travel

Travel update: where I’m going & where I’ve been

March 30, 2017 by Asia

Hola from El Salvador! I’ve been on the move since I left my Nicaraguan homestay two weeks ago, hence the silence.

La Ruta de las Flores, El Salvador

My time at La Mariposa included one month of Spanish lessons, volunteering with children, and living with a local family. This memorable experience already feel like a lifetime ago! Since then, I’ve changed countries and made big decisions…like when I will be returning home to San Diego! More on that in a bit. ; ) Also, to close the loop on my last blog post, my sister had her baby on March 13! Her name is Wren, and she is simply precious.

View of San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador

The past two weeks I was able to visit parts of Nicaragua that I still hadn’t seen on this trip nor during my visit in 2015. I reconnected with a volunteer from All Hands Ecuador (circa September 2016), posed atop a cathedral in Leon, hiked and camped on the active volcano Telica, visited the mountainous coffee region of Matagalpa and the cigar factories of Esteli, and swam in the Somoto Canyon.

Rooftop of the cathedral in Leon, Nicaragua

I made new friends in a hostel in northern Nicaragua and we traveled by bus-truck-bus-bus-car across the border into Honduras and then across another border into El Salvador all in one day.

The boys/my travel buddies

I’m currently in the capital city of San Salvador. I never thought I would end up here, but I experienced some great travel karma and made friends with two locals who have graciously shown me around their city and many parts of the country! They really want me to love El Salvador. There isn’t a lot of backpacker tourism here compared to other parts of Central America, and it still has a bad rep. It often gets overlooked because not that many people know what to do here, or they think it’s still too dangerous. I honestly wasn’t sure if I was going to go either after reading the US travel warning, but something pulled me here and I felt guilty skipping it. (To be fair, Mexico and Colombia also have travel warnings and they are also places I have visited/will visit on this trip.) The people, culture, food and sights are really good, and now I can say confidently that I am so glad I came!

Claudia & me

Jose, Maurice, Claudia, and me

So, now…Where am I off to next and when am I coming home? I’m happy to say that I can finally tell you the answer to at least one of those questions! I will be flying home from Mexico City on June 8!! There are several reasons why I made this decision, but ultimately, it is just time. I’ve been thinking about what I want to do next a lot more lately, and I’m looking forward to this next chapter of my life. While there is still a lot of uncertainty ahead (like which city, state, or country I will live in), the endless possibilities fill me with hope and excitement. Does anyone want to petition for their hometown?

Telica volcano, Nicaragua

As for where I’m going next, per usual, I’m not exactly sure…I know I need to be in Mexico City May 25 for a reunion with three of my closest girls from grad school (YAY)! Laura is flying in from Switzerland, Jessica from Chicago, and Mabela who already lives there will be our gracious host! That was an exciting plan to make. That means I have just under two months to fit in the rest of the countries en route to San Diego. No more 2 months in only 1 country! Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico are all calling my name, so I’ll see how this all plays out.

Somoto Canyon, Nicaragua

After 8 months of minimal planning and slooowww travel, I’m excited to explore more “parts unknown” during these final months! That isn’t to say that my traveling will end when I get back to the states…So much has happened since I’ve been gone that I owe many of you a visit. Who knows where I will head off to next!?

Do you have any recommendations for my final countries?

P.S. The title of this blog post put the song “Road to Nowhere” by the Talking Heads in my head. An oldie but a goodie if you want to have a listen! Well we know where we’re going…But we don’t know where we’ve been…

A Girl’s Guide to Packing Light

January 8, 2017 by Asia

Before I left for South America, I was majorly stressed about how to pack. It’s not often that you leave on a trip with no end date in sight! Would I bring one backpack? Two? What about all my shoes!? After scouring the Internet for advice, I finally found some sensible packing tips that fit my travel style from blogger Indie Traveller. After reading his ebook, I purchased a 46 Liter Osprey backpack that opens flat similar to a suitcase, as well as a small Osprey Daylite pack. These would be the two bags that would carry it all. Why? Because that is all that I wanted to carry!

“Light” is relative and different for everyone. Some may not mind hauling a full 70L bag around for months on end. I consider myself fit, but I’m also petite and want to be as comfortable as possible when traveling from place to place. The first step in packing light is choosing a small piece of luggage – that way, you cannot over pack!

Decisions, decisions

While many of the larger stereotypical backpackers’ backpacks have gone through several innovations, they still hold a lot of weight. For example, if you buy a 70L bag, you will find a way to fill the 70L bag before you go…even if you don’t need all that stuff! (Which you probably don’t.) I spoke to several avid travelers and employees at REI when I was weighing my options and learned that these larger bags were designed for backpackers who are trekking and camping for weeks on end. I’m a hostel gal myself so no tent or pots and pans necessary! I do enjoy sleeping in a hammock or tent on occasion to save money, and there are hostels that provide them for you.

