When you’re backpacking, it’s obvious that you make sacrifices to accustomed lifestyle choices and personal luxuries. You need to stay on budget and stay away from Starbucks and your regular morning coffee. But, wait. There is no Starbucks. Nor is there Best Buy, Borders, nor Dasani Water. What is this place?
Less then one hour drive from La Paz, Bolivia is Death Road (El Camino del Muerte) which is claimed to be the worlds most dangerous road. Estimates show there has been over three hundred deaths since the road has opened. Along the road there are several religious Christian crosses saying ‘In Memory Of’. It starts at 4,700 meters high dropping to about 2,000 meters stretching about 70km in length with a 3300m decent in altitude. What exactly makes this road so dangerous though?
Teresa and I have recently went on a three day tour starting in Uyuni, Bolivia and passing through the many attractions in the surrounding area including Salar de Uyuni, Laguna Verde, hot springs, and lots of the beautiful nature Bolivia has to offer in the south. After going to about 6 different agencies,we had found that nearly all gave around the same price and could only bargain a small amount if possible. Most tours pass by the same exact places as well. After three days, we found all agencies failed to mentioned a few things.
First of all, for some, the thought of traveling to Nicaragua is unsettling. A third world country ravaged by war in the 70’s and 80’s, the second poorest country next to Haiti in the western hemisphere, and political corruption. However, the thought of backpacking in Nicaragua takes on a whole new vision.
As travelers, we have the option of bringing our portable electronics. In our daily lives, cell phones, iPods and laptops are attached to the hip. Recently, I wrote about how technology is taking over the Backpacking world. On my recent trip to Barcelona, I encountered the vigorous battle against technology. Getting lost in a city without Google Maps or Unlimited iPhone Data.
As of October 7th, 2009; bars and clubs in Buenos Aires Province must stop serving alcohol at 4:30am while the venue itself must close by 5:30am. Supermarkets and liquir stores have also been effected with a no buying from 9:00pm till 10:00am.
My friend Steve is currently teaching English in South Korea. I’ve been interested lately in doing the same and thought I’d email him for some tips. The email response back was way better then I had expected. I’ll let his email take over: