The Open Road

Getting around Bolivia

2009-04-28T16:41:00.000-07:00

“Estamos real jodidos,” my new amiga from Barcelona says upon getting dumped in the middle of nowhere Bolivian Andes for a four day hike. Translation, “We are really f#$%ed” I lift my backpack filled with food and warm clothes, give a shrug, and laugh off the dramatic latin sense of humor that I am all too familiar with at this point. Once again it is time to embrace another Bolivian adventure.

The actual fun really begins with Bolivian modes of transportation. I have quickly grown accustomed to hitching a ride in the rear of camionetas (trucks) and cruising around the countryside while fighting for standing space with the cows and sheep that accompany me.

The train ride experience has not been a disappointment either. Presenting a ticket to travel with the peasant class, I shared a 15 hour ride with a group of Bolivian women sporting the typical fashion: braids down to the waist, long skirts, and multicolored sacks slung over their shoulders either containing goods to trade at the market, or small children. Nobody seemed perturbed when the train broke down for hours. Instead, they seized the opportunity to eat more choclo (corn dish).

Buses around the countryside mean throwing backpacks on the roof, praying with every twist turn and bump in the rocky mountain terrain, that it will still be there when the ride is finally over. It can be expected to honk at llamas to get off the road, and pick up various stragglers along the way.

Walking along the countryside of Potosi I even had the pleasure of being picked up by a bus. Bolivians leave no one behind. With my good fortune, it was a busload of elementary school children on their way home from a field trip. My new eight year old friend Michelle, gave me a rock as a present and wished me well on my trip when I hopped off.

In the bustling city of La Paz it would make no sense to have an orderly system of public transport. Instead, hundreds of vans jam the crowded streets while the person in the passenger seat sticks their head out the window and screams the destination of the vehicle. It is the perfect recipe for chaos. It can either be viewed as stress epicenter of the universe, or an exciting afternoon outing.

Camionetas, trains, buses, really it does not matter how you get there because each one is just as unpredictable as the next. Above all, wherever I land it seems to be the most precarious situation that I have ever experienced.

I have found myself setting off dynamite with local miners (first they lit it and chased me around with the explosive sticks… all in good fun), while relaxing by a lake I suddenly became a part of a local funeral where mourning means drinking more than the Irish at a wake, and they burn the clothes of the deceased. I have been dropped off in towns where electricity does not exist. In one instance the children came running out of the school house to say hello to the gringa and see how my digital camera worked (maybe the most surreal moment in South America).

Sleeping is on par with transport. One night in the Andes, my friends and I found shelter in a school house to escape the bitter cold. Other nights I have been welcomed in by Bolivian families in small villages.. The best family lived in a house that rivaled Swiss Family Robinson in the jungle territory of the mountains. I am really making none of this up.

Regardless of the situation, the outcome is always the same. Bolivians have proven to be some of the most inviting, hospitable people that I have encountered in this journey. Now it is time to pop some malaria pills because the Amazon Jungle is up next. Oh and, we lived to tell the tale of the hiking adventure…

Crossing the line: The Bolivian Border

2009-04-13T15:10:00.000-07:00

Crossing borders is one way to quickly learn about a new country before entering it. It never ceases to amaze me how one imaginary line can define essentially everything.

It was seemingly appropriate that I arrived at the Argentine border town called La Quiaca on a cold dark and stormy night. Alone and miserable after long arduous hours on an overcrowded and very delayed bus—the dreary setting seemed to match my mood. A series of unforeseen circumstances had gotten me to this lonely state, and it was time to turn it around.

Traveling instinct kicked in and I approached the first friendly foreign faces that I could find—2 Australian guys wandering down the street.
¨Excuse me, are you guys heading for a hostel?¨ even I could sense my weary and exasperated tone. The taller of the two replied,
¨Nope, we are killing time before a bus to Salta. Where are you heading?¨
He sincerely looked sorry for me, or maybe he realized as well as I suddenly had that I was in desperate need of a shower.

