The San Antonio River Walk

After a week of tweets and hype surrounding the San Antonio, Texas trip giveaway, we are excited to announce a winner!

Kristin of @k_rads gets to experience San Antonio on behalf of 2 Backpackers!

Kristin will enjoy visiting San Antonio in celebration of the 175th anniversary of The Battle of The Alamo. Get an sneak peak of of her trip at San Antonio in Pictures.

This was an extremely exciting opportunity for followers of 2Backpackers.com and we look forward to more Travel Giveaways in the future!

2 Backpackers - Winner of San Antonio, Texas Travel Giveaway 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

The Alamo at San Antonio, Texas

Back on the Road!

Aracely and I will be visiting San Antonio this weekend from Thursday, March 3rd through Sunday, March 7th, in celebration of the 175th anniversary of The Alamo.   As part of a press tour group, we will be snapping lots of photos, writing about our experiences and being whisked away to all the great things San Antonio has to offer.  Stay tuned for our updates on Twitter by following the hashtags #Alamo175 and #VisitSA.

This will be our first time keeping you updated with our exact movements while traveling.  Look for daily photos, daily recaps and when we return… a BIG GIVEAWAY.  Unless of course we take that giveaway ourselves and stay in San Antonio a little longer.

2 Backpackers - Leaving for San Antonio, Texas 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

9 reasons to visit Sri Lanka in 30 pictures from Lasith Lansakara of Discovering Serendipity

1. Where the Elephants Roam

Sadly not as much anymore.  Over hunting during the British colonial period has left the Sri Lankan Asian Elephant endangered.  Recent conservation efforts attempt to rebuild the local elephant population and visitors have several opportunities to see and interact with these majestic animals.

National Parks like Wasgamuwa allow you to capture a glimpse of these animals in the wild, while conservation centers like the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, the worlds largest heard of captive elephants, give you a chance to get up close and personal.

2. Magnificent Remains from Ancient Times

Sri Lanka’s documented history dates back over 2,500 years to 543 BC when King Vijaya became Sri Lanka’s first monarch.  Remains of architectural wonders from ancient Sinhalese kingdoms are still present today.  Most notable are those of the 5th century rock fortress “Sigiriya” built in the shape of a crouching lion.

3. Rich Colonial Heritage

For over three centuries parts of Sri Lanka had remained under the rule of various colonial powers.  Beginning with the Portuguese in the 16th century, followed by the Dutch in the 17th and the British in the 18th and early 19th centuries, they have each left behind their legacy.  From the Dutch Fort in Galle to British architecture in Nuwara Eliya, remnants of Sri Lanka’s colonial past are found dotted across the country today.

4. Golden Sands and Sunny Beaches

As an island nation, Sri Lanka is surrounded by the Indian Oceana.  A trip to Sri Lanka is not complete without surfing, body boarding or just laying under the sun on its golden beaches that have been a tourist mainstay for years.

5. Explore Nature and Wildlife

A fast growing destination for eco-tourism, Sri Lanka’s 22 national parks, including 2 marine, are home to several indigenous species of flora and fauna.  Trek through national parks in Horton Plains to see some scenic waterfalls and blossoming flowers or Wasgamuwa to spots deer or leopards.

6. Land of Buddha

Although a largely diverse population, nearly 70% of the country is Buddhist.  Since the introduction of Buddhism to the country by King Devanampiya Tissa of the 3rd century BC, it has been an integral part of the country’s culture.  A tour of the country is not complete without a visit to some of the ancient and modern, life sized Buddha statues and temples.

The Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy is revered by Buddhists worldwide and is said to hold a relic of the Buddha’s left canine tooth.

7. Colorful People

The locals pride themselves on their Sri Lankan hospitality.  This is not just something you taste in the spicy curry dishes, but also in the beaming smiles.  During my travels I chatted with several locals, such as Laal the rock fisherman, who was happy to chat and share his life with me.  During your visit, I certainly recommend taking a little time to meet some of the people you pass by.

8. The Home of Tea

Sri Lanka is one of the world’s largest tea exporters with over 20% market share by volume.  “Ceylon Tea” is also one of the few commodities that command a premium, fetching about 50% more than competitors at auction markets.  Surprisingly however tea is not native to Sri Lanka and was a gift by British colonists such as the famed tea grower Sir James Lipton.  Today, Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka’s highlands is the world’s tea capital.

9. A Photographer’s Paradise

Be sure to pack your favorite camera during your visit – A combination of sunny, yet cloudy skies and lush green landscapes, truly makes Sri Lanka a photographer’s paradise!

2 Backpackers - 9 Reasons to Visit Sri Lanka 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

St. Francis Church in Panajachel Guatemala at Lake Atitlan

Watch our HD Adventure Travel Video of Climbing Volcano San Pedro at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala
Panajachel is the largest town surrounding Lake Atitlan in Guatemala’s highlands and serves as the base for tourists visiting the area. Lake Atitlan is one of the highlights when visiting Guatemala and many tour bus companies will shuttle you from Antigua for a visit. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes of volcanoes surrounding Lake Atitlan, but don’t go swimming in the water.

2 Backpackers - Photo of the Day: St. Francis Church Panajachel, Guatemala 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

Apocalypse

All signs are pointing to the world ending on December 21, 2012, or at least according to the Mayan Calendar, I Ching, and Nostradamus.  Birds and fish dying in mass and flash floods in Australia aren’t helping subdue our fears either.  So what better way to react than go travel to some place unique, exciting and on the brink of extinction via an apocalypse.  This scenario poses two exciting questions for Aracely and I.

The first question is based on truly believing in an apocalypse leading to the end of the world.  Basically, there is no budget limitations.  If the world is going to end, why not spend it all!
The second question comes from a more skeptical view of the end of the world.  Let’s go travel and see something before we die, while leaving money in the bank in case it’s a false alarm.

And one other criteria.  We can only travel for 1 week, because we want to spend time with family too. After all, then end of the world may be coming.

Travel Ideas?

1. Where would you recommend we travel with no travel budget limitations?
2. Where should we travel with $1,000 USD per person?

Let’s get some travel ideas down in the comment section.  Try to be as specific as possible, considering we would only have a week to travel including flight time.  Aracely and I are ready to get back on the road!

2 Backpackers - Where to Travel Before the World Ends? 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

Is India the most colourful, mad, exciting country in the world?  Probably.  Alastair Humphreys shares India with us through his lens.

Here are ten things I love about India.

1. Surprised, Confused or Amused

There’s never a dull moment in India. Wherever you look, at all times of day or night, you will see something that surprises you, confuses you, or amuses you.

2. Tea

If there is anywhere on Earth that is more obsessed with tea drinking than us English, then it is India.  A hot glass of sweet, milky tea at a roadside stall is a lovely way to pause, relax, and chat.

3. Colour

India is a photographer’s dream.  The spices, the dyes, and the beautiful saris mean that you’ll definitely need to take more memory cards than you anticipated needing.

4. Kids

The children in India were not only cute and full of fun and smiles, they were also so polite and charming (unlike British kids!).  They also love having their pictures taken.

5. Food

The variety and deliciousness of India’s street food is wonderful, and a definite highlight of travelling in the country.

6. Cricket

Being from England means that in almost every country on Earth I find myself chatting regularly about our holy trinity of David Beckham, Princess Diana, and the Beatles.  But not in India. In India it is all about the cricket. I got roped into playing quite a few times as well.

7. Religion

The variety, colour and devotion involved in India’s kaleidoscope of religions is mesmerising.

8. Trains

Train journeys in India are brilliant. Cheap, reliable, regular and a great way to see the country, meet people, and eat a lot of samosas!

9. Cows

Any country that has cows wandering around the streets scores highly in my book!

