What does Noche de San Juan history has to do with Beach Thursday, some of you may ask? Well, all of it! Through a fun photo essay, I’ll describe this exciting beach festival. And while it is also celebrated in Portugal, I’ll focus on Spain and Puerto Rico today. Good way to warm up before I go to freeze my butt in Canada this Saturday!

Bonfires as seen from a beach in Medeira, Portugal by zyberchema, Flickr

Noche de San Juan history

The original Christian holiday honors John the Baptist on June 24th. However, its eve (Noche de Fuego) is an adaptation of an earlier pagan festival, which paid tribute to the sun. FIRE and water take center stage, symbolizing the cleansing of sins.

In short, Noche de San Juan is a celebration of the shortest night of the year, used as an opportunity to “start anew” (+ party). And while the summer solstice is actually closer to June 21st, the church wanted to celebrate it by St. John’s holiday (night of June 23rd). So it stuck!

Giant Noche de San Juan bonfire in Spain by Lumiago, Flickr

Whether we’re talking about it in Spain or Puerto Rico, the origins are the same. Conquistadors got here, traditions were passed on, you know the deal. When it comes to practice, though? Somewhat different!

Noche de San Juan customs, traditions, and superstitions

Naturally, Noche de San Juan customs and traditions aren’t the same in Spain and Puerto Rico anymore. While Spaniards focus more on fire rituals, Puerto Ricans simply like to have a great beach concert and splash into the ocean. Here are some examples:

- It’s believed that as soon as the sun comes up the morning of June 24, the waters of fountains and rivers are full of special powers to cure and protect people. Additionally, whoever bathes in the dew of that night will be protected for the rest of the year (only in Spain).

The party starts early! Ocean Park beach, Puerto Rico by Amber Porter

- Going backwards (naked!) into the ocean, while looking at the moon, will give the bather special powers on Noche de San Juan (in Spain). OR you can simply jump backwards into the ocean, even if wearing a bathing suit, 7 times after midnight of June 24th for good luck (in Puerto Rico).

- Singles who look through the window of their home after midnight of June 24 will see the love of their life walk by (either Spain or Puerto Rico).

- A scary-looking ragdoll is burned by the ocean, while making a variety of petitions and promises (only in some coastal towns, Andalucia, and the Canary Islands).

Playa Jardín, Canary Islands by Carmen Fuentes

Noche de San Juan: modern celebrations

While the previous Noche de San Juan customs and traditions are kept by some, most youngsters simply go to the beach to party the night of June 23rd. To give you a taste of what this holiday is like nowadays in both Spain and Puerto Rico, here are some videos of the respective celebrations:

Noche de San Juan in Spain, also known as The Night of Fire:

Noche de San Juan in Puerto Rico’s capital:

I’m excited to be celebrating Noche de San Juan in Puerto Rico this year. PLUS my birthday is that same week (June 25) Mr. B and I have rented a studio by the beach, so will sure be taking great photos of the party by Ocean Park beach! Can’t wait for next month

Yay for the good times and bye-bye to the gloomy days (I hope…!).

Playa de Las Canteras, Las Palmas by JUAN RAMON RODRIGUEZ SOSA

Did you know about Noche de San Juan history? Have you celebrated it?

The post Noche de San Juan history: Beach Thursday special! appeared first on LatinAbroad.

The past 12 months have been seriously tough on me. From suffering of carpal tunnel, losing my job because of that same disability to struggling with my depression and other demons. In fact, I might just be getting worse, kind of relapsing… But I’ll talk about my summer travel plans first before I lose my inspiration altogether.

Canadian poutine: yes, PLEASE (The Kozy Shack, Flickr)

My summer travel plans: Ontario & Québec, Canada!

After my dreams were crushed last month, I knew I had to come up with some quick summer travel plans. And while I was so paralyzed I couldn’t even think of a destination for days, I was finally reminded of TBEX Toronto. This meant… 2 weeks in Canada because flights were cheap on those dates!

On May 18th, I have an overnight layover in Toronto before flying out the 19th to Montréal. I’ll meet with fellow blogger Karla and hopefully do a week-long road trip, including Ottawa and Québec City. I can’t wait to finally try poutine, eat in the dark at O.NOIR, and experience French culture. Oh by the way, believe it or not, I haven’t been to France yet! So this road trip should be fun…

Old Québec City by Andre Mondou, Flickr

A week later, I’ll head out to Toronto and stay there until June 4th. I plan to go Couchsurfing and hang out with locals most of my stay, not doing tours until the conference weekend. That means no-plans Toronto, woo hoo! Except for a couple of restaurants I want to check out from this list and…

A Niagara Falls and winery tour on May 30th! I got invited by a Canadian operator to take part of such day trip with Karla — really looking forward to it. More details to come.