I explained that I was slowly making my way to Bolivia. The second backpacker chimed in with a laugh,
¨ That´s a seriously slow pace, you do realize that Bolivia is just right there. You can walk across right now if you like.¨
His lanky arm stretched out pointing towards a dark menacing main road. It is with no exaggeration that within visible view of the ¨other side¨ plump round forlorn faces were staring at me from a begging distance.

My instant loyalty to Argentina was prevalent. I was convinced that it wasn´t time to part ways with a country that had been so accommodating, and its people so welcoming. How could I possibly abandon it now? I graciously thanked the travelers, wished them well, and scurried out of the rain into the first inviting hostel to demise a Bolivian scheme.

A new day is a new beginning, and reason enough to enter another country. The sun was shining, and I reunited with amigas from Uruguay. Armed with courage and a passport that craved another stamp, I walked down the main road toward the border crossing, and didn’t look back.

The first lesson learned at the border—there are no rules amidst the chaos of third world security, but money talks. The guard would not acknowledge me until I displayed the wad of green American dollars in my hand that are required for a Bolivian visa.

The second lesson learned—excessive amounts of consuming Coca Cola really will rot your teeth. Bolivians should be the official sponsor of this beverage as their obsession with coca runs deep. Nearly every Bolivian flashes a toothless grin, or it is adorned with golden crowns. Ironically I have spotted more dentist offices in this country and each one sends a shiver down my spine. Perhaps I am more sensitive to this issue as the proud daughter of a Dentist.

It has been four days since the border crossing event. Painfully slow and pungent trains have carried me deeper and higher into the altiplano. I am currently writing from an Army Barracks converted into a traveler refugee camp (seriously) in the middle of the Bolivian salt desert. It has been a three day journey in a Land Rover (which has a New Jersey inspection sticker-- questionable?) with an international assortment of adventure seekers. Among the superlatives swimming in my mind, this is possibly the most interesting thing that I have ever done. My mind is about to explode with endless amounts of details on Bolivia that I wish to divulge… stay tuned for more on that and why Bolivia is quickly becoming my new favorite country.

and Holy Week begins!

2009-04-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

Palm Sunday…Holy week is on the horizon. From my experience in Spain with Semana Santa, I have learned that when it comes to the Spanish Speaking World and Easter, a dramatic spectacle can be expected. It is no surprise that South America doesn’t mess around with Jesus either. Drums and explosions are currently awakening the small Andean village of Tilcara in the middle of nowhere Northwest Argentina where I am claiming my temporary residence for the next week or so. I am accompanied by my amigos, Natalia and Carla from Uruguay, and Fernando from Argentina.

The province of Jujuy is Argentina’s poorest region in the country, but it is rich in culture and scenic beauty. Artisan craft markets fill the village streets, folkloric music livens up the tranquilo scene, and the aroma of coca leaves that are ritually chewed can be detected just about everywhere. The surrounding landscape is painted with cactuses, canyons, and layered rocks of shades of red that only seem to exist here.

Walking through the streets I feel eyes on me. I am a gringo mixed in a world of poncho wearing, coca leaf chewing, folkloric flute playing, indigenous people. On a side note-- I was informed by my kind Uruguayan friends that due to contrary belief, the more widely used term for gringo in South America is actually Yankee. I am a lone Yankee in a sea of South Americans ready to embrace some Holy Week traditions.

The festivities commence tomorrow with a 7 hour long procession to some other neighboring village. At home, attending church on both Holy Thursday and Good Friday was once considered a major effort. While attempting to experience a new culture, I now eagerly accept taking 7 hour long pilgrimages… all in the name of religion. I have never been a more devout Catholic.

Amidst the fusion of Native American culture and Catholicism, this Easter will not include hunting for Easter eggs, jelly beans, and Easter bonnets, but I am certain that Semana Santa will not lack some lively traditions.