10. Mix of Old and New

In India, on a daily basis, you see what life must have been like hundred of years ago. Some things remain totally unchanged.  And yet you also get a glimpse of the future, the exciting potential of a fast-developing superpower.

2 Backpackers - 10 Things to Love About India 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

Monumento Natural Salar de Surire

Entering Northern Chile from Peru will most likely lead you to the coastal town of Arica.  Check out our article on discovering Arica to find out what adventure lies there, but for this article we are jumping right into Northern Chile’s great Altiplano!

Road Trip

Driving from Arica Chile to Putre on Day 1 of our 4x4 Road Trip

Northern Chile’s Altiplano is filled with varying landscapes including snow capped volcanoes, desert mountains, small adobe villages, salt flats, flamingos, vicuñas and pre-Inca ruins.  Arica will serve as your base camp for settling into the new country and planning your exploratory road trip.  Several vehicle rental companies exist in town with 4×4 vehicles.  Between the cost of your rental truck and all the gas you have to purchase, this adventure will definitely cost you additional money.

Route

Our Nissan 4x4 Rental Truck

The route you choose will also determine your fuel strategy.  There isn’t any places to fuel your vehicle beyond Putre, which is typically the first night’s location.  Some tours out of Arica take you to Parque Nacional Lauca to see Lago Chungara near the Bolivian border for a 12 hour round trip.  Another park, Reserva National Las Vicuñas, is south Parque Nacional Lauca and will require another day to visit.  At the southeastern most point of the Arica and Parinacota Region, you will find Monumento Natural Salar de Surire, a salt flat which lies furthest from Arica.  If you plan on visiting all three of these parks, you can possibly choose a loop route back to Arica.  The roads leading to Lago Chungara are good gravel roads, but beyond the lake it gets challenging.  If it’s been raining, your 4×4 might run into flooded dirt roads that are impassable.  If you are looking for a tremendous adventure, where you sometimes feel lost and wonder if you are going to make it out with enough gas and a running truck then drive the entire loop for 3 days.

You might also enjoy… Stargazing in Chile

Cactus Candelario Tree

Day 1

Our drive began at Arica, Chile where we rented an older 4×4 Nissan pick-up truck.  We were both excited to have such an independent adventure and to drive a vehicle again.  Typically we ride on buses from town to town.  The drive west on highway Chile 11 was incredibly unique to us.  The views of dessert hills extended for miles inland as we climbed steeply into the high plateau.

The highway is very well marked and mostly used by large trucks transporting goods to and from the Chile-Bolivia border.  A road trip means you have to stop and explore along the way.  One stop was to take a picture and attempt to climb the Cactus Candelario, a tall cactus tree.  Another was at the tiny village of Socoroma.  During our visit the town was having a festival where we enjoyed watching the people, covered in flour, dancing and singing in the roads between houses.

Sunset in Putre, Chile from the Town

After 167 km we arrived to Putre (3,500 meters) our destination for the night at round 4 pm and found a tiny hostel to stay in.  Although, at $28 per night we found it incredibly expensive in comparison to the previous places we’ve stayed at outside of Chile.

Festival in the Town of Socoroma, Chile

If you begin to feel any altitude sickness, be sure to spend an extra day or two acclimating in Putre.  The altitude will only get higher.

You might also enjoy… Discover Adventure in San Pedro de Atacama Chile

Day 2

Driving to Putre from Arica

By 9 am the next morning we were on our way to Lauca National Park and Lake Chungara.  After driving for just under 45mins, we found wild vicuñas and guanacos (camelids) all around the hills.  Although we’ve been in South America for a few months we’ve yet to see these.  Llamas and Alpacas, which are both domesticated have been everywhere, so it was exciting to see these new animals in the wild.  After stopping for pictures we continued our drive.

Reserva Natural Las Vicunas

Next we took an hour break at the town of Parinacota (4,400 meters) to see an old white colonial church that represents the transformation of region in the area.  One and half hours later we arrived at our destination for the day, Lago Chungara (4,500 meters).  The clouds had moved in and the sky was completely white, but it was a beautiful landscape with the twin snow capped volcanoes of Payachatas reflecting in the steaming lake.  We spotted beautiful pink flamingos and tried taking pictures, but they didn’t seem to like us being around them much.  You will need a strong telephoto lens if you expect to get some good pictures.

Condor We Spotted Flying Overhead Near Putre, Chile

On our drive back to Putre Aracely spotted a large condor flying close to the highway and yelled for me to stop the car.  The great bird flew around the top of the hills so gracefully, scanning the landscape repeatedly with only a flap or two of its wings.

You might also enjoy… Discover Arica Chile

Day 3

Lago Chungara in Parque Nacional Lauca in Chile

This was by far our most exciting day of the road trip.  When we left our hostel in Putre that morning destined for the Salt Flats of Surire, we didn’t know exactly how we would return to Arica.  We had read in Lonely Planet and heard from locals that there was a dirt road from the Salt Flats directly towards Arica that we could take instead of backtracking all the way back to Arica via Putre.  However, this road floods often and we were advised to ask the park rangers for some advice.

During our drive towards the Salt Flats we encountered some rangers and they told us that we should be able to make the journey to the flats if we used the 4×4 and never hit the breaks through the flooded road portions.  Feeling confident after speaking with rangers, we continued on.

Driving Slowly Through Winding Cliff Roads in Chile

Either the rangers underestimated the bad conditions of the road or maybe overestimated the capability of our older 4×4 vehicle.  We arrived at our first flooded area.  I activated the 4×4 capability on the truck and went for it.  Half way through the 20 yard long pond of muddy water we felt the truck slowing down and getting stuck .  At this point we were 2 feet deep.  I revved the engine further and we made it past the second half safely.  It was a great relief.

Driving Through Flooded Roads of Altiplano

Just another few miles later we reached our second and hardest challenge.  I took one look at what was in front of us and thought to myself, “There is no way we are  making it through that, we have to go around.”  But, we couldn’t find an obvious exit from the road leading around the deep, long flooded road in front of us.  I decided to go for it.  I was feeling a bit nervous.  With the throttle to the floor we began to race through as quickly as possible.  Within 15ft of entering the road lake the water was splashing over the hood and the vehicle began to stall.  I quickly steered the vehicle off the road, up over the edge onto the muddy park grounds.  This was unfortunate, but there is no way we would have made it through the 50 yards of flooded roadway.

Flooded Areas in Northern Chile

This was the scariest moment of the trip.  After stopping the car on the higher ground, I realized it still wanted to stall.  I continued to keep my foot on the gas pedal in fear that if the truck stalled, we wouldn’t be able to start it again.  At this point, the severity of the moment began to set in.  I continued on the throttle until the truck finally began to move.  We cheered aloud in excitement.  The kind that would have looked really cheesy had someone been watching.  We were not out of this mess yet.  The area was still muddy and several small rivers had been created from the flooded roadway.  We sped alongside the road as fast as the truck would go bouncing around kicking up what seemed like bricks of mud from under the truck until we found a safe area to reenter the road.  After driving full throttle for 5 minutes the truck was back to good form, except for the extra 50 pounds of mud that caked our chassis.

Monumento Natural Salar de Surire

Flamingos Flying Over Lake Chungara in Northern Chile

Avoiding further flooded roads, we arrived to the Surire Salt Flats and were rewarded with wild scenery including salt lakes, flamingos, vicuñas and snow capped mountains in the distance.  After getting directions from other rangers hanging out at the nearby salt mine we decided to take the direct road from the Salar de Surire to Arica.  The most important advice given to us was, “Look for a sign that reads something Hotel and turn left there.  It’s a small sign and if you miss it, you will get lost.”  I wondered how small was this sign and how risky was the drive.  It would be the most remote off the road drive we have ever experienced.  We were 6 hours from a town that would have fuel for our vehicle.  Driving through the mountains and canyons of the altiplano became the coolest video baja driving game I have ever played.  This was real!