Purchasing a smaller bag also meant I could keep it with me on the plane from LAX to Ecuador. Some backpacks meet the stricter international travel requirements, so be sure to check if this is important to you. After years of traveling, I try to carry on my luggage whenever possible. This is something that my dad and experience taught me. I know not everyone is on board with this approach yet, but consider this: When you carry on, you eliminate the risk of someone else losing your stuff, and it’s much quicker! It also keeps your luggage size and weight in check. For Copa Air, I had to keep mine under 10 kilos/22 pounds and within 46 linear inches (115 cm) length + width + height. I barely made the cut, but I’m glad I had some strict guidelines to help keep my luggage minimal. I’ve already met a handful of travelers whose checked luggage didn’t arrive the same day as they did. How stressful!

Day bags for hiking (13L purple and 24L black Osprey bags)

Now that I’ve been traveling for nearly 6 months, I can confidently say that I am happy with my decision. I even sent a few things home with my parents when they visited me over Christmas! When other travelers see my bag, they often comment on how small it is. Some even assume I’m a “short-term traveler.” Coming from a girlie girl, let me tell you that packing light CAN be done! I’m trying to start a movement here. You just need to focus, keep your eye on the prize (comfort), and go through at least 3 rounds of packing before you arrive at the perfect bag.

All that being said, here are some tips & tricks for keeping it comfy, practical, and minimal no matter the duration:

Start with a realistic sized piece of luggage, which is probably smaller than you think.
Have a second smaller bag and keep it stocked with the essentials: phone, noise canceling headphones, Kindle, medications, water, snacks. This bag will also come in handy for hiking and weekend trips.
Consider your climate. I have 1 all purpose jacket and even though it rains here, decided to forego a rain jacket to save space. You can purchase a disposable poncho if you get caught in a downpour, or just embrace Pachamama!
Stick to one color pallet so you can mix and match clothing more easily. Most of my pieces are earthy tones and blacks. (Don’t bother with white. While this is my favorite color for resort wear, it stains and turns yellow faster than you’d imagine!)
Roll your clothing; it takes up less space.
Take only 1 pair of all purpose tennis shoes for walking, hiking, and even running. (I recommend trail running shoes. Ditch the bulky hiking boots!)
Throw in a pair of Tieks or other versatile flats that can be folded and go from day to night. I use these anytime I’m in a big city like Quito, but they stay tucked away when I’m living the beach life. Bonus: flats take up way less space than a pair of Converse! (Everyone is wearing Converse down here, I swear.)
Get creative. Layer and wear your bulkiest items when moving from place to place. If it’s too hot, I tie my sneakers outside my backpack and stuff my jacket a linen bag to use as a pillow on long bus rides.

Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’

Buy a few reversible clothing items to get more looks out of the same piece (like a dress or swimsuit).
Don’t forget multi-purpose soap! I use this natural magic soap as my body wash and for hand-washing undergarments.
Buy a Hip Sister to keep cash & cards close and safe.
Remember that you can always buy things during your travels (toiletries, shoes, replacement items.) I purchased a warm hat and scarf on the street in Quito for $5 when I knew I’d be hiking at high elevation…subsequently, I ditched them in hot and humid Costa Rica.

Start with travel sized beauty products to comply with the TSA 3-1-1 rule, and refill as you go.
Try a life sans makeup or at least leave most of it at home! I wear mascara approx 1x/month at most, only for special occasions. Besides, I think I look younger this way?
Get solid shampoo and conditioner. It weights less than liquid and lasts so much longer! Also, forego the hair products and try going au natural. Coconut oil is the perfect substitute and also works as a sand fly repellent.

I cut my shampoo & conditioner down slightly so that they would fit together in 1 container to save space

Just remember. Start with a small bag and the rest will fall into place. If you’re interested, I can share my detailed packing list in a future post!

In my city gear here! Jeans, jacket, and flats.

In my cool weather city gear here! Jeans, jacket, and flats.

What have I missed? What tips do you have for minimizing your luggage?

Puerto Viejo – a home away from home

January 5, 2017 by Asia

I cannot leave this town. Puerto Viejo has sucked me in and become my new home away from home.

My parents and Rebeca visited me over Christmas and this was our final spot together…two weeks later, I’m still here. Normally I’m on the move every few days, so this is a big change of pace for me. There’s something about Puerto that has drawn me in and won’t let me go. I feel inspired to read, write, swim, bike, run, yoga, detox, and relax here.

It’s hard to explain what makes this Caribbean town so magical, but I’m going to try. You should know that I am not the first, nor will I be the last, person to get “stuck” here. People tell me it happens all the time.

Jungle meets beach in this tiny coastal town.

The Rasta vibe makes it impossible not to relax and look at life with a new perspective.

Bicycles are the preferred method of transportation.

On the main road you will find beach after beach after beach – each one unique.

Howler monkeys become a wake-up call, jungle birds chirp all day long, and sloths hang out in trees along the street.

There is a strong sense of community and friendships come easy.