Buena Onda

2009-03-21T15:48:00.000-07:00

How did I end up here? It is an inevitable question that enters most traveler´s minds at some point. In South America I have had a few experiences that have sparked this thought: when I found myself sleeping in some random Chilean lady´s backyard, when the bus stopped driving because a (peaceful) protest blocked the route—in this instance I was fortunate enough to be sitting with an outgoing Bolivian woman who explained to me what was happening. Sometimes the journey leads to the most interesting places, and the best thing to do, especially when you have no idea what is going on, is to sit back and enjoy it.

I am currently traveling solo for a couple of weeks. It seems that every day is a new adventure, and I am hardly ever alone. About a week ago I wished my traveling counterpart, Chris, well as he went to pursue a short term career on a farm. My own future was much less defined; without any real plan I was heading north. After reviewing the map of Argentina I decided to purchase a ticket to Tucuman because the name sounded funny, and so began another leg of the journey.

Upon waiting for my bus to my mysterious destination I encountered a familiar face, a friendly guy from California that I had met over a month ago in Chile. We filled eachother in on a months worth of travel because meeting a familiar face on the road is like meeting an old friend from home. A young British guy who was enjoying a year of travel before starting University (known as gap year in Engand) joined the conversation. He happened to be meeting his friend who was traveling Argentina by horse. A few hours later while we waited for our respective buses, I had learned a new card game, shared some empanadas, and exchanged emails with my friends. I did not realize that getting on my bus meant leaving my happy gringo trail behind.

It turns out that Tucuman really isn´t that funny, or anything special for that matter, but it led me in the right direction. From Tucuman to Tafi de Valle, Tafi de Valle to Amaicha, Amaicha to Cafayate, I am now on a different trail. I am traveling with an Argentinean guy who could easily fall under the hippie classification, and three Uruguayan girls who turn heads when they walk down the street. Our time is spent drinking yerba mate, the conversations are in spanish, and I am now sleeping in a tent that a Argentinean has given me on loan. My vagabonding status has reached a new level. However I ended up here, es una buena onda…

long term travel

2009-03-16T10:39:00.000-07:00

In a recent conversation with my new found friend on the road, Robbie, we discussed the nature of long term backpacking. He explained that “what we see in one week is often a person's trip of a lifetime, but we are fortunate to continue to have many trips of a lifetime during the journey.” Due to the fast paced nature of the past four weeks I have not paid much attention to the documentation of my experiences on the road, but I have definitely had a handful of trips of a lifetime.

If I am going to make any attempt to catch up I will have to take the lazy approach with bullet points. The past few weeks have included the following:

-Mapuche Farm: Camping at a Native American Mapuche farm with Chris and Robbie. In order to reach the farm we had to ring a bell on a tree for the Mapuche member to climb in a row boat and retrieve us from the shore of a lake. On the other side of the lake cows, sheep, roosters, chickens and horses roamed freely

-Camping in a Taxi Drivers yard: During a boisterous festival in the small town of Junin there was nowhere to sleep, not even vacancy in the campground. A kind man driving a cab allowed Chris, Robbie and me to set our tents up in his yard and spend the night.

-Fly Fishing: I grew an appreciation for fly fishing while spending a few weeks in the Lake District with avid fly fishers, Chris and Robbie.

-Iguazu Falls: In the northeast corner of Argentina the impressive waterfalls known as Iguazu draw in crowds of visitors from around the world. It is easy to spend a full day in the National Park which is what Chris, Simon (Chris’s friend from home) and I did. While viewing the “Devils Throat” the spray is so powerful that it is impossible to stay dry.

Carnaval: On a very big whim coming from Iguazu, we stopped over in a sleepy town called San Ignacio. The town came alive on Saturday evening with hundreds of beautiful women adorned in elaborate costumes, mostly lacking coverage in areas with curves. Chris and Simon died and gone to heaven as steams of women passed by prancing in their thongs. We were fully immersed in Carnaval without any warning.