Our Beat Up 4x4 Rental Truck Facing Big Storms Ahead

The road led us down to a gravel river bed.  The water was never more than a foot deep and didn’t pose any threats, but the river bed was wide enough that we couldn’t see where to pick back up the road on the other side.  We slowly drove through, excited of the adventure, but questioning our map reading skills.

We climbed back out of the canyon up to the tops of the high plateaus where wind and endless flat mountain tops dominated the landscapes.  We were driving on top of the world.  A nasty looking storm quickly moved in and darkened the sky, creating fear of flash floods.  We only caught the edge of the storm so the rains weren’t too bad.  Had this storm began before we crossed the river bed, I would guess we wouldn’t have been able to cross it.  That’s a scary thought.  We found the aptly described small sign and turned left with a great sigh of relief.  We were headed back home, or at least back to Arica.

You might also enjoy… Torres del Paine Sunrise

Proposal

Our Engagement Photo in the Middle of Nowhere

This was also the road trip that would end with Aracely and I engaged.  I felt it was the furthest from civilization that we had ever been, and for us, who were escaping the day to day monotony of our modern busy lives, this seemed perfect.  Sister Golden Hair was playing on the radio, which in itself was peculiar out in this desolate area where only 1 or 2 stations were received.  I pulled off the road where a clear landmark might be remembered 10 years from now.  It was a giant rock on the side of the road.

Jason Proposed to Aracely Here!

We took some unsuspecting pictures and then I turned on the video camera and sat it on the hood.  I returned to the front of our beat up rental truck and knelt down on one knee and proposed.  Aracely said, “Yes.”  We hid a necklace under some rocks near the giant rock and mapped our GPS coordinates.  We will return someday in celebration.

Our weekend included 450 miles of some of the most unique scenery we have ever seen in a 3 day journey.

Endless Dirt Roads in Northern Chile's Altiplano

As we drove back down the sand mountains headed to the Arica coast we felt a sense of accomplishment and excitement.  This adventure wasn’t a physical challenge, but still one filled with fear, panic a sense of being lost and most of all, a sense of complete freedom.

The Desert Hills of Arica, Chile

For Budget Travelers

At $90 USD per day plus $100 for gas, renting a 4×4, believe it or not is the cheaper option.  A 3-day tour that includes a visit to the village of Putre, the National Park Lauca, Lake Chungara, and the Surire Salt flats costs about $300 per person with an organized tour.  When renting the vehicle consider renting from the local companies rather than the global brands that charge twice as much.  But, if you end up with a beat up, old, green Nissan, be worried, because we beat that truck to sh*t.

2 Backpackers - Road Trip: Northern Chile Altiplano 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

Running in Central Park, NYC

Aracely and I are both health conscience individuals who enjoy working out and eating healthy, but there are always exceptions.  We definitely do have our  fair share of splurges on pizza (for me) and ice cream (for Aracely).  Our initial thought was that backpacking for a year would get us into better shape.  We have discovered that while on the road having any sort of routine, especially an exercise routine, is nearly impossible.

Participating in multi-day treks is an excellent form of exercise, but they usually take place weeks apart, creating new break-in pains each time.  Making things even more challenging, eating cheap street food is usually not healthy.

Here are some tips on how to Stay Fit and Healthy during your travels:

1. Walk

Instead of taking a cab, walk to your destination.  Walking is good exercise, saves you money and allows you to see a lot more of place.  It’s also an excellent way to capture spontaneous photos.  Walking down a street on the way to a destination we often spot a funny sign, a local restaurant or a hidden park.

2. Jog

Most large cities will have a park that is used by runners, walkers and sometimes bikers.  These tend to be safer areas if you are looking for a place to run.  We don’t recommend running in city streets that are unfamiliar to you.  In Latin America cars will always have the right away and rarely stop for you.  Getting lost is also a great concern.  Aracely started running in Quito since we had settled down there for a month.

3. Exercise

If you know you will be in a larger city try to do research ahead of time and find a yoga studio or workout class you can attend.  Ask your hotel staff, hostel or guest host where they recommend you workout.  Don’t forget that a simple exercise including push-ups, sit-ups, squats and stretching can be done from almost everywhere.

4. Eating Healthy

Eating healthy while traveling is not very difficult.  Visit the local markets, which can be an excellent cultural experience in itself, and purchase local fruits and vegetables to cook in your hostel or apartment.

Exercise Tools

1. GMAP-pedometer.com

GMAP-pedometer is a website that allows you to trace your walking or running route anywhere Google Maps has mapped.  That’s a lot places.  The tool can show your distance, elevation and calories burned.

2. HundredPushups.com

This workout program can build tremendous strength and muscle endurance for those needing it.  The workout tailors to your current abilities, enabling a customized workout.  Beyond it’s name, the website also offers a sit-up, pull-up and squat workout.  You can also download the One Hundred Pushups application from the iTunes store for your iPhone or iTouch.  The application comes with a built in timer.

3. iFitness Application

The iFitness application from iTunes has become the #1 selling fitness app for good reason.  The application includes a cardio log, varying workout programs specific by muscle or equipment, and routines tailored to your goals.  Each exercise includes pictures detailing the steps involved.

If you are an outdoor person that enjoys the occasional hike while traveling, naturally the exercise might come a little easier for you.  For those that do mostly city tours, there will be a greater breaking in period, but you will have lots of access to local gyms and yoga centers in the urban areas.  Staying healthy will strengthen your immune system, which is important when traveling to foreign places around the world.

2 Backpackers - Travel And Exercise 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

Getting Up To Speed On Current Events in the US

Since we have returned home the question most often asked of us is, “Do you have culture shock?”  In a close second place is, “What are you going to do now?”  I will address the first one in this article.

“Shock” is an extreme word and feels like an exaggeration to me.  The phrase “Shock and Awe” comes to mind, and since 2003, I have just felt guilty using the term to describe something I have gone through.  Honestly, I am not in anyway shocked since I have returned home, I would just say I am more aware, much more aware.

As Aracely and I traveled from country to country throughout Central and South America we witnessed changes in culture, customs and traditions.  We made an effort to distinguish countries or peoples so we could gain a better understanding of a place.  Is the United States drastically different from the places we visited?  Overall yes, but not to the point of shock.

Locals Bartering at the Tarabuco Market in Bolivia

If we lived with an Amazon tribe for 6 months, which people can do, then yes, it would be a shocking experience returning to the USA.  We didn’t subject ourselves to these extreme challenges.  Every country we visited had at least one developed city.  Each country also had indigenous populations living off the land in a way we don’t see in the United States.  We weren’t away from those developed cities for a long enough period of time to forget what’s it like living in the 21st century.  Our trip involved all landscapes, urban and rural.

Now that I have explained why we aren’t feeling shocked, let me make you aware of what we do recognize.  The United States is a consumer driven economy and successful marketing drives it.  I know, you already knew that.  I did too, but I didn’t feel pain participating in it like I do today.

Our Stuff

After retrieving only a few of our 10 or so Rubbermaid bins from storage at my brother’s attic, it quickly became apparent that we have too much stuff.  This is after selling half our stuff at yard sales and on eBay prior to leaving on our trip.  During our travels over the last year we have lived out of large backpacks, nothing more.  The experience made us realize we don’t need all this stuff and it’s rather frustrating to own it now.  We admit, we wouldn’t have realized how little we really needed if we didn’t spend the last year backpacking.