Fresh seafood abounds. So do vegan pastries. Food is local and delicious.

Yoga studios and yogis are everywhere. So are surfers, runners, and nature lovers.

There is a major hippy vibe around town.

There are shiny happy people all around!

I remember driving in and thinking that this was MY spot. How could I not fall in love?

Of course like any place, Puerto Viejo isn’t without its challenges. Prices are high relative to the rest of Central America (think $7 breakfast sandwiches and $16 seafood dinners), and locals are having a harder and harder time affording to stay, getting forced out into neighboring towns. Consequently there are robberies towards tourists, so I’m extra cautious about what I take out with me, especially at night. That said, I believe that the “scary parts” of living here are magnified since it is such a small community. I started hearing about robberies the day I landed in Quito so this isn’t unique to Puerto Viejo. I just wish we could all get along.

Since this place is obviously so magical, I’m also choosing to stay here for a while to relax and reflect. I need some “me” time, and it’s hard to do that when I’m constantly on the move or tagging along with other travelers. I’m trying to look inside and think about what I want in this next chapter of life. While it isn’t easy, yoga, meditation, time in the jungle, and surrounding myself with good people have all helped me focus. I’m still on the road to discovery, but each day I have a new finding and it feels really, really good.

The only reasons I haven’t gotten a part-time job or started volunteering down here are a) I thought I was leaving for Panama again (I’m not!) and b) Nicole is visiting me in La Fortuna next week! With this visit, I officially have an end date for my love affair with Puerto Viejo. Will I return? Only time will tell.

What’s your favorite place in the world?

Have you been to Puerto Viejo yet?

Real Talk – Life Abroad

November 17, 2016 by Asia

Melissa and I met in San Diego through a volunteer/travel website before our solo travels, and then we met up for hiking in Ecuador!

Before I left San Diego, a friend suggested that I write a monthly “real talk” post about what life as a backpacker is really like. Is traveling the world really as glamorous as it appears on Instagram? How do I make it all work? What about the learning moments and the tough times? I could also discuss fun things like, how many times per week do I shower/shave/wash my hair/wear makeup? You know, the important things. ; )

Colombia is gorgeous!

I really liked the idea for that post, and now that I’ve been traveling for nearly 4 months (WOW) I think it’s time to start sharing! Read on, and please be sure to submit any questions you have for me so I can include them in a future post!

First of all, am I happy? Yes! I am living a much simpler, less materialistic life than I was back at home, and I feel happier overall. Certainly other factors come into play, like exploring new countries, learning a new language, and experiencing other cultures. I am also living in the moment instead of worrying about what I will do next week or next month, or fretting over the past. Living in the present was one of my intentions for this trip because I don’t think we do it enough.

Acting very serious on a free walking tour in Medellin, Colombia

What’s my daily budget, and how did I arrive at it? I did research before my trip and read that $30-35/day is feasible for budget backpacker travel in Latin America, so I decided I would take the higher end of $35/day and make it work for me. At home I love to spend, so I admit I was a bit worried about sticking to this seemingly low budget. It turns out I developed some great habits from other backpackers at the beginning of my trip, and so far I’ve traveled on an average of just $22/day! I was even told $35/day was HIGH, so I officially adjusted my budget to $30/day…which apparently is still high? Many people I’ve met spend just $15-25/day so I’ve learned a lot from them. At home I would often spend upwards of $20 on 1 meal or on a happy hour with my girlfriends. Now I’m making food, shelter, entertainment, and transportation all work for the same daily price as a salad and Kombucha from Whole Foods back at home. I plan to do a complete post on budgeting later because I’ve learned a lot and want to share!

I love it when I find vegetarian restaurants! Not pictured: juice, soup, and dessert! All for under $3.

Do I have to give anything up to stay on budget? It has been more of an overall lifestyle change. I no longer go shopping, do happy hours, or get my hair cut and colored. I try to think local in terms of food and transport. I get around by taking the cheapest option available which is typically a bus (and sometimes not even receiving a proper seat). I eat at local restaurants or markets which usually means a $2 set menu lunch. I drink local beer and buy local alcohol when it’s time to party. (Aguadiente is drink of choice in Colombia. I’ve even had rum. Who am I??) I book the cheapest room in a hostel (often a coed dorm with bunkbeds) and try to stay at places where breakfast is included. When I stay at a hostel with a kitchen, I cook many of my meals. I still drink coffee regularly since it costs only pennies. I’ve also incorporated several weeks of volunteering which includes free lodging and sometimes even free meals.

I’ve paid anywhere from $0.20 to $2.00 for a cup of jo in Ecuador & Colombia.

What do I miss the most from home? Aside from my friends and family (obviously!), I mostly miss my yoga studios, morning runs with Nicole, the Whole Foods salad bar, and leafy greens. The tropical fruit here is amazinggg (I dare you to find a sweeter pineapple), but leafy greens are not a typical part of the Latin culture. The other day I treated myself to a sit-down restaurant and found a KALE SALAD on the menu!! This was the first time I was able to find kale since the start of my travels, and I gobbled it up. (I will also miss Thanksgiving. Tear.) I’m getting yoga in occasionally when a hostel offers it or through an online studio, but I still miss the community and my teachers back home.

