Senorita Racheal

The trip is beginning to get very exciting. The spectacular mountains and misty green scenery are multiplying. Llama and alpaca sightings are becoming the norm as we approach the modern city of Cusco, surrounded by ancient cities, abandoned and lost for centuries. PK, Pierre and I left Arequipa on a night bus. Our method for choosing the best bus for us was to walk to the first counter at the bus station (out of what seemed like hundreds) and when we were quoted a surprisingly low price we agreed without hesitation. Hesitation would have probably been a good idea. So it seems the price to quality ratio on South American buses pretty much correlates. When we paid less than $15 for our 12 hour journey, why weren't the alarm bells a-ringin'? In the case that you ... read more

Somewhat sad to leave Cartagena, we arrived at the airport nice and early and excited to be heading to Bogota. The airline decided to put us on an early flight so we literally walked straight on to the plane which was great and also meant an early arrival into Bogota. My first impression of Bogota was that it wasn´t so bad after all. I felt perfectly safe walking around this modern and stunning city that sprawls across a valley and up the surrounding mountains. My second impression of Bogota was: I am only 23, why can´t I walk up four stairs without wanting to die?!? At an altitude of 2600m, Bogota does leave the first day tourist a little out of breath. It didn´t stop us from jam-packing our days though. The first day we checked ... read more

It was fortunate timing that I should arrive in Scotland towards the end of the Edinburgh festival. I had a one night stay in this fabulous city before heading up to Anstruther for Elgar the Great’s wedding. Endinburgh is a young and exciting city, and most importantly, it is very Scottish. Most large European cities do not invoke a feeling unique to the country in which it is situated. Dublin especially didn’t feel particularly Irish, and many parts of Barcelona just felt like any other European city (although I did love it!). But being in Edinburgh, I was acutely aware of the fact that I was indeed in Scotland. From Edinburgh Castle which looms over the entire city, to the enthusiastic kilt-clad bagpipers on virtually every street corner, this city is proud to stand out. Being ... read more

Welcome to the worst train ride of my entire life. After getting around the US on the Amtrak - a smelly, but very comfortable journey with big seats that recline, I thought a train from Paris to Berlin would be just the ticket. I was bitterly mistaken. I was squashed on bench seats in a miniscule cabin, shared with five other people and a guinea pig for 12 unbearable hours. I was fortunate enough to get one or two hours sleep, albeit with an exceptionally large French woman asleep on my leg. I was awfully relieved to arrive in Berlin. To put it nicely, Berlin is an ugly city. It is true that there are some lovely buildings and parks, but Berlin suffers from the 50s and 60s architecture that plagues this otherwise great city. It ... read more

Yes, I am well aware that for the same price I could have seen some fantastic destinations around Europe, but instead I parted with my hard earned pounds to purchase my passage on the fine National Express to get a better look around the Mother country. Well I daren’t call England my home and not get a decent look at it, although I am sad to admit a great number of English people do. First was a weekend in Portsmouth to farewell a very good friend who I have been fortunate enough to spend a great deal with in fun Brum as well as Barcelona. What can I say? All the hostels in Brighton were booked out and I hadn’t seen the ocean for an uncomfortably long time. What a lovely town Portsmouth is. I ... read more