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I started writing annual review posts on Medium at the end of each year. These reviews have been a fun way to appreciate everything that happened, reflect on key learnings, share stories with friends and family, and to my pleasant surprise, even inspire others to do something similar!
While you’re there, check out some of my other writing.
It's here- the last post! I don't have any snazzy tricks, stats, or photos left up my sleeve, just some thoughts on a couple contemplative topics. If reading these posts has been even half as enjoyable and stimulating as it's been to write them, I'm thankful.
Read moreSince I'm kind of a freak that likes to track everything, I thought it would be fun to share some quick stats from the journey!
Read moreOne country was consistently at the top of backpackers' favorite places, Colombia. It happened to be the last country that I was visiting. Had I saved the best for last?
When most people think about Colombia, some things that come to mind might be drug trafficking, guerrilla groups, and kidnappings. Netflix's show, Narcos, certainly hasn't helped. While there are parts that aren't so friendly, it's misguided to generalize across the whole country. In the past couple decades, the country has really shed that image. The homicide rate is one of many such examples. Colombians strive to look forward- to focus on the positives and not dwell on the past. Talking about any of the above topics draws out strong opinions on both ends, but can still feel like taboo. It's an accepted truth that every single family has been affected by the intra-country conflict. Should they forget the past in order to keep peace and push towards the future? At what cost?
Read moreIf it was ever possible to summarize a continent in one word (it's not), I would choose the word tranquilo, which translates to relax. From the beaches of Brazil, to the Rambla of Montevideo, to the wilderness of Patagonia, to the rolling hills of Colombia, life here has a certain calm. South Americans can find the joys in life, have fun, appreciate the small things, and look at the glass half-full. It's due to, but not limited to, a combination of factors: emphasis on social values (family, friendship, spirituality), economic hardship, Spanish culture, weather, murky future, and my perspective as American-born Taiwanese. Not only is it applicable in principle, but I physically hear the word all the time. My Uruguayan friend was constantly telling me to slow down. Drink some mate and relax, man!
Read moreNo, the title isn't a typo. It's Portuguese! I arrived just in time to celebrate New Years, known as Réveillon. And by celebrate, I mean watching the fireworks in Rio de Janeiro on TV with my new Bolivian friends. There's a joke that the year doesn't begin until after Carnaval, which was in early February this year. Effectively, I arrived during a months-long Brazilian vacation. I was going to find out if that was true.
Read moreCorruption is defined as a form of dishonest or unethical conduct by a person entrusted with a position of authority, often to acquire personal benefit. In South America, it's a part of daily life. In addition to Christianity, family, Incas, and carbs, corruption is another consistent theme traveling through the continent.
Read moreBackpacking sucks (sometimes)! The incredible pictures, thoughtful posts, and life-changing anecdotes are only a small slice of the nomad life. Most of the time is spent on the unexciting setup: endless researching, getting stranded, being lost, etc. That's what I affectionately refer to as the grind. But I wouldn't change a thing. I learned quickly that you can't have regrets. There's always somewhere you should've visited or something you should've done. Your choices are magnified when you only make them once.
Before sharing some of my less-than-glamorous experiences, I readily admit that a handful of the below could be avoided if I wasn't such a budget traveler. For instance, I have an unwavering faith in my legs to carry me anywhere even after three knee surgeries. Anything within three miles or a thousand meters in elevation is in walking distance with my ripped-up, decade-old camping backpack. I could stay in resorts, take taxis, and not wear the same shirt everyday, but where's the fun in that?
Read moreOne could say Bolivia is the under-appreciated stepsister of Peru. I've heard it called a poor man's Peru. Or the Wild West of Peru (disclaimer: Bolivia is actually to the east).
Let's start with the similarities:
Read moreTourism in Peru has tripled since 2000, growing at a healthy clip of 25% yearly and ranking first among South American countries. As the country has become a popular international destination, an appropriate nickname has developed for the route frequented by tourists in the south, the Gringo Trail.
Read morePeru was the heart of the Incan Empire, the largest and most influential domain in South America. At it’s zenith, the territories stretched up to Ecuador and Colombia, down to Chile, and inland to Bolivia and Argentina. Across the continent, the Incans left their mark by building grand structures. The splendor and reknown of the ruins are a testament to their skill.
