Well, I guess this it it. After 6 weeks of collecting unforgettable experiences, our trip comes to an end. With mixed feelings I go home. On the one hand, I am glad to come to Europe again. On the other hand, I will miss the amicable chaos and the slight lack of efficiency and organisation that makes South America so interesting. Our journey through this continent ranged into some extremes: we had freezing -10 as well as boiling 35 degrees, we had altitudes of 0m up until 4700m. And, of course, we were travelling in winter and summer, sometimes even on the same day. ;-)
What I can't confirm are the horror stories heard in the news. All the fear about a ruthless ghetto of violence was wiped away once we came here. I am particularly happy to say that everything you have heard about Colombia (the most "dangerous" country on our trip) is only half the truth nowadays. It might have been worse when the previous generation was young, but it's not as bad as everybody was telling me. Be aware that with the news cast, a small brainwash is included for free - don't belierve everything the media tells you. Of course I don't want to negate the fact that South America is more dangerous than Europe - this is not to be denied. I just ask you to be careful, not paranoid. If you go there, you soon realize that not every South American wants to rob/rape/kill but rather help you in their incredibly friendly and loveable ways. Jump over your shadow and see for yourself. You won't regret it.
Another thought that I developed while travelling: in Europe, we should be so happy for what we have! Not every country is as prosperous as the regions in Middle Europe. Still, people are not really content back home. Please take it exactly as I say when I give you this advice: just stop complaining and enjoy your life! It's as simple as that.
Furthermore, I have crafted two lists. The first includes, but is not limited to the things which were lost on the way:
- cap
- towel
- two bottles of water
- hygiene
- many stereotypes
- strictly European ways of thinking
- disinterest in books
- watching sunset over Rio de Janeiro from the Sugar Loaf
- sitting on the beach on Ilha Grande, warming at the bonfire, listening to music
- making a weird bet on my birthday
- partying in Brasília in the most awesome Couchsurfing location ever (a big house just for ourselves)
- crossing the Brazilian-Bolivian border in the middle of nowhere in a truly adventurous way
- biking on the Bolivian "death road"
- staying overnight on the island "Taquile" of Lake Titicaca
- enjoying the vibrant city life of Cusco
- seeing the sunrise over Machu Picchu
- visiting a salt cathedral just outside of Bogotá
"Travel, in the younger sort, is part of education; in the elder, part of experience."
So much for now,
Martin
-going back to Europe
1 comments:
Really nice lists - sums it up pretty well! Just one correction: we even experienced -200m of altitude in the salt cathedral ;-)
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