We can drink tap water!  The United States has drinkable sink, shower and toilet water.  Drinkable tap water doesn’t exist in most places we traveled and it was often an inconvenience having to run out of the hostel to a corner store just because you were thirsty.  I don’t think we realize how good we have it here.  We now do our best to avoid drinking bottled water, saving waste and money.

The Auto Lease Sales Pitch in America

All the cars look new and the highways are, well, highways.  Our infrastructure in the Untied States is incredible.  We can travel by car anywhere on paved roads in a country that spans 2,500 miles across.  Not only are the roads paved, but they are also clean.  And the vehicles driving on them are new; a great contrast from the vehicles driven in Central and South America.  Auto manufactures have ran successful leasing campaigns convincing consumers that they must purchase a vehicle every 2-4 years.

Our New Old Car From Sean of www.Philly2Hoboken.com

The most difficult part about all this is that no one relates to us on these issues.  Those around us think we are silly for buying a 20 year old car that runs, for drinking tap water, and for being so mindful about waste.  I realized then that living in the US actually requires effort to not be wasteful.  The “consume” message is so ingrained in us all that we feel the need to buy such things as event specific disposable plates, greeting cards for Halloween, a purse to match every pair of shoes and a new fully loaded MacBook Pro for blogging.

We aren’t shocked, but we are more aware of the culture in the United States and it’s quite different from those living in Central and South America.  We are grateful for the opportunities this country has given us, but we aren’t so proud of the way we live in it.  Now is the time to change and live with a little less, actually much less.  Less stuff and less stress, we believe.

• What’s Next for Two Backpackers

2 Backpackers - Returning Home Culture Shock? 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

Wine Tasting at Vines of Mendoza

Yes, while in Argentina we visited the home of the world renowned Malbec wines of Mendoza.  No, we didn’t think it was awesome, but we aren’t wine connoisseurs either.  Once we promoted that we were visiting Argentina, our friends and family immediately asked, “Are you going to visit Mendoza?”  At first, we didn’t think it was going to fit into our route, but after our friend Kevin from home arrived to spend 2 weeks with us, things changed.

The The Mendoza wine region is situated at the foothills of the Andes Mountains on high plains.  The consistent weather, mountain water runoff and extreme high and low temperatures provide the ultimate environment for growing vines at an amazingly high altitude.  The natural, cold mountain water is irrigated to create a fixed and consistent watering system for the grapes.  It rarely rains, so they don’t incur flooding.  The extreme temperature change between night day builds a thick skin on the grapes.  But, best of all, its cheap and fruity delicious!

General San Martín Park in Mendoza

The City of Mendoza

The city of Mendoza is not very impressive in that it offers nothing substantially unique.  Not every city has to, but we figured due to it’s wine tourism significance, something would stand out.  The city is centered around a main plaza and also includes a pedestrian only street that attracts touristic restaurants and bars with plenty of outdoor seating.  It’s a very pleasant area to dine in and enjoy the cool foothills weather.  As any decent size city, Argentina’s fourth largest, buses parade down the streets and shoppers crowd the sidewalks.  Be sure to visit The Parque General San Martín (General San Martín Park) and rent some bikes for the day or stroll the walkway and observe the children practicing crew in the lake.

Wine Museum in Maipu, Mendoza Pronvice, Argentina

Within the city we recommend Vines of Mendoza for some of the best wine tasting you will experience.  Order a plate of cheese and salty hams to accompany your tasting.  Be sure to speak up and ask all the stupid questions if you are newbie, like us.  Once the servers sense interest, they will talk wine forever, maybe even handing you a few free samples.  If you are loaded with cash, enter their private viewing room where they show you a trailer video on owning your own vineyard.  Pretty cool huh?  I wouldn’t mind my own personal label.

Mr. Hugo Wine Tour on Bikes in Maipu, Mendoza

Mendoza Wine Region

Beyond the city is where most of the wine tasting takes place.  Expect to visit wineries in Luján de Cuyo, Maipú, Uco Valley and Godoy Cruz.  If you are a budget traveler or backpacker, consider Mr. Hugo Wineries and Bikes in Maipú.  There you can rent a bike for the day with a map of local wineries and museums.  Take a bus from Mendoza to Maipú, but be sure to bring exact change.  It’s a long bike ride and a long day, but you are on your own and can therefore rest when you want.  Once back to Mr. Hugo’s, he will have a few pitchers of wine waiting for you, if you can still stand.  The region consists of one main road with gravel and dirt roads escaping to the wineries.  Visit the Wine Museum first and enjoy a fancy lunch overlooking a vineyard at Tempus winery.  My favorite was the Lamb Burger.

Wine Tasting at the Tempus Winery in Maipu, Mendoza

Other tours can be arranged by your hostel, hotel or even Vines of Mendoza, and the prices vary depending on the winery and the tour company.  There are tours for the rich and famous as well as us.

Purchasing Wine

After many of the wine tours and tastings you have the opportunity to purchase wine.  It’s not a problem bringing wine back with you to the United States as long as you aren’t carrying more than 12 bottles.  If you pay for a wine tour, ask for that cost to be deducted from your wine purchase.  Most are willing to meet this request.  Also, ask if the wine is sold in your country and under what label.  You may be able to purchase the same bottle under a different name at home.

Aracely in the Tempus Vineyards in Maipu, Mendoza

Adventure

Adventure travelers also come to Mendoza for the incredible summit of Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Western and Southern Hemisphere.  Many outfitters and gear shops exist to meet a climbers needs.   Rafting, hiking and horseback riding are all available for the those not ready to climb one of the highest summits in the world.  The Andes mountains provide a vast array of opportunities for adventure as well as photography.  Jeep tours that climb out of the foothills up onto the mountainsides provide incredible views of the vast Argentina plains.

Other Wine Regions

Argentina is an extremely long country covering a vast area that offers more than just Mendoza for your wine tasting cravings.  Consider visiting Northern Argentina, the Salta region, for wineries in Cafayate or even southern Argentina in Patagonia.

I can see how the Mendoza region might attract the wine aficionados, but the small town of Cafayate would have provided enough good wine tasting for Two Backpackers.

2 Backpackers - Mendoza Wine Country 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

Cocktails At Playa Blanca Colombia

It seems all of us in the travel blogging community agree that travel is good.  The majority of posts that are produced within the industry are intended to  either sell the reader on the idea that travel is one of the most amazing activities one can partake-in and that they too should travel, or momentarily take them into a world of travel fantasy (as Gary Arndt from Everything-Everywhere.com likes to put it, travel porn.)  In both cases, the story of travel is almost always good.  However, there is indeed a bad and ugly side to travel, more specifically, to budget travel.

There are different styles of travel and each gives the traveler a completely different experience.  Usually, the type of style can be defined by how much money is being spent on that experience.  For example, a luxurious trip to a five star hotel in Rome will be completely different than backpacking through Southeast Asia.  That said, the following issues apply to a budget traveler and only to most places of the world, mainly to the less developed world.

The Good Travel

Travel IS good.  Although I admit, during the past 11 months, I have spent most of the time on the fence about whether or not I truly believe that.  Be forewarned, you too might find yourself questioning your sentiments on travel during your journey.  Here are my top 3 reasons why travel is good.

1.  Discovery

Travel allows you to not only discover a new physical and visual world unbeknown to you before, but it also helps you discover a new YOU within.  New talents and capabilities will begin to reveal themselves to you when put in situations you have never been before.   Understanding different cultural norms and the idioms of a language help you discover a whole new way of living.  It is a continuous journey of self discovery when you are on the road.

Sunset At Isla Del Sol In Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

2.  Maturity

After travel you will likely feel more mature around your peers during challenging situations or in depth social and political discussions.  Travel develops patience, tolerance and a greater understanding or often greater confusion of how people survive in our world.