Read moreAstronomy is to Chile as gastronomy is to Peru. However, Peruvian cuisine has only started receiving buzz in the past decade, and authentic Peruvian fare is still sparse in the states. I can't think of a single restaurant! But eaters are starting to take notice. Is Peruvian the new Thai?
Here's why Peru was one of the best countries to chow down:
Read moreTalk about a change in scenery! After two weeks in the Patagonian wilderness, I found myself in the driest non-polar desert in the world, the Atacama Desert in northern Chile.
But I almost didn't make it...
Read moreA pilgrimage is any long journey, especially one undertaken as a quest or for a votive purpose, as to pay homage.
It sounds silly, but going to Patagonia felt like a pilgrimage. I use the term loosely, as I only spent two weeks in the area, but certainly felt like I was paying tribute to the majesty of nature. There's a mysticism when you think of Patagonia. Geographically, most of the actual region called Patagonia consists of wide arid steppes in addition to a full spectrum of coasts, large lakes, fjords, ice fields, and the omnipresent Andes mountain range running down the West. But to me, Patagonia defies definition. It's not just a physical landscape. There's something spiritual- it pulls you and invokes wonder.
I was genuinely debating whether to include photos in this post. The finite dimensions of a camera lens don't capture the limitlessness of the vistas or the depth of the amazement. Then I thought about what a snob I sound like and thought better of it.
Read moreEmpanadas and fútbol are two staples of South America. It would be shameful if I didn't dive into these topics, so I'll keep the words to a minimum and let pictures do the work.
Read moreLearning Spanish warrants an entire post and then some. I'm striving for conversational fluency to better connect to the cultures and people (an added bonus is not getting stranded at bus stations). I studied Spanish in school for four years, but it's disheartening how little has stuck. To be fair, the countless hours of cassette-tape lessons and fill-in-the-blank homework embedded a solid foundation of vocabulary and grammar in my long-term memory. Half my queries in Google Translate are words or phrases I've learned before. But no classroom would ever have prepared me for immersion. Here's why:
Read moreWith my first stop in the books, I headed to Buenos Aires next. One of the first to-dos was exchanging money. 90% of the places we visited in Chile only accepted cash and that's been consistent in Argentina as well. As an aside, I could write a separate post on the delicate and painful game of exchanging/spending/saving cash to avoid unfavorable rates. I'm constantly accounting for how much cash I have in my pocket, and my most common question in Spanish is "¿Aceptas tarjeta de crédito? (translation- do you accept credit card?)". The hostel pointed us to an intersection near city center to exchange. We arrived at the street expecting kiosks with the classic blue boards of exchange rates, but as we walked, we heard guys on the side of street yelling, "Cambio! (translation- exchange!)". Needless to say, gruff men with hands in pockets doesn't instill great confidence. I tentatively approached one gentleman and he led me inside a small sports apparel store in a nearby strip mall which I assumed was his main gig.
Read moreWhen I initially started charting my course, I determined the optimal path would be to start north in Colombia and make my way south to Antarctica. That way, I could travel in one direction and soak in warm weather forever. The seasons are reverse in the Southern hemisphere, and the further away from the equator the colder it gets. In other words, stay away from Antarctica in August. So I decided to start my journey in...
Read moreIn August, I threw my belongings into boxes and bought a one-way ticket to travel across South America. For the past three years, I've primarily focused inwards, seeking to better understand myself. The time was right to put on an outward lens, to learn more about the world. Naturally, the first post of a blog aptly titled 'Blog' should provide additional context about why I decided to be a nomad. I'll also share what I hope this blog will and won't be. I would love if this blog entertains, educates, evokes emotion, and/or provides value to all who stumble upon it, but it won't. I know this because I spent a whole hour googling how to start an awesome blog! It'll be fun to see how this all unfolds! The meat of this post is a set of numbered lists, which is a short and sweet format I'll be using often.
Final note- I expect at least one post a week. I'm not sure yet how many posts there'll be, but I do get kicked off my dad's international health insurance next April, so that's one potential reference point? I'm all for making life easier, so please signup via email below this post if you want to be automatically notified about new posts.
Why be a nomad?
What will this blog be?
What won't this blog be?