Sunday, October 9, 2011
TOMS
Here is the finished design of my new TOMS! Exactly what I wanted. Well besides the piranha, but I'm okay with that! Billy did a fantastic job and I am beyond happy with them. I got a good vibe from him right away after looking at his work. Didn't need to continue my search. They hold this event all over California so look for them and be apart of this! When I find info or their website, I'll be sure to pass it along. Buy a pair, give a pair.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
I scream YOU scream WE ALL scream for ICE CREAM!
Excited to say I just upgraded to a new Ice Cream Maker! I'll follow up with my first ice cream flavor and recipe soon...
That is currently on hold today since I am getting a pair of TOMS custom designed by an artist for free! Pictures of that will shortly follow as well.
Happy Fall!
That is currently on hold today since I am getting a pair of TOMS custom designed by an artist for free! Pictures of that will shortly follow as well.
Friday, September 9, 2011
True Life: I Survived Death Road
So I survived Yungas Road. The World's Most Dangerous Road. By bike and by vehicle. During the day by bike and during the night by vehicle. Yes, it has taken me awhile to write my adventure but it is kind of hard to explain my day on Yungas road. Mainly because I didn't know how to start it or what to say. So I finally decided to just go with it and write what comes to mind.
I've heard about the so-called 'Death Road' throughout my life but the first time I really remember talking/hearing about Yungas Road with others was through an Australian newlywed couple whom I met at a hostel in Brazil during Carnival a couple years ago. I left Brazil to return home and they continued on their journey to Bolivia and further on after that. It sparked my interest. It also frightened me because I'm deathly afraid (not anymore) of heights and falling. YES! The adventurer does (did) have some limits. Inquisitive minds, well mainly mine, wanted to know the reasons behind this madness and the only answer I got was "You can't go to Bolivia and NOT do it." Enough said. I agreed.
Eventually weeks passed and saw their pictures. They survived and wow the pictures were incredible. A definite bucket list check off. Put it in the back of my mind and continued with my quest for adventure throughout the last couple of years on other paths.
13 countries (15 with Peru and Bolivia) and 3 islands later, I was trying to figure out the whereabouts of my next vaca..oops I mean adventure, and decided that when I head over to any part of the eastern hemisphere, that I'll make sure to have more time to truly experience the culture, environment, and, oh yes, food in each country. So where to go?
I thought about Peru but realized that I didn't want to go there unless I had time to hit every place that is important to the Peruvian culture. Thought about Bolivia, which I had heard the outdoors and nature there are stunning, and the fact that it would be affordable was a huge plus to me. I travel to experience and don't care much for spending money. I like my low budget. Helps me appreciate and value life outside of the USA more than I already do. But put it aside because the aspect of it being the least developed country in South America, not going to lie, worried me a little for safety reasons and the unknown, so decided to search more and try to stay open-minded.
Thought about returning back to Central America to step foot in the remainder countries that I didn't hit last time (3 more remaining) but I felt that I needed and had craved a bigger adventure. I think the main reason I wanted to head back there was the fact I was and am still bummed that being stuck on an almost deserted island prevented me from spending time in the one place I wanted to explore in Panama. Spent a total of 3 hours in BOCAS DEL TORO before I had to continue with the adventure. Had a taste of it, which was incredible and full of gorgeous sites, islands, nature, and craving it more. I WANT TO GO BACK THERE SO SO SO BAD.:( One day...
And one day it hit me. I was watching TV. Really?
While minding my own business and just watching Iron Chef, it just hit me. A commercial that is. So odd and random just thinking about it now but yet so right. Perfect timing. A Mitsubishi Car Commercial. They 'wanted to show how amazing their new automobile was by taking it on the World's Most Dangerous Road'. How it turns with ease on the needle-thin path. Etc.. More importantly, they showed the actual road, how narrow it was, how beautiful it was, and how close to the edge they got! My heart was racing with so much excitement you could just hear it pounding out of my chest. My eyes widened. My adrenaline broke through the roof. At that moment, I felt gutsy, adventurous, fearless....
