 2009

This is one of my favorite pictures to look at when I need cheering up or when it has been one of those days, year, or years. In this case, it's the last couple of years. I've been reflecting a lot lately and just want to be given a break, outside of traveling, just life, in general. For the most part, I am known for being happy, positive, and full of insight no matter what for all the lovely people in my life and always going out of my way to help anyone, which I will forever do because that's me, but maybe that's hurting myself. I hide my feelings and make sure everyone else is happy. I guess this is something I need to work on. Put myself first and seeing if things will go my way soon. I never complain and I'm not asking for much!!

With all that said, Iguazu/Iguassu is beautiful on both sides -Argentina/Brazil- and I highly recommend. Its beauty is indescribable.

Beautiful Landscape

Huayna Potosi. Cordillera Real. Bolivia. Because this and Bolivia's amazing biodiversity and natural environment is another reason why you should explore Bolivia, besides it's incredible food.

List Topper

Besides Northern Brazil and Bolivia, another country has made it to the top of the best stomach pleasers list of mine for .South America. and I would love to go back, like say NOW, to enjoy even more of this countries wonderful offerings---



Peru


I really feel I have said enough by just saying Peru. The land of abundance. The food there is amazing. Fresh. Flavorful. Bountiful. Unique. Delectable. Giving. And down right satisfying. Peru does not need to import from other countries because it already has everything--the usual and the unique. And what they offer over there is love, warmth, and very good meals. I would urge everyone to go to Peru, but I'd like to see less tourists! ;) Selfish? Maybe...



Here are some of the incredible delights I encountered, indulged in, and loved right away in the beautiful country of Peru:

Inca Kola. Bubble gum/Banana flavor. It's an acquired taste!

Cause you have to eat pizza in different countries.

Cacao beans.

Learning to make chocolate from scratch.

Cacao tea. What a lovely and soothing warm drink. Perfect for a chilly day.

Llama. Chicken. Beef. Sausage. Potato. On a stick. I chose to partake in the llama. Good choice.

Fresh hot salsas of your choosing to spoon onto your meat/potato of choice. Spicy and Spicier. Spicy it is.

Mate de coca. Coca no es cocaina. I had a lovely conversation with someone at the US Border Control about this. That was the first thing that came to her mind when I told her I had just been to Bolivia and Peru.

Sopa de quinoa y ensalada.

Llama steak and French fries.

Liver and Chicken with Rice. Mmmmmm

Fried Sweet dough with Anise. Sweet treat.

Pescado frita y papas fritas.

I got VIP access ~ Kitchen style. She loved me. :)

Come and get it!

Lomo Saltado. Definitely a must when you are in Peru.

Chicha Morada. I make this all the time now!

You really will be making the biggest mistake of your life if you don't indulge in the Peruvian ceviche. By far my favorite thing to have indulged in Peru. More of a Lima thing since it's near the coast. Save it for Lima, not Cusco or other inland regions.

Sampling platter. Never went hungry and my stomach was happy the entire time spent in Peru.

Yes, I ate as much ceviche as I could while there!

Also known for their puddings.

Wandered into the Fish Market. The men at work.

Taking care of the cleaning process.

Master at work. I watched him for a good 5 minutes. Fast, skilled, and perfect time management. Works 7 days a week.

Fish and seafood are an abundance here. If I had a stove and an extra couple of days, you know I would have tried to cook as much as I could with their amazing selection.

Churros. One of my many weaknesses. And the last thing I ate in Peru.


I would go back to Peru in a heartbeat if I could. And after this year, I finally have the courage to get away from my current routine and start something different. What I'll do? I don't know yet but that's life and I'm open to the endless possibilites. The journey awaits...