Category: Uncategorized
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The W Trek
On December 2nd, we started the ever-coveted W Trek in Torres Del Paine National Park. Torres is known to some as the “most beautiful national park in the world,” and therefore, it can be quite difficult to get reservations. Fortunately, we got pretty lucky and were able to reserve a 5 day, 4 night trek…
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The Carretera Austral – pt 2
Waking up in O’Higgins, we decided to do a short hike close to town that came highly recommended. It was called La Bandera, and it was supposedly short but quite steep for the first mile. We ended up hiking about 1,500 ft of vertical across the first mile, up to the bandera (the flag), and…
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The Carretera Austral – pt 1
Since I last wrote, we have done a LOT. So much that I have gotten very behind on this blog … so I am going to go back to what we did after San Pedro de Atacama – flew to Puerto Montt and began driving the Carretera Austral, AKA the Southern Highway. We spent two…
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San Pedro de Atacama
We just spent 5 days in the desert! We need water and lotion 😂 The Atacama desert is the driest desert in the world, receiving only 5 millimeters of rainfall annually on average. There are some parts of the desert that have never gotten ANY rain. I didn’t even know this was possible, and people…
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Machu Picchu!
One of the highlights of the trip so far was most definitely hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We spent 4 days and 3 nights with a tour group, via Alpaca Expeditions, with the last day ending in a visit to Machu Picchu. Alpaca Expeditions is a locally and indigenously-owned tour group, so our…
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End of chapter 1
The sun has set on our time in Cusco. Hard to believe the first segment of our trip is over … I feel reminded to cherish every moment because this trip will be over before we know it! Since I last wrote, Jay has gotten to enjoy some Cusco culture, including salsa lessons, eating dinner…
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Time flies
Wow – how has it already been about 2 1/2 weeks since I arrived in Peru? I can’t believe how fast everything is flying by. I am trying to soak up every moment. I will try to share some highlights since the last time I wrote! Haley and I got 4 new roommates in the…
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*almost* one week in Cusco
What a week it has been! Things have definitely picked up speed. On Monday, I started volunteering. I volunteer from 8-12 at a government-run health center that serves an average of 50 patients per day. This week, I have been assisting in the lab; checking patients in, collecting blood and urine samples, completing paperwork, and…
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2 good days
Wow. So far I have been absolutely blown away by Cusco’s beauty, the kindness of its people, and the simplicity of the lifestyle. Cusco is filled with Incan architecture, art, and history. Everywhere you turn there is a museum, cathedral, local artist, or street art. When you drive just minutes outside the city, you encounter…
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And so it begins
I have officially arrived in Cusco! Woo!! I spent last night in a hotel in Lima and flew into Cusco this morning. I was a little nervous as it was my first time traveling solo, but everything went smoothly. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my accommodations through the volunteer program are a…
Nuevo Ritmo 