Bikes and Wine: Arriving in Mendoza means entering wine country. No visit is complete without biking around the various vineyards. Mr. Hugo provided our small group of wine enthusiasts with bikes and copious amounts of wine. A beautiful sunny day riding along roads covered in tree canopies and surrounded by mountains: it was practically a perfect day.

Wine Festival: We conveniently planned to spend time in Mendoza during their annual wine festival. The streets were filled with Argentines while floats from the parade with people throwing grapes passed by.

Mount Aconcagua: It was essential to pay a visit to the worlds highest mountain in the western hemisphere. Chris, our new friend named Guy, and I camped a few days in a small Andean town to get a closer look at the massive mountain.

The next few weeks will be spent in the Northwest region of Argentina to begin a new chapter of the journey…

Choices

2009-02-11T11:07:00.000-08:00

Choices must be made. This is a statement that holds true for everyone. The fate of our journey rests in every detailed decision. With such overwhelming responsibility, Chris and I take matters into our own hands by dictating where we will go and who we will meet with a swift game of Rock Paper Scissors.

In rare cases, direction comes naturally. The Argentine Lake District seems to have magnetic force that continues to draw us in for another visit. Without even needing Paper to cover Rock, we ended up in San Martin de Los Andes; another pristine town settled by a lake and picturesque mountains.

As a vagabond, the perpetual question remains the same: where is our temporary home in this foreign place? Often bus stations are flooded with hostel owners claiming to offer the best deal in town, but after a little unguided exploration in San Martin we selected a quiet hostel to grant us a place to sleep.

By day 2 in the boisterous resort town we made the bold move to forego camping one extra day and pay a few extra pesos for another restful evening with warm beds and an inviting kitchen. Similar to a real home, kitchens in hostels are a place to congregate, share stories, and develop new friendships. Sharing pots and pans suddenly means sharing life stories.

On this particular evening, one other guy had the same decision making process as us. After a few short minutes of sharing a cooking space we quickly learned that he was also from Boston. With this knowledge the conversation spawned into a series of questions that have not been asked in months.

¨I went to Holy Cross,¨ he replied to me as I stood at the kitchen sink. The response stopped me from meal preparation as I stood there in disbelief. My friend Jim had informed me that recent HC grad (and friend of his) had embarked on a similar Patagonian adventure. I paid no close attention to the information, but suddenly Robbie Cocuzzo, class of ´08 was standing with me in the kitchen of some random hostel in some small South American town and we were discussing the slums that we resided in off campus, and the mutual friends that we had in common. BIZARRE.

Also an avid fisher, and fishing guide in Nantucket, Robbie had many important points to discuss with Chris. Instant friendship formed over dinner and some Argentine wine and by the end of the evening we arrived at our next decision: the next day the three of us would head to Lago Lolog to camp and Chris and Robbie would find the best spot to catch Brown Trout.

Slightly over a week later, the setting has changed a few times (currently in Junin but about to hop on a bus to get to nearby National Park Lanin) the company and days of fishing remain the same. Discussions involve terms like wooleybuggers and dry flies. While I keep safe distance on rocks by the river, I could learn a few things from my fly fishing enthusiast friends.

Many decisions remain to be seen, such as what the future will bring. There is discussion of wine fesitivals, waterfalls and eventually possible volunteer work in Bolivia... but for now fishing and friends will fill the days of February.

summer breeze

2009-01-31T14:36:00.000-08:00

There is a distinct lazy afternoon breeze that floats in the air and it can only be associated with summer. The distant noises of motor boats humming and lawn mowers trimming grass create a seasonal soundtrack. The main street is filled with families returning from a sun filled day at the beach, and restaurants that lure in the wealthiest of summer dwelling visitors with their swanky décor. For one brief moment it is August and I am at the comforting Connecticut shore.

Suddenly without warning a woman calls out in Spanish selling Lumitas and I realize that I am in a new summer community in the southern hemisphere. The strongest indication does not come from the Spanish in the streets, but the looming presence of a snow capped volcano that is just as active as it’s neighboring town of Pucon, Chile that it seems to look down upon with ill will.

