Work Hard. Travel Harder
After four amazing weeks in Pisaq, the grand finale as intern group leaders for the STRIVE program was hiking the famous Salkantay trail to Machu Picchu. Marissa and I had dreamed about seeing Machu Picchu in person for years. The ruins were constructed by the Incas in the 15th century, abandoned when the Spanish arrived, […]
June 25, 2015 – July 24, 2015 I can’t believe it’s almost over. As we reflect back on the past 11 months, it’s fun to think about all of the funny and random things that we came across. Some of the most ridiculous transportation situations, and instances that would be considered completely unsafe in the […]
I’m standing next to the roped off area of Cusco’s airport parking lot as travelers stream out, the intense heat of the sun beating down on my face. It’s hot today. I’m patiently waiting, looking for guys and girls to walk out who fit the build of college athletes that are looking for someone. I […]
I was getting pummeled. Who knows when or if these little hands have been washed or cleaned anytime recently? Where is the bano anyway? The kids are anxious and just want to run out some of their energy. Unfortunately that isn’t going to happen anytime soon. These kids are part of a hand full of […]
Bolivia is one of my favorite countries. Though it is the poorest and one of only two landlocked countries in South America, it is filled with stunning, untouched landscapes that took our breath away each day we were there. It’s well known for its incredibly distinct geographical areas: the high plateau of the Andes (altiplano), […]
“To escape fear, you have to go through it, not around.” –Richie Norton I love adventure more than most people, but I am terrified of heights. Planes? No problem. Hiking through a mountain pass at 15,000 ft. elevation? Bring it! But if you put me somewhere up high where I don’t feel secure and I […]
May 25, 2015 – June 24, 2015 Less than two months left of travel before we come home. It feels pretty surreal. When I reflect back on all the countries we’ve explored, people we’ve met, things we’ve tried, buses we’ve ridden, mountains we’ve climbed, and miles we’ve walked…it seems like we’ve been living on the […]
Tarabuco There are 21 of us slammed in here like sardines. There are babies, kids, parents, travelers, and old men chewing coca leaves like they are going out of style. Nobody is comfortable yet nobody seems annoyed. Is this normal everyday life in central Bolivia, I wondered? The van that we are traveling in is […]
We weren’t originally planning to go to Bolivia, but we had to see it. For the last 2 months as we met travelers throughout South America, we kept hearing tales over and over about the one and only Salar De Uyuni. With over 4,086 sq miles of salt, and a depth of over 32 feet in the […]
Valparaiso I was nodding in and out of consciousness. The earplugs and eye mask were not enough to cover the distractions keeping me from sleep. The lights of the bus had been turned on and the host was handing out a box of miscellaneous ‘treats’ including the popular Argentina desert, Alfajores. We were in a […]
