New Year, new start. On this first day of the year, I was thinking what I could post about. Of course, I wish you the best for 2015, but what exactly? Maybe to spend a bit more time enjoying life like a gaucho. These South American cowboys are a huge part of the continents culture and a few weeks ago, we stayed in an Uruguayan estancia to know more about it. I came out of these 2 days, fresh, relaxed and inspired by the simplicity and the authenticity of this life. Here is why.
Many people asked me during the last days, how it will be to spend Christmas in Argentina. For the first time in twenty seven years (my age for those who do not know me), I will be far from home for Christmas, almost at the other side of the world…
Camping on Christmas, a first!
Well, to be honest, it didn’t really feel like Christmas for me. Far from the darkness of the winter (joy to travel in the south hemisphere), far from the constant marketing propaganda for finding the perfect gift and far from the family, it just didn’t feel like a special holiday at all.
So far on our trip we have not been so lucky with the weather when we were on the coast. Florianopolis and Ilha Catharina followed the tradition: we woke up with the sound of the rain and under grey clouds. It was easy to indulge ourselves in not doing much the all day… But this was our unique full day on the island before continuing South!
So we decided to rent a scooter.
Me on the scooter, just pretending (I don’t have a moto license)
It was not planned, it should have never happened. Already at travel planning stage, when Adnan expressed his desire to visit the mine of Potosi, the biggest silver mine in the world, I answer “No problem, I will find something else to do.” Maybe because I grew up in the north of France, a former mining area, I have always associated mines with danger. The idea of going in a dark, and narrow space for a couple of hours was nothing that I felt relaxed about.
Cerro Rico (in Potosi, Bolivia), the biggest silver mine in the world
Today is our 100th day on the road! Already more than 3 months that we started this amazing trip in Cartagena (Colombia), full of hopes and dreams. To celebrate this milestone, we are sharing a few “not that glorious” facts about the trip so far.
Few sites convey as much hype and expectations as Machu Picchu. The site, one of the new 7 wonders of the world, brings every year hundreds of thousands of tourists curious to explore the most vast testimony of the inca civilization and one of the world best known archeologic site. But is Machu Picchu worth the hype?
Matching with blue footed boobies on Isabella Islands (Galapagos)
I told you about my latest shoes acquisition and fashion faux pas (read “I finally bought crocs”)… Here is the proof: blending in with local blue footed boobies on Isabella Island, Galapagos.
So, who has the nicest feet?
Crocs don´t leave anyone indifferent. You either love them or despite them. And for years -since they came to the market to be honest- I hated them. I went on big monologues about how ugly and unfashionnable they were.
But here I am, years after. I just bought crocs.
A couple of hours from Latacunga, in the central highlands, the Quilotoa Loop invites hikes to discover a more rural, remote and traditional part of Ecuador. On the second day of our trek, we ended up heading off to Guantualo, to experience the animal market. This is the story of how I almost bought a pig on the Quilotoa Loop.
Their tubes are playing everywhere: in the streets, on the buses, on the radio. In Colombia and Ecuador equally. Romeo, Marco and Nicky are travelling with us. So, put on your headphones and be ready for some sunny tunes.
First, comes Romeo Santos with current success “Propuesta Indecente”.
Listen carefully do you recognize the voice? Romeo Santos was the leading voice of Aventura, the American/Dominican group which topped hits in 2002 with the single Obsession. Single that made lots of us discover the bachata. (Obsession was actually 7 weeks number 1 in France, no surprise the voice sounded really familiar to me!).
Then Marco. This one, you know. Marc Anthony is going strong here, with “Vivir mi vida”, played over and over during the World Cup.
And finally, my favorite of the 3: Nicky Jam. Deep rap voice, bling bling clip and provocative girl, Nicky is like the Pitbull of South America. And “Travesuras” will be stuck in your mind for a while.
Any of these tubes that has made it to Europe yet?