Aerial yoga in Ecuador!

Do I ever get lonely? I’m rarely alone during my travels, so I haven’t felt lonely per se. Occasionally I reminisce about life back home and experience a bit of FOMO. I’m still tied to social media so I get to see what my family and friends are up to. This makes me feel connected, but at times I feel left out or worried that I’m missing important milestones. I started WhatsApp groups with my family and friends, and we share photos and stores with each other. Now that the holiday season is upon us, I am definitely feeling more nostalgic, but I am very fortunate that my parents & Rebeca will be meeting me in Costa Rica for Christmas this year! I can’t wait for my first group of visitors. : )

Reunited with this guy, from Quito to Medellin!

What’s a day in the life like? No two days are ever the same, and that’s what I like about my current lifestyle. At home I had such a structured routine (wake, run, work, yoga, dinner, sleep, repeat) which worked for me, but now I typically decide in the moment or up to one day in advance. I truly love it and think it makes me a kinder, less stressed out person. I’m generally inclined to over plan my days and weeks, so this is a welcomed change for my brain.

Drinks with cowboys at 10am in a small town outside another small town. It couldn’t have been more spontaneous!

Here’s an example of my day in Bogota, Colombia last week: After breakfast, my friend Hannah and I took the bus downtown where we then took a cable car to the top of Monserrate mountain (10,300ft) and got a breathtaking view of Bogota, a city of nearly 10 million people. After soaking it in, we walked to meet up with two new local friends for lunch. (They also hosted us at their house for a week!) We then went to the Bogota Brewing Company to watch the Colombia vs. Chile soccer/futbol game. We got back on the bus during rush hour, and I was basically carried to the door in a sea of crazy Colombians who do not know how to properly board public transportation. We ended the day by going to a local performance featuring folklore dances from Ecuador, Costa Rica, Mexico, and of course, Colombia. We walked home in the pouring rain (it is often ruthless here!) and had a late night snack of rice, veggies, and plantains before heading to bed.

Views from Monserrate

Today I volunteered 4 hours in a garden and did 90 minutes of yoga and meditation because I am staying at a Hare Krishna community. Totally different!

Planting veggies!

Do I wear makeup? Rarely! I care so much less about what I look like now, and this has been freeing. It’s so easy to roll out of bed and throw on some clothes without looking in a full length mirror. You should try it sometime! ; ) I’ve worn makeup for a few nights out and on my birthday, and it felt like I was playing dress-up! I don’t have any heels here though…I borrowed some in Cali, Colombia when I went to a fancy salsa show with some local friends.

No makeup, espresso please, selfie

What do I wear? I rotate the same outfits every week or so, sometimes wearing the same thing 2-3 days in a row. My socks have holes in them, and things are taking a toll, but this is the new normal for me right now and most other backpackers are in the same boat. While I definitely packed outfits that I think are “cute” and “fashionable” for this trip, I don’t worry about the latest trends or having the perfect bikini body. (Do I even need to worry about these things at home? Probably not.)

I was treated to the works for a night out in Cali, Colombia! I borrowed this dress and heels, and was taken to get my hair and makeup done. Thank you, Monica!! xo

I was treated to the works for a salsa show in Cali, Colombia! I borrowed this dress and heels, and was taken to get my hair and makeup done. Thank you, Monica!! xo

How often do I wash my hair? Once a week! I try to schedule it around hot water and good shower pressure. At home I generally washed it 2x/week so this isn’t a huge departure from my normal routine. I didn’t bring any hair products with me either. #hippielife until I’m home again.

How much longer will I travel for? I don’t know and that’s the exciting part! My money is stretching much farther than originally anticipated, and I don’t feel like stopping now…but I’m trying to take it one day at a time. I don’t know how I will feel tomorrow, next week, or in the new year. All I know is that right now I am happy and I will continue to stay abroad, trying to learn something new about myself and other cultures every day.

Are there any other questions you’d like to ask me for my next “real talk” backpacker post? Please let me know by commenting below! xx

Follow the Railroad to San Cipriano

October 27, 2016 by Asia

San Cipriano is one of those places that I accidentally stumbled upon but will never forget. Before entering Colombia, I had never heard of it. Most probably haven’t. With less than 600 inhabitants, all of Afro-Colombian descent, and nestled in the jungle somewhere near Colombia’s Pacific Coast, it’s a bit off the typical tourist track.

The best part about San Cipriano is the unique way that you enter the town. Take a bus from Cali to Córdoba, walk downhill for a bit (and get guided by a local hoping for a small tip), and suddenly stumble upon motorcycles pulling wooden carts over railroad tracks. No trains. Just motorcycles. I cannot make this up.

