South America Adventures

12/04/2023

Hola todos,

I haven’t wrote my last blog yet but it’s coming.. I have been focusing on being in the moment and soaking up my last few weeks on this amazing continent. I will miss it. The people, the nature, the passion,the new music I have discovered and all the lessons it has taught me. I helps me to know I will be coming back, I don’t know when but I will.

For me travelling means often being out of your comfort zone, accepting what is in the given moment. I am looking forward to being able to get on a bus and know roughly where I will be going, who I will meet at the end of the journey. Having a full fridge and not worrying about what or where I will eat that day. Being able to share moments with friends and family more frequently is something I am very much looking forward to.

I climbed a mountain yesterday, initially there was arrows leading the way, but then they disappeared. Often we have given directions of how we should live, what we should be, but only we are responsible for our own path. We can change it if we really want. If we take time and listen to what lights us, inspires us and bring those things into our everyday then hopefully we will feel happy and content.

The path with no arrows is a hard one and you will inevitably get lost, frustrated, tired, and even fall down but you get back up because the next day there is another sun and another moon to greet us. You get stronger, wiser eventually you reach the top and it’s a great feeling. Then you come back down again (sometimes with a bump) and find another mountain to climb and so it seems to continue…

This was written sat on a warm rock watching the sunset in Guatavita Colombia.

26/02/2023

Part 1: Hola all, a tad overdue but here goes! Luckily I wrote some bullet points to help me along the way in my journal a week or so ago! I'd actually first like to share with you one of my 5 things a day that I sometimes write in my journal.

1. A hot shower to warm up early in the morning (I'm not always in hot places)!
2. Scrambled eggs with oregano- memories of a Cusco cafe in Peru
3. Dogs lying on the pavement (they're everywhere)
4.Hot chocolate and cookie
5.Writing my journal and feeling better.

I shared this as it is often not about the long term goals but about enjoying the every day, and the little things that are important. Feeding ones senses. For example in my 5 things there seems to be touch, taste, smell, vision and something creative for the mind-mental health and body (writing my journal).

I really believe that we need these inputs throughout our daily life to stay well. Movement is integral to our mental health, some people may need more of than others. Our life can be so sedentary and we hold stress in our if our body's don't move the stress won't go away.

Part 2: Written 2 weeks later! Unfortunately I have forgotten my journal with all my notes in! After Temuco I headed to Valdivia for a couple of days. Where I learnt to make pasta in the microwave, found a big lake full of lilies, drank pisco sours..also had such a mission getting money out which was very stressful as I had a bus to catch!

I then headed to my Workaway which involved camping for 12 days and helping out in a big vegetable garden, feeding dogs, cats, chickens, making mulch, watering fruit trees, planting seeds, making kombucha and rescuing unwanted fruits from the market to make jams. I met Luca there (a Swiss chilean) guy who'd I had met in Valdivia and we hung out together which was nice! Here i went for regular sea swims it was fun having to make a fire before having a bit shower! I left a little earlier than planned but it turned out well in the end!

I really want to write about my time in Pichilemu Chile. I arrived there after a long night bus journey and had booked myself into an air bnb for three nights. I was tired, hungry, hot and grumpy! The owner gave me some toast and some of her homemade jam which was lovely. I immediately had a bath in the smallest of baths with a cuppa, slept a little then went out to explore the town. I ordered a burger in a place and thought I would try the Chilean salad with it-which now I know is tomato,raw onion (which I hate) and coriander so that made me happy...not!

It's crazy on reflection what can make our break your day, especially when your tired. Something as little as raw onion! Or a smile from a stranger; I guess it makes me realise however down/angry your feeling you never know the impact your behaviour might have on someone's day. after the air b n b I stayed at horrible place that smelt of feet and was super claustrophobic...But then I popped into this hostel to see if they had any English books I could swap and it was so so nice!

So nice, that I ended up staying 10 days, sharing beautiful times with the people there. Cooking, going for beach walks, exploring the city and just hanging out together. I also got to paint a mural on one of they're walls which I loved doing. It was sad to leave but I felt renergised. The highlights have to be going to a talk on cochayuyo (a seaweed used in local cooking). Talking to Facu (an Argentinean guy) who makes the most amazing creations from wood, getting a spontaneous hug from one of the children that was staying at the hostel. And of course sharing delicious food together. The time spent here felt even sweeter because of the harder times I had had before.