Niagara Falls by The Stock Solution Photo Agency

Then it’s TBEX time: agenda packed as always. Weekend will include:

* A First-Timer’s Special: All About Toronto tour for 3 hours the morning of Friday, May 31st. Then, after lunch, it’ll be time to hit the kaleidoscope of international neighborhoods  this Canadian city has to offer with the Toronto: The World in a City tour! Best of all? Both outings were included with my conference ticket

* June 1-2nd = all-day conference sessions + pitching attendants. Parties TBA!

Toronto’s Little Portugal? (Robyn Lee, Flickr)

* Was planning on taking part of some TBEX tours that Monday after the sessions. Unfortunately, they were all full, so it seems like I’ll be couchsurfing once more from June 3-4th!

Rest of my summer travel plans: road tripping Puerto Rico

As you know, I moved back with my parents in Puerto Rico on April. While I haven’t been getting as much sun is I would like, I do plan to do lots of day trips soon as I get back from Canada. I even bought some surfing lessons on the West Coast! That’s, of course, assuming my friend actually gets the travel bug…

Either way, my boyfriend is finally visiting from June 23 – July 9 and we got some exciting plans then! Here are some photos I’ve taken the past month to get you excited:

I’ll take you caving…

yes, REALLY!

We’ll take in gorgeous vistas…

…among other adventures!

What about my depression? Not doing too well…

Now on to the sad news: I haven’t been doing too well. In fact, I’ve been doing horrible. You have no idea the amount of will power it took me to write about my summer travel plans all happy-go-lucky. Truth of the matter is, I’ve lost control of most of my life. This type A individual is going absolutely nuts because:

• No news from workers comp insurance about new orthopedic doctor
• I’m in pain, even though I’ve been using voice recognition software + minimal work
• Not being able to drive nor work online much, I have nothing to do during the day
• I’m not close to the beach or anything truly exciting
• Did I mention I haven’t seen a fucking doctor in over a month?!

I don’t fucking know where I’m going. Heck, besides my summer travel plans & paying off my debt with my disability checks, I have NO IDEA what the fuck is going to happen to my life. My career. To everything. The fact I can’t keep myself busy with work or hang out with friends because THEY are working is not helping me deal with my demons. Not at all. It’s actually FEEDING them. It’s quite scary.

Feeding The Black Dog by Michelle Robinson, Flickr

The reason why I’m letting you know? So you keep tabs on me.

Sorry, but you can’t tell a person suffering from depression to please think of their blessings, etc. I KNOW THAT. I’M KNOW I’m lucky. Believe it or not, I send a thanksgiving prayer to the heavens every night. Still, that doesn’t help me cope during the day. That doesn’t help me quiet the big loud Black Dog. Honestly, all I can think of is ways to hurt myself. I’m surprised I haven’t done it yet…

Right now, I’m really holding back from throwing every object in my room.

This is worse than prison! If I only had time to spend with my family during the day, that would make it all better. But I don’t. They are working, working too hard because of this American Dream mirage. I only get to truly hang out with them on weekends. I then thought about going housesitting abroad or something. But I can’t. Why?

I can’t fucking move until they find me a fucking orthopedic doctor!

If I move and don’t see a doctor, they suspend the disability checks that are actually paying for my debt. I have to stay put. It’s the stupidest fucking situation…

I called my lawyer to try to speed things up, but nothing has happened in about a month. Thank goodness I’m going to Canada in less than 2 weeks or else…

*sighs* making my blog a bit more personal. Hope I didn’t scare you…

I know: depression doesn’t make sense to onlookers or even my own self.

Waiting for a better day…

Do you have any exciting summer travel plans? Share them with us below

The post Summer travel plans, awesome photos, and other updates appeared first on LatinAbroad.

Welcome to another edition of Beach Thursday! As I’m back to my beautiful island, this week I’m featuring one of Puerto Rico’s hidden gems: Cueva del Indio Arecibo. I had the pleasure to go to this cave, grottoes, and lovely beach yesterday, as part of a day trip to the northern coast. It was a mix of hiking, climbing, swimming, and even some Taino Indian petroglyphs! Definitely a great day under the sun

Gorgeous panorama from Cueva del Indio, Arecibo

How to get to Cueva del Indio Arecibo

The municipality of Arecibo is located about 80 km west of San Juan, so you must either rent a vehicle or book a day trip with a local operator in order to reach it. I was lucky enough to be going with a friend of mine and her date, who used to be an adventure tour guide. Which means?! Going off-the-beaten-path!

Arecibo, Puerto Rico map by Wiki Commons

Once you reach Arecibo, Cueva del Indio is located at St 681 Km 8.0 (Carretera 681 in Spanish). GPS should be able to get you there—and you’ll know you’re at the right place as soon as you see the sign and a business called El Coayuco. There, you pay USD $2 for parking and simply follow the signs to walk toward the cave.