Mitsubishi: Behind the Scenes
The next day, I booked the plane tickets. Bolivia was my destination.
And Chile, but of course, I'm not exactly a planner and well that didn't happen. Peru popped up. But that's another story to tell later.
And then I started to feel uneasy, insecure, and uptight over my OWN crazy adventure plan! What was I thinking?! I can't ride a bike on this road. I can't even look over any edge! 5 feet up on a ladder = 50 feet to me. You know the huge rocks at the beach where people like to hop on and climb? I can't do it because I fear of falling in the cracks. Silly, I know, but that's just my fear. My eyes widen. I get shaky. My heart pumps with intensity to the point of exhaustion EVERY time I'm high up and I look down, but I can ride on Yungas road and be fine?
Mitsubishi Yungas Road Rituals
My brain was constantly on work mode after this plane ticket purchase. Just walk on the road if you get nervous. Or how about skip it all together and just forget about it. The ONLY thing I decided against was I could not use the option of just riding in the bus to avoid biking it if I went through with this. Out of the question. But thinking back to what my Australian friends had told me, there was NO WAY in you know where I was going to Bolivia and not doing this. Naw. I decided to turn this into a positive and decided to research and prepare for this.
What did I do? And what I recommend doing for those who get nervous when thinking about heights and falling..
I asked my friends just what they thought about it. Asked them how narrow the road is? If I'm biking downhill (which is pretty much the majority of it), will I fly off the road or will I be able to break and swing around the curve just fine? What company should I go with/how much money to spend to do this? This is your life and you should take care of it and care about yourself. Don't take shortcuts.
This may sound annoying but really, I don't care. If you have fears, talking about it is the best way to overcome them. Hiding your feelings doesn't do any good for you.
They really didn't mind at all and were actually very helpful. I think it also brought back their own memories and were happy to share and help out in their own way. I won't get into exact details about what they told me but they basically reassured me I'd be fine, to be cautious, go at the pace I felt comfortable at, and don't get too close to the edge! They also said: DO NOT GO CHEAP and DON'T TAKE SHORTCUTS. There is a reason why some companies are cheaper than others. THIS IS YOUR LIFE. RIDE AT YOUR OWN RISK BUT BE RESPONSIBLE AND MAKE SMART CHOICES. Don't go cheap because you don't want to spend the money. The cheaper you go, the less you get out of your bike. And the bigger risk you take in putting yourself in danger.
They told me this because that is what they did. They were fine, except there was only one guide for their group, which was, I believe they said, around 7-9 people. So basically the guide leads the pack and doesn't pay attention to the ones who take their time. There was only one female in the group, which happened to be my friend who was pretty much left behind by the guide. And because they went cheap, it showed through the bikes. Her chain fell off multiple times and had to constantly stop and fix it. Not cool and not a good experience to have when it's the only time you will take the ride of your life.
What also helped in this situation was to stay calm and not worry. I felt that if I worried, it would ruin my whole experience on the road and it would end up being a waste. So from then on, I didn't worry about it anymore. Didn't worry about it here at home, didn't worry about it while on the backpackers trail, and didn't worry the whole ride itself. It really truly helped me and made the experience feel the way I wanted it to feel---WILD, CRAZY, FUN, ADVENTUROUS, DARING...!
So I took what they said to heart, what I saw online, researched the companies, ended up making the decision to go with Gravity, and put money aside. I dared not to go near it the whole backpacking trip until I was emotionally ready to sign up for it and also pay the $9 insurance in the case I didn't make it out alive! Some serious business had to be taken care of in order to do this.
So I packed up, headed out on my adventure, and changed things up (that story about Peru, which I'll again tell another day) due to the bad weather conditions. So because of this, I wasn't able to bus on over to Chile and with a push, well, no push really, made the decision to go to Peru! This affected plans (in no way bad at all, of course) because my priority was to make sure I took that ride on the wild side. Did things on this trip that I have never done before in my life. I went a few days with NO BED just to make sure I could see the salt flats and check out Yungas Road.