Part 3: After Pichilemu I got on a flight to Cartahena, Columbia.Well I almost didn't! As I didn't know you had to prove you had an outgoing flight to
get on the flight! So after buying a flight to La Paz -Bolivia (for March) I got my on flight! I stayed at a hostel in Cartahena and then the next day my friend Ashleigh and her sister came!

We spent 2 nights in Cartahena drinking cocktails and eating yummy food. Then we headed to the Rosario islands (Isla Grande) for 5 nights which is where Pablo Escobar had one of his many holiday homes. We actually came across it on a walk exploring the island. There was a Colombian family living in its ruins using the swimming pool to wash their clothes. We went snorkelling and saw many different types of fish and even swam through a shoal of millions of fish. It was so lovely to have familiar people to hang out with!

Back at the hostel in Cartahena we met an awesome French lady of 71 years old travelling around South America solo, she was so full of what I think the French call 'joy de vive' joy of life. What an inspiration!

After getting horrible food poisoning for a couple of days, and not being able to sleep I headed to Minca a hippy town in the mountains. My hostel was up a super steep hill, it was so hot with no fan! I hardly slept again by this point I wanted to get on the next flight home! However, highlights have to be Valentine's morning hugs with the hostel dog, being able to make tea and eating overnight oats for breakfast and a bumpy ride on a moto-taxi to a waterfall.

I'm aware this is turning into a long essay, but I wanted to write about where I am now, this beautiful beach town called Palomino. I've had some chilled days getting over a cough and cold. I went to a local dog sanctuary and helped out with some dog hydrotherapy in the local river. I also had the chance to paint their cafe menu and hang out with the dogs for a few hours yesterday which was just gorgeous! It felt good to be able to give something back and to be creative!

Today I am heading to a hostel near Tyrona national park and meeting up with an English girl I met in Cartahena which will be nice. Then I head to Barranquila to stay with a Colombian lady and her daughter to teach her some English conversation for a couple of days. After that I head to Guatape for 4 nights and after a flight to La Paz Bolivia where I'm meeting my friends Lyndsey and Damian!

Well thank you for reading- details of the dog shelter and their PayPal link is here if you'd like to donate: dogshelter palomino. Until the next time keep well and sending you all lots and lots of love!

02/01/2023

We are an organic farm and permaculture project located a few meters off the coast in Huelmo, about 45 minutes south west of Puerto Montt, Chile. We work with biodynamic and permaculture techniques in various aspects and have free-ranging chickens, ducks foraging on the beach, a horse, dogs, and a g...

02/01/2023

Well here I am again, 2nd January I can´t really believe it! I have just had my second breakfast after pizza and a cup of mint tea in bed! I had porridge with banana and coconut milk, with a cup of coffee- with coconut milk in it. Don´t knock it until you try it, seriously its so good! Fancy that straight onto writing about food already!

I am currently staying in a hostel in Pucon which is an awesome little town with lots of active volcanos around! For New Year´s eve I climbed a crazy high mountain (it took 9 hours in total). The views were stunning, however I realized I am not a steep hill trekker- give me a flat walk around a lake/by the sea any day! I did manage to last until 2am, I went to the streets of Pucon to celebrate with the locals which consisted of dancing, fireworks, silly string, party poppers galore! The next day I went to some geothermal springs, which was needed as I am still achy EVERYWHERE!

I would like to do these blogs in some kind of logical order, however those who know me, know my brain doesn’t work like that so this is free flow.

So the English kids camp was awesome- I only ended up doing 6 days there in total, as I sacked off one of my shifts to go to the beach. Which turned out to be the best decision ever, mainly because it was crazy hot that week. But also because I spent it with Adrian my perfect travel buddy. We cooked together, swam, ate massive empanadas and went to his friend’s psytrance house party. Also we met his lovely friends a couple that have started an educational company who teach kids about recycling through circus skills! They work with psychologists and kids from low income backgrounds too- my kind of people! On this trip we went and looked around an abandoned military school which had some awesome graffiti. It´s times like this I am so grateful for knowing a local- as it gives such a different perspective on the country. I ended up spending 3 weeks living with Adrian and his two boys in Palermo Buenos Aires, which was fun apart from when they climbed on us and often sat on our heads in the mornings! Finally I left, which as super hard as we´d established some kind of routine and it was so nice to have a cupboard to put my clothes. I think the main attraction however was the full cupboard of vegan food, sharing and cooking together!