Cueva del Indio Arecibo photos: petroglyphs, grottoes & a beach!

The beginning of the dirt path is full of branches and even palm trees. However, it soon turns into sharp rocks, so be sure you wear sturdy walking shoes!

On the left: the panorama and Cueva del Indio beach. To the right? Path toward the petroglyphs cave, cove, and grotto

Rock face and path toward the grotto and cove

Once you reach those big rock steps, you may turn left to enjoy the beautiful lookout and even walk down to Playa Cueva del Indio (the beach). Alternatively, you may go right to take the stairs down to the petroglyphs cave and/or walk a little further to look into the beautiful grottoes, cove, and crashing Atlantic Ocean.

Rock steps leading toward the cove and Atlantic Ocean

Stairs leading to the petroglyphs cave. Stunning! And higher than it looks…

Of course, I recommend you go both ways We went to the grottoes and petroglyphs cave first, just so we could wrap up the day by enjoying the panorama and relaxing at Playa Cueva del Indio.

Taino Indian petroglyphs: they were all over the cave! It is still uncertain how old they are.

Gorgeous cove by Cueva del Indio cave

Extra travel tips for Cueva del Indio

- The waters can be rough! For this reason, make sure you look for the 2 mini pools (protected by the reef) once you hike down to the beach. There, you can refresh out of harm’s way.

Waves weren’t that big yesterday, but this is a stunning spot!

One of the safe pools to bathe at Playa Cueva del Indio

- For some interesting photographs, lookout for the cute zebra fish at one of the pools and the blue iguanas wandering around Playa Cueva del Indio!

Blue iguana!

For more Playa Cueva del Indio photos, check out LatinAbroad’s Facebook page.

Playa Cueva del Indio: you can clearly see one of the pools here!

What’s your favorite beach cave? Mine is Cueva del Indio for sure!

The post Puerto Rico Beach Thursday: Cueva del Indio Arecibo photos appeared first on LatinAbroad.

I didn’t make it. My biggest dreams for this year have been crushed.

My first reaction was weird. At first glance of the Top 10 list without my name on it, I felt empty. It was as if my soul was sucked out of me. All of a sudden, there was a huge void within me. My face was blank. I couldn’t express any emotions. My dreams were gone.

I texted my closest friends with the bad news. My phone didn’t stop ringing for the next 10 minutes. The replies were all the same — the blah blah blah dreams haven’t really been crushed, that I will get to travel the world eventually no matter what. That I never give up on my dreams. More blah blah blah ensued.

Bipolar art by Pachakutik, Flickr

As my friend and I looked through the videos of the finalists, I found the deal-breaker to the judges: the fact that I didn’t mention transportation. I felt like such an idiot. I broke down in tears.

Then I got angry. So angry I wanted to hurt myself, throw  everything in sight.

It was a scary, scary feeling. “I should drink,” I thought. But that would be a terrible, terrible idea.

My whole life started to play out in my head again. It will take me 3 or more years to pay off the rest of my debt. It will take me even longer to go on an extended around the world trip. I was starting to drive myself crazy.

I started to hyperventilate. I got worried. Post-travel depression was peaking its ugly face again in the weirdest scenario. I told my friend to take me home…

Toni Birrer, Flickr

This all happened Monday morning. I couldn’t write. I couldn’t look for any freelance work. Not only were my dreams crushed, but also my inspiration and determination.

I was paralyzed.

Then, I got the weirdest news today: an old friend of mine died in a car accident. The good friend I stayed with Sunday night? She had dated him and really liked him. She couldn’t stop crying. He was about a year or two older than us. No older than 28. I couldn’t believe it. Life can also be sucked out of us in the blink of an eye…

But I’m still alive—bitching because I didn’t win a stupid contest…?

Knock knock Maria Alexandra? That’s right. That’s a slap I needed. And so, I wrote down a to-do list:

• Buy a TBEX ticket. Sign up for all pre and post-TBEX trips.
• Buy Puerto Rico-Toronto flight. May 25-June 8!
• Canada for 2 weeks. Contact tourism boards, come up with an itinerary.
• Kickstart my Spanish travel blog, have some blog posts ready by June 1.
• Take min. 5 interisland (Puerto Rico) trips before Canada tour.
• Start recording mini travel shows from every day trip I take.
• Be on the lookout for Spanish translator gigs.

That shall keep me busy until mid-June. I’m also going to prep well for the TBEX speed dating and see if I can score some press trips and/or translation gigs for the rest of the year

I’m happy to be alive! Those travel dreams can wait…

PS: Don’t ask me anything about the contest though. I’m done talking about it…

The post When dreams are crushed…What’s next? appeared first on LatinAbroad.