As smoke swirls from the giant geological wonder, the Chileans proceed with their daily routine. The light is green on the activity scale in the town center. Today will remain a day like many others: a day of only pending natural disaster.

Aside from escaping near death by mother nature, the Chilean Lake District provides ample amount of activities for adventure enthusiasts. White water rafting proved to be an educational Spanish lesson as directions were yelled at Chris and me over the roaring class five rapids. I can still hear “adelante izquierda” echoing in my ear.

A 50 Km bike ride seemed like another enjoyable way to spend a hot summer day. The uphill struggle by the 30th Km convinced me that I was probably dying from heat stroke. Like an oasis in the desert, waterfalls and lakes appeared and energy was restored after a quick plunge in the refreshing water.

Relaxation is always important too. Some new Argentinean friends invited Chris and me to the popular evening activity of visiting the local hot springs. In theory, this sounds enticing, but sharing a natural hot tub with overweight Chilean men is exactly why Chris named it “herpes soup.”

Chilean summer camp, as we have dubbed it, has been nothing short of entertaining, but January is quickly turning to February, and the fumes from the volcano serve as a reminder that it is awake and ready to go. Once again it is time to cross over to Argentina to savor the summer days a little while longer.

Time for an Update

2009-01-21T10:19:00.001-08:00

Paulo Cohelo, the author of the best selling book The Alchemist, (a most recent read of mine on a busride) promotes the idea that we must get rid of the notion of time and accept that everything is eternal.

I am not sure that I have quite arrived at that point, but I can confidently claim that concept of time has become very blurry. In fact, I unsuccessfully spent about 6 km of hiking Torres del Paine trying to determine the date and day of the week. Due to this situation I have unfortunately neglected to update on the latest adventures.

Multiple times, borders have been crossed between Argentina and Chile to enjoy both sides of the Andes. The stamps between the two countries are taking over the pages in my passport. Somewhere in between conquering the circuit in Torres del Paine in an impressive 6 day hike, and driving to the ˆEnd of the Worldˆ Ushuaia, Argentina; I find myself currently traveling around Chile with a cast of characters.

Chris, and one of our newest Belgian friends are still in Argentina in the pursuit of finding fish. Meanwhile, on the Chilean side of living, I am chasing penguins with another Belgian friend, and a Czech guy. In order to fully understand it is necessary travel back in time for a recap as to how we all arrived at this point.

Climbing dunes at Cahoons Hollow beach on the Cape used to be considered a strenuous hike (arguably it still is after a day of fun in the sun.) A six day hike in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile complete with strong winds, rains from all directions, knee deep mud, and cumbersome backpacks has led me to believe that there are greater challenges miles away from the mudslides awaiting at The Beachcomber.

Although the park proposed an occasional challenge, the journey was not nearly as daunting as local guides had forewarned us. During the finish, Chris and I ran into some familiar faces from Bariloche that we had met a few weeks prior (note: this happens frequently). Our numbers quickly increased from 2 backpackers to 5, and so the next leg of the journey began.

The past week or so has been spent with a Belgian couple 6 months into their around the world trip, and a Czech guy whose enthusiasm for the store TJMaxx can not go without being noticed (he has even tried to contact the company to open stores in Czech Republic)!

Our own version of a cultural exchange led us to various locations: Ushuaia- a small portside sity that is famous for being the southern most city in the world, as well as a fishing mecca. Horns from boats blare with frequency as they embark on their voyages to Antarctica. Back in Chile, the five of us (2 Belgians, 1 Czech, and one Chris Wu) will spend our final evening of traveling together tonight in Punta Arenas Chile before Chris and I head up north to Puerto Montt.

What lies ahead in the future is just as questionable as what day it is today. Time will tell...

quick glimpse

2009-01-14T09:04:00.000-08:00

I have some updating to do, but limited time and creativity at the moment. Current location is Puerto Natales, Chile. For now I will share a video of Chilean living until I can get the writing back up to speed... happy viewing!