So I left, heartbroken but excited for the next adventure. Destination Bariloche, (an Argentinian town known for skiing in the winter and trekking in the summer). I stayed in a lovely hostel on the 10th floor of an apartment block for 4 nights. I swam in the lake a couple of times, and went on some nice walks. It was a perfect location to process the last few weeks, and think about what was to come.

I think people have a perception of travelling being easy, but it´s an emotional rollercoaster (as life generally is). It seems like on the road the highs are really high and the lows can be low. Journaling has helped, and I find taking time for myself in the mornings – I am pretty sure I have mentioned this before. But relaxing music, meditation and yoga are my go to self-care activities. And in saying this they are just doing yoga on the grass in the front of the hostel so I am going to join right now....

Yoga outside in the wind and cold is always a challenge, but it feels so good to stretch! For Christmas I went to stay with a lovely family- Ruth is the daughter of my parent’s friends from Niton- Isle of Wight. She is married to a Chilean man called Benja and they have two gorgeous kids Abi and Mati. I immediately felt welcome in their home. Mati kindly gave up his room for me, such a luxury having a room to myself! I made nut roast with Abi for Christmas eve dinner (they celebrate Christmas more on this day). On Christmas day it was 36 degrees! Likely they had a pool which was very needed! I had lots of fun playing and painting with the kids and teaching them how to play frizbee! It was also great to talk with Ruth about the locals of my parent’s village- it almost felt like I was at home!

After a week in Temuco with the family I hopped on a bus to Pucon where I am currently. Tomorrow who knows…. I hope to have a couple of days by the beach before heading to my Workaway which is on an Eco Farm which grows fruit and veggies near Puerto Montt see link for more details: https://www.workaway.info/es/host/617714845721

After 2 weeks there I head up to Santiago and onto a flight to Cartagena where I meet my friend Ashleigh and her sister for 10 days of exploring the coast. I am really looking forward to seeing a familiar face from home!

So that´s it for now, much love from Chile to you all. ###

We are an organic farm and permaculture project located a few meters off the coast in Huelmo, about 45 minutes south west of Puerto Montt, Chile. We work with biodynamic and permaculture techniques in various aspects and have free-ranging chickens, ducks foraging on the beach, a horse, dogs, and a g...

23/11/2022

Hola todos,

It seems hard to believe that another month has passed by. I am currently on my way back to Buenos Aires from Uruguay. It has been a good couple of weeks and I feel ready for the city hustle and bustle again. The unknown only seems daunting because you haven't experienced it yet. I feel blessed to have met some lovely people whom I've shared beautiful moments with. I will share a few of these with you.

But first I want to acknowledge that we can also spend great times alone and with ourselves. In this modern era of technology it's so important to sit and just be. Be still and accept the moment for what it is and learn from it. Yoga, meditation and dancing play an important role in my life.I don't do this daily but when I do I notice a change in my approach do the day ahead; my favourite has to be a morning walk up to a high point and sitting quietly with a mother and daughter donkeys. I have been cooking lots of different food and have loved sharing people's joy that they get from this.

Being welcomed with open arms to a beachside hostel in La Pedera the owners staying mi casa es su casa was such a joy. I loved getting in the sea and it was great to have a travel buddy Anna too! Unfortunately not all is hunky dory all of the time- for example rolling around on in the grass with the gorgeous dog was great at the time but at least 2 weeks of intense itching followed! Fleas- I had over 100 bites at one point!

I also had a very short lived romance, short but sweet you could say...we went to reggae gigs together, danced, cooked, baked cakes, sat in the park, communicated with minimal words. But it was not the right time, I did however get an incite into alot of people's lives here in South America which I will share with you below. Warning it's quite sad!

Sauls Story- Saul was brought up by grandparents due to mum not wanting him, he is from Caracas Venezuela. He has experienced social unrest and war all his life. Moved to Argentina on his own to 'have a better life' 4 years ago now. No true friends here due to difficulty forming trusting relationships. Saul is estranged from the rest of his family. Unfortunately he was bullied in his previous job due to lots of racism here towards outsiders. His mother continually hassles him for money- he also works 3 hours in the evenings doing food deliveries (as well as full time) so he can send money to her.

