Update #34 – Summary of South America

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Machu Picchu (PERU) - 043
Machu Picchu – PERU

Dec. 23/12 – We managed to travel to a total of 7 countries and 16 cities in South America over the last 3 months.  I feel so privileged to have such an amazing experience with Deon.  We learned so much throughout this journey and there is no doubt that all our “Q” levels have been raised –  AQ (Adversity Quotient), BQ (Backpacking Quotient), EQ, IQ, and SQ (Social Quotient).

I am convinced that TRAVELLING is definitely the one thing that we can buy that will make us richer…. 🙂

When I looked at the photos we took over the last 3 months again, I smiled and said to myself, “I can’t believe we could actually do backpacking on a budget and live in hostels for that long.”  YES!  We totally stayed within that $100 budget up to the end of our trip too.  I have overcome my inner fears of not being able to survive on tightened belt.  The greater thing is that I challenged myself even further beyond my comfort zone this time.  I know our self-esteem has been raised since we made it this far.  I know we are a different person today than when we left home 3 months ago.  I know our vision has widened by some degrees by now.

Iguacu Falls (Brazil side) - 09
Iguazu Falls (Brazil side)

The journey over the last 3 months made me laugh and made me cry.  I experienced joy and loneliness.  But overall, I feel very blessed today as both Deon and I are safe and healthy and waiting excitedly in the Lima airport lounge to go home to spend Christmas with my family and close friends whom we think of very often.  I want to thank Deon and all the amazing people that I have encountered along the way for helping me make this journey one I will never forget….

Iguazu Falls (Argentina Side)
Iguazu Falls (Argentina Side)

Among many things I learned over the last 3 months, I will never forget these 2 things:

1.     If you are really hungry, you will eat anything.  I can’t believe I am now eating raw tomatoes, different kinds of cheese, celeries, raw red peppers, raw green peppers, avocados and even things that looked totally foreign or seemingly unpalatable to me at first.  I think I’ve finally overcome the attitude of not eating something that doesn’t “look” interesting to me.

2.     When you are tired, you will fall asleep anywhere.  I’d fallen asleep in environments that I never would have imaged I could when I was back at home.

With the realization of just these 2 things alone, I’ve come to appreciate and understand that everything we have in our everyday life are all just privileges or bonuses …

Here are 3 pieces of advice for those that plan to visit South America:

1.    1. If you don’t speak any Spanish, then do yourself a favor by investing $5.99 in an app to your Iphone called “Jibbigo” or get yourself a translator that works even when there is NO wi-fi.

2.    2. Have this mindset “Always expect the Unexpected” in South America.  LOL

3.    TIME and EFFICIENCY is not a high value here so get used to not expecting it nor aiming for it if you don’t want to frustrate yourself after you get here.

World's largest swimming pool - CHILE
World’s largest swimming pool – CHILE

 

Originally posted on Amy’s travel blog:  TravelwithAmy.ca

2 thoughts on “Update #34 – Summary of South America

  1. I am really impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this some sort of a template or is this an original concept? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.

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