I know I know: I’m getting ahead of myself here. The Top 10 finalists for the Biggest Baddest Bucket List contest (#myBBB) won’t be announced for another 5 days. However, you also know from my life dream post that I already had not one RTW itinerary, but 2 full blueprints planned out to the date…

So! For Travel Bucket List Wednesday this week, I decided to share all the details of one of the blueprints with you Granted, 6 months will only allow me to scratch a tiny surface of my Biggest Baddest Bucket List. For this reason, I will include the most epic (and toughest!) experiences in my itinerary if I were to win And now, with no more preambles, I present you RTW itinerary A!

My Biggest Baddest Bucket List: RTW itinerary A

RTW itinerary A map of my biggest baddest bucket list! (CLICK to enlarge)

List of stops: RTW itinerary A! (CLICK to enlarge)

Ambitious, I know! This RTW itinerary includes almost 40 countries (39 when not counting Puerto Rico) which, divided by 6 months, averages out to about 4.5 days per country. Fast-paced indeed, but this was always meant to be a sampler anyway!

For lack of space, I will only be listing the Biggest Baddest Bucket List items from this RTW itinerary today. Are you ready for this?!

Monastery of Meteora, Greece (Didrik Johnck, Flickr)

• Climb to the spectacular monasteries of Meteora, Greece.
• Discover Eastern Europe’s unique hidden gem: Ljubljana, Slovenia.
• Bathe in Pamukkale’s cotton-like pools & Cappadocia hot air balloon, Turkey.

The stunning pools of Pamukkale. In Turkish, it means cotton castle! (Ray Wewerka)

• Witness Great Migration at Masai Mara & Serengeti, Kenya/Tanzania.
• Ancient kingdoms and African Christianity pilgrimage around Ethiopia.
• Photographic nirvana through the eerie landscapes of Madagascar.

“The Avenue or Alley of the Baobabs is a prominent group of baobab trees lining the dirt road between Morondava and Belon’i Tsiribihina in the Menabe region in western Madagascar.Along the Avenue in some 260 m long segment are remaining some 20 – 25 trees about 30 meters in height, of the species Adansonia grandidieri, endemic to Madagascar.” – Ralph Kränzlein, Flickr

• Stay at one of the most expensive hotels in the world: Burj Al Arab, Dubai.
• Go sandboarding in Sharjah, UAE.
• Overland trip from Dubai, across historic cities in Iran, through Silk Road!

Guri Amir Mausoleum, Samarkand, Uzbekistan (Fabio Achilli, Flickr)

• Silk Road overland: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
• Be one step away from the Door to Hell in Darvaza, Turkmenistan.
• Spend the night in a yurt by the mountains of Almaty, Kazakhstan.

A yurt in Kazakhstan: traditional housing throughout Central Asia and Mongolia! (Irene2005, Flickr)

• See the bright sights of Rajasthan + relax in a houseboat in Kerala, India.
• Get a cameo in Bollywood film in Bombay.
• Experience the Kingdom of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness vs. GDP!

Bollywood movie poster (tajai, Flickr)

• Take a ride on a traditional Chinese Junk in Hong Kong + Macau day trip!
• Take part of an intriguing indigenous ritual in Papua New Guinea.
• Hop on a liveaboard to scuba dive sites along PNG & Great Barrier Reef.

Huli Wigman Sing Sing in Papua New Guinea (Drew Douglas, Flickr)

• Experience g-force aboard an aerobatics flight in Sydney, Australia.
• Bathe in gorgeous beaches and visit a glacier in one trip to New Zealand.
• Swim with sharks + stay at overwater bungalow in Bora Bora.

• Mingle with unique wildlife in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
• Paraglide over Christ the Redeemer & Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• Spectacular dunes & waters at Dos Lençóis Maranhenses Park, Brazil.

Finish in Puerto Rico so I can show you the cheeriest Christmas in the world!

Dos Lençóis Maranhenses Park, Brazil (Iain and Sarah, Flickr)

RTW itinerary A: the conundrum

I’m still debating whether to include that many cities of Eastern Europe on my final RTW itinerary. It is such a (relatively) easy continent to visit from Puerto Rico! But contest rules state that the winner must include at least 2 destinations from each continent + 25 destinations from their network…

That being said, many cities I plan to visit in Europe are part of My Destination’s network. Concurrently, many of the off-the-beaten-path places on my biggest baddest bucket list are not part of said network! So I must compromise: shorten my European itinerary, while adding other “easy” destinations from Southeast Asia such as Thailand

OR

shorten some of my time in Asia, which would mean shaving off a week from India or my epic Silk Road itinerary through the ‘Stans…eek!

Honestly though? Charming Ljubljana can wait…! (Krister, Flickr)

Of course, it would all depend on the My Destination team (haha, I’m already writing as if I won…). But if I have a say on the matter, I will probably be shortening my European itinerary, choosing to visit the French Riviera/Monaco and Moscow only (connecting in London). Eastern Europe and the Greek islands can wait, no?