3.  Excitement

Everyday can be different and often things are not what they seem.  Nature, people, and animals will continue to surprise you.  Mountains, markets and birds will interest you.  You can go anywhere, do anything, at anytime you please.  How much more exciting can that get?

Aracely Sky Diving

The Bad Travel

Yes, although travel is good, there is a bad side to it and no, I do not think that is a contradiction.  First, not everyone experiences the good above.  Some people are just not reflexive enough to learn or grow from their travel experiences.  In my humble opinion, that is the worst bad for travel.  There is other bad involved in travel.  Here are my 3 top reasons why travel is bad.

1.  Discomfort

If you’re from any of the developed nations and you think you know what being uncomfortable means,  “Ha, ha, I say to you!”  During your travels you will experience, and on a much larger scale, see how much discomfort can exist.  Staying in low cost hostels means you will usually not have the amenities of home.  Beds and buses are uncomfortable, communication is limited and hot water becomes your highest priority.

Riding The Bus In Panama City

2.  Confusion

Be prepared to be confused about 50% of the time.  This is especially true if you don’t understand the language and are in a country that doesn’t use much English.  Cabs lack meters, streets lack street signs and hundreds of mini buses with yelling assistants are sometimes the only means of cheap transportation.

3.  Lack of Order

It is a mad house out there!  Abroad, people are less likely to respect lines, many processes are slow and inefficient and your typically not on there, “I want to please you,” list.  It makes the US Motor Vehicle Commission look like Google headquarters.  Purchasing a plane ticket required us to pull a number from the ticket machine, sit in a lobby for 1.5 hours and then we watched the clerk shift the plastic credit card hand held machine over the carbon copy and our credit card.  This was for a major airline in Argentina.

People In Line For The Bank In Bolivia

The Ugly Travel

And yes, even though travel IS good, there still can be an ugly side.  This is the part that most blogs do not often discuss.  We bloggers mean well and as I mentioned earlier our goal is to convey to others how great travel is and to motivate the same to get out there and join us.  The harsh realities below could potentially be ugly enough to make someone want stay home and there is merit to that too.  Here are my top 3 reasons why travel is ugly.

1.  Income Distribution Gaps

While living in the state of New Jersey and working in New York City for many year, never did I ever see a homeless child or a begging child.  There are homeless, yes of course, and they are of different ages, but I do not recollect ever seeing a child (I do know they exist however).  In other parts of the world they are everywhere and in your face all the time.  For me, it was a difficult thing to “get used to” if one can ever do that.  Most of the world is poor and when we go to bed in our warm homes, we often forget that.  When you travel, you will be reminded every day.

Shoe Shinning Boy In Antigua, Guatemala

2.  Stray Dogs

There are few animal control organizations to contact when you’re traveling abroad.  You will see animals that look as though they have not eaten in months, obviously carrying disease and no positive future for them.  It’s a big problem to us, but often ignored in poor countries.

3.  Environmental Disaster

I still don’t know if this is a culture issue, a lack of resource issue, a corruption issue or all of them combined, but the bottom line is many cities do not have proper garbage collection services and just about every local litters.  We have waited at bus terminals only to watch dozens of adults, children and babies throw their trash out of the windows waiting for the bus to leave.  We have collected dozens of plastic bottles while hiking.  Local picnic spots can be identified by all the styrofoam and plastic trash that litters the grounds.  Amazing lakes such as Lake Atitlan in Guatemala are a toxic mess.  Crude oil contaminates the drinking water of Amazonian tribes.  Waters flood villages every time it rains from the logging of thousands of mountains.  Mining chemicals like cyanide flow into fishing rivers.  That’s all very serious, but on a simpler scale, try walking on the sidewalk alongside buses with no catalytic converters on their exhausts.  You will find yourself covering your face on many occasions.

Stray Dogs Sniffing Through Garbage Outside Uyuni, Bolivia

That said, budget travel is really not for everyone.  Yes, most of what we read makes it sound like travel is the ultimate experience, which it can be.  However, it is important to manage expectations and be mentally prepared for the unknown and unfamiliar during your journey.   I believe it takes a certain kind of person to step way outside of their comfort zone, leave it all behind and head out in search for the adventure of a lifetime.   And if you are not yet that certain kind of person when you begin your journey…you will either be forced to become it or return home.

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Inti Raymi Festival is the largest festival in Cusco and lasts one full week.  The festival takes place during South America’s winter solstice (June 24) and it is in honor of The Sun God which the Inca’s believed to be the most important God of all.  To be specific, the Inca’s actually worshiped the sun rays not the sun itself.

Band on Plaza de Armas

Cusco’s main plaza or La Plaza de Armas turns into a colorful and energizing party.  There are many dancers with different costumes each representing a different part of Peru’s history and culture.

Dancers at the Inti Raymi Festival

This little boy was just too cute for words and I could not stop taking photos of him.  He was walking way ahead of his group stealing the show with his bright outfit and adorable face.

Little Boy at the Inti Raymi Festival

This was another band marching down the streets of Cusco playing lively music with pride.

One of Many Bands at the Inti Raymi Festival

These women really knew how to make their dresses flow in the air as they turned their bodies to dazzle the crowd.

Female Dancers at the Inti Raymi Festival

The men in the picture were very comical with their drunken dance and cheerfulness.

Campesinos Dancers at the Inti Raymi Festival

This group of men were extremely active and expressive with their dance.  I wondered how they kept their energy up during the entire parade.

Male Dancers at the Inti Raymi Festival

Political expression also played a roll in the Inti Raymi festival in the form of floats created by different local groups.  One of the main topics depicted in the floats was the current issue with natural gas.

It was such an enriching experience being able to partake in the celebration of Inti Raymi during our visit to Cusco.

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Uyuni Salt Flats Sunrise

I think it was during the first days of our trip.  We were in Guatemala having a conversation with Andy and Paulina, another traveling couple from England, when we first heard that the Uyuni Salt Flat Tour was amazing.  Bolivia was definitely in our plans but we try not to have an itinerary more than a few days ahead so at the time, there was no to-do list for our visit to Bolivia.

While traveling for a few months and meeting more travelers making their way up from the south of South America to the north, opposite of our route, we continued to hear great things about the Uyuni Salt Flats.  The destination quickly made its way up to my top three most anticipated events of this trip. Torres del Paine National Park in Chile and the famous archeological site of Machu Picchu were the others on that list.

I was not disappointed.  Everything we heard about the Salt Flats was true; it lived up to the expectation, which does not always happen with every place.  Not only was the experience one of a kind, but our guide was very informative, we met new friendly people, saw unique and unforgettable scenery and took over 750 pictures within a four days.

I’m not going to describe the amazing scenery of this tour or what it felt like to watch the sun rise in such a unique landscape.  Instead, I need to vent about something that disturbs me very much.  I am referring to the conditions of the town of Uyuni, which is the departure point for over 60% of the salt flat tours.  Uyuni is a poorly developed and dirty town and I struggle to understand why.

Garbage Landscape As Seen Out of Our Bus Window

There is trash everywhere. As you enter Uyuni from the Salt Flats you drive by a field of garbage, and as you depart en route to Potosi, the landscape is littered with plastic bags.

Plastic bags Litter the Landscape Around Uyuni

The bags blow in the wind until punctured by the branches of the dry brush that holds onto them for eternity.  The plaza is not very inviting either and the streets and buildings look like they are on the verge of collapse.

Unuyi Town Plaza

Why does a town that yields a tremendous amount of money from tours not have trash bins on street corners or a trash collection process?  In truth, I am not shocked that a town can and does look this way.  We have been traveling through Central and South America for the last nine months and have seen many poorly developed and dirty towns, but their economic situation and lack of resources were reasonable explanations for their conditions.  No other place has confused me like Uyuni.

