Photo of the day - Amazon Wildlife

 

Amazon River, Manaus, Brazil

 

What an incredible site to see! A beautiful alligator resting on a board with leaves upon its back in its majestic home, the Amazon. One of my favorite places in the world.

 

 

Love,

 

Reima 

Photo of the day - Chile

Enjoying the Chilean vineyards.

Onto my fourth country in search of what I'm going to do next year as I hope to finally start my expat life! If you missed my previous three posts, you can check out Brazil over here, Peru here, and Ecuador here!

The country of Chile is long and skinny yet full of culture and history. My time in Chile a few years ago was short and I left with so much I wanted to know. At the time, I really didn't feel connected to the country and still needed more answers. Perhaps I could use the time now to get to know Chile better? From the coastline, to the city life, vineyards, and part of Patagonia, Chile has everything I enjoy. I'll have to keep this in mind when I figure out my plans...

Tomorrow is my final photo in my search of expat life! I'm hoping these posts will help me make my decision. :)

Photo of the day - Ecuador

Here I am almost at the top of the volcano Cotopaxi, the highest volcano above sea level in the world.

Still continuing my search for my home in 2014, the next country I'm stopping in is Ecuador. If you have not seen my previous posts, check out Brazil over here and Peru here!

Ecuador is one of my loves that has so much to explore. With spring-like weather year round, it fits my ideal weather conditions. :-) Some sun. Some clouds. Some rain. Ecuador has part of my love, the Amazon Rainforest, beautiful coastline, majestic Andes mountains, and the incredible Galapagos Islands. Plenty to offer for those who choose to live here. 

Stay tuned as I continue to post a picture from each country I'm considering moving to! Maybe this will help me make my decision? :)

I'm on Facebook!

I finally made the plunge.....and got a Facebook page for Love A Traveler! I can like all of my favorite blogs now! :-)

Please like and share my Facebook page to:

~ Keep up to date in my postings!

~ Travel opinions

~ Social Networking

~ Friendships

~ When I'm traveling and can't fit in a blog post, I can update what I'm doing on there!

~ ETC!

It's still in the beginning stages but will be dolled up shortly! Click on either Facebook tab I've put on both sidebars or search for me at www.facebook.com/lovetraveler (while signed in)

Thank you so much for your support!

Love,

Reima

Love A Traveler

Photo of the day - Galapagos Islands

Floreana, Galapagos Islands. 

Off the coast of Ecuador are a beautiful set of islands known as the Galapagos. Pristine and calm islands that are almost all untouched. What I mean by that is these aren't like any normal island you can just head to and go wherever you want. The islands are protected. You can't wander wherever you'd like, like you can on most other islands. You must have a guide outside of the normal ports. One touch on an animal, wildlife, or anything of concern on the islands and you may affect the ecological system. Makes you sit back and appreciate your surroundings and life.

Happy Friday!

Photo of the Day - Egypt

Great Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx, Egypt. What a spectacular world wonder. One I highly recommend you see for yourself in person. I was and still am in awe of how the Egyptians were able to build these incredible structures. Beauty in the middle of a desert. They say don't go in the summer to avoid the high heat but I went in the middle of July and I felt it was not as hot as California during the summer! Of course, definitely cover your head and your body to protect you from the suns rays. And bring plenty of water.

 

Watch out for the camels! Or you'll end up like me, sideways, and the person who saves your life behind you is screaming in Arabic to stop before I fall off the camel! :)

How Do You Pack For An Adventure?

My backpack.

 

My home away from home.

 

It has everything I need to live in another country.

 

My backpack in the Amazon, Coca, Ecuador.

 

This backpack is perfect for a three week - up to a month or so adventure. I have another one that's a whole lot bigger. It's somewhere hidden in my garage - haven't used it since 2009 so not exactly sure how many liters it is but definitely worthy of a year or so adventure.

 

The questions I always get when anyone sees my backpack are: How do you pack? What do you pack in there? How in the world do you fit everything in it? It's so small!

 

By only using a backpack, I feel more prepared, extremely organized, and left being able to travel and see more without having to worry about my belongings.

 

I find the smaller the bag, the better I pack. There's nothing worse than packing items that you won't even touch on your adventure!

 

I thought I'd put a list up of the items I take on my travels. My trips have so far been 3 weeks so this list is good for short-term trips. I see, hopefully, longer trips in my near future! And in that case, I'll have to change the list when that happens!

 

Here's my go to travel essentials:

 

My Backpack

Travel Plug Converter - I use an all-in-one so I don't lose the pieces!

Camera and Two Memory Cards

Apple iTouch iPod

Camera and iPod chargers

An Inflatable Neck Pillow for the plane

Small Fleece Blanket - For the plane, bus, and hostel; To stay warm when it's cold.

Passport

Money Belt - Which I definitely prefer over a 'neck belt'.

Money and a Good Credit Card - In case of emergencies; Always inform your credit card agency of your travel plans. It would hurt if you needed to use it and they don't authorize the transaction!

2-4 Locks With Keys - I prefer hostels for my low budget so this is a must to keep your items together.
Sunglasses

Toothbrush, Travel Size Tooth Paste and Mouthwash, and Floss

Travel Size Shampoo, Conditioner, and Leave-in Cream - Because I have crazy curls that tangle easily! I buy the bottles in the $1 section at Target so I can fill them with my own liquids.

Hair brush, ties, pins, clip, and straightener

Make up - loose powder, Mascara, Chap stick (can't live without!), and Lip gloss

Make up remover wipes- Amount needed is based on how many days are in your trip. I use one per day, with a few extra left just in case.

Travel size Sun Screen and Aloe Vera

Travel size Body Lotion- Any brand you prefer

Dry Soap- The person who created this = Genius!

Travel size Deodorant

Tweezers

A pair of Flip Flops

A pair of regular Shoes - TOMS are my go-to travel shoes

My Running Shoes - Because I know I'll be hiking or climbing up something!

Two undergarments and One sports bra

Enough Underwear to last the trip or enough to get you until your next washer and dryer (or washer and clothes line)

 

As for clothes-

 

I like to pick shirts that I can wear alone and mix & match them with others. It goes a long way!- About 6-9 shirts. I also stay away from shirts that stand out. I try to look as normal as I can and blend in with the locals. My good friend taught me the military-style way of folding clothes from her brother to help make room when packing. I haven't folded clothes any other way when I travel!

 

1-2 pairs of shorts

1 dress or long skirt

1-2 pairs of jeans

1-2 pairs of leggings

1 long sleeve shirt - Only when traveling during the cooler months or staying in a rainforest/jungle area

1 jacket - Only when I know for sure there will be cool weather and/or staying in a rainforest/jungle. Or I end up just buying one when I get to my destination.

5-7 pairs of socks - I do a lot of exploring where I need my running shoes!

 

1-2 Travel size Laundry Detergent

Items for your time of the month 

1-2 Heating pads - This item is HIGHLY loved and appreciated. TMI but needed information for us females!

Naproxen Prescription - For the pain.

Lactose Pills - I drank way too much of this good stuff: 'te con leche' in Argentina back in 2009 and when I came back, I no longer had the tolerance for milk. Now, in 2013, I've been working at it and slowly I'm able to have my beloved milk products. I bring the pills just in case.

Pepto Bismal and/or Immodium - Because it'll be a miracle if you go a whole trip without having stomach problems!

Band-Aids and Neosporin

Water Bottle Holder - Found it in the Galapagos and I absolutely love it! Helpful when hiking up volcanoes or wandering around the jungle! My hands are free!

Bug Bite Cream

DEET - For Mosquito zones. I have one 25% DEET spray and one 100% DEET spray.

Flashlight

Mini Alarm Clock

Pens and a Journal

Travel size Snacks - I prefer mixed nuts in individual bags. Great for the airplane, bus rides, and days when you aren't able to get any local treats.

Small Word Search Book and a Small Sudoku book

Deck of Cards

A Good Book - Lately, I've been thinking about taking this off the list! I find I like to keep busy and never really have the time to read. (I'm like the Energizer Bunny!:)

 

 

*To note:

 

I never have a set itinerary but I do email a few friends and family the dates I plan on being gone and either where I'll be or what country I'll be staying in so someone does know my whereabouts.

 

*Some of the vaccines I have gotten for my trips:

 

Hepatitis A

Typhoid

Yellow Fever

Meningococcal

Updated on Polio and Tdap

Have received and used Mefloquine - (Malaria prescription) Which I didn't like and don't plan on ever using again.

 

This list appears long but everything is small enough so that it does all fit in the backpack with some room left over. This is a list more for a budget traveler and for short-term travel (about a month). If this is not your style of travel, you can get away with not using all these items and just purchase what you need; clothes and such, as you go from one place to the next. For me, I like to have everything already that way I can put my budget towards hostels, food, and adventures. Of course long-term travel means packing your bag (or bags) differently. 

 

Did you see something new on this list? Didn't see your favorite go-to item? Please let me know! I'd love to learn about new things.

 

What do you bring on your travels and how do you pack?



Misconceptions of the Solo Female Traveler

Yungas Road, Bolivia

Before I get into anymore of my stories and love of this magnificent world, I feel like I need to delve into the topic of 'Solo Female Traveling'. I have heard stories upon stories of females traveling and how they shouldn't go solo. Numerous friends and family members always yelling at me before each one of my adventures about going on my own.  