And so, this is why RTW itinerary B comes to play Yet, you will have to wait until next week to get the full scoop Let’s hope that by then, I will also have a VERY exciting announcement to make!

(C) www.MyDestination.com/BBB

What’s your biggest baddest bucket list RTW itinerary like?

The post Biggest Baddest Bucket List: my RTW itinerary! appeared first on LatinAbroad.

It’s 3 AM. My life dream is so close, I can’t sleep.

Heck, I can barely write. I’ll try my best though, as I need a medium to channel this bipolar energy. Round and round, it wanders aimlessly through my body and my mind, keeping me awake with the tremendous amount of, and lack thereof, possibilities.

Do possibilities have a price? Wade M, Flickr

Possibilities? Dreams? I recently found myself without a job… and without a Plan B. All I got are a couple of freelance gigs, my blogs, my savings, and this contest. Oh! And because rent can’t really be afforded for long without a steady job, I’m moving back to my rents’ house in Puerto Rico starting in April.

 For Type A individual like myself, this is a crisis.

Ironically though, I have been able to easily shut down the fact that my life has been put on hold. Everything around me seems to have stopped in some parallel universe, giving me the opportunity to pursue the dream of my lifetime. Seriously, the, I mean MY life dream.

Did I tell you that I planned, I mean have, 2 full itineraries as if I already earned this travel presenter gig? As of, 6 months worth of traveling planned to the date.

One of my RTW itineraries: NOT included are my 2 weeks around Eastern Europe via low-cost airlines, Burma via Thailand, Papua New Guinea + the 60-Day Silk Road Overland tour I’ll be joining, covering most of the ‘Stans!

Yeah, 2 of those! But that’s not the only reason why I know that this is not just a dream, but my calling…

Whenever I think of traveling the world, whenever I think of volunteering abroad, whenever I share a travel tale of mine…my breathing gets heavy. My blood vessels swell. Sometimes, I even get teary-eyed. Then, almost instantly, my inner Energizer Bunny jumps out like a powerful water stream rushing out of a broken dam. Even though I’ve been to over 20 different countries…

It’s still like love at first sight. Like meeting The One over & over again.

Even if you’ve never been in love, we’ve all had that one crush, that one person that has this supernatural power over us, able to stop everything around us, cutting our oxygen supplies short, and giving us an intoxicating, dizzying feeling that not even a few shots of top shelf tequila could match.

That’s the rush I get every time I think of traveling & helping others.

And as I find myself at this crossroad, without a job and without any offers on the table, I stand dazed and confused. But why? Is it because we are institutionalized, taught to be like obedient sheep in a mechanized society?

I should be excited! I have no kids, no marriage, no strings attached. It’s the perfect time to work hard toward my life dream!

But hey, I’m only human. Thus, I’m freaking out because my only possibility of reaching this life dream of mine lies on this freaking contest at the moment. Heck, that’s my ONLY shot / possible route for my life to take the rest of 2013.

And I can’t. stop. thinking. about it

Sure, I could join Peace Corps & even defer these student loans. But nah, that’s just not the same. Besides stressing out about interest piling up while I’m  away, why do I feel this way?

Ken Murphy, Flickr

Having the freedom to prepare my own itinerary, record videos, write my own articles in several languages (in addition to learning new ones!), and help charities I personally believe in — that combo hits my heart like a powerful water stream rushing out of a broken dam.

This is why I’m pushing through to pay off my student loans as soon as possible. This is why I want to become a digital nomad.

And this contest would allow me to do ALL this in 2013. THIS.FREAKIN’.YEAR

Being in front of the camera also brings me tremendous joy. I can’t explain it – I’ve been posing for pictures even before my first birthday. And I love to talk. I mean seriously, I can ramble on and on about the things I love for days.

Which is what I’ve pretty much been doing this entire blog post. Oops.

I guess what I’m trying to say is…

 My life dream is to become a travel host, nomadic translator & volunteer.

I want to travel the world indefinitely…after I pay off these student loans!

Let’s hope My Destination judges think this is my calling as well. Until then, I probably won’t be getting much sleep.

That’s my life dream + top item on my travel bucket list! What’s yours?

_________________________________________________________________

Liked this? Learn more about Puerto Rico and VOTE FOR MY DREAM!
Just click on the badge, then click on the social media SHARE buttons on my audition page. THAT’S IT! No forms to fill or anything.

If I’m selected, I’ll be a travel host for the company My Destination, reporting to YOU from dozens of countries around the world, in all continents, for 6 months!

Thanks for helping me make my dream come true

The post My life dream is so close, I can’t sleep! appeared first on LatinAbroad.