The day I came back to Bolivia from Peru, I booked the Gravity bike tour before I could change my mind, then booked a bus ticket for that night to head down to Uyuni, spent time there where I'm surprised I didn't get pneumonia because IT WAS BEYOND FREEZING but astonishingly beautiful of course, booked another bus ticket back to La Paz, and finally had a bed and able to rest for a day before my journey on El Camino de las Yungas. I sacrificed the Amazon to do this by only seeing it a few hours instead of a few days, but I'm okay with that and lucky I was even able to fit what I experienced with no plans even in. There was no way I was going to leave Bolivia WITHOUT riding on that road! Inexplicable. I just don't have the words to state how disappointed in myself I would have been if I had missed that opportunity.
So with all this: planning, stressing, learning, preparing, changing, and every other word that explains how I felt, leading up to the death road, was....
....beyond worth it. Stress free was the way to be that day.
Stay tuned for PART TWO when I am actually on Yungas Road.
I've heard about the so-called 'Death Road' throughout my life but the first time I really remember talking/hearing about Yungas Road with others was through an Australian newlywed couple whom I met at a hostel in Brazil during Carnival a couple years ago. I left Brazil to return home and they continued on their journey to Bolivia and further on after that. It sparked my interest. It also frightened me because I'm deathly afraid (not anymore) of heights and falling. YES! The adventurer does (did) have some limits. Inquisitive minds, well mainly mine, wanted to know the reasons behind this madness and the only answer I got was "You can't go to Bolivia and NOT do it." Enough said. I agreed.
Eventually weeks passed and saw their pictures. They survived and wow the pictures were incredible. A definite bucket list check off. Put it in the back of my mind and continued with my quest for adventure throughout the last couple of years on other paths.
13 countries (15 with Peru and Bolivia) and 3 islands later, I was trying to figure out the whereabouts of my next vaca..oops I mean adventure, and decided that when I head over to any part of the eastern hemisphere, that I'll make sure to have more time to truly experience the culture, environment, and, oh yes, food in each country. So where to go?
I thought about Peru but realized that I didn't want to go there unless I had time to hit every place that is important to the Peruvian culture. Thought about Bolivia, which I had heard the outdoors and nature there are stunning, and the fact that it would be affordable was a huge plus to me. I travel to experience and don't care much for spending money. I like my low budget. Helps me appreciate and value life outside of the USA more than I already do. But put it aside because the aspect of it being the least developed country in South America, not going to lie, worried me a little for safety reasons and the unknown, so decided to search more and try to stay open-minded.
Thought about returning back to Central America to step foot in the remainder countries that I didn't hit last time (3 more remaining) but I felt that I needed and had craved a bigger adventure. I think the main reason I wanted to head back there was the fact I was and am still bummed that being stuck on an almost deserted island prevented me from spending time in the one place I wanted to explore in Panama. Spent a total of 3 hours in BOCAS DEL TORO before I had to continue with the adventure. Had a taste of it, which was incredible and full of gorgeous sites, islands, nature, and craving it more. I WANT TO GO BACK THERE SO SO SO BAD.:( One day...
While minding my own business and just watching Iron Chef, it just hit me. A commercial that is. So odd and random just thinking about it now but yet so right. Perfect timing. A Mitsubishi Car Commercial. They 'wanted to show how amazing their new automobile was by taking it on the World's Most Dangerous Road'. How it turns with ease on the needle-thin path. Etc.. More importantly, they showed the actual road, how narrow it was, how beautiful it was, and how close to the edge they got! My heart was racing with so much excitement you could just hear it pounding out of my chest. My eyes widened. My adrenaline broke through the roof. At that moment, I felt gutsy, adventurous, fearless....
And Chile, but of course, I'm not exactly a planner and well that didn't happen. Peru popped up. But that's another story to tell later.
And then I started to feel uneasy, insecure, and uptight over my OWN crazy adventure plan! What was I thinking?! I can't ride a bike on this road. I can't even look over any edge! 5 feet up on a ladder = 50 feet to me. You know the huge rocks at the beach where people like to hop on and climb? I can't do it because I fear of falling in the cracks. Silly, I know, but that's just my fear. My eyes widen. I get shaky. My heart pumps with intensity to the point of exhaustion EVERY time I'm high up and I look down, but I can ride on Yungas road and be fine?
