South America – Page 2 – VirtualWayfarer

BackpackingOctober 16, 2011October 16, 2011

Etiquette Be Damned. Stop Asking, “Do you speak X language?” It’s Rude and Pointless.

In a previous post Learning Danish – Surprising Realizations I discussed my evolving relationship with Danish. One of the things I didn’t discuss was the surprising advice I received from Danish friends regarding one of the cornerstones of a traveler's phrase book; the oft used opening inquiry, “…

BackpackingOctober 11, 2011October 11, 2011

How “Howdy” Has Made Me A Better Traveler – Considering Cultural Identifiers and Their Value

Each time we interact with a stranger there’s a significant amount of uncertainty. When that interaction occurs between people from different backgrounds, cultures, and languages that level of unknown is magnified sign…

BackpackingSeptember 11, 2011

Beer, Subways and Hedgehogs

A quick update - things have been pretty hectic here. I started classes last week and was delighted to find that most of the reading was engaging, relevant, and genuinely interesting. Both of my professors seem to be f…

BackpackingJuly 31, 2011July 31, 2011

My Argentina Trip in Review – Analyzing One of the World’s Greatest Destination Countries

Over the last decade Argentina has gone from quiet tourist destination to one of the world's most sought after. With world famous steaks, an absolutely delightful wine industry, and incredibly captivating Argentine Ta…

BackpackingJuly 25, 2011July 27, 2011

An Authentic Tango Experience While Tackling the Language Barrier

When I announced my plans to travel to Argentina I knew immediately that there were several friends I absolutely had to get in touch with. One was Kellen, a friend who had spent 3 months the previous summer in Buenos …

BackpackingJuly 6, 2011July 6, 2011

Sex On the Dance Floor or Just a Flirtatious Tango? Argentine Tango at Cafe de los Angelitos in Buenos Aires!

With that keen sense of despair gnawing at the edge of my mind, I gradually began to internalize that my trip to Argentina was nearing its conclusion. Anything but ready to leave Argentina behind I relished every remaining moment I had, and to be fair, those remaining moments promised grand advent…

BackpackingJune 27, 2011June 27, 2011

Can I Travel if I Don’t Know the Local Language?

Good Morning! Buon Giorno! Καλημέρα! Have you caught yourself dreaming about an international trip only to have that nagging voice in your head remind you that you don’t speak the local language? If you’re like many a…

BackpackingJune 17, 2011June 22, 2011

Puerto de Iguazu, Toucans and an Animal Rehabilitation in Argentina

After a delightful evening filled with relaxation, socialization and an absolutely delicious Argentinian steak it was time to decide what my second full day in Puerto de Iguazu would consist of. I debated a return to …

BackpackingJune 8, 2011June 22, 2011

Iguazu Falls, the Devils Throat and Wild Beasts: Adventure in Northern Argentina

View part one of this post: A Traveler’s Dream and Natural Wonder of the World – Iguazu Falls in Northern Argentina. My legs pumped furiously. The burn forced a slight grimace. Mossy step after mossy step I launche…

BackpackingJune 2, 2011June 22, 2011

A Traveler’s Dream and Natural Wonder of the World – Iguazu Falls in Northern Argentina

After a relaxing day spent at the Marco Polo Backpacker's Hostel in the town of Puerto Iguazu (located immediately across from the bus station) I set out to explore Iguazu Falls. As I bought my bus fare (transportatio…