Last month, I had the opportunity to shoot my first travel hosting bid! Yes, I had my very own cameraman and even a director. The following Puerto Rico travel video was made for a competition that will hopefully send me around the world for 6 months btw, taking you to the most exciting places on my biggest, baddest travel bucket list!

Puerto Rico: The Land of a Thousand Blessings

Liked it? Then VOTE FOR ME here! All you have to do is go to that page, then click on the social media icons beside my Puerto Rico travel video there. Share that entry page on Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, Google+ and even Pinterest!

The Making of: more work than you think!

Remember that old MTV series “Making the Video”? I loved going behind the scenes of my favorite music videos, learning about special effects, how storylines are written, and how hard the artists actually work for what comes to be a mere 3-5 min. video clip.

That being said: how long you think it took us to shoot the previous 3-minute Puerto Rico travel video? C’mon, take a wild guess!

Luquillo Beach, Puerto Rico by Ard Hesselink

More than 20 hours!

We worked for 14 continuous hours the first day of shooting, visiting over a dozen locations (scattered throughout the island!), taking video clips, stills, and different commentary. Then, on the second day, we worked a couple more hours to capture a glimpse of the nightlife.

But of course, with only 3 mins. to work with, a lot of good material had to be sacrificed…which makes me sad! All in all though, a great learning experience.

Pelican at La Guancha, Ponce, Puerto Rico by José Zayas

While filming was hard work, I had a blast. I honestly wouldn’t mind working more than 14 continuous hours on a single day, all while travel hosting! It didn’t feel like work. It felt like a great adventure, road tripping all over Puerto Rico

What did you think of my Puerto Rico travel video? VOTE FOR ME here!

The post Puerto Rico travel video and photos: my first hosting bid! appeared first on LatinAbroad.

To travelers and nomads, home is typically a state of mind. However, for FriFotos this week, I wanted to take you on a photographic journey to some of the places I’ve called HOME around the world. From sailboats to hammocks; concrete blocks to tiki huts: ¡Bienvenidos a mi hogar!

Home around the world: FriFotos photo essay

My humble home in Puerto Rico. Solid concrete = hurricane-proof!

The beginning and the end: my parents house and neighborhood in Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Closer to the city of Caguas, though!

The neighborhood I grew up in! A dead-end street with beautiful palm trees and mountains in the vicinity.

Due to hurricanes, most houses in Puerto Rico are made of solid concrete throughout:  including walls inside the home. Only the wealthy can afford intricate homes, as it is more expensive and difficult to build and mold concrete houses. However, if you just want one big concrete box, that won’t be too expensive!

The million-dollar home in Tampa, Florida

The pool area, part of a yacht, the lake, and other million-dollar homes in the area.

In the summer of 2010, I was lucky enough to score a housesitting and pet sitting gig in an affluent neighborhood in Tampa, Florida.  For 2 full months, I lived like a rock star!  A yacht, a boat, fun neighbors, great food! I also got to hang out with the amazing family when they were around every couple of weeks. I bonded with my hosts so much that I now call them my American family. I even call the married couple mom and dad!

Whenever I can’t go back home for Christmas, I spend the holidays with them

My new American family!

Don’t worry though, my first familia will always be in Puerto Rico. I simply call them mami and papi to differentiate my 2 sets of parents lucky to be surrounded by so many wonderful people—much love indeed.

A hammock, overwater hostel, and a sailboat in Panama

Aqualounge Hostel in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Only reachable by boat!

My bed for a couple of nights in Bocas del Toro, Panama

While this hammock and overwater hostel in Bocas del Toro were my home for less than a week, I had an amazing time! Great drinking specials, quirky characters, and fun parties.

View of Kuna Yala village from my sailboat cabin

More about this trip: Panama, my last college spring break! (photo essay)

This trip got even better with 4 days sailing down the San Blas Islands—in great company as well. Just imagine this bubbly Puerto Rican, a loopy captain, 2 diplomats from the US foreign service, 2 retired lawyers, and a Kuna Indian fisherman…!

College campus in Morocco

The gorgeous campus of Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco (Amina Lahbabi)

In the fall of 2009, I studied abroad in Ifrane, a small town by the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, for 4 months. The American-style college is called Al-Akhawayn University and I had a blast! Gorgeous grounds, architecture, and people. The dorms were even better than in most colleges I’ve seen in the USA, which was crazy!

One of the dorms! Photo courtesy of Munir Sayegh

I felt most at home in the classroom of my World Religions class with Portuguese professor Jacques, though. Handsome, wise. He taught me so much about unknown cultures, religious traditions, rites, etc. I haven’t been that happy in many other places! Unfortunately, no photo of handsome Jacques available.

