One thing it took me a while to learn while I was traveling in Latin America is to be a better friend. What do I mean by that? The majority of interactions we have with other travelers are very casual. When we talk to another traveler in our hostel or at a café, we are […]
Can I live car-free in Columbus?
I have really struggled to write this post. I think part of it is because I often wonder if I’m just being stupid. I want to live car-free. And when I tell people that, they look at me like I’m crazy. I did not drive a car once during my 20 months in Latin America. […]
My First World Problems
My first week back home in Columbus was spent putting things away (not that I had much stuff to put away), buying necessities, and meeting up with friends. Overall, it has been an easy transition with little stress. (Yes, I am aware that the real transition will happen when I enter the corporate world again.) […]
The Blogger Relay Kicks Off Today! (I’m Officially a Travel Geek)
As I said in my big announcement last week, one of the great things to come out of my 20 months of travel in Latin America is discovering this awesome community of travel bloggers. That community has officially turned me into a travel geek. (Two years ago, I would have made fun of someone for […]
When I’m Ready or When the Money Runs Out
If you subscribe to my newsletter, you already know that Bolivia is the last country of my 20-month Latin American adventure. (If this is news to you, and you want to be in-the-know sooner, sign up here.) Back in 2010 when I finally decided to start telling people about my travel sabbatical plans, many asked […]
Bolivia Scares the Sh** Out of Me
Maybe I’ve grown soft traveling in Argentina and Chile for the last year. (Wow, I cannot believe I spent that much time in two countries. I do like slow travel and enjoy the pseudo-expat life.) I started my travels in poorer countries with less infrastructure, more hassle, and more crime. I even got robbed the first […]
The Driest Place on the Planet is Flooding
The two most beautiful places on my itinerary for Chile have experienced environmental disasters just before my arrival. First, there was the fire in Torres del Paine. And now the driest place on the planet is flooding. Everything is closed. The Salar de Atacama. The Tatio Geysers. Valle de la Luna. The star-gazing tours. All […]
Buenos Aires Take 4… And Big News!
Yep! I’m going back! This will be my fourth time visiting Buenos Aires. Long before I had a blog (or ever read a blog), and long before the plan to quit my job and travel was created, I came to Buenos Aires for a 2-week vacation with friends. I not only loved the city, I […]
When a Hostel Defines Your Travel Experience
This is not the nicest, newest, or fanciest hostel I have seen. After all, this is Patagonia. There is not much that is shiny and new. This is a hostel that made me feel comfortable. I felt like I was surrounded by friends I had known for years. In addition, they have thought of all […]
Tragedy in Torres del Paine: Stories from the Park
After doing the day hikes in El Chalten, I was ready to take it a step further and complete the full circuit in Torres del Paine. I was planning to carry in my food and tent and stay in the camp sites, attempting to finish in 7 days. I never got that chance. Much of […]