His grandad died 5 years ago, grandma has advanced dementia and is cared for in Venezuela. Saul is unable to go back home as his passport has run out, getting a temporary one can take a long time due to the current state of the bureaucracy systems in Venezuela. I'm unsure why I am sharing this with you, perhaps it's to give perspective. One of the reasons I love to travel is to hear people's stories and it sure makes me appreciate what I have back at home. On the plus side Saul loves music, playing the saxophone cooking, skating, biking, running and doing crazy handstands! He takes great peace in Jah the god of rasterafiism. I hope somehow that I helped him by cooking for him, sitting by his side whilst he cried and making him laugh.

Life is full of moments, and the best of them are short. The downs make the ups even more sweet- a quote that I believe was sent from my late friend Sophie- no rain, no rainbow.

Well, back to more positive moments now back in BA and writing this in a cafe. I went to Tigre with my friend Adrian over the weekend and it was just what I needed, we swam in the river, chilled, cooked yummy food and had a good time.

I also went out for dinner with a lovely couple I'd met in Uruguay, I had forgotten how good it is to see a familiar face when travelling! I have recently been enjoying a hostel which has a swimming pool and the neighbourhood of San Telmo which is chilled and arty. As for what's and where's next it remains to be seen. I have a trial shift at an educational English kids camp next week, which sounds intense but fun. It's a medieval theme! I am exploring workaways on the beach for Christmas/New Year but am starting to wonder if I have left it too late. I have thrown lots of balls in the air and seeing which one falls in my hands!

As always sending so much love to you all and miss you lots!

Melissa

13/10/2022

Hola todas!

Well, it is hard to believe I have been in Buenos Aires almost one month. I feel like I am just getting into the swing of city life and I am leaving! I have been working in a hostel mainly checking people in/out and answering questions all in Spanish which has been a big challenge! I was pretty ill with a chest infection when I arrived and it took a long time to get over it. I think because the air here is pretty polluted which didnt really help.

I always forget how hard it is to adjust to a new country- simple things like getting a Sim card or working out the best way to exchange your money. It is a challenge and I do like a challenge usually... but not when you feel ill and dont understand much of the language and keep getting lost because the bulidings are so so tall! It has got easier and I keep reminding myself to trust the process! I have recently made some Argentinian friends here and suddenly the city seems a lot smaller and less overwhelming.

I have been exploring the local parks and have tried Mate (a traditional Argentinian herbal drink). The other volunteers at the hostel are really lovely and the manager of the hostel cooked for us all one night which was really nice of her-we then played bingo and Uno afterwards which was pretty hard to do in Spanish!

I recently went to a place called Tigre which was so lovely-I asked if I could hang out with this French couple for the day which was really nice. I got my nature and dog fix for a little while. As I write this I am listening to Argentinian reggae whilst being on the hostel reception. I had the chance to see two reggae bands, one a Venezuelan Bob Marley tribute band and the other a guy called Maxi Vargas. I then went to a psych trance gig the next day- it was so much fun I have found a new genre of music that I love! There was yoga and a cold pool to swim in which was great as it was so hot. I also tried a drink made from artichokes and mixed with grapefruit juice it was really yummy! Foodwise has been interesting for those of you who know me well, know that I love food and I was worried about being vegan out here, but it is easy now I know where to go, and I even went to had a vegan BBQ the other day!

As I write I am not sure where my feet will take me next- there is a possibility of some farm work in Uruguay but before that I am going to treat myself to a 2 night stay at an apartment in a nice bit of the city which has a bath- I cannot wait! I have been doing yoga and meditation fairly regularly in the mornings up on the hostel roof- which is not the most relaxing of places but there is space to be alone which I have been craving. I also have been putting in my headphones and dancing up there too which has been fun!

I have been seeking out bits of nature in this city and sitting on the grass in barefoot in the parks when I can and being mindful to notice the little things (some of which you can see here). There is a chapel courtyard here which has such a calming atmosphere and good coffee! Well until next time and thank you to all of you have messaged me recently I appreciate you and love you all lots.

Ciao for now!