My brain was constantly on work mode after this plane ticket purchase. Just walk on the road if you get nervous. Or how about skip it all together and just forget about it. The ONLY thing I decided against was I could not use the option of just riding in the bus to avoid biking it if I went through with this. Out of the question. But thinking back to what my Australian friends had told me, there was NO WAY in you know where I was going to Bolivia and not doing this. Naw. I decided to turn this into a positive and decided to research and prepare for this.
I asked my friends just what they thought about it. Asked them how narrow the road is? If I'm biking downhill (which is pretty much the majority of it), will I fly off the road or will I be able to break and swing around the curve just fine? What company should I go with/how much money to spend to do this? This is your life and you should take care of it and care about yourself. Don't take shortcuts.
They really didn't mind at all and were actually very helpful. I think it also brought back their own memories and were happy to share and help out in their own way. I won't get into exact details about what they told me but they basically reassured me I'd be fine, to be cautious, go at the pace I felt comfortable at, and don't get too close to the edge! They also said: DO NOT GO CHEAP and DON'T TAKE SHORTCUTS. There is a reason why some companies are cheaper than others. THIS IS YOUR LIFE. RIDE AT YOUR OWN RISK BUT BE RESPONSIBLE AND MAKE SMART CHOICES. Don't go cheap because you don't want to spend the money. The cheaper you go, the less you get out of your bike. And the bigger risk you take in putting yourself in danger.
They told me this because that is what they did. They were fine, except there was only one guide for their group, which was, I believe they said, around 7-9 people. So basically the guide leads the pack and doesn't pay attention to the ones who take their time. There was only one female in the group, which happened to be my friend who was pretty much left behind by the guide. And because they went cheap, it showed through the bikes. Her chain fell off multiple times and had to constantly stop and fix it. Not cool and not a good experience to have when it's the only time you will take the ride of your life.
What also helped in this situation was to stay calm and not worry. I felt that if I worried, it would ruin my whole experience on the road and it would end up being a waste. So from then on, I didn't worry about it anymore. Didn't worry about it here at home, didn't worry about it while on the backpackers trail, and didn't worry the whole ride itself. It really truly helped me and made the experience feel the way I wanted it to feel---WILD, CRAZY, FUN, ADVENTUROUS, DARING...!
So I took what they said to heart, what I saw online, researched the companies, ended up making the decision to go with Gravity, and put money aside. I dared not to go near it the whole backpacking trip until I was emotionally ready to sign up for it and also pay the $9 insurance in the case I didn't make it out alive! Some serious business had to be taken care of in order to do this.
So I packed up, headed out on my adventure, and changed things up (that story about Peru, which I'll again tell another day) due to the bad weather conditions. So because of this, I wasn't able to bus on over to Chile and with a push, well, no push really, made the decision to go to Peru! This affected plans (in no way bad at all, of course) because my priority was to make sure I took that ride on the wild side. Did things on this trip that I have never done before in my life. I went a few days with NO BED just to make sure I could see the salt flats and check out Yungas Road.
The day I came back to Bolivia from Peru, I booked the Gravity bike tour before I could change my mind, then booked a bus ticket for that night to head down to Uyuni, spent time there where I'm surprised I didn't get pneumonia because IT WAS BEYOND FREEZING but astonishingly beautiful of course, booked another bus ticket back to La Paz, and finally had a bed and able to rest for a day before my journey on El Camino de las Yungas. I sacrificed the Amazon to do this by only seeing it a few hours instead of a few days, but I'm okay with that and lucky I was even able to fit what I experienced with no plans even in. There was no way I was going to leave Bolivia WITHOUT riding on that road! Inexplicable. I just don't have the words to state how disappointed in myself I would have been if I had missed that opportunity.
So with all this: planning, stressing, learning, preparing, changing, and every other word that explains how I felt, leading up to the death road, was....
