Two years ago I explored a 400 year old castle in Cartagena, Colombia. I met a family and received a tour in Spanish. Eventually nighttime fell and the Castle closed. However, the four of us were not ready to leave and so we quickly hopped over the barriers and climbed to the top of the castle, overlooking the entire city in all directions. But we were not the only people who … [Read more...] about Castillo De San Felipe in Cartagena
Latin America
Daddy Yankee in Medellin, Colombia
Daddy Yankee is only the most popular reggaeton (like Spanish hip hop-rap) star in Latin America, and I saw him perform in concert. I made plans with a 19-year-old Colombian guy through Couchsurfing to go together to the show in Medellin. While Couchsurfing is a great resource, I prefer meeting people naturally, but I wanted some company for something as desirable as this … [Read more...] about Daddy Yankee in Medellin, Colombia
Quito's Narrow Streets
I am living abroad on my own terms. It is one week that I have been living this life I have been idealizing for years now. A few days after arriving here in Ecuador I met Carolina for lunch. She and one of her friends picked me up from my hostel and the three of us drove into the old city. We drove through the narrow roads passing colonial architecture and dodging … [Read more...] about Quito's Narrow Streets
Fighting with Caymans: The Bolivian Jungle
Hundreds of alligators and caymens, pink river dolphins, turtles, monkeys, an anaconda, owls, toucans, capybara (largest rodent in the world), piranha, Stork, rufescent tiger heron, king vulture, hoatzin, blue and yellow macaw, parrot, Amazon kingfisher, greater ani, toro toucan, red crested cardinal, woodpecker - I saw all of the wildlife and more on my journey through the … [Read more...] about Fighting with Caymans: The Bolivian Jungle
Peru: The Machu Pichu, Bungee Jumping, & The Inti Raymi Festival
I started my week in Peru flying from Bogota to Lima at 5 am. But before i flew to Lima I heard about the Inti Raymi festival, the biggest celebration in Cusco. Despite an expensive domestic flight to Cusco, being able to participate in the festival and a chance to visit the Machu Pichu made the decision worth it. I slept most of the day and woke up just in time to see a little … [Read more...] about Peru: The Machu Pichu, Bungee Jumping, & The Inti Raymi Festival