This unique mode of transportation is half the reason to go. Where else have you ever seen anything like it? Called motobrujas, these carts take you on a ride through the jungle from Córdoba to San Cipriano; there is no road. It costs 5,000CP for a Gringo and supposedly only 3,000CP for a Colombian. (Don’t let them charge you more!) Once aboard, I felt like a kid on a roller coaster but with a way better view. It was so fun, I couldn’t stop smiling!

Once in town, which is essentially one main dirt road, there are several hotels/hostels/restaurants/shacks to choose from, but it’s hard to tell which ones are in service because many appear abandoned. Our moto driver lead us to his friend’s place (or was it his place?) and for some reason, I said, sure. This is fine. I guess I was looking for a local experience? It was a tiny box with a twin mattress for sleeping quarters and the kind of shared bathroom you hope you never need to use. Needless to say I did not shower there. If we had kept on walking, we probably would have found more comfortable accommodations, but still nothing modern and all of them definitely way more costly. We only paid 10,000CP (Colombian Pesos) each ($3.37) for the night, so I was fine with it. This was jungle life!

It started raining after we arrived, the crazy kind of downpour that makes Gringos stay inside, or in our case, under the roof of an open air restaurant. Hannah and I stayed there for hours, enjoying cervezas, snacking, people watching, playing with kids (and getting hustled by them). All I could do was laugh at the situation. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but all I kept thinking was how different this tiny town is. What would it be like to grow up here? A different life indeed.

Eventually, a woman from our hotel/restaurant sold us a bottle of Crema de Arrechón. This mixed bev consists of viche, alcohol made from sugar cane that is unique to the Pacific coastal communities, spices, and milky stuff that kind of makes it taste like eggnog. It even comes with a homemade looking label. Try it if you dare. I asked a guy what was in it, and I think he said: milk, milk powder, and condensed milk…there may have also been another type of milk I have forgotten. Eventually the rain stopped long enough for us to take a walk, so Hannah and I walked around drinking from the bottle and found some arepas for a $1 dinner.

We were invited by some of the locals to go out dancing that night. We could hear the music but couldn’t see anything. Where was there dancing in this tiny town?? We were guided through the darkness off the main road and towards the loud music where we joined a group of college students visiting from Cali I presume. I let the locals lead me in a few salsa numbers (where I also elbowed one of them in the head because I didn’t understand his move; I’m a beginner), and then everyone got on the floor to shake their booties when the popular Reggaeton song “Shaky, Shaky” by Daddy Yankee played. I looooove to dance, and I hope that this memory will be forever ingrained in my mind. I don’t take my iPhone out at night, so I don’t have any photos to document it. I just have the images of the Colombians, Hannah, and me standing in a circle and dancing like we do back at home. (Google “Shaky, Shaky” and have a listen!)

The next day the weather was looking up, so we walked along the path to visit the Cascada del Amor (waterfall) and swim in the river. It turns out a lot of Colombians visit San Cipriano over the weekend, so we got to see how they hang out, party, and picnic with their family and friends. I saw some fancy cakes and wish they invited us to join them! The swim was perfect in the 100% humidity. (Don’t fact check me on that, but it certainly felt like 100%!)

One day and one night is enough time to spend in San Cipriano, so after our walk, Hannah and I packed our bags and said chao to one of the most unique places I’d ever been to. Little did I know that I was going to head somewhere even more unique and off the grid!

What’s one of the most unique places you’ve visited?

Ecuador: Where it all began

October 2, 2016 by Asia

After two months in Ecuador, I find myself in my final moments here. I didn’t know how many weeks or months I would call this country home; I didn’t even know much about Ecuador before I arrived. I didn’t come with a plan. I came to begin my journey by volunteering with kids in Quito, and then I would see where the road would take me. It turns out that there were some pretty great people volunteering at the kid’s camp, and four of us started traveling together to see more of Ecuador.

My new travel buddies Hannah, Heidi, and Ben (all Kiwis!)

The city where it all began

I made new friends and had weekend getaways in Mindo and Baños. I had nights out at ridiculous nightclubs and experienced a real “ladies’ night.” I relaxed in natural hot springs. I did yoga in an open air Shala to views of the Andes. I hiked through villages, met beautiful Indigenous children, and climbed to a crater lake nearly 13,000 feet in the sky. I volunteered with All Hands and built bamboo houses for those affected by the earthquake. I partied in the beach party town on my birthday weekend. I saw boobies. (The blue-footed booby to be precise.) I swam with fish while tortoises and whales swam nearby. I biked down a road full of waterfalls. I made new friendships that will last a lifetime. I lived.

house

manta-window-group

I traveled north. I traveled south. I went inland and back to the coast. I took more buses than possible to count. I slept in dorm rooms, bunk beds, and tents on the beach. I had $2 lunches and ate #allthecarbs. I spoke English. I spoke Spanish. I spoke way too much Spanglish. I met travelers from New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Poland, France, England, Spain, Italy, United States, Canada, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, and Mauritius…just to name a few. I’ve already had the time of my life, and my travels are just beginning.

