Living Overseas

I point at things, its what I do

We have one goal in mind, keep going. Keep seeing those unique wonders of the world that everyone strives to see. There are a myriad of different types of long term travelers that I have met on my current around the world trip; people who backpack their way around the world, people who have strive to inject themselves into the culture they are living in, and others that live in places for periods of time.

My strategy is to live overseas in a country long enough to really immerse yourself in the culture, but short enough to be able to see everything.

Typically that will last 3-5 months depending on the things to see in that area. Brazil and Argentina are massive countries where you would need more time. But what happens if you find a place that you fall in love with?

I never experienced this before where I actually want to stay. I’m currently living in Medellin, Colombia, and this place has really blown my mind away.

Colombian culture here in Medellin is incredible. I’m living high on the hog since I found a penthouse (check out this great pic) in one of the nicest areas of the city but that isn’t why I like it. I would be just as happy living in the worst part of the city. Everyone in the city is very nice and well mannered. Everywhere I turn I hear: “thank you , excuse me, I would love to”, and “oh I’m sorry”. This is a bit different than what I am accustomed to, especially in the United States where everyone is more reserved.

The weather in Medellin, correctly dubbed the city of eternal spring, is perfect. The only other place I know of that has perfect weather year round in San Francisco and it ridiculously expensive to live there. For travelers, you can find a very cheap room to rent for $250 a month. I have looked into actually buying property in the city and they are very reasonable. 2 bedroom condos for $120,000 an just a few months ago the same condo would be $80,000.

I am a bit torn about what I should do. I love this place, I want to stay. At the same time I have placed on heading east and visiting Africa and Asia. I am simply torn between the fact that I should burden myself with a mortgage payment every month to have a place in Colombia. But the real question is: Should I stay? Should I come back and live here part of the year?

Decisions… Decisions.

Technically the 2nd leg of around the world trip, I was seriously debating whether I should move to Colombia or Brazil.  Being such a massive country and already living in both Chile and Argentina, I decided to head north to Colombia.  Debating a very long time whether I should move to Bogota or Medellin, I finally decided that I would head to Medellin.

I was living in Santaigo, Chile for roughly 3 months and had an incredible condo overlooking the city of Santiago and the mountains.  There was a list of “must do’s” on my bucket list and there are two things I was not able to do:

Picture Credit: Reuters

The Largest Pool In the World:

Located in the San Alfonso Mar Resort roughly 2 hours outside of Santiago.  Its just a pool right? But its a REALLY REALLY COOL POOL!

Easter Island-

I have been fascinated by this place ever since I found out about it.  The history behind the island and the overall culture as well.

I haven’t planned out the exact time that I will be living in Medellin but it will most likely be about 3-5 months.

Colombia – Known for their beautiful women and their unique culture, Colombia is a Latin American country inspired by Europe.  I plan on perfecting my salsa moves and get to know a culture that I have always been fascinated with.

Ecuador & The Galapagos Islands-  The Galapagos Islands are one of the most fascinating ecosystems in the world where you can watch and interact one on one with exotic wildlife.  Quito and the bustling city of Guayaquil are also places to visit.

Easter Island & The World’s Largest Pool- Even though its going to be twice as expensive now, I still don’t think that I can miss Easter Island.

Peru-  I would be a real, lack of a better word, a** hole if I came to South America and didn’t see Machu Pichu.  Also want to get to Lima as well as Cusco.  Initially I was planning on living in Peru but I think that Colombia is more efficient and much more fun.

Bolivia- Salar de Uyuni is incredible, but there are other Bolivia attractions that are extremely popular including biking the death road and the city of La Paz.  Click here for some great pictures or google “walking on water in Bolivia”.

Brazil-  I attended Carnival (Carnaval) 2011 in Salvador, Brazil but I also intend to come back to Brazil to see everything it has to offer; Sao Paolo, Rio De Janeiro, and the Amazon are all on my list.

Venezuela & The Angel Falls-  This is one of the trips that I am detesting.  I was born in Venezuela and the last few times that I went back to see family IT WAS CHAOS.  Flights were delayed by over 3 hours and the crime has sky rocketed.  Its very dangerous to travel to Venezuela but I couldn’t leave South America without seeing the Angel Falls.

Suriname, Guyana, & French Guyana-  Majority of people completely miss out on these countries but I want to say that I have been to EVERY country in South America.

Itineraries Around the World:

• Part 1:  Overall Itinerary around the world
• Part 1A: Argentina Edition
• Part 1B: Chile Edition
• Part 1C: Colombia Edition
• Part 2: Africa Edition

My itinerary from Santiago, Chile

I’ve just returned from the Atacama desert, the highest and driest desert in the entire world.  Based in northern Chile near the border of both Bolivia and Argentina, its an amazingly desolate and interesting place to visit.  This  is not the reason for this post, it is rather to outline my itinerary while I’m living in Santiago, Chile and get your input of course.  Many people out there have been to the places I am aspiring to go, if you have any recommendations or tips shoot me a comment!

Living in Chile  gave me different first impressions.  One of the highlights of living in South America is I have direct access to Antarctica.  When I visited Tierra Del Fuego I got all the information on how to find a cheap last minute cruise to Antarctica and plan on sharing other great travel tips for those of you what want to travel the great continent.