....beyond worth it. Stress free was the way to be that day.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
The Most Beautiful Beach...
I have ever been to in all my travels so far is....
Red Frog Beach, Isla Bastimentos, Bocas del Toro, Panama.
A true hidden gem. You must take a long walk through the rainforest to reach this beauty.
I'd like to point out that this in no way counts out the Galapagos! It is waay too beautiful there. I didn't think it would be fair to compare the Galapagos with anything! It has it's own special category. :)
Diadup, Islas San Blas, Panama is beautiful as well.
Happy Labor Day Weekend!
A true hidden gem. You must take a long walk through the rainforest to reach this beauty.
I'd like to point out that this in no way counts out the Galapagos! It is waay too beautiful there. I didn't think it would be fair to compare the Galapagos with anything! It has it's own special category. :)
Diadup, Islas San Blas, Panama is beautiful as well.
Happy Labor Day Weekend!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Misconceptions
I haven't really been the best blogger lately. Always busy with something to do and I never get the chance to update. Please forgive me. I know I am way behind! I have yet to even upload my recent travel pictures to my laptop. When I do that, I'll finally be able to show and express my love for Bolivia and Peru. And show all the food I ate too!
I've decided to write about the Misconceptions. of. South. America. today. Really? Yes because I have been almost all over the continent and I am constantly hearing negative things, as well as reading negative points about traveling anywhere over there and it simply is not true. After heading in that direction 5 times, I hoped that everyone would finally not be so worried about me the second I hop on a plane, but that has yet to happen. I find myself having to make sure I go on facebook or my email at least once a week to update where I am so they know I'm alive because THEY want me to. All because of the misconception that wherever I am at, it is not safe. I actually feel more safe there than I do here in certain parts of Los Angeles.
Yes, I agree with everything I've read about those certain countries with their drug problems and dangers but that is not what goes on every second of every day in every inch of each city in every country. I have been to Colombia and felt totally fine there. Of course I planned on staying away from the borders! Mexico City was wonderful. Peru was absolutely great. No guns in sight. I will say I do know people who have experienced negative situations and that pretty much sucks for the country when you just want to travel there and experience the local life, not be taken advantage of because you are a tourist. Those types of situations do change the mindset of people when they hear these negative statements and they decide to stay within the US than to travel abroad just because they have a friend who was held at gun point and was forced to hand over everything. I wish those making these kind of choices would stop in hopes of changing peoples minds but I doubt that will happen anytime soon.
So I can't really speak for everyone but I can speak for myself and write about my own experiences. For one thing, I have never been pickpocketed anywhere in this contintent. There may have been attempts in Brazil during Carnival by the kids, which I've heard are quite common as well as have seen it myself, but nothing happened. I think we were very lucky that trip.
There was an actual attempt this trip while in La Paz, Bolivia however. I was just strolling around minding my own business until I had to stop to fix my hair and clip it together to hold up. While I was doing that, an old man body slammed me in hopes that it would have distracted me but nope, I've been there way to many times, brushed it off like nothing happened and walked away. He got nothing. Even if he had tried, I wasn't carrying anything anyway! I'm not going to judge him and it didn't change my thoughts on Bolivia at all. People do different things in each country, even here in the USA so who am I to judge. I still felt safe that whole trip after that experience and never used my money belt at all. Everything, including my camera, were in my pockets the whole time.
We did have border trouble when trying to cross back into Bolivia from Peru. You can tell some people don't like tourists there in that country, which I also noticed another time when trying to get food at an open 'street' style restaurant aka tons of restaurants near eachother that looks like a mall but more like street food in a parking lot setting with one picnic table with two benches in each set up. Anyway, we had to wait in line while the guard let all the Bolivians go ahead of all of us backpackers because we refused to go to the end of the line. He finally let us go when there was no one in sight to cut in front of us. It didn't help that at border patrol, trying to cross on over to Peru, they didn't stamp an important document that I had, so on coming back, the guard was questioning me on 'why it wasn't stamped' as if I did something wrong, that I had to try to explain to him in Spanish that it wasn't my fault and I had given the guy the paperwork and he chose not to do anything with it. He surprisingly believed me and let me go.
