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The last stop I decided to spend the last week of my trip in Buenos Aires starting to wind down and prepare myself for the transition back home. A great week in a great city. Made some new friends, ate delicious food, and heard some fantastic tango music. Everyone should experience the magic of Buenos Aires at least once in their life. It has been quite the journey when I reflect back on all the amazing experiences I have had over the past few months. Everyone told me before I left that I would go through much self reflection and discovery... and they were right, even though I doubted it at the time. I have learned to appreciate other cultures in a new way- and I especially have so much respect for anyone who can ... read more

Just to give a quick background on what this glacier thing really is (since I didn´t understand all of it before I got there) From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perito_Moreno_Glacier "The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of only three Patagonian glaciers that are not retreating. Periodically the glacier advances over the L-shaped "Lago Argentino" ("Argentine Lake") forming a natural dam which separates the two halves of the lake when it reaches the opposite shore. With no escape route, the water-level on the Brazo Rico side of the lake can rise by up to 30 meters above the level of the main lake. The enormous pressure produced by this mass of waters finally breaks the ice barrier holding it back, in a spectacular rupture event. This dam/rupture cycle is not regular and it naturally recurs at any frequency between ... read more

I made it! I made it, I made it, I made it! All the way down to Buenos Aires. Arriving to Argentina was exhilerating and such an accomplishment after all I have been through with this silly broken ankle. I felt a strange sadness to leave Central America and the safety and connections that I felt there. So odd to say that I actually missed the *safety* of Central America, isn´t it? BUT, if I thought Panamá City was a big city, I really wasn´t prepared to conquer just how HUGE Buenos Aires is. When you pass over it in the plane, it just keeps on going and going and going... A little overwhelming- all the people, the endless supply of restaurants, cafes, and shopping. It has a feel like Paris, just like everyone says. ... read more

So yes, the border crossing really was as crazy as I had heard it would be. When I arrived at the crossing between Costa Rica and Panamá I couldn´t believe that you actually had to walk over this plank bridge from Costa Rica to get to the immigration office on the Panamá side. Basically, the bus drops you off on one side, and then you pick up a different bus on the other side. Who thought of that idea? There were tons of people making crossing as I hobbled with my crutches and a lot of concentration very, very, very carefully across the bridge Add to the picture a few large trucks inching up behind me as Hendrik kept yelling a jesting "hurry up". Think about that scene in Stand By Me and then add ... read more

I think this will be the title of my first travel book. I am getting around just fine these days. Not much exciting stuff to report, but have posted a few new photos of Granada and some of my travel friends from Australia. It is so nice to meet people, hang out for a few days- but then you have to say goodbye, which is never fun! Plan is to head through Costa Rica in next few days and make my way to the Carribean Coast by bus. Meeting Jen Cocohoba- a friend from San Francisco in Panama at Bocas del Torro for a few days, then on to Panama City and finally flying to Buenos Aires March 31st. Should be interesting to travel by myself by bus through 2 border crossings, but I have made ... read more