There are a lot more things to see in Argentina and while Chile does not have anywhere near the same amount of tourist sites it does provide direct access to places like Bolivia and Easter Island.  This could save me hundreds and even thousands of dollars.  One example is the horrific stories I have heard of trying to see Salir de Uyuni.  Instead of taking a bus, talking to Pablo’s sister’s friend’s cousin about getting a place to stay, and being left by a drunk Bolivian driver in the middle of nowhere,,  I found an excellent tour company that leaves out of Chile and drops you off guess where? In Chile.  Bolivia is one of the most inefficient countries in South America and I want to press my luck with Chile not Bolivia when Im near the middle of nowhere.  Here is my itinerary:

• Santiago, Chile – Capital of Chile
• Atacama Desert: Highest and driest desert in the world
  • Access to Andes mountains & Chilean coast
• Antarctica – Need I say more?
• Viñe del Mar & Valparaisio – Coastal cities near Santiago
• Calafate, Argentina – Site of one of the only growing glaciers in the world
• Torres del Paine  - Incredible National Park in Southern Chile
• Salir de Uyuni, Bolivia – Largest Salt Flat in the world
• La Paz – Capital of Bolivia and access to the Death Road
• Salvador, Brazil – CAAARNAAAVAAAAALLLLL!

P.S:   Merry Christmas! By the time you are reading this I will be on a cruise to Antarctica!

• Part 1:  Overall Itinerary around the world
  • Part 1A: Argentina Edition
  • Part 1C: Colombia Edition
• Part 2: Africa Edition

Performing typical Tourist Actions in Chile

There is nothing like paying a good $140  to have the right to enter a country.  I mean who wouldn’t want to dish out the cost of a full ipod nano to see a fantastic country side? But I digress.  Many consider Chile to be the Switzerland of the south minus the blonde hair and blue eyes of course.  If you have never been to Switzerland I can sum it up in three words for you; picturesque, prosperous, and very tidy.  Everything is in its place and after living in Argentina I was ready to get a little efficiency back in my life.

I arrived and got settled in my 3 bedroom condo near the center of the city.  After one day of living in Chile I consider the country to be American Switzerland because it resembles the states more than it does Europe.  Everything is new and they have new high rises going up by the minute.  I also figured that the country would be extremely clean like Switzerland, unfortunately I forgot I was in South America.

When living in Chile (in the summer) the first thing you notice is the gorgeous weather.  There is a dry heat during the day that hardly reaches 80 degrees (26 C) and there is a constant breeze throughout the valley that keeps you cool.  The people are unfortunately food addicts and the name of their addiction is ice cream.  Either they are eating it or lined up to buy it, they love ice cream.

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Ugly Jeans in Chile!

Next observation is the cheap housing prices and the exorbiant prices of food.  I was use to buying 4 prime beef steaks in Argentina for $10.  In Chile I can’t get half that amount of steak for even $15.  Its a bit ironic because the fruits and vegetables that we buy in the United States (Florida specifically) come from Chile and they are cheaper than what they cost in Chile!  The cost of food while living in Chile does balance out with the cost of housing so in the end everything comes out about even.

And one battle that I have taken against the women of Chile are the ugly jeans they wear.  I mean, it is the 21st century.  I have scene very attractive women and ugly jeans is just a deal breaker. Wouldn’t you agree? No? Maybe I am going overboard but I still wont talk to women with ugly jeans.

Greetings from Chile!

My trips during stay in Argentina

My sincerest apologies to you my reader.  I have been so busy day trading and traveling that I forgot to update my blog and brag about what a great time I am having!  I had quite a blast in Argentina and could not possibly have seen any more of the country.  Almost every weekend I was in a different city and I have seen roughly 85% of all of the major (and minor) tourist attractions in Argentina.  I have since then experienced culture shock in more than 3 countries, broken and created new stereotypes about the Argentine people, cautioned you about how Buenos Aires is dangerous and there is more to come.  I’ve been getting better and better at bringing you more video which you will see more of…. including the video where I danced with a Penguin in Puerto Madryn, Argentina.

I have since moved to Santiago, Chile where I have an incredible 3 bedroom apt in the center of the city overlooking the Andes Mountains to the east, the city center and sunsets to the west, the bustling construction of high rises to the South, and sorry there aren’t any impressive views to the North.

• Buenos Aires - Capital & 17th largest city in the world (as of 2010)

• Cordoba – 2nd largest city in the country

• Rosario – 3rd largest city in the country and birthplace of Che Guevara

• Paraguay – The supposed cheapest capital in the world

• Iguazu Falls – Most impressive falls in the world (2nd time on Argentine Side and 1st Brazil side)

• Salta & surrounding region – The Argentine Southwest

• Uruguay – The Argentine New Jersey (Montevideo – 2nd visit)

• Bariloche – The Argentine Switzerland

• Puerto Madryn – An animal lovers paradise (PENGUINS!!!)

• Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego) – Southern most EVERYTHING

Its bitter sweet to say goodbye to Argentina simply because of the gorgeous sites in the city of Buenos Aires.  I was able to buy 4 steaks for $10 and eat prime beef with no steroids or preservatives and veggies for $3 a meal.  Food in Santiago is significantly more expensive but housing is much cheaper so it does work out to be about the same if not a bit more expensive in Santiago (post coming soon).  I’ve met great people and met some great travel bloggers as well on my travels.  Keith from Traveling-Savage came to visit in Buenos Aires on his trip to Salta where I hosted someone for the first time with CouchSurfing.  I also met Jodi from Legal Nomads, who knew lawyers could have fun right?

Onward to Santiago, Easter Island, Boliva, and Antarctica!

Itineraries Around the World:

• Part 1:  Overall Itinerary around the world
  • Part 1B: Chile Edition
  • Part 1C: Colombia Edition
• Part 2: Africa Edition