 

"It's unsafe. What are you thinking! Where do you think you are going? It is dangerous out there. I can't believe you. This is not one of your smartest choices. Just stay here; why do you need to go out there? Didn't you watch the movie Taken? (I did. Actually the first time was in Spanish and on a bus in Argentina. I found it a little too extreme.) Are you going to watch Taken 2? (No.) Have you watched Brokedown Palace? (No, but I'd like to.) Why don't you go with a friend or two?"

 

Teotihuacan, Mexico

 

Yes, I know there are issues in the world. People have been murdered, raped, held at gun point, and a more horrible list on. But why is this connected with traveling and that it is the travelers fault for being in these situations? I often tell my friends I felt more safe in Argentina than in some areas of my own neighborhood! That means that where I'm living is no different than any other state in the USA or any country in this world. Sure there are the statuses of the 'first world', 'second world', and 'third world' countries. But I happen to think that shouldn't matter.

 

I once looked at a list of the worlds most dangerous cities and I saw that Washington DC was on top of the list. And guess what? It's in the US, which is considered a 'first world' country. That's equal to any other country in a 'third world' country.

 

 

-Just for the record-

 

 

I don't consider or group countries/continents by 'first world', 'second world', 'third world', and so on. I believe every country is equal and I admire and appreciate everything this world offers. In fact, to me, just the offerings that each culture has to this world makes one richer than anything like money and power.

  

So what makes one tell me it's ok to go to Washington DC to visit the capitol and experience the historic landmarks there but I can't go to Mexico City because there is way too much 'violence'. Which I do believe to be true, but what about the violence and in our countries capitol? By the way, I did spend some time in Mexico City and I absolutely loved it. I felt very safe there and it felt normal. Just as normal as going down to Los Angeles.

 

 

Alexandria, Egypt

 

Why can't violence be connected with the people who make these sad choices and not be connected with those who appreciate our Earth and the beauty it offers us?

 

I love traveling. I grew up always wanting to learn something new. Very openminded. My parents would constantly tell me that I am a mixed race because I have a little of every culture in me. I of course appreciate my own, but I also am thankful for each person who has come into my life or who I've seen on my travels for the many things they can offer to anyone.

 

And I enjoy going alone. I am an independent person and I can assume most females who travel alone are also just as independent as well. We enjoy exploring new sites, heading off the unbeaten path, and gaining knowledge from places we probably would have never learned if we had stayed in the same place our whole lives. You can't learn this in any guide book (which I will never use!) and in any book you read throughout the years of schooling we are given.

 

I love the fact that I can go at my own pace, see what I'd like to see, and be open to last minute changes, which I'm known for doing! I like to do my research on the country I'll be going to but I usually figure out what I'll do once I get there because I find there are hidden gems in each country that you will not find normally within a regular search of your computer or guidebook.

  

 

Machu Picchu, Peru

Yes, as solo female travelers we do take extra care when we travel. We don't just go and head to dangerous zones or leave a night club on our own in the wee hours of the morning. We know better. We have good heads on our shoulders and we would never leave the country with the intentions of putting ourselves in harmful situations.

 

Sometimes I feel that I miss out on some things when I go alone because even I get extremely cautious at night and won't wander anywhere unless I know there will be a scene of people who are enjoying the night street food life and spending quality time with their friends. I do not attend night clubs anyway. My adventure style is to appreciate the peoples daily lives and learn more about their culture instead of partying the night away and waking up late the next morning.

 

Now I can probably assume you will bring up in the recent years the horrible events that have taken place in certain countries, states, and islands where there are females victims in the news and say, "Well what about them? I still do not agree with your choices and/or lifestyle." I refuse to talk about these stories in the news because I don't personally know what happened, where they were, and the precautions that were or were not taken. I feel very sad for these females and their families and I can't imagine what it feels like to lose a loved one in this kind of way. It definitely changes their perspective of travel and I completely understand their opinion.

 

But what I can say is that this is not an everyday occurrence. There are many in this world that choose to make unfortunate decisions that may cost someones life but you can't say that happens in only certain places. This happens everywhere. If we all lived a life scared of the world, what kind of world would we turn out to be? We cannot just live with the assumption that this world is a dangerous place and we, especially females, must not explore our land. Our Earth. It's pristine beauty.

 

So if you do know a female who wants to start out on her own adventure, encourage her. Give her love. Give her your friendship. Your safety tips but know she already has them in mind. Know she will email you, send you postcards, and will keep in touch to let you know she is having the time of her life. Once in awhile, you'll go a week or so without hearing from her. Before you worry, she may be in a beautiful new, off the beaten path land that has yet been touched with wifi/internet/computers/new technologies. Let her explore it and then as soon as she finds internet, she'll tell you all about it. Trust that you know what she's doing and always stay positive with her. The second you start to worry, she will feel it right away and that is the last thing you want to put on her when she is already gone. If she feels good vibes, she'll be a-ok.
 

 

Volcano Pacaya, Guatemala