I am aware there are other tourist towns that have inequality and poverty gap issues.  In those cases I was able to explain or at least rationalize the disproportionate income levels of its population or their poor urban planning.  Uyuni is a different animal; an unexplainable one for me.

Piles of Trash Along the Train Tracks Leading to Uyuni

I began to obsess and started to calculate the numbers to find a reason and explanation.  I asked our guide how many vehicles visit the Salt Flats daily.  He gave me some statistics, the integrity of which I question, but for the purposes of feeding my obsession I used them to create the following conclusion.

Uyuni tour agencies generate approximately $776K US dollars of profit per year.

See details of the calculation at the end of the article.

A trash can costs about $4 US dollars.

Does this mean that not a single tourist agency in the past 20 years has taken the initiative to clean up their town?  Not even for the sake of the tourists and revenue opportunity?  Where is the money going? There were seven tourists in our Uyuni tour and Jason and I were the only ones who stayed longer than just a few hours in Uyuni.  Most people who visit the Salt Flats do not spend anytime in Uyuni.  Under the conditions of the town, I don’t blame them.

We heard that many of the tour agency owners live in the capital city of La Paz, which means the profits aren’t being spent locally.  What about the taxes?

What about the local people living in Uyuni?  Why have they not demanded that some of the money which is being generated from the tours be reinvested in their town?  Is this an education issue, or does the situation reek of political corruption?  Does anyone out there have an answer for me?

Uyuni Street Market

___________________________________________________________________

Details of Calculation

Revenue:

According to our guide Milton, approximately 60 vehicles come to the Salt Flats every day during the low season and 80 during the high season, which is only 3 months (June, July and August) of the year.  Each vehicle carries 4-6 tourist.  I used the number 4 to be conservative.  Each person pays an average of 300 Bolivianos per day for the tours.  At 80 vehicles for 90 days and 60 vehicles for 270 days (I only used 360 days for the year to allow for holidays or weather issues) paying 1,200 Bolivianos per vehicle (4 tourists x 300 each) that means that $28,080,000 Bolivianos in revenue are generated from the Salt Flats per year.  This is equivalent to $4,011,429 US dollars.

Expenses:

Obviously there are costs associated with running such an operation and I used some additional assumptions to come up with a reasonable estimate.  I know these are not completely accurate but my finance background makes me comfortable with the educated guesses.

First, I came up with the following expenses: vehicle purchase and maintenance, fuel, guide, cook, food, accommodations, and overhead (running the tourist office.)  I then applied dollar amounts to each cost. For example, I assumed that each guide is paid $100 Bolivianos per day and each cook $50 Bolivianos per day and so on.

Based on the expenses above, I estimated that the total cost to generate the previously mentioned US dollar revenue is $2,717,237 US dollars.

Profit:

This means that the aforementioned revenue and expense yields $1,294,191 USD or 32.3% of profit per year.  This is a total for all tours visiting the Salt Flats including San Pedro de Atacama, La Paz, Tupiza and Uyuni.

Previously I mentioned that 60% of the tours leave out of Uyuni.  If we then also assume that 60% of the profits are generated from Uyuni tour agencies then $776,515 US dollars are generated our of Uyuni.

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Arc de Triomphe (Arch of Triumph) in Paris, France

Ever since I can remember I have absolutely loved the idea of travel.  When I was in college I pursued a study abroad program in France and I was hooked on travel for life.  I knew then that I would do much more of it in the near future and beyond.  Nothing feels more rewarding and educational to me than experiencing a new place, language, people, food and everything that comes along with it.  My passion for travel made me want to evoke wanderlust onto others.

Travel Blogger Meet Up

The last few weeks we’ve been spending time with a few other traveler bloggers just like us.  These are people who are also traveling and sharing their experiences on-line for the world to see.  By writing, taking photos and sharing videos, we are all naturally encouraging others to travel to the places we have been or places they have always dreamed of.  The point is, the message we all have for others is to get out there and travel.

During our time together we’ve been sharing travel stories, favorite and worst places visited, itineraries and opinions.  After a few days full of conversation, I began to notice a few patterns surrounding what we were all discussing.

Travel Blogger Opinions on Travel

1. Travel is a good thing

If more people travel, the world would be a more empathetic and tolerant place.

2. Remote or less traveled places are much more enjoyable

We prefer the road less traveled, where the local culture has not been impacted by an influx of tourism.

3. Touristy destinations can be frustrating to visit

Tourism typically leads to overcrowding, a lack of culture or native peoples, aggressive sales tactics and a high risk of scams.

4. We can’t stand when situation #3 happens

I think we spent the most time complaining about places that are destroyed due to tourism.

What is the mission of 2Backpackers.com?

Dressing Up in Uros Tribe Clothing in Lake Titicaca

The more I listened to us speak the more confused I became towards my feelings of travel and its impact.  Further, I began to question our mission for 2Backpackers.com, which currently is blogging about our travels and encouraging others to follow suit.

Here we all were talking about how great travel is and how more people should do it, particularly in the United States, since we aren’t known for being world travelers.  And here we all were complaining about places that are “too touristy,” where we get bombarded by opportunistic locals wanting a piece of our gringo tourist money.

Impact of Travel - A Look At Ourselves

But aren’t we, the travelers, creating this environment?  How can we blame these locals for being opportunistic and trying to better themselves and their families?  And wouldn’t we, the travelers, ruin the local remote places we enjoy by sharing our stories with the rest of the world through our travel blogs?

Impact on the Galapagos Islands

Impact of Travel - Blue Footed Boobies on Isla de La Plata in Ecuador

It really hit home for me when we spoke specifically about the Galapagos Islands.  I was born in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands have always been a dream destination for me.  A travel blogger commented on their experience when visiting Galapagos and it shocked me to say the least.  The tour guide they had during their visit, whom was considered reputable, explained that the Galapagos Islands will likely not be here in 20 years due to the exploitation of the tourism industry and the impact it has on the natural wildlife.  Jason did some further research and found that the Galapagos Islands were indeed added to the UNESCO’s World Heritage Endangered List on June 27, 2007.

Impact of Travel - School of Fish at Isla de La Plata in Ecuador

This concept was crippling for me to hear.  I began to question my role as a traveler, an Ecuadorian and a world citizen who has never even visited The Galapagos Islands.  I regard the islands as a natural wonder and treasure on this planet.  Loosing them would be devastating to me, our human history and the future of the world as a whole.

How could I possibly visit the Galapagos knowing that me being there will essentially contribute to their destruction?  Further, how could I possibly promote others to visit them?  Is travel really a good thing?  Do I still want to devote so much energy into making others enthusiastic about seeking travel experiences?  I’ve been asking myself these questions a lot lately.

Impact of Travel - Picking Up Plastic Bottles on Isla del Sol in Lake Titicaca

Impact on Me

Honestly, I’ve yet resolve my internal conflict about whether or not I am still willing to visit the Galapagos Islands.  However, I have concluded that my message about travel to others needs to be much more focused.  I have learned that the simple message, “Travel is good for the world,” is not entirely accurate.  Too much is ignored when making such a general statement.

Travel must be environmentally responsible, socially beneficial for the host country and it should build a healthy relationship between the visitor and the host.  Personally, I believe this starts with the traveler.  In this particular case, it begins with me.

Impact of Travel - A Traveler and Blogger Reflecting

2 Backpackers - The Impact Of Travel And Blogging 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

Volcano El Hoyo Trek Campsite in Nicaragua

It’s been just 3 three months since we began our round the world journey and we now find ourselves ecstatic over the idea of a hot shower.  That leads me to write a follow-up to the original post of “What Will I Miss” written by Aracely before we began our trip.  This list excludes family and friends, which we always miss.