Lessons Learned

2009-01-06T16:50:00.000-08:00

One month into the South American adventure: it has become difficult to distinguish where odd odors from my backpack are originating, or to remember a life without shower shoes. Oddly enough, i cannot get enough of the maddening vagabond lifestyle. This feels like a seemingly appropriate moment to share a few noteable lessons learned on the road.

1) Argentineans not only appreciate exact change at the register, in most cases they demand it in a rather hostile manner. I am still trying to figure out why people in this country holds onto their coins as if they are gold.

2) Wine Bottles can be opened just as successfully without adequate tools, such as a cork screw. The secret is to push the cork in while artfully avoiding the squirt that often follows. (ok I will admit that I learned that a few years ago in Spain) Chris has really mastered this skill though; perhaps because he carries knives with him whereever he goes?!

3) People around the world actually enjoy meeting Americans now because it allows them the opportunity to discuss Barack Obama and congratulate our country on the decision that has been made. I already appreciate what our 44th president has done for Americans.

In many situations lessons are learned through minor mishaps. A daily routine as simple as visiting the supermarket can go horribly wrong. Although Chris and I meant to order un cuarto (1/4 KG) of ground beef, the butcher heard cuatro (4 KG) of our order. Chris turned to me at the end of the debacle and simply stated ¨Just when you think your Spanish is improving you end up with 9 lbs of beef.¨

The only unfortunate part of any of this is that the time is passing quickly. Aside from New Years celebrations with some Mexicans and a Colombian, most of the recent days have been spent in El Chalten camping deep in the mountains carefully NOT spending money.

El Chalten is a rather peculiar place: a sleepy town, yet it is crawling with tourists from around the world who are adorned in their finest trekking gear. Most likely they are trying to catch a glimpse of Mt. Fitz Roy.

Our personal camping experience along the massive mountain involved a hike back down to civilization on day 2 simply to liven up the adventure with some whiskey. We went to great extremes for our prized bottle of booze. The ascent back up to the campsite made us question our motives as dark storm clouds began to form around the peak of the Mt. Fitz Roy. While Chris and I crossed the field it suddenly felt like we were in a scene from Lord of the Rings about to enter into a dark evil world of pending doom.

Fortunately we have lived to tell the tales of silly mishaps and battles with ominous weather. Tomorrow we venture south to Puerto Natales Chile where it will be time to explore another South American Country...more lessons to learn.

El Viento

2008-12-31T10:52:00.000-08:00

The word for wind in Spanish is “el viento.” It would be virtually impossible to not include this term in the daily vocabulary because it is the consistent forecast in the heart of Patagonia. Through constant exchange of travelers tales I have learned that farther south the streets are lined with ropes because people have been known to blow away without the lifelines. It is decidedly so that this world is not for the faint of heart.

Inclimate weather did not deter Patagonian explorers such as Chris and myself from finding our way to El Calafate, although it did shatter the top windshield of our double decker bus during our 30 hour jaunt from Bariloche. Interestingly enough we had a front row seat for the excitement. Argentina knows how to liven up a busride.

5000 km of road make up the infamous Ruta 40 that stretches North to South deep in the vast expanses of land that we know as Patagonia. To sum up the journey: it is stony dirt roads, harsh winds, and complete solitude.

We have left behind the cozy alpine town Bariloche. A few goodbyes were essential before our departure. We said farewell to our friends at Tango Inn Hostel and the delicious eggs they served every morning at breakfast, waved goodbye to the rivers and streams where Chris successfully found fish, and made sure to say hasta luego to our new friends, Dan and Leanna that we met up with during our final days in the lake district.

All of this was replaced with El Calafate, a new area to explore. A visit to Los Glaciers National Park was already paid in the first days. This park holds the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier… a glacier larger than the city of Buenos Aires. Incredible. As this massive structure continues to build up in size, walls of ice shatter off of it. Thundering noise caused by the ice hitting the lake waters can be heard miles away. The lake is a museum of ice sculptures thanks in part to the glacier. Quite possibly one of the most visually pleasing views of life.

