The Traveler

It's not only about the amazing sights you see along the way, the locals you meet that give each place its uniqueness, or the incredible experiences you have everywhere you go, but it's also about the travelers.

The traveler is a unique being. Whether backpacking, driving, flying, kayaking, biking, walking, thinking, however one decides to drift (here's to you Amira - www.sundaydrifting.com) through the planet...we are all travelers. Creating our own experiences from the comfort of our own homes, cars, bikes, or backpacks. We all decide to experience the world around us in our own way.

Alec and I decided to travel by backpack





, opening opportunity to travel by any means, and allowing for us to drift in and out of the lives of so many other travelers. This blog is dedicated to all those we have met along the way!



















A traveler knows what it is to be out of their comfort zone; in a strange land with a strange language trying to find their next destination. In this way we identify with our fellow traveler, knowing that a smile or a generous gesture can go a long way toward bringing a sense of global community to a sometimes lonely journey. With this common understanding we have been greeted and treated by so many (Argentinians and Extranjeros) with an overwhelming generosity. It has been almost hard to believe how trusting, generous, accomodating and friendly these people have been.

Somewhere along the way, as a North American, all the paranoia and jaded talk of negativity gets to you. The news has you believing their fear mongering, and your world becomes smaller. Before we departed on this trip people continually warned us about our safety. The fear of the unknown was overwhelming to us, and repeated stories of crime and sickness painted us a picture of a land of ill and scary people.

It is obvious that anywhere you are, anywhere you go, and anything you do in life you must take proper care of yourself. Alec and I are so happy that we threw ourselves into an unknown land, and opened our eyes, and allowed ourselves to listen and learn. It is not like what people told us. We are happy to say, as backpack drifters of the world, that people we have met have warmly shared their food, water, home, and life with us.

One thing that we have learned time and time again on our travels is the power of a traveler. A traveler not only experiences the land of another, but also brings the experiences of their land to others. They become the voice of their people. People know that a government, its politicians, and media are not the voice of its people(except for the guy who sold us our bus tickets in El Chalten:) So they turn to the traveler.

What do we think of Bush, Obama, the war, health care, and the education system are common questions that we encounter daily? Alec and I play a powerful role as representatives of our country. And the other travelers become the represantion of their land. We all know that a couple of travelers don't represent the beliefs of a country, but somehow, each traveler becomes a voice for its people. How you decide to be as a traveler can make a world of difference! And as for us, this land is only the beginning of our representation and exploration of the world that surrounds us.

P.S. To all those we met along the way that we didn't get pictures of you are not forgotton-you know who you are so send us a pic please and we'll add it;-)
Although we wrote this a while ago, it is now new years eve(and a blue moon, and a partial lunar eclipse too;)
So we wish you all a happy and healthy new year!! Amani and I will be thinking of how happy we are to have met and know you all...

-- Expanding Experience through every Step...

Location:Bariloche, Argentina

Dia de Gracias

La Dia de Gracias : The Day of Thanks

Alec and I spent our Thanksgiving this year on the farm of La Paciencia. Sitting around a table of familiar faces and new ones, we held hands before a wonderful meal and gave thanks:

We thank the water earth and air Agradecemos al agua, la tierre, y el aire
And all the helping powers they bare Y a toda la poderosa ayuda que nos brindan
We thank the people loving good Agradecemos a los que aman bien
Who grow and cook our daily food Quienes siembran, cuidan, y cocinan
nuestra comida diaria
And now at last we thank the sun Para terminar agradacemos al sol
The light and life for everyone La luz y vida para todos

Thanksgiving dinner marked the beginning of an amazing three day course in biodynamic farming at La Paciencia. Along with spending days and nights getting to know our community, we attended classes in astrology, astronomy, composting, sustainable living, the fibonacci numbers, geometry, egyptian studies, and how they all interconnected with farming and nature.

We talked, learned, worked, ate, sang, danced, and lived under one roof for a few days, but by the end of the course, we were like a family.

Tierra es mi cuerpo Earth is my body
Agua es mi sangre Water is my blood
Aire es mi aliento Air is my breath
Y fuego mi espiritu And fire my spirit

Every day is a day to be thankful for. The food we have, the people we know, the ones we love and who love us, the ones who are living and the ones who have passed, the sun that rises and sets each and every day.

After you finish reading this blog, think of someone or something you are thankful for. It could be the food you are eating, your cat or dog, your sister or brother, and thank them.

In this blog, Alec and I want to thank all the people we have met in Mallin Ahogado. Today is our last night after 28 amazing days here in La Paciencia. Tomorrow we embarc on a new adventure. Thank you to all the people we have met here. that have treated us like family, who have cared, taught, supported, and trusted us.

Special thanks to Anna, who opens the doors of La Paciencia to so many people. She welcomes so many into her home with open arms. Thank you Anna for all your love and support. We will miss you!