Soon I will head north with Hannah on 30 hours of bus rides to begin our stay in Colombia…a country that I’ve heard so much about and cannot wait to experience for myself! I am really beginning to appreciate this slow style of travel and immersion in a country. Two months in one place still doesn’t seem like enough, and I know I will miss this place I’ve called home for the past 9 weeks.

Ecuador, you’ve been so good to me. Thank you for the experiences and for all the memories. Nos vemos. There is still so much of you left to explore.

local-ecuadorian

Reflections (at 25 or 33)

September 23, 2016 by Asia

¡Hola mis queridos amigos!

I cannot tell if time is moving quickly or slowly here. Perhaps this is what living in the moment feels like? In addition to volunteering with Ecuadorian children, building bamboos houses, and going on hikes and adventures the past two months, I’ve also had a birthday! Celebrating a birthday amidst such a wanderlust time in my life was interesting. I knew it was my birthday, but in a lot of ways, it didn’t really matter. Every day here I get to celebrate life. Every day I find myself grateful for the opportunity I have to do this, for the new friends I’ve made, and for all the memories I have yet to make.

Having a birthday in Ecuador at an extreme party beach in Montañita did not do me wrong, however. (I’m also reminded of celebrating my 21st birthday at an iconic party beach by the name of Ibiza…but I digress.) I made a birthday weekend out of it and celebrated (a little too hard) with several volunteers from the All Hands project and my usual Kiwi crew.

When people asked how old I was and I responded with 33, most of them just stared at me in disbelief. I have gotten that I look young for my age most of my life, but even more so here on the road. Perhaps it’s my playful spirit? My face without makeup? My genes? (Thanks mom and dad!) It could also be that so many people down here are in their 20’s and assume that everyone else is too. While it doesn’t matter how old I am, I will say that it was fun to pretend like I was 25 for a bit. That was the most popular age guessed for me over the past few weeks, so at one point I just went with it and never revealed my true age (sorryyyy Max). But again, does age really matter? I don’t think so. I think what matters is as simple as just living your life, and not letting it go to waste, because time waits for no one. For me, right now, that means following my calling to travel.

In the wise words of one of the wandering souls I have met along the way: “If you have the opportunity to travel and don’t do so, you’re an asshole.” Well, I might not call you an asshole, but I will say that I agree to a certain extent. If you have the opportunity to do something in your life that you’ve always wanted to do, that calls to you, and that just feels right…but that is also a little bit scary and perhaps a bit risky…you better do it. Now. Consider it an early birthday present to yourself. Por favor. Reminder – time waits for no one.

And so as I reflect on a new year ahead of me, I feel content. I am reminded of how turning one idea into reality – to drop everything and go travel – has been one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life so far, at 25 or 33.

xo,

The Ageless Birthday Girl

The Kids of Quito

August 23, 2016 by Asia

The past 3 weeks I had the privilege of working at a children’s summer camp in Quito, Ecuador. I’ve never been a camp counselor, and my experience with children is pretty limited, but for some reason I was really drawn to this opportunity. I knew I would get to speak Spanish and play with Ecuadorian children in various parts of a new city every day. Come on. How fun is that?! There were approximately 100 children, and my age group was 5-6 year olds.

I found the job through an international volunteer site called Workaway and decided it would be a great spot to start my South American travels. I worked as a camp guide (the kids called me “profe” which is short for “profesora”) from 8-1 M-F along with 7 other volunteers in exchange for free lodging and breakfast. It was a great decision since I met so many amazing people! Our group consisted of: Hannah from New Zealand, Ben & Heidi from New Zealand, Joass from Germany, Julius from United States, Lais from Brazil & Merlin from France, and me. Everyone got along really well. The 4 singles/solo travelers shared and room, and the 2 couples had their own rooms. Bunking with two guys wasn’t without its challenges, but it was a good way to ease into the hostel living situation only having 4 to a room versus 10-12 people in some hostels. Let’s just say I’m glad I have noise-cancelling headphones on this trip!

We took the kids to so many places around Quito: parks, pools, amusement parks, museums, movies, and more. We could only speak Spanish with the children, the local Ecuadorian guides, and the drivers. It was a wonderful way to immediately immerse myself in the culture upon arrival. I may not have all of my college level Spanish back yet, but it’s coming to me with practice!

Last week I said goodbye to the kids from camp and tried not to shed a tear as I parted with my favorites, including a girl who lives in an orphanage. Earlier in the week, I had the opportunity to visit this foundation. It was my first time visiting such a place so I didn’t know how I would handle it. I held back a some tears and managed to keep myself together and really enjoyed playing with the children. The grounds were nice and there seemed to be an excellent staff and several volunteers. The children were sweet, and each one had a unique story as to why he or she was there. I spent time with a lot of 1-2 year olds in their room, and then played with the older 4+ year old kids outdoors on the playground. The goal for some of these children is to be reunited with their parents one day once they are in a good place. Others have no longer have parents in the picture so they are waiting for new ones. I am no where near ready to have kids in my life right now, but if I do decide to have them one day, I would consider adoption. This experience really opened me to the idea.