2009 looks promising. Tonight we will ring in the new year at an asado (bbq) hosted by our friends at Marco Polo Hostel, and tomorrow the wind will blow us to EL Chalten for some more trekking, camping, and picture snapping of glaciers. Prospero Ano to everyone!

Happy Holidays

2008-12-20T09:44:00.000-08:00

In the words of the group Band Aid, “ Do they know it’s Christmas time at all?” Back home friends and family are most likely bombarded with Christmas propaganda in their daily routine. Holiday tunes have taken over the radio waves, and a fresh blanket of snow has been dumped on New England to ensure a white Christmas. T minus a week until Navidad here in Argentina and it would be a Christmas miracle to spot a decorated tree.

In the Southern Hemisphere we are embracing summer. The days settle in at a comfortable 80 degree mark on the thermometer and our bronzed faces enjoy the daylight hours until about 10 pm. Mysteriously Christmas is nowhere to be found. It seems as though this may be the year that Christmas was forgotten. Fortunately there have been enough distractions that it would not be entirely tragic is Santa skipped over us this year. Chris, Bree and I have settled in quite nicely to our Patagonian lifestyle. We have found adventure and new friends just about everywhere we trek.

One of the simplest joys I find in traveling is spending time in the hostel kitchen making new friends. Thus far we have an eclectic list of international amigos. We have befriended an Israeli couple enjoying their around the world honeymoon trip. One evening the scene in the kitchen involved an Irishman, Englishman, and an American sharing the same cooking space (sort of sounds like the beginning of a bad joke.) Fortunately despite the centuries of history between these countries we managed to share the kitchen in peace, and a few beers! The other day over breakfast we met three young men who have been on their adventure since July 2007. These three ambitious guys have pedaled their bikes from Alaska and plan to ride to the very bottom of Argentina. Breakfast has never been more inspiring and kitchens have never been more interesting.

Interestingly enough inspirations have been found outside of the hostel kitchen walls. My traveling buddies (Chris and Bree) and myself hopped on a two hour bus ride the other day following a trail of snow capped mountains to an unbelievable hiking trail . Only 5 hours of hiking led us to a mountain peak tucked in between two giant glaciers. Every so often a roar that sounded like thunder clamored through the eerily silent vast space, but really it was massive chunks of ice tumbling down the mountain. The overpowering noises matched with 360 degrees of Andes panoramic view created a very humbling scene. We spent the night on a small shack on the top of the mountain with a few park rangers who practically had to chase us down the mountain the next morning because we lacked a few pesos. Just another adventure in the land of Patagonia.

I currently sit in the hostel kitchen. Things have come full circle and the staff is actually decorating for the big holiday this week. Our numbers in traveling companions have dwindled as we are down to two. With heavy hearts Chris and I said farewell to Bree today as she heads back to the States for Christmas. Soon Chris and I will venture farther south for bigger glaciers and stronger winds. To everyone back home, warm wishes and happy holidays.

Mountains

2008-12-14T15:42:00.001-08:00

I have mountains to climb. This can be interpreted in every sense of the phrase. Current location: Bariloche, the gateway to the Argentine side of Patagonia. Situation: a beautiful tiny city nestled between snow capped mountains, immense glacial lakes, and comfortably beside the infamous Nahuel Huapi National Park.

At first glance, it appears that Chris Bree and I have arrived in Switzerland. The architecture in this Argentine town in fact rivals that of it´s European cousin.

An 18 hour busride from the windy shores of beachtown, Mar del Plata has granted us the entrance into our beloved Patagonia. On a side note, as much as we have been pleasantly surprised with our Patagonian experience, the bus ride was equally astounding. Full pull out beds, flat screen tvs, and 3 meals later, I was led to believe that I was on a first class flight and only for a few mere pesos.

