Rainy Day in Posatino, on the Amalfi Coast of Italy
I have been traveling just over three months internationally now, and not to jinx myself, but basically I have had almost perfect weather. A little cool at night in a couple of hotels in some of the highlands of Central and South America, but otherwise, perfect… – until the last couple days that is – I am on the Amalfi Coast now, looking out at the sea through a torrential down pour… – well, not the worst thing – giving me a chance to test a few more pastas, pizza, gelato and wine and to catch up on the blog to give a quick recap of my travels through Central and South America, before I get too far into Europe!
Overall I had 12 solid weeks from starting just before my birthday in Mexico, to ending just before Easter in Argentina. I visited a total of eight new Countries, spending on average two weeks in each, with the exceptions of world wind tours through Peru and Columbia. New Counties included, three in Central America (Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama) and five and a new Continent with South America (Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina).
I had the opportunity to work with four different frontline water organizations (Agua Para La Salud, Potters House, Etta Project and Water for People) and work in close ties with other primary organizations including; Blue Planet Networks, the Peace Corps, Beyond the Walls, Bethany Youth Group, Rotary International, World Water Corps, …. on different projects in Guatemala and Bolivia.
Happy School Kids in Cochabamba, Bolivia with Water For People
I had the chance also to meet and work with a countless number of amazing people from dedicated in Country developers/volunteers, community elders, families, children and adult recipients. As well as other travels and backpackers from around the world.
ALL have had an amazing impact on me, making this first leg an unforgettable experience – life altering – and self discovering! – I have learned and experienced tons from the world of water
Lake Titicaca Women - Uros Island
issues and who is doing what I about it. I sadly do not have the answer, no end all cure, yet, but I can say that the grass-roots groups doing work in Country are making a huge difference and they could not do it without all the hard work and effort being done by the larger fund-raising organizations back in the States and around the World. I hope someday they all receive the needed support from local, state and federal governments in each of their Countries. I hope the governments see the light of the importance of putting an emphasis on providing their people with the basics needs in life; food, shelter, cleaning drinking water, sanitation, education, empowerment and equality. I hope these governments can realize that a stronger, smarter and more equally diverse citizenship causes for a better, wealthier, more productive and healthier Country, better for all, including the governments themselves.
Panama City Skyline - out for a jog on the water front!
With my travels I have learned, I like cities more than completely rural lands, but I like ocean and water fronts more than I like big cities (this may be based on more amenities, english being spoken, or just nicer hotels and I think some of the rural area I saw were a little rougher than normally seen). I learned I could have gotten by with wheels on my backpack, because I am not a teenager any more and most of my modes of transportation would allow me to pull
San Blas - Dog Island
rather than lug. I learned I packed well for cloths, but I seem to have all kinds of weight other than clothes, that I can not seem to loss?! – I learned I miss my friends and family more than I ever thought I would. I learned that I was wrong in thinking that I wanted to take this trip in part solo to learn to make independent decisions – I learned that I actually long for companionship and sharing ideas and experiences with other people and learning from others view points and ideas and desires and wants and mixing those in with mine to make a composite better trip, – a better everything. I learned I have a lot of good friends who care about me and reach out to me, follow this blog to see what is going on with me! – I also learned writing this blog is very medicinal; having a chance to share my experiences with the people in my life I care about most and who care about me!
So, in summary, some top hit lists of Central/South America and the first 12 weeks of travel in recap:
Most Spectacular Ruins
- Macchu Picchu, Peru – Inca Ruins
- Cuzco, Peru – Inca Ruins
- Cartagena, Columbia – Old City
The Sacrad City - Macchu Picchu - Last stop before leaving - a place to contimplate - very energizing
Most Spiritual Places
- Macchu Picchu, Peru – Inca Ruins
- Banos, Ecuador – Holy Waters
- All of Central and South America Center City Churches – If I saw one, I saw a million
Banos Main Sq Church with sunlight streaming
Best Ocean / Water front Area
- San Blas Islands, Panama
- Manual Antonio, Costa Rica
- Argentina Pampas Lake Country
Manual Antonio Beach after SUP!
- Manual Antonio, Costa Rica
- Argentina Pampas Estancia Country
- Sayulita, Mexico
Surfer at Sunset
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Quito, Ecuador
- Panama City, Panama
- Lima, Peru
TC 2000 Road Race in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Best Historical Old-town in a City
- Cartagena, Columbia
- Cuzco, Peru
- Quito, Ecuador
Cartagena Old City
- San Blas Islands
- Highlands of Guatemala
- Rain Forests of Costa Rica and Ecuador
Biggest Learning Experience
- Receiving a Package in San Jose, Costa Rica
- Crossing the borders by bus in to Panama and Bolivia (brutal) versus planes into Ecuador, Peru and Argentina
- Wheels on luggage is a good thing!
6 hours and $200 learning experience - DHL offices / handling at airport to get computer
Most Rewarding
- Potters House
- Etta Project
- Aqua Para La Salud
Maribel and her Joyful Smile!
Most Adrenaline Filled Adventure
- Zip Lining in Banos, Ecuador
- Waterfall Repealing in Manual Antonio
- Sailing from Portobelo, Panama to Cartagena, Columbia
YIKES - Repelling in the rainforest down the waterfalls - Free Fall!!
Best Food
- Steak and Melbac – Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Ceviche – Lima, Peru
- Cappuccino – Cartagena, Colombia
Most Spectacular Ruins / Historic Sites
Best Breakfasts
- Costa Linda (Backpackers Hotel) by the beach Manual Antonio, Costa Rica
- La Casa de Abuelo – Art Restaurant, Banos, Ecuador
- Perurail – with a Pisco and Sours at 9:30 AM!
Breakfast in Banos, Ecuador - First Course - before yogurt and granola and biscuits and coffee and ...
Best Hotels
- Marriott, Panama City, Panama
- Hotel on the Panama Canal
- Lake country hotel in Buenos Aires
- … and Jim’s Guest House in Manual Antonio (not a hotel, but too nice a place to stay)
Hotel at the Panama Canel- View at Sunrise!
Scariest Hotels
- Guatemala City by the Airport
- La Paz Hotel by the Bus Station
Guatemala City Airport Hotel - District 5 (not good)
Best Transportation Experience
- Perurail – Cuzco to Puno
- Perurail – Cuzco to Macchu Picchu
- Landing in Quito!
Perurail
Best Night Outing
- Birthday Celebration in Sayulita, Mexico
- The Alamo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Cookout at Jim’s, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Celebration in Sayulita with friends!
Things to come back to do…
- Learn the language!!!
- Get out to the Galapagos Islands
- Brazil and Belize
- and More Argentina: Get to Usuilia and Antarctica (need to do pre February!) and to Patagonia, the Mendoza Wine Country, the Inguas Falls and – More Estancias
Sunset over the ranch in Pampas region of Argentina!!
Hi Joe, enjoy reading about your adventure! Almost time to put out the Bronco helmet – - Go Patin Maning. Lucy Trujillo