Laguna de la Cocha, Pasto, Colombia

Experiences that will never be forgotten

My trip had come to an end. I spent a final day in Rio de Janeiro taking in artifacts from centuries gone – records of wisdom and knowledge passed on in the form of writing on parchments and paper: manuscripts, books, maps, and photographs – and more recent explanations of the evolution of the world and humanity, our place within the cosmos, and our place here on this earth. It was a fitting way to end the trip, contemplating the future as presented at the Museum of Tomorrow. For eight weeks I had travelled from the heart of Bogota, through Venezuela, and the major cities of several other nations of South America. I visited and saw many amazing places, learned many things, not only about the countries and places I visited, but also about the world we live in, about humanity, and about myself.

Osorno, the volcano that towers over the region.

So little time, so many places to visit

There is never enough time to do justice to any country one visits; there is always more to see, to do, to learn. As visitors we can only pick and choose the main places we wish to see; even as residents, in a lifetime many will not have seen more than 10% of their native country. I was recently discussing my travels with a friend, and I realized that I have been lucky that I have been able to travel so extensively in my life. For many, travel remains a dream, for others, a horror. Yet it is important to travel, to see, even perhaps to come away with wrong impressions, because at least you will have been challenged to communicate, to participate or to simply get through another day in an environment that is not home, and even through that small exposure to the ‘different’ we learn, if not a lot, at least a little.

All living creatures, part of the natural world, below and above.

The beauty of South America

From the very first time I travelled to South America (Argentina to be exact) in the early 1990s, I had set my mind on one day returning; to explore more of the countries on the continent, and to learn more about their history, culture, and geography. If anyone were to ask me which of the cities, towns or countries I enjoyed the most, I could not give a definitive answer. Colombia has much to offer, and I was introduced to the vivacity of life in South America in its capital, Bogota. Venezuela, despite its devastating political crisis, is a beautiful country, and one I would love to spend more time in. Ecuador, although small, is home to some of the world’s most important ecological systems, including the Galapagos Islands. Where Bogota, and Colombia in general, had been my exposure to the heart of South America – lively, generous, vivacious – Peru exposed me to the continent’s spiritual side, the indigenous pre-hispanic cultures and histories, the massive monuments and citadels of civilizations that existed long before they were destroyed by European invaders, but also to the continent’s more recent literary culture. The grand vistas and barrenness of Bolivia’s Uyuni gave pause to my forward momentum. On the wide expanse of near nothingness, I felt small, infinitesimally so. Yet at the same time, even here life existed, despite the harshness of the climate, and it was a lesson: no matter how difficult the conditions, there are ways to survive.

Engineering feat

The cosmopolitan nature of Chile and her cities is balanced by magnificent natural vistas and wilderness – from the mineral rich yet barren north, to the snow-capped volcanoes of the South, this country is perhaps the least ‘South American” in nature, if such a generalization may be used, but it still beats to the heart of the continent. Having travelled along the west coast, I crossed over to the east coast and the sultry moods of Argentina; lively, cosmopolitan, fabulous food and an energy all its own. From Bariloche to Buenos Aires, this nation has so much to offer, and so much more to explore. In Brazil I once again felt the heat and pulsating vibe of South America that I had experienced in Bogota. I had come full circle, crossing a continent from north to south and west to east. Yet it is not proper to sum up what Brazil is simply based on experiences in the south and the cities of Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro; there is much more to be explored and discovered in this huge country, and that is perhaps the reason why I left when I did – I would have needed at least another month to do even minimal justice to the exploration of this nation, and I simply had run out of time.

Already at 4,500 meters, trying for that altitude record

Friendships that will last a lifetime

I hope that you have enjoyed the stories I have posted here about South America, and that some were at least somewhat informative, or if not, at least a bit entertaining or fun to read. Each person experiences travel in a different way, and every visitor who has been to the places I have presented here will remember their experience differently, or in more detail. That is what travel is all about, learning, seeing, experiencing, and growing, each in our own way. Throughout the entire trip, I met some amazing people, people who generously hosted me as a guest in their homes, people who took this stranger travelling on his own from town to city simply because they were going in the same direction and could be of help. I made many new friends, and I know those friendships, even though we may not speak for weeks, months or years, will be friendships that last a lifetime. I thank each and every one of you for your kindness, generosity, and friendship. I hope that someday I will be allowed to reciprocate.

Heading for the mountains