Honestly, that was the most unpleasant experience I have ever had in South America and that was the only thing that happened to me in Bolivia that made me sad. Sad because the people there are so beautiful, kind, and friendly. The guards were the complete opposite of that. Felt kind of disappointed but chose not to let it get to me and moved on from there.
My misconceptions today are more on safety and my own opinion is that if you are smart about the choices you make, know where you can go and shouldn't be, and treat people the way you would like to be treated, you won't have any problems.
People in Argentina are the same people in Maine, just in two different locations. I read that they pickpocket there and to watch all your belongings, and carry your backpack over your chest instead of your back? No one there cares about your backpack. They are too busy in their fast paced lives to touch your backpack as they are speed walking and trying to avoid being hit by cars.
Not everyone has a gun in Mexico. Their issues are because of the gangs, their territories, and not paying the police enough to want to get rid of the gangs. The shootings happen mainly because of the gangs, not random people on the streets. We have gangs here in California too. And every other state in the US. And probably in every country in this world. Why scare off people from entering Mexico? I want to go back! It was so beautiful and the food was absolutely amazing. Mexican food will never be the same to me anymore in California. Until they start paying the police better so that they aren't as corrupt as the gangs, stay in safe areas and venture out with caution and not at 3 in the am. And don't bring kids.
Does every person in Colombia do and sell drugs? Does everyone in Ohio do and sell drugs? No.
Coca no es cocaina en Bolivia. But here in the US, they think it is because they choose not to educate themselves, assume, and just decide that you cannot bring it back or else they think you're a druggie, lock you up, and ruin your life. Does that mean everyone in Bolivia is a druggie since they all drink it there? No way. There are no effects of the drug when drinking the tea. Maybe because there isn't any trace of it in such a small amount of leaves. Did you know one of the ingredients in Coca-Cola is coca? Not the whole leaf, but an extract from it. It's supposedly 'de-cocanized'. Sure it is. Should everyone who drinks Coca-Cola be locked up? Mate de coca is the same as green tea. Let it go.
Peru was absolutely wonderful! I felt completely safe there. The food was way too amazing. So amazing that I have still been thinking about the food! Hands down the best food I've had in South America! Besides Northern Brazil of course! I can see the dangers in Peru but I got the vibe easily about where I can and shouldn't be. The area around the airports aren't really safe looking but I say once you dig into each city, you can see for yourself how much culture Peru offers. I stayed away from the touristy spots in Lima for the majority of my time and enjoyed myself. I saw the touristy part of Lima and honestly wasn't too fond of it. Just way too many people there and not enough culture, in my opinion. Cusco was great but unfortunately since Peru wasn't in my plans originally, I wasn't able to really dig deep there but for the week I was there, I did and saw a lot. For one thing, the time to see Machu Picchu is now so there were more people there than usual and wasn't a fan at all of the tourists! Too many big cameras in sight! So from what I learned from is that you will be fine in Cusco because most people are there to eventually see Machu Picchu and you will always be surrounded by people and you will be okay. I say be the person who travels there in February because Machu Picchu is closed that month so less people will be there and be there first when it reopens! I can see how dangers can occur in this country and I do know people whom I have met on my travels who've had a gun pulled on them but I really think they were in the wrong area. If you are aware of you're surroundings, there will be nothing to worry about. Oh and watch the meat there because sometimes they aren't cooked thoroughly and will cause stomach problems. Oh and I read that you will be pickpocketed and all that negative stuff from the time you are in Cusco to the time you are wandering around Machu Picchu trying to come up with your own theories of this world wonder. Um, that would be a no. Mumbo Jumbo. I can't even tell you how it is even possible. Even if you hike the trails. It's too cold over there on the trail to hide, be sneaky, and pickpocket from people. Go and enjoy yourself now because Machu Picchu has been a hot topic lately over there about closing the trail or really coming down on how many people enter this magic land. Don't take any chances. Not being a planner definitely has its advantages. :)
Can't really speak for Venezuela because I haven't been there yet but I do work with someone who is from there and will one day go back there. When she does, I'll be there! She, herself, once a resident of Caracas has been held at gunpoint (may or may not have been a real gun) and was forced to give up her watch. I believe her when she says there is a problem there but it is not everyone who lives there. I still trust her!