As the bus approached closer to our next destination on our open itinerary, the vast flat lands suddenly began to forms peaks. A pack of wild horses ran by the window, and shortly thereafter the bluest rivers began to creep along the rolling countryside.

Bree spotted rafting and Chris spotted fly fishing and almost instantaneously smiles and cheers could be witnessed from seats 4, 5, and 6. We have found a land that can provide happiness.

The gateway to Patagonia has not been one to disappoint since our first glimpse from the bus seat windows. 24 hours later from our arrival and we have found ourselves situated with the pleasant company of Bree´s friends from her program in Chile, Patrick and Katie.

There is not a moment to waste in this outdoor community. As Bree pointed out on our drive to canyoning today, ¨I feel as though I could spend the next 20 years of my life here and find something new to do everyday.¨

Canyoning is an experience like no other, and that is how the five of us chose to spend our Sunday thanks in part to the persuasion of Patrick and Katie. For the lack of a better description, this adventure sport involves repelling down waterfalls with a harness and some rope. Fortunately, we had Hector and Hernan to guide us through the hike in and down glacial rivers.

Standing atop a 40 meter waterfall while a man is telling you in spanish to lean all the way back as though you should fall backwards provides a whole new meaning to the word trust.

Why would a great day end with canyoning? I find myself sitting at a campsite now. We (Chris) is grilling another culinary feast alongside Lake Nahuel Huapi (which by the way is huge). The views are spectacular and the company ever better.

Trails are calling my name and some life decisions made be discovered on a mountain top. I think I will stay a while in Patagonia. More updates to follow... Chris and I may purchase a car.

BA living

2008-12-09T08:31:00.000-08:00

Vagabonding (derived from the word vagabond of course) could potentially be used as a verb. Mr. Rolf Potts, an iconic travel writer and personal idol of mine, coined the term himself when he began a backpacking stint during his mid twenties.

This is a lifestyle that I will happily admit I have adapted as my own, at least for the time being. While I feel comfortable enjoying this lifestyle anywhere: Argentina, a widely vast and geographically diverse country, is well suited for my current vagabonding terrain.

One week in this beautiful metropolis, and what a week it has been. Luggage was lost, and then it was found, Tango Backpackers hostel has become my temporary home, and I have reunited with some of EF’s finest former employees. All in all the adventure is off to a wonderful start.

Some of the highlights have included stumbling upon hundreds of Tango dancers in the street who congregated for Tango Night, attending a Drumming concert while swaying to the beats with hippies, and having an authentic Argentinean Asado compliments to Chris.
Tomorrow our band of traveling nomads (Andy, Colin, Bree, Chris and myself) will head to a beach town in the south and from there we will branch off to new adventures. Life could not be any better right now. I was meant to roam the world and eat the best tasting steak known to mankind.

Roads?

2008-12-04T12:16:00.002-08:00

The final scene of Back to the Future can sum up a lot for me right now. Doc turns to Michael J Fox in an attempt to paint a picture of life in the future, "Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads." Fast forward from the movie in 1985 to December 2008. Backpack and boarding pass in hand, I stand in the JFK airport : a complete stimulation overload of people watching. I somewhat believe that visits to the airport are a trip within themselves.

Argentine bound, I am suddenly really relating to Marty McFly in this final scene. In a moment where you have to wonder "what am I in for?" I too, have no idea where I am really going, or what lies ahead. I invite you to read on, and share some of these unknown adventures with me. Soon enough those Spanish speaking skills that I acquired in Spain will be put to the test, and I am certain that I will be challenged with some common sense decision making to really complicate matters.

Warning: moments in this blog may raise an eyebrow, or a cause for concern. Rest assured, I am safe and sound, and absurd ideas such as a career as a street musician will be temporary. I think?For now, I am promptly plugging both earphones of my ipod in my head in hopes that it will drain out any uncertainty about my future. First song that pops up on the trusty ipod shuffle : Road to Nowhere by the Talking Heads. Perfect, I'm ready.