I can’t believe my time in Quito is already coming to an end, but there is still so much to see in Ecuador! I could easily spend months here, and maybe I will. (90 days is the maximum allowed for tourism in one stay.) I will be continuing the next part of my journey with 3 of my new friends from New Zealand. First we will be trekking in the mountains around Quilatoa, and then we will be volunteering on the coast of Canoa where the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck back in April. There, I will be sleeping in a tent on the beach and doing manual labor demoing and building bamboo houses. Definitely not city living. My internet will be spotty the next few weeks, but I hope to keep you updated on my travels periodically!

Have you done any international volunteering? Would you consider it?

A Little Town Called Mindo

August 16, 2016 by Asia

Mindo is a beautiful small town located just north of Quito, Ecuador. Nestled in the Andean foothills and surrounded by the Mindo-Nambillo Cloud Forest, it’s the perfect destination for a peaceful getaway. Plus, it’s only a 90 minute $3.10 bus ride from the northern bus terminal in Quito making it quite accessible.

The plaza.

I spent one night in town with four of my new friends from the city. Eager to get away from the hustle and bustle for a bit, we rented a house off the beaten path and brought supplies to make dinner and drinks.

Madeline, Jen, and me playing house.

We started the day walking around the enormous property. There was a river, waterfall, natural pool, and various trails. I felt lucky to have been invited to such a beautiful place! If you don’t have a hookup with the locals, you can stay cheaply for around $10/night in one of the many hostels near the center of town, and there is no shortage of public hiking and waterfalls.

The river on our property.

I immediately got a hippie vibe upon arrival. There were women selling homemade jewelry and families singing in the streets and restaurants for money. Everywhere I looked I saw a sign for a vegetarian restaurant and signs for quinoa this, and quinoa that. Could this be my heaven?

This is Steve, and this was our natural waterfall pool.

After we spent time enjoying nature, we ate and drank at the house before deciding to head into town to check out the “nightlife”. Sadly, this is when I was attacked by a bug…a red ant with very large pincers! When I saw a creature stuck inside my middle toe, I FREAKED OUT. (Don’t ask me why I didn’t wear sneakers.) I started jumping up and down on one foot, yelling “get it off me! get it off me!” I kept pulling on the invader, but it was stuck in between the toe and toenail. I probably looked like such a site to the taxi driver who was not so patiently waiting for us to get inside his pickup truck. Screaming, I straddled my new friend Steve and made him carry me to the truck. He couldn’t pull the ant off my toe either. Finally, Kevin saved the day with his tweezers and pulled the ant sideways out of my bleeding toe. Lovely. Once I was safe from the ants, I laughed hysterically about this for several hours. Mindo has bugs. Many, many bugs. #nature

This is Kevin. Not pictured – his tweezers.

After that debacle, we arrived in town and scoped out a few bars with a mix of locals and tourists. Mindo doesn’t exactly “go off”, but plenty of people are ready to enjoy a cocktail and dance to Latin music. We had a drink, bought yummy late night cake off a street vendor, and enjoyed some tasty thin crust pizza before trying to find a ride back up to our property.

I was pretty set on finding a 4×4 that could take us all the way up to the house, away from the crazy ants. The girls agreed. We’d rather sleep on the streets of Mindo than go through that again! No cabs or trucks to be found, we wandered the streets for nearly an hour trying to find a ride back to our property. (Small town.) A local who worked at one of the bars walked around with us for at least 30 minutes, talking to strangers on the street, telling us which doors to knock on of the unsuspecting sleeping Ecuadorians to see who might have a truck and be willing to drive us back. Yelling into sleeping strangers’ houses in the middle of the night was so foreign to me. These people would actually wake up and have a conversation with you…a stranger, begging for a ride. (Side note: This is also how we bought our vodka in northern Quito at 930am. Keep yelling/pestering/knocking, and eventually someone will open the door.)

We asked the man if he transports cows in this truck, to which he replied “Si. Vacas y gente y todo!”

In the end, we decided to pay a stranger hanging around outside the bar to stand in the back of his truck that normally transports cattle. We knew it wouldn’t make it all the way to the top of the hill, but it would have to do. I didn’t get attacked by ants again, but a large bat did fly into my bedroom and cause me to start shrieking and dive under the covers. Did I mention that Mindo is home to hundreds of species of birds and other wildlife? The animals were just ready to play with me I guess.

Sunday was a bit more low key, with no cocktails and no animal attacks. It mostly consisted of brunch, butterflies, and brownies. Perfect!

The butterfly farm was definitely a highlight. Normally I’d think twice about spending $6 on an activity, but this just felt right. The butterflies were so beautiful! I was like a giddy kid trying to feed them mashed banana on my finger.