I will however not count out that scary cab (we still don't know if it even was a cab ?) in Costa Rica which had taken us on a short cut during our hour drive from Puntarenas to Montezuma where Vanessa had her 100% deet in one hand and a pen in the other and my smile on my face hoping the guy would change his mind and not kill us! And I actually don't blame him. That was our decision.
I do and I don't recommend staying in the Casco Viejo neighborhood in Panama City because it isn't really a safe neighborhood at night and when your hostel friend hands you a map and circles all the places of where not to go, it's not a good thing! But at the same time, the area is great, people are friendly, no Americans around, and you are out of the touristy area. I'd also like to point out that Costa Rica is WAY more Americanized and touristy than Panama. Next time you are out there, please don't count out Panama. In the end, I was totally fine there.
Honduras, Roatan, and El Salvador was fine to me. Just don't wander off at night.
Paraguay is a quiet country to me. I actually met a girl from Paraguay in Bolivia and I had told her that I have never seen anyone from Paraguay out in other countries! Very safe there.
I still remember being surrounded by a few Brazilians on Copacabana Beach, all talking to me, having a good time with my poor Portuguese and my much improved Spanish at that time (which flip flops between travels, but working on it daily now), and all I could think about was the camera in my hand. And you know what, they did nothing! Curiousity was all. Nothing happened to us there. Just don't walk alone at night.
Ecuador was Americanized to me, well, not too bad in Guayaquil. I think I even came at a not so good time. 130 prisoners in Mexico City broke out of prison the day before I arrived there and then headed on over to Guayaquil, which had all over the news a girl who was killed by a taxi driver the day before I arrived there. Crazy, I know, and I won't lie, I was a little nervous BUT I was totally fine because I made sure to make smart choices and I was a-okay. That didn't scare me off at all. You are completely fine there. Stay out of the touristy areas for a real Ecuadorian experience.
Chile was fine to me in most areas. The only thing I worried about were the facts. Empanadas are from Argentina. Pisco Sour is Peru. The Inca history started in Peru. It is also not cheap there. Chill people. You'll easily make friends. Good food there as well!
I feel so confident being in these places that if I wanted to live there, I could and there would be no problems! South America is an absolutely beautiful continent full of richness, love, history, culture, liveliness, boldness, adventure, beauty, beautiful people, kindness, openness, fun, excitement, value, creativity, wonders, mystery, uniqueness, really good food, and the list can go on and on and on...
You can backpack alone and be fine. You can travel with friends and be fine. You can bring kids and be fine. You. will. be. okay. :)
Unfortunately South America is the only continent I can really discuss because I haven't been anywhere else, besides Curacao, parts of the US, and Asia, but that was at an early age and need a refreshment! I will be starting to hit up other continents soon with definite trips to South America in between because I have to see the whole world and I'm not done there.
So if you know anyone who is traveling to that region, wish them the best, keep in contact with them, and let them discover each beautiful and unique country.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Guess who's back in the house!
Unfortunately, that would be me. :( Sad to say I'm back in hot Southern California. Time moved way too fast for me while I was away. Why doesn't time fly slow when you are having fun? The more I travel out, the more I'd rather be out than be at home. So I've decided after my main trip next year, I think I'm going to end up in South America for a longer period of time! Until then...who knows. Going with the flow.
I need a moment to catch up on life, questions I received, and such so I'll be back with an update shortly. I think my next post will be about the misconceptions of South America.
OH! And I'd like to add that out of all the countries I've been to so far in Latin America (Central and South), Peru and Northern Brazil have HANDS DOWN the best food I've ever had! Take my word for it.
OH! And I'd like to add that out of all the countries I've been to so far in Latin America (Central and South), Peru and Northern Brazil have HANDS DOWN the best food I've ever had! Take my word for it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)