TravelJeff's blog

Yesterday

TravelJeff — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:41:17 -0700

Nothing like a light-hearted lunch

The day was going so well. I had woken early to get in a nice workout before heading off to school. I arrived early, sat down in my favorite class, Photography, and settled into the daily routine.
By the time lunchtime rolled around, the day started to...

One Local

TravelJeff — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:25:01 -0700

The wind, which kept us awake for most of the night, is shaking the windows so badly that we expect they will explode inwards at any moment. The rain, which has been falling steadily, would no doubt follow the jagged shards of glass. I finally manage some intermitted sleep, my body so...

Football - The unpopular truth of popularity

TravelJeff — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:38:22 -0700

I have mentioned it before, in a previous post when I suggested that the world would be a better place if something entertaining, like hockey, was the international sport as opposed to football. After watching last week’s gold medal game, where my team by association, Argentina won gold over...

Three simple travel questions that are difficult for a vagabond to answer:

TravelJeff — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:08:51 -0700

People are often at a loss for conversational topics, and travelers are certainly no exception. While on the road, you will likely relive similar conversations with nearly every person you meet. Everyone always asks about your life, your country, your job and your plans. It is either...

Four Tales of Bureaucracy gone awry

TravelJeff — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:55:23 -0700

1. I arrive in The Brazilian Consulate in Santiago, Chile, and proceed through the lengthy security measures of going through a metal detector, having my backpack searched and so on before finally being emitted to speak to somebody about a visa.

I then learn that I must go to a bank, down the...

5 O'Clock

TravelJeff — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:35:26 -0700

Its ironic to me that the only city where I cannot call a friend randomly to suggest a cold beer on a sunny afternoon is the city I have called home for 10 plus years. It’s a mix of not keeping in touch with old school friends, treating home like nothing more than a money stop and missing...

6 Books to read on the road:

TravelJeff — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 21:56:26 -0700

Its something you need in your backpack at all times, a good book that lets you relax, escape and think about something other than how difficult that new language is! People tend to leave home with a great book before being forced to trade down for less and less quality works. A good book...

Seven Hours in America - The LAX story

TravelJeff — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:19:33 -0700

0700-0800 – My flight touched down on the landing strip of LAX with hardly a warning or vibration. After five months of Spanish speaking in Argentina, I was ready to switch back to English and eager to stretch my legs. I strode confidently to the immigration desk and proceeded through without...

Eight Places That I Will Never Forget

TravelJeff — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:22:40 -0700

8. Copacabana, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil – It wasn’t the impressive panoramic views from the summit of Sugarloaf that I will remember most. It was out early afternoon stroll down the beach that will forever be etched in my mind. Endless footballs being juggled by men of all ages and...

Packing lists - 9 Do's and Don'ts

TravelJeff — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:50:58 -0700

Nine things that should never be left off the packing list, no matter what:

1. Camera – I used to think that I wanted to live the moments and not bother with photos. Now I carry more camera gear than most, and I realize that the moments I catch on film will last much longer than those in...

10 things I hate about travel and 10 things I love, too!!!

TravelJeff — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:46:11 -0700

I will start with the hate:

1. I hate the perception that a LP guide is needed to travel to a far off land.

2. I hate being perceived as rich simply because I am a foreigner.

3. I hate that Hollywood style adventure moments are considered sports or must do adventure activities.

4. ...

Going to the Moon

TravelJeff — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 05:41:10 -0700

The aim was to rent a car and visit the famous Valle De La Luna (Moon Valley) inside Parque Nacional Ischigualasto, San Juan. We found a good deal at Classic Car Rentals, in San Juan, and secured a nice four door Chevrolet Corsa, and a contract that stated unlimited kilometers.

Valle de la Luna has...

Backpackers Are Dying

TravelJeff — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:16:05 -0700

“Trust me, it’s paradise. This is where the hungry come to feed. For mine is a generation that circles the globe and searches for something we haven't tried before. So never refuse an invitation, never resist the unfamiliar, never fail to be polite and never outstay the welcome. Just keep your...