Someone asked me to describe a few certain Colombian cities and this is the advice I had to offer. From what I have heard, Barranquilla is not worth visiting except for Carnival. The people I met who enjoyed it there knew some locals who showed them the nightlife. Otherwise, there is not much to do there. Cartagena and the surrounding area is worth spending 3-4 days max. 1 … [Read more...] about Going to Colombia?
Latin America
Colombian High Society
This is the tale of how I attended a private party at a Colombian city's most exclusive country club during the city's busiest time of the year. This was no ordinary party, though. In attendance were dozens of international beauty pageant contestants, comandantes, national TV stars, and executives. Oh, and me … [Read more...] about Colombian High Society
A Cult Has Taken Over Quito
Thursday was a wash. Easily the worst of seven days I have spent in Ecuador. While I was feeling perfectly fine, just a little tired, I somehow could not form a logical sentence that day. I ended the night with a few unenthusiastic games of cards with the girl from the U.K. and a guy from Chile. The Chilean had ridden for nearly 72 hours from Chile in busses. It makes sense … [Read more...] about A Cult Has Taken Over Quito
Just A Few Weeks Makes A Veteran Traveler
In a backpacking culture where the most time a traveler will spend in one place is rarely more than 1 week, I became a veteran backpacker of Rio entering my second week. But during my third week I became an expert. Almost a native. No, I do not take myself and what I just said to seriously but really, in El Misti hostel, I quickly became a longtimer and the resident tour … [Read more...] about Just A Few Weeks Makes A Veteran Traveler
Obtaining a Visa for Brazil
One of the obstacles in preparing for the portion of my trip in Brazil was actually being allowed in the country. Brazil, and other Latin American countries like Bolivia and Paraguay require US citizens to file for a visa in advance. They do it as retaliation to the U.S. policy of charging foreigners hundred if not thousands of dollars in fees to apply for a visa that they are … [Read more...] about Obtaining a Visa for Brazil