1.  Hot Showers

This is the top dog of things we miss.  Maybe we miss it so much because we are teased with 1 hot shower about once every 6 weeks.  Yes, it is very hot in Central America and most of South America, but if you spent most of your life with hot showers, you never forget them.  We are usually spoiled with hot showers when we travel to high elevations where the weather is much cooler.

Atop Volcano Santa Ana in El Salvador

2.  My Own Bed

Isn’t it always the greatest feeling to come home after traveling and lay down in your own comfortable bed.  Now, imagine forgetting what your own bed feels like.  That is where we are now.  Also, staying in hostels usually does not afford you a comfortable substitute.

3.  More Clothes

Everyone has their favorite clothes they wear often; this holds true even when you only have 4 outfits.  Clothes take up room, so you travel with very little.  Ever notice how we have the same shirts on throughout most of our pictures?  Take a look around.

4. Quality High-Speed Internet

We do require good internet in order to run our travel blog, network with our followers, and upload lots of videos and photos.  It’s typically not difficult finding internet, but it’s a challenge to find high bandwidth, non-intermittent access.  We were spoiled at home.

Volcano San Pedro at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala

5. Favorite TV Shows

We love comedy, therefor we miss “The Office” and “Family Guy,” our two favorite shows.  Hulu.com does not work outside of the United States, but TVShack.net does.  It still takes up to 4 hours to load before we can watch it.  We have given up on “Family Guy,” but we do our best to stay abreast with “The Office.”

6.  Familiar Restaurants, Delis and Bars

It was so easy to walk down the street in Hoboken to La Isla Restaurant for Cuban food, Filippo’s On First for pizza, Luca Brasis’s Deli for an Italian Hoagie or Maru for sushi.  You can get a beer anywhere in Latin America, which is aa big plus, but I miss Philadelphia sports being played in Mulligan’s Bar with familiar faces.

Jason Entering Panama at the Border Crossing

7.  Fully Stocked Kitchen

In order to save some cash we often buy some groceries and cook in the hostel. We have seen some sketchy kitchens.  When we find a fully stocked kitchen where we can prepare a nice meal, we look a little too excited.  A flat plan that sits level on a stove stop is success.

8.  Favorite Foods

We love to experiment with the local street foods in Latin America, although most are not very healthy.  Latin America = fried food.  People always exclaim how lucky we are to try all these great foods.  We agree, we are lucky, but we must be honest and explain that we do miss our favorites.  Aracely misses soy chips, cottage cheese and spring mix salads.  I miss hoagies, cheesesteaks, and good beef.  We both miss sushi.

A Day at the Office for Aracely

9.  Availability of all Consumer Items

Never thought we would be saying this, but where’s a Best Buy, B&H Camera or REI when you need one?  It’s tough traveling in less developed countries and wanting to upgrade your camera, computer software or camping/traveling gear.  We have been to the most developed and consumer driven areas in Central America with no success finding a decent selection of camera lenses or a backpack rain cover.  Don’t lose your travel towel, you might not find another one.

10.  Driving

We didn’t drive often while living in Hoboken since we relied on public transportation.  However, whenever we visited family in South Jersey, went big grocery shopping or on a trip, we could easily hop in our car and drive ourselves.  We haven’t driven in over 3 months and we now actually miss it.  It’s not just the feeling of driving, but also the ability to easily get somewhere if you needed to.

2 Backpackers - 10 Things We Miss While Traveling 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

Watch More Adventure Travel Videos

Get a feel for your final days at home before you travel around the world through this HD adventure travel video from 2 Backpackers, Jason and Aracely Castellani. In travel video episode #1, they capture their final preparations for their first long term backpacking trip on film.  They say goodbye to their friends from Hoboken, New Jersey one last time before leaving the United States to travel around the world. Enjoy the show!

Hoboken, New Jersey

Hoboken, New Jersey is a vibrant town just on the other side of the Hudson River across from Manhattan. Both enjoyed sharing all that Hoboken has to offer with their friends for the past 3 years, however change is good. And change for us meant changing everything we were used to.

Preparing to Travel To-Do List
How We Paid for a Year of Travel
5 Tips on Traveling as a Couple
10 Lessons Learned While Traveling

Our decision to travel around the world was made rather quickly, and also wasn’t too difficult for us. We didn’t own a house, didn’t have any debt and had saved enough money while working for over a decade. A year is still a long time to travel and in order to be able to afford it, we decided to backpack. Backpacking isn’t only budget friendly, but it’s also an incredible way to experience the culture of places you will be visiting. We will be using local transportation, couchsurfing where possible, staying in hostels and eating street food. This will be a drastic change from the posh Hoboken restaurants and weekly happy hours, but we are ready and excited for the new experience.

2 Backpackers - Leaving Home – Travel Video Ep. 1 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

Hoboken St. Patrick

Aracely and I have always preferred living in urban areas or cities.  The city offers easily accessible grocery stores, restaurants, bars, parks, museums, the arts and public transportation all within walking distance.  These are the things we enjoy and where we have spent our money over the last 3 years.  We have sacrificed the size of our home, the quality of furniture and the excitement of a cool car.  My 2003 4-door Sebring has 145,000 miles and is a little banged up; however it’s paid off and I no longer have to worry about bumper damage while parallel parking in Hoboken.  The furniture we owned, prior to the moving sale, was cheap and served its purpose well.  Our bed consisted of a mattress on the floor in a Hoboken, New Jersey 1-bedroom apartment.  These are sacrifices Aracely and I have accepted and are very content living with.

The ability to have an exciting social life has always been our primary focus.  If I am going to spend money, I prefer it to be out socializing with friends over drinks at a local Hoboken bar or restaurant.  This is why I moved to Hoboken 3.5 years ago.  Include a few adventures like skydiving, river rafting and 3-day vacations and my life is good.  Aracely cares most about vacationing in a different country each year and action adventures as well.  These are the types of memories we will cherish most at 80 years old.  These are the stories we are eager to share with friends and family.  Would you rather brag about your 10-second 1/4 mile racecar, or the new floor just installed in your kitchen?  We are all different when it comes to our own personal excitement, but it’s important to ask yourself a question like this to be certain you are doing the things you crave.  If you share your life with someone else, it’s even more important to communicate those desires often to make sure you both get what you need out of life.

Taking a yearlong trip costs a considerable amount of money.  It’s normally not an easy decision to make, but it wasn’t a real difficult one for Aracely and I either.  In February of 2009, Aracely and I were seriously looking to purchase a house in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  I spent several years working in the banking business, which has always made me fiscally conservative.  There would be no chance Aracely and I would ever overextend ourselves on a home that was too expensive for us.  Now, when we look back at the sequence of events, we are quite happy that the round-the-world trip idea surfaced before we purchased a home.  If we owned the home, I still think we would have found a way to take the trip.  Knowing what is important to both of us, the home not being high on the list, we were going to leave ourselves a financial cushion to satisfy our thirst for adventure and an active social life.

Understand what it is you value in life and revisit those values when you are making important decisions, whether they are financial or personal.

Our desire for adventure and travel combined with our debt free lifestyle, made our decision to travel long-term easy.  This is our short answer for those that ask, “What made you decide to do this?”  Your decision may not seem practical to others, but as long as it makes sense to you, who cares what anyone else thinks?

It’s a perfect time for you to recall what it is that you enjoy most in life!