On our way out, we grabbed the best chocolate brownie I’ve ever had in my life. Seriously, the best. It’s gooey and perfect. If you ever travel to Mindo, do not miss out on this brownie and head to the restaurant El Quetzal. They also have chocolate tours there and tons of vegetarian food options if you really want a treat. I even took brownie to-go orders for the other volunteers in Quito and brought back several extras! Also, the fresh yuca bread from the street vendors is a must try. Delicious.

pan de yuca

I’ve been to both Mindo and Baños one time each so far, and my initial impression is that Mindo is more laid-back and slightly less touristy than Baños, but both are definitely worth visiting. I hope to return one day!

What is one of your favorite under the radar spots?

Travel hiccups & how to show proof of travel “onward”

July 28, 2016 by Asia

(Skip down 3 paragraphs to get straight to the advice! Or read my story here first.)

I haven’t even touched down in Quito yet, and this trip is already an adventure. A few days ago, I found out my ride from the airport was no longer picking me up, and the place I was supposed to stay beginning Thursday isn’t ready to host me until Sunday…maybe. Cue mini panic attack. Instead of having a major stressed induced meltdown, I reached out to my network and found a place to stay with a new friend for the first few nights. (Thanks, Jennifer! Even though we haven’t met IRL yet, I can already tell you are awesome!) As far as transportation goes, I will find my own ride from the Quito airport ($2 bus, $8 bus, or $25 taxi) and start putting my Spanish to the test upon arrival. Airports are always the most stressful part of a trip for me. I remember in 2009 when my BFF Nicole and I landed in Bangkok at midnight and a stranger offered to share a taxi with us to our hostel. Stranger danger! Haven’t you seen Taken, sir? Now I am extra happy I decided to land in the afternoon during daylight hours since my plans completely fell through. (Now can you begin to understand why there isn’t much of a point to planning in South America? Ha.)

Last night when I arrived to check-in for my flight at LAX, the woman behind the counter pleasantly informed me that she could not let me on this plane. Excuse me? Since I didn’t have proof that I am ever leaving the country (Ecuador has a 90 day maximum stay), they aren’t supposed to let me in! She told me not to worry; I had 45 minutes to book something and show her proof of my plan to exit the country. (And no she could not help me.) So, sweating profusely and trying to book a bus or a plane on my iPhone (with help from Rebeca from home & from the amazing ladies from my Girls LOVE Travel Facebook group) I finally bought something, thinking it was fully refundable and just a “placeholder” ticket. It turns out that wasn’t the case and I just threw away $370 on a one-way ticket from Quito to Bogota before even leaving the country! There goes my $35/day budget…

Normally I would let these things shake me. A lot. Since I know this trip is a lot of exploration and trial and error, I’m instead trying to take these hiccups as lessons. I am trying to worry less, and live more. I said I wanted adventure and cultural immersion. Well, I’m just chalking this up to all part of the Ecuadorian and backpacker experience. I still don’t technically know when and where I’m supposed to be for my volunteer opportunity on Sunday, and if for some reason it falls through, I know I will be OK. I will find something else to do. I’m on my own timeline and making my own decisions after all! Perspective.

Here are some options** if you need to provide proof of when you will exit a country, even if you don’t know when you plan to leave. (I know I am going to need these options time and time again as I hop from country to country without a plan or end date in sight!)

Book a flight on Orbitz and cancel within 24 hours (…just make sure you book a flight that is actually refundable, unlike me! Read the fine print.)
Rent an onward ticket for just $9.99 with FlyOnward! This service books and cancels your airfare for you! I also tried to use this service but unfortunately it took about 1 hour for them to get my ticket to me, so I ended up using the Orbit option in the meantime since I was under a major time crunch. Plan ahead!
Book a cheap bus fare (or train, etc.) and use it…or not.
“Hold” a ticket for free through Copa Airlines; they will send you a confirmation email without asking for any payment information and hold a valid ticket for 48 hours. Just screenshot it or print a copy to show officials.

**Disclaimer: Consider having a valid ticket purchased in advance (refundable, or not) in order to avoid problems at immigration. Every country and each passport has different requirements, so be sure to do your research before getting on that flight!

Final parting thoughts as I embark on my journey:

What the heck am I getting myself into?
This is going to be such an adventure!
Are my 3 tubes of tinted SPF lip balm, 2 Sunbum flavored lip balms, and 2 generic SPF balms excessive? (I’m obsessed with keeping my lips protected and hydrated.)
I can’t believe I got my backpack to weigh under 10 kilos (22lbs) per Copa Airlines carry-on restrictions! Success!

I’m going to miss kale salads and green juice.
Again, what am I getting myself into…
I’m going to miss my friends and family.
I am so excited to meet like-minded travelers!
¿Todavía puedo hablar espanol?

Thank you for listening to my rambling from my layover in the Panama airport. In a few short hours I will be in Quito continuing this adventure!

Sendoff from some of my nearest and dearest

Besos,

Asia Dawn