 Cluttered roofs and sleeping on an ancient felucca in Egypt

Cluttered roofs and dirty apartments — commonplace in otherwise-fascinating Cairo, Egypt

I must have moved about 4 times during my year of Arabic studies in Egypt.  Issues ranged from roommate conflicts to sketchy bowaabs (building doorman)—you name it! And even though my digital camera died within the first week in Cairo, my first flatmate—Natalia—took a good picture of one of the apartments (photo above).

Umm yeah…with my student budget (relying exclusively on a scholarship), I couldn’t afford a maid to keep the apartment dust-free nor a better view than that one. All in all, a very humbling experience. Seriously, cleanliness…one of the many things we take for granted everyday.

Relaxing morning, sleeping on a felucca!

It goes without saying that where I felt the most at home during my year in Egypt was while drifting down the Nile on a felucca for 3 days and 2 nights.  Absolutely magical.

Sunset during my 22nd birthday (by Aswan, Egypt)

This photo essay is almost 800 words now, so enough of home for today!

Hope you enjoyed it.

Yup, that’s me on the felucca once more. Had to save the best shot for last!

Where’s home to you? How many countries have you lived in?

The post FriFotos: places I’ve called HOME around the world! (photo essay) appeared first on LatinAbroad.

When you think of the ultimate travel bucket list, what comes to mind? I’m always thinking BIG: as in EPIC. 40-day overland Turkish delights trip (oh yes, as a solo female). 5 weeks hitchhiking and Couchsurfing throughout the Middle East. What about 31 days trying to get from Vietnam to Portugal — exclusively traveling by rail? Such a journey has a name: it’s the Ultimate Train Challenge and this year’s race is ON!

JOIN US on the Ultimate Train Challenge 2013! Enter the discount code MA13UTC in the “Referral” box of your registration form and get $30 off your entrance fee

Teams vs. the rails = the Ultimate Train Challenge

Are you adventurous enough to go across more than 15,000 miles (25,000 km), planning your own route, arranging your own visas, accommodation, and rail passes? This is no organized or guided tour. YOU pick your own countries, stops, cities, and overnights.  YOU get to create your own epic itinerary — one that hundreds of travelers may want to follow years from now.

And that’s not all: several other teams will be competing to get to the finish line before you. You may pick any of these routes: Saigon to Lisbon or Lisbon to Vietnam. Not only will great prices be awarded to the winning team either way, but the amazing memories and skills you develop this May will last a lifetime.

Write your own history! You think you got what it takes?!

Ultimate Train Challenge: fees and GRAND PRIZES

Rail travel by ad.hermann, Flickr

Yes, there is a registration fee: US $295 (or approx. £183 / €223) if you register by THIS Friday, Feb 15th. Afterward, registration will go up by a $100 and the fee to join this epic journey and competition will be US $395 (approx. £245 / €298) until April 30th.

HOWEVER: if you use the code MA13UTC you get US $30 off the registration fee! You may use this discount code anytime — all the way until April 30th.

If you still need some convincing to join, just check out the ~$10,000 worth of PRIZES and discounts for UTC13:

- Entry to the kick off party in both Lisbon and Saigon.

- Intrepid Travel is giving at away their 15-day Morocco tour to the faster person from Saigon to Lisbon and their 15-day Bangkok to Hanoi trip to the winner going the other direction.

- Eurail has donated a couple 10-day Global rail passes we will be raffling off to anyone that signs up before February 15th. They are also donating additional passes that we will be giving away for the best on-train photo taken on the trip and also one for the best video.

- Urban Adventures is offering 15% off any of their great day tours to all participants (valid for a time period yet that will be determined in the next couple weeks).

- HostelWorld will be providing 2 night’s free accommodation for everyone prior to departure, in addition to offering some prizes (various monetary coupons) for other contests along the way.

-  Real Russia, UK will be giving away two Trans-Manchurian train tickets and a discount on rail ticket purchase through them.

- Non-bloggers will be able to use our YWNR website to blog their trip and there will be a real-time map that everyone can use on the site, so that friends and family can track where they are on their journey.

Trip of a lifetime + fundraising for CHARITY

Still hesitating? What if we tell you that the Ultimate Train Challenge has a CHARITY component? Every participant is expected to raise at least $500 for the selected charity, Blue Dragon’s Children Foundation in Vietnam, in order to have this whole journey help out some needy children.

Moreover, UTC sponsor Intrepid Travel has agreed to match each contribution (dollar for dollar!) up to $10,000. So, in addition to having an adventure of a lifetime, we are all going to help make a small, but positive change in the world.

Need another incentive? Trip planning assistance available, cost-FREE!

Please remember folks: you got nothing to worry about. You are not alone! The organizers of the Ultimate Train Challenge have put together a great trip planning and resources page in order to assist you with arrangements such as getting your visas, recommended rail passes, accommodation, stops, etc.