Watch our HD Video: Leaving Hoboken – Episode 1

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Vacation with My Family

We have been enjoying ourselves while vacationing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with my family for the past 4 days.  It’s early Thursday morning and we are now boarding a flight to Miami, Florida to visit with Aracely’s family.  I still feel full and slightly ill from overeating and we are both confident we gained few pounds. Our decision to leave for Guatemala on August 27^th, 2009 was based primarily around vacations we already had planned with family.  We had originally struggled deciding on a departure date.  The three scenarios we created were as follows:

• Leave immediately (May), before we consider changing our minds

• Leave late August, after the booked vacations with family

•Leave towards the end of the year (2009) in an effort to accumulate more savings

After a month of debating we agreed on the second choice.  It made the most sense to us and for our families.  Our vacation was originally scheduled for a half week in Myrtle Beach with my family and a half week in Miami with Aracely’s family.  Instead of flying back to the New York area from Miami, we now have booked a flight on American Airlines to Guatemala City.

Uncle Jason Aracely and the Boys in Myrtle Beach, SC

I am trying to imagine the radical contrasts that will exist between these last 4 days and our backpacking journey.  We ate like kings, we slept like kings and we were chauffeured around like kings.  It might not seem that way today, but after a month in Guatemala, it will probably be an accurate description.  Who wouldn’t enjoy a vacation like that?  These are the vacations I am accustomed to.  We rented cars, went out for dinner and lay on the beach most of the day.

My expectations for the year long trip are based on reading and following other backpackers on-line.  That is the extent of my backpacking knowledge.  Yes, I have backpacked the Grand Canyon, but it was a tourist location where the culture was familiar to me.  Backpacking in foreign lands from city to city with no reservations doesn’t even compare.

I have enjoyed this vacation with my family very much, but its time to try something different.  It’s time to challenge myself culturally, experiencing how others around the world live.  Thanks Mom and Dad for the wonderful vacation. I am plenty fed and plenty relaxed for the long journey ahead.

2 Backpackers - My Typical Vacation 2 Backpackers - Travel around the world sharing budget travel tips, travel photos and adventure travel videos.

One week left for maintaining employment in the United States.  It is shocking and uneasy to say at the same time.  I feel like my entire adult life has been heavily focused on improving my career, making more money and being able to invest in my future and myself.  The thought of not having a job for the first time since I graduated college is frightening.  Here comes my story’s hook.  It is not frightening for me; it is frightening for those that surround me.

I am perfectly content leaving my job after 12 years of commitment.  Fortunately, I was able to attend college through supportive parents and establish, in my opinion, a successful career.  My dedication to my career will fund my trip and provide a sense of financial security.  I must admit the gear and gadgets I will be purchasing are more expensive than those I would have purchased had I done this as a gap year out of college.  There is no denying that.  There is no reason to feel guilt or irresponsible for taking an extended vacation, career break or to just search for what it is that you feel you should be doing.  Life provides us options, but only for those courageous enough to seek them out.  This is easier for me, considering I have spent the last 12 years working and saving, I don’t own a house and I am debt free.  But, it is important for you to know that there are many others that have the same desires and much less than any of us can imagine, but still seek out their dreams.

A common statement made by those that hear our story is, “I wish I could do that, but…”  The, “but” often proceeds the, “wish.”  I often keep mum and listen to their reasons they can’t do what they wish.  It is funny how people always insist on telling you the reasons.  I never ask for them, unless of course they are my close friends.  So why do people feel the need to explain?  My guess is that it is intended to provide comfort.  It is a reason one tells themselves in order to feel they have a legitimate excuse.  They thought about it rationally and made an intelligent decision.  In no way am I trying to minimize one’s reasons for not traveling.  I am speaking to those that have the means and the ability.  The problem lies with the common misconception by Americans that we have a legitimate excuse.  My intent is to have you think about your dreams and desires in an irrational way.  Dreams are not meant to be over analyzed.

Colleagues at Mercedes-Benz USA

I do not fear letting go of my job, but others close to me find it wildly unconventional, risky and even immature.  It’s a shame these views exist in our culture.  I assure you, this perception is most evident in the United States.  We focus most of our energy on our jobs or careers, leaving us very little time to enjoy life in ways we once dreamed of.  Consumerism in America has played a large role in shaping our lives, but corporate America has contributed its share too.  If we continue to work, we can continue to buy things that we have been convinced make us happy.  And the more often we work, the more the corporation benefits, especially if you are salary based.  This is the formula that has ruined work-life balance in America.  This is the formula that makes you feel guilty for taking a two-week vacation, asking for a sabbatical or not being able to buy your children a pool.  It’s the formula that spawned recent college graduates purchasing a BMW or Mercedes, families requiring obnoxiously large SUVs, gigantic diamond rings and commercials informing you of your current state of depression.  This is the America we have come to know today.

I will be the bug in the system, the anomaly that has gone array.

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Aracely receiving her vaccinations

After the decision to drop everything and go travel was made, we had to write The List.  It began as a high level to do list which has grown organically into a massively detailed inventory of what we need to take care of before leaving it all behind for the adventure of a lifetime.  If you ask me, the list is on steroids; it has grown exponentially.  One of the sections of said list (yes, it has sections), is medical related tasks.

In the medical section we list things such as: purchasing travel insurance, getting physical exams, dental checkup and my absolute favorite, immunizations—I hate needles.  I’m that girl, the one that not only turns away when getting blood drawn, but also closes her eyes, tightly.  Yeah, that’s me.

Anyway, both Jason and I made appointments with our general practitioners to get some questions answered about the medical risks of long term travel in foreign countries; they both recommended consulting a travel specialist.  Luckily, we found a great one locally in Hoboken; Dr. Messihi certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases.

During our first consultation with Dr. Messihi he interviewed us about where we were planning to visit and for how long.  We really didn’t (and still don’t) have a set itinerary but through us telling him the general regions we were planning to travel (Central & South American and Southeast Asia) he was able to suggest several immunizations.  This list was right for us, make sure you consult a doctor to find out what is right for you.

Yellow Fever

An acute viral disease transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes

Polio

An acute viral infectious disease spread from person to person, primarily via the fecal-oral route

Tetanus

Infection generally occurs through wound contamination and often involves a cut or deep puncture wound

Typhoid Fever

Common worldwide, it is transmitted by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with feces from an infected person

Hepatitis A & B

A – An acute infectious disease of the liver, which is most commonly transmitted by the fecal-oral route via contaminated food or drinking water

B – Transmission results from exposure to infectious blood or body fluids containing blood

Japanese Encephalitis

A disease transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes.  Domestic pigs and wild birds are reservoirs of the virus

Adult Vaccination Center - Dr. Messihi

This list made me cringe.  Several hours after getting the shots (in both arms) the area started to become sore and mildly swell.  This is common and it may last for several days. The soreness made it difficult for me to lift my arms and I could barely wash my hair.

He also advised us to bring Malaria pills (prophylaxis) based on our intentions to spend some time in the jungle.  Apparently, there are different types of Malaria and therefore we need different types of prescriptions.  Dr. Messihi assigned some homework for us.  We were to visit the CDC website and look up each country we are considering visiting to identify what kind of Malaria prescriptions the doctor should prescribe us.  As noted in the comment section, the best medicine for Malaria is prevention.  Limit your skin’s exposure by covering up and use insect repellent that contains DEET.  No pill offers complete protection and all contain side effects.  Again, seek a physician for proper advice and always be aware of Malaria symptoms.  We are also bringing Cipro (Ciprofloxacin), in case for when, ahem, we get travelers’ diarrhea. Sound like over kill?  Maybe it is, but honestly, I’d rather be safe than sorry, even if it does mean I have to have tons of vaccinations and prescriptions.

A word of advice

Be sure to begin this process a couple months before your trip.  Some of the immunizations require second and third dosages weeks apart.  Also, be sure to shop around for prices and definitely take advantage of your health insurance, if you have one.  A few of the immunizations listed above were covered by our employer health insurance which can save you a couple hundred dollars.

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