For all of you that said we were crazy for going to South America, that it was dangerous, that we shouldn´t trust anyone, this is a tribute to the incredible South Americans we have met in our travels. Rachel and I have been the recipients of so much kindness and help from people whom we could never repay. Many times we would have been lost or in some trouble without their help. I would like to introduce you to a few people we have met who blessed and inspired us. Giamba is an increbily humble sculptor we met in Yepeyu, Argentina. [View Full Entry]

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We are leaving today! We have been in Lima, the capital of Peru, for the last couple of days. We are staying in a very wealthy area here and it feels as though we aren´t even in Peru! There are American stores everywhere, including Starbucks and Tony Romas, BMW cars, very few street vendors, and less amigos greeting us with a buenos dias. The city is incredibly divided between the extremely wealthy and poor, and it is a stark reminder of the reality here in South America. Easter Sunday was spent waking up at 4:30 a.m. to watch the procession of [View Full Entry]

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For any of you who know Rachel well, you know she has a pretty bad sweet tooth. I didn´t realize however, how bad it was until I traveled with her. Almost everyday she has to buy icecream, chocolate, cookies, popsicles, or some sweets to satisfy her craving. Yesterday she broke into song when she got a craving. I was confused at first as to why she was singing Eminem in such a cheery voice, bobbing her head back and forth, but when she finished I almost died laughing: "Gues whos back, back again, Gues whos back, Guess whos back, Guess whos [View Full Entry]

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Only one week until we fly back home in time for the glorious Maple Syrup Festival and here we are celebrating the holy and sacred "Semana Santa" or Holy Week with all the faithful Peruvians :) Last night, the central sqaure as well as several surrounding streets, were covered in dyed sawdust and dried flower pedals, creating various images of llamas, indigenous women, children, crosses, flowers, doves and corporate sponsered logos :P It was impressive to see it all laid out in front of us and then this morning seeing it all gone, as the night rain washed it away only [View Full Entry]

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Rachel and I have just finished hiking the Inca Trail for 4 days to reach Machu Picchu. It was an incredible experience, and we are exhausted. We will update on our fabulous adventures when we have more energy. Here is a public link to our photos on my facebook: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=90740&l=721fe&id=511315650 Love you! Becky [View Full Entry]

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Hola Amigos! I tried to post photos on this gallery, but had issues, so i added them to my facebook photos, which you can view here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=90740&l=721fe&id=511315650 take special note of Rachel´s hair at the red lake. It is incredible. We are preparing and getting excited for the Inka Trail to Machu Picchu!!! Say prayers for good weather! Thanks! love and miss you! Becky [View Full Entry]

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Here we are on rainy lago titicaca, a beautiful lake surrounded by snowcapped mountains. It is an enormous lake spreading across both Peru and Bolivia and has played a major role in the spirituality of the indigenous communities here. We are in the town of Copacabana where the most important Bolivian shrine of la Virgen del Copacabana rests in the beautiful and immaculate cathedral. It is the first time we have seen Bolivians travelling in Bolivia as Copacabana is an important pilgrimage destination to see the virgen. The pilgrimage consists of families coming together, decorating their vehicl [View Full Entry]

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The past 3 days have been absolutely incredible. Rachel and I just completed a jeep tour of the salt flats and desert in and around Uyuni and it was unreal. The world we live in is so amazing! I felt like I was on the moon or some other planet because of the crazy things we saw. First there was the salt flats, which look like a desert of fine white sand stretching as far as your eyes can see, with mountains at the horizon. Then there was the desert. God definitly has a sense of humor. At 4,000 plus meters [View Full Entry]

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Well, Rach pretty much summed it all up, but I will add some of my own thoughts. Many new experienes for me the day we went mountain biking: first time mountain biking, first time being groomed by a monkey and first time throwing up in a vehicle. Yes, my stomach did not handle well the Altitude, cold, and driving through windy mountain roads :). Pepto has been a dear friend these past 2 days. Overall, it was worth it. Rach and I both agree though that being sick makes you miss home much much more. Other random observations in Bolivia: The [View Full Entry]

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Here we are in high up Samiapta, 1400 meters above sea level. The oxygen is thin, the air is cool, the mountains breathtaking. But unfortunately, the oxygen wasnt thick enough for my poor Ohio body and I eventually became aware of the wonderful gift of altitude sickness. At first I felt as if I were high, everything went by so slow, and everything was wonderfully, wonderful. Then fever hit, dizziness came, and somewhere, somehow I caught the much awaited and infamous Traveller´s Diarrhea :) So, afterall, we havent seen much of Samiapata because I have shared my few days here with [View Full Entry]

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