Got other concerns not addressed on this page? Shoot an email to the Ultimate Train Challenge team at contact@yourworldnorules.com if you have any other questions about this ultimate travel bucket list journey.

Now: are you READY for this? Take the plunge, explore your world, HELP A CHARITY! And don’t forget to use the code MA13UTC to get $30 off the registration fee

The Ultimate Train Challenge is on my travel bucket list. What’s on YOURS?

The post Ultimate Train Challenge = THE ultimate travel bucket list journey! appeared first on LatinAbroad.

Welcome to a special edition of Cultural Tidbits Monday! Today we have the guest post “Have Books, Will Travel” — giving you a synopsis of 5 Middle Eastern books that will surely inspire you to travel to this fascinating region of the world. As you know, I fell in love with it and went on to study, live, and travel extensively throughout Egypt, Morocco, Israel, Palestine/West Bank, and Jordan for over 16 months. I hope we pique your interest as well!

carvings inside The Ramesseum mortuary temple in Luxor, Egypt

Have Books, Will Travel: Picks To Inspire You to Travel the Middle East

Middle Eastern nations such as Iraq, Turkey and Jordan have long inspired historic tales and prize-winning authors, as well as producing insightful non-fiction on subjects from art to exploration and cuisine. In its fine body of literature (both home-grown books and those written by others), the Middle East presents an enthralling image for any traveler wishing to explore for themselves – whether that’s with an off-road camel trek to discover the local cultures of Morocco, or a beach break in Sharm el Sheikh.

In little over a month’s time, the largest and most prestigious literary festival in the Middle East gets under way in Dubai, celebrating another year of the best in reading and writing in the region. In a city-state usually lauded for its superlative extravagance, this is the perfect opportunity for visitors to get to the heart of these culture-rich countries and dig deeper while on their holidays to Dubai.

The Sultan’s Seal: A Novel by Jenny White

Anyone interested in the Ottoman Empire and its last days should pick up this acclaimed mystery from Jenny White, a professor of Anthropology who uses her detailed knowledge of the era to weave a richly descriptive tale that whisks the reader from the banks of the Bosphorus to the dangerous and fragrant gardens of the Sultan’s palace. When a mysterious young Englishwoman is murdered in Istanbul, a local magistrate steps in to investigate and gets caught up in a gripping tale of political intrigue, love and murder that will leave you itching to visit the city for yourself.

Married to a Bedouin by Marguerite van Geldermalsen

This incredible true story of love and adventure follows New Zealand-born nurse Marguerite van Geldermalsen, who met a local souvenir-seller in Jordan in the 1970s and fell in love. The subsequent story is a fascinating one – of how she married Mohammed Abdallah Othman, raised their children in an ancient cave in the famous sandstone cliffs of Petra, and integrated with his Manajah tribe and learned the Bedouin way of life. Her wry observations chronicle how she became grateful for the simpler, slower way of life even as she became a source of fascination for tribe members and outsiders alike. This wonderful tale of personal challenge and the triumph of love is a must for anybody interested in Petra, Bedouin traditions or the Middle East.

The Map of Love: A Novel by Ahdaf Soueif

An epic romance to rival The English Patient, Ahdaf Soueif’s novel is set in the UK and Egypt as two stories of love unravel, 100 years apart. A young American woman enlists the help of an Egyptian translator to research her great-grandmother’s diaries, and starts to fall in love with the translator’s brother as she discovers her great-grandmother’s own parallel love story. Egypt is the thread that ties the book together, and the Booker Prize-shortlisted novel presents an unparalleled vision of  politics, colonial and modern life in Egypt.

New Persian Cooking by Jila Dana-Haeri

Persian cooking is relatively under the radar in the UK and North America, but this excellent cookbook attempts to change that. Dr. Jila Dana-Haeri’s recipes showcase sumptuous spices and fresh ingredients in recipes that are healthy and easy to make. She focuses on ingredients that readers will be able to find in the West, so they too can benefit from Persian cuisine’s health benefits and ancient flavors  From fish to pomegranates, and saffron to khoresht-e fesenjan, this book offers a different perspective on Iran, and the crisp photographs accompanying each recipe are enough to make anyone plan a culinary expedition.

The Arabian Nights: Tales from a Thousand and One Nights by Various Authors

No literary homage to the Middle East could leave out this riotous and dazzling compendium of folk tales. From the famous stories of Aladdin, Sinbad and Ali Baba to lesser-known (but no less enthralling) tales, The Arabian Nights still holds up after hundreds of years. Legend says that the king’s wife Shahrazad told a story to her husband every night, never revealing the ending, to keep him intrigued and prevent his unseemly tradition of killing his wives after the first night.

Have books, will travel? Which are your favorite books for the road?

The post Have Books, Will Travel: 5 Books To Inspire You to Discover the Middle East appeared first on LatinAbroad.