"My South American Adventure!" South America by tejanasueca

During 2005, I was finally able to do the trip I had dreamt of for so long: a backpacking trip to South America!

I spent a couple of weeks in Ecuador in December of 2003, and I was hooked. This time around, I wanted to stay for longer, essentially as long as the money would last. I decided to spend a lot of time in one place both for personal and professional reasons. On the professional level, I wanted to get some overseas volunteering experience, and on the personal level, I wanted to stay long enough in a place to really get to know the people and the culture. On February 16th 2005, I started my South American adventure, and this was my itinerary:

1. Ecuador - ten weeks (volunteer work)
2. Peru - two weeks visiting Lima and Cusco (Machu Picchu)
3. Bolivia - two weeks
4. Argentina - about a month (Northern Argentina and Buenos Aires)

Ecuador

I spent the first ten weeks volunteering in Ecuador with a small non-governmental organization (NGO) called FBU (www.fbu.com.ec). I lived and worked in the small community Picalquí just outside of Tabacundo (about 1.5hrs north of Quito and 10k west of Cayambe). In the mornings I helped out in the local school (7grades, 2 teachers, one room, and 51 kids!) and in the afternoon I worked with the local women's group. I had a great time getting to know the kids, the people in the community, other volunteers, and other Ecuadorians. Other than volunteer work, I also managed to spent some days at the beach, attend a World Cup Qualifying game, go salsa dancing, and do some hiking in areas around Quito. I really had a great time and I know I will return to El Ecuador!

Peru

On May 4th, I flew to Lima. I spent a few days in the Peruvian capital. I was a little overwhelmed about the size of it, but I was till able to enjoy myself. I went to the historical downtown and relaxed enjoying the view of the Pacific. I also visited the national historical museum, which was a good "warm up" for what I was about to do! Because, on May 8th, I flew to Cusco. I spent a couple of days in this beautiful town checking out all the Inca Ruins that exist in and around the city in the Secret Valley. I would lie if I did not say that Cusco is a tourist trap, but on the other hand, its beauty makes the visit worth it (considering what's there, there is no surprise that many people want to see it!). Then, on May 12th, I started the Inca Trail with Peru Treks (www.perutreks.com). First, we spent three amazing, and often challenging, days on the trail, and then at sunrise May 15th, we arrived at Machu Picchu. It was a great time, and it's definitely something I recommend doing!

(Inca Trail Info: I had made reservations before I left for Ecuador, and to anybody who is considering doing the "traditional" trail, be aware that you have to make reservations at least a month in advance (during the high season - June to September - you might have to do the reservations even earlier)

Bolivia

From Cusco, I went by bus to Copacabana in Bolivia (with a stopover in Puno, Peru). I spent a couple of days in Copacabana at the shore of the world's highest navigable lake; Lake Titicaca. There, I hiked in the surrounding areas and on the Sun Island (which the people of the Inca consider the birth place of one of their gods). After a few days, I got on the bus to the capital La Paz (the world’s highest capital). Due to the risk of some political unrest, I only spent about 24 hours in the capital, but managed to see quite a few things. I walked around in the historical parts, visited the Coca Museum and the “Witch Market” (where they sell dried llama fetuses for good luck!). I then took a long night bus to Sucre in southern Bolivia. This is Bolivia’s second capital and is very rich in history. Once I got there, I realized that they where about to hold to annual celebrations of “South America’s First Call for Freedom,” so I stayed around for that. While waiting for the festivities to start, I explored the city and a nearby famous indigenous market (and watched Liverpool become European Champions of course!). I then made a stop in the world’s highest city Potosí, where I visited the mines (much more on this later!). I then made a quick stop in Tupiza, on my way to Argentina. A small little town that I am sure has a lot more to offer than the excellent llama steak I ate there, but I had to get going!

On May 31st, I crossed the Argentinean border (just in time before things started to get out of hand in Bolivia). I spent a couple of days in Salta before heading down to Tucuman in northwestern Argentina, where my sister and her family (VT member FamB) lives. Together, we went on road trips in northern Argentina, and skiing outside of Mendoza. After Mendoza, I headed to Buenos Aires for a few days, and then flew out of there to Stockholm on July 6th (for the first time in two years!!!).

• Pros:The culture, the people, the nature!
• Cons:Public transportation....
• In a nutshell:A Great Experience!