Víctors Blog on RealTravel

Lima journal: The Final Week

Thu, 18 May 2006 13:57:00 GMT

Nasca

After leaving Cusco, I was basically ready to be home. I mean I was still excited about seeing the Nasca lines and a bit of Lima, but mentally I was done traveling alone, done eating in restaurants, done having to be alert 24/7 to anything suspicious.

From Cusco I took an overnight bus to Nasca. Now normally Peruvian buses over the mountains are FREEZIING at night, so I would pack a sleeping bag. But this time around I was taking an expensive bus so I figured I'd be ok. Well I was wrong and when I got to Nasca I could barely feel my legs. I got into a hotel as quickly ...

Santiago journal: Discovering South America

Thu, 18 May 2006 13:35:09 GMT

I´m spending 5 months of my gap year in South America! I´m learning the language, visiting new countries and cultures, out to have a good time, see some new things, get to know myself, and meet people! It has been the trip of a lifetime, and now that I'm home all my experiences are starting to covalesce into beautiful memories.

Cusco journal: In the ¨Navel¨ of the World

Thu, 18 May 2006 13:33:16 GMT

The Inca empire stretched from Southern Columbia to Northen Argentina and Chile, it´s capital was Cusco, or Qosqo in Quechua, which means the navel of the world.

It´s not quite the center of the world anymore, but there is a definite pulsing energy here. The place has a vibe and it´s not just the hundreds of Inca ruins in and around the city, it´s also the people, the nightlife, the whole scene.

During the day the surrounding mountains are vivid green, the sky at this time of year pure blue with powder puff clouds. At night the stars are really bright, the city lights are a ...

Arequipa journal: Southeastern Peru

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 15:14:36 GMT

Lake Titicaca

I was walking around as smoothly as I possibly could, but the damn land kept on moving! Welcome to Los Uros, the floating islands, a watery world that has existed virtually unchanged for millenia.

Lake Titicaca, the world´s highest navigable lake, forms part of the border between Bolivia and Peru and is the home of the Inca Creation myth, fascinating island cultures, and of course, good ceviche. I first came to Copacabana on the Bolivian side. This is a funky hippie tourist town, with really good cheap Ceviche, and access to the Isla del Sol. The Isla del Sol is a big ...

Barcelona journal: "Working" in Spain

Sun, 02 Apr 2006 17:35:43 GMT

So why is this entry here, and what does it have to do with South America? Nothing! Well except my flight left and came back to Buenos Aires.

For 6 days I escaped my solitary travels and my journey in South America to go to Barcelona and help Pete and Jean chaperone a group of 16 middle school kids. Not only did I have a great time, but I got to go to and visit a world class city in a country I had never been to- and I didnt pay anything!

After a torturously long plane trip of 12 hours pretty much heading straight North I arrived at the airport in Barcelona. I waited an hour for my ...

Tupiza journal: Heading to Bolivia

Sun, 02 Apr 2006 17:18:42 GMT

So When I got back from Spain I stayed with Tinka and Natasha in their apartment for a night and then spent the second night in a Hostel. It was very nice actually to arrive to a setting where I would know people- especially after the companionship of Spain. Making this time around all the sweeter was that Toby and Anne were also in Buenos Aires for vacation. I got taken out to three phenomenal meals and all around spoiled by them. Sometime´s after a period of budget traveling you just need to get spoiled (not that Spain can possibly qualify as budget traveling).

After seeing some real ...

Barcelona journal: Friendly Staff, Caters to groups, Can be Loud, Good Breakfast, OK Location

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 07:03:52 GMT

Buenos Aires journal: Cordoba, Iguazu, Buenos Aires - Solo Traveling Begins

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 05:02:39 GMT

Alright, I know that I have been incredibly lax about updating this thing, but I promise I´ll try harder to get more frequent updates from now on. Currently I am sitting in an internet cafe in Barcelona, Spain but that will be the next entry.

When I left Mendoza, what feels like months ago, but which is really only 3 weeks ago. I was nervous again. I was leaving a support structure I had come to love and depend on to strike out into unknown territory. This is a motif that I believe I will continue to feel everytime I venture out into a new experience. Those who say there´s nothing new to ...

Cordoba journal: Mendoza, San Carlos, Laguna Diamante

Sat, 11 Mar 2006 10:16:35 GMT

This is my entry for my second month studying in Mendoza, including a trip to San Carlos, and a trip to the Laguna Diamante. I will be updating it sometime this week. Unfortunately my camera broke so I don´t have as many pictures as I would like. And it probably won´t contain my last event in Mendoza, namely La Festival de La Vendimia until later, which is Argentina´s biggest celebration and fills every avaliable bed in the city. It´s a solid week of concerts, wine drinking (the festival celebrates the grape harvest), and the election of a queen to represent the province. And in a province ...