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VDL - FINAL HIKE

Oct 11, 2016
9 min

VDL - FINAL HIKE

An impromptu and unguided venture up the paramo of Villa De Leyva's hillsides. October 11, 2016 You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved. (Ansel Adams) It began with a disappointed walk out the door. I grabbed my hat and Coco was hot on my heels. I had been packed and ready for a final yagé ceremony and the whole thing fell t

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VDL - SETTLING INTO HOME

Oct 2, 2016
2 min

VDL - SETTLING INTO HOME

Getting into the Villa de Leyva, Colombian Rhythm. October 02, 2016 Putumayo bead store for mesmerizing handicrafts, Donatellas or Museo de Chocolate for sweet, tasty treats, the quiet Thursday markets.. Resting after the second yagé ceremony, this time a night one. Back in VDL, I made a simple but yummy lunner of spaghetti and veggies. My stay here has been great and the room is so very accommodating. I face the ridge, but is only a short five minute walk to the steep, brush

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AIRE LIBRE

Aug 24, 2016
24 min

AIRE LIBRE

Accounting a very special and vivid ceremony in Quindio, Colombia. August 23, 2016 Returning to the Quindio region of Colombia, we were reminded at how beautiful the area was upon second viewing. The mountains running alongside each of the colorful towns and the vibrant green slopes (which seems to be a recurring theme) is simply enchanting every time we stand before an open aired window. We had tracked down a friend we made in our first passage through the area and learned h

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CROSS LATERAL SPINES

Jul 26, 2016
2 min

CROSS LATERAL SPINES

After nine straight months of travel, mandog taps into the mysticisms of Atuntaqui, Imbabura and Cotacachi to sense his place in this turned-back-in-time region. July 26, 2016 Atop the hills of Pacama, Ecuador beneath the exploded remnants of Imbabura, I looked out at the village descending down along the slopes. Cotacachi, the adjacent looming volcano seemed to grab all of the clouds from the sky and color them with the sun's setting hues. Recorded are the words to what I wa

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THE DESTINATION IS...

May 6, 2016
9 min

THE DESTINATION IS...

After seven months of travel through four countries, finally a chance to slow down and spend time with the new pup as the trip had crossed its halfway point. May 05, 2016 To look deep into the eyes of a 10 week old pup, that sees you with an equal and uncompromising reflection I am on a journey. And as I have seen many people state, it's always about the ride, not where you are going. So, I have forgotten, given up, released myself on trying to define what the destination is.

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PILAR DE AZÚCAR

Jan 17, 2016
4 min

PILAR DE AZÚCAR

With months of arduous traveling behind my back, I found myself at the edge of the South American continent gazing outward. January 16, 2016 after many steps through the hot sands, life and beautiful vistas awaited me on the other side The desert I am in encapsulates the feelings of Love I have. It is barren, minimal and certainly still exists, but it hides. It is dormant, awaiting the call to awaken. I feel I have regressed to the state of a child to comply with the ego's de

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SAN BLAS TO CAPURGANA

Dec 20, 2015
11 min

SAN BLAS TO CAPURGANA

Capturing the journey from the urban capital of Panama to the remote swaths of paradise of San Blas and ending in the harrowing tale of the longest border crossing. December 19, 2015 Geysers of salt spray were erupting 40-60' into the air. It was a cool sight. When we came around the point the Colombian lady started yelling with her fist in the air, 'Colombia! Colombia!' And so after coming from the highlands of Santa Fe to the Panamanian capital (and back to Santa Fe again a

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PAPA GOYO

Dec 13, 2015
7 min

PAPA GOYO

Retelling the stay with Santa Fe's most infamous gringo. December 12, 2015 A tall, white man with a military crew cut holding an opened MGD by the tip, wearing nothing but white, long and loose boxer shorts strolled up to the gate. A fresh new scene.. The bus up to Santa Fe was long and packed. I was pushed in as the bus was already rolling backwards departing from the terminal. No place for my pack other than in front of my face. It was winding and uncomfortable with various

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LESSONS OF A LONG-TERM BACKPACKER

Dec 5, 2015
8 min

LESSONS OF A LONG-TERM BACKPACKER

A written out, time-tested, categorized guide to traveling along with only a pack. December 05, 2015 One has to search, recognize and enjoy those little moments of peace as they can be quite hard to find. < Getting Around > Bus travel is friendly and very affordable. In most South American countries, expect to pay about $1 per hour for long distance bus rates. Prepare oneself for the haul before entering the seating area, as most luggage will be stowed below in the bodega. I

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THANKSGIVING @ LOMO MAI

Nov 27, 2015
8 min

THANKSGIVING @ LOMO MAI

Spending a US holiday amongst gracious, kind-hearted people ushered the heart into a new understanding of what community means. November 27, 2015 This is their life. I am just visiting, unsure to whether or not it could be my next home, but learning and absorbing so much about the culture as I go. Helping hands.. To start the third day at Lomo Mai, I thought it would be in the Thanksgiving spirit to volunteer my morning helping the workers pick coffee. They and the roosters w

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CARTAGO FOR MORE CARGO

Nov 23, 2015
2 min

CARTAGO FOR MORE CARGO

Returning to the industrial town of Cartago for much needed travel supplies. November 23, 2015 The winds were cold and whipped themselves through this highland city and I deemed it time to flee the imposter of a nice dream. Brace yourself.. From Castillo I direct bussed it back to San Jose to retrieve the broken computer. I sat around thinking/looking for a place to stay there and then it came to me! I could stay with Alexandria again! I laughably knew what I was getting myse

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SAN JOSÉ

Nov 17, 2015
4 min

SAN JOSÉ

Many attempts at avoiding the capital resulted in failure, and to my expected dismay, it was as terrible as anticipated. November 17, 2015 I stood on the corner as a man totally encapsulated in a tattered and torn assemblage of what only could be described as bags of sewage crossed my path. Brace yourself.. Stepping off the bus I landed into a chaos of smells, debris, cacophony of noises, beggars, peddlers, people shouting from all directions. I stood on the corner as a man t

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CAMPING IN POTRERO

Nov 1, 2015
10 min

CAMPING IN POTRERO

Immediately getting into a bind for finances in Costa Rica, camping looked like a good way to slow down and recover lost expenses. November 01, 2015 Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I'm going to take tomorrow. (Imogen Cunningham) Three and a half hours of bus rides, spread out across three different connecting busses I was out, around and back through to the coastal highlands towards Flamingo Bay. I passed Filadelfia. Flamingo was an Isla/Isthmus that seemed is

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BOOTS ON GROUND

Oct 28, 2015
5 min

BOOTS ON GROUND

Getting a first look at Costa Rica and the processes of backpack travel. October 28, 2015 My senses, my allure to the fascination of going further, turning a corner and pressing ahead would be the gravity that keeps me connected to the path. Flying in to Liberia Airport, Costa Rica, a sudden awareness of the endless lush, green canopies brought in the realization that I'd certainly flown to some place remote. The varied and changing landscapes, with specks of civilizations ma

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Journey to SE Asia: Pt3 - Coron/HK

Apr 12, 2014
25 min

Journey to SE Asia: Pt3 - Coron/HK

The third and final part to the journey around the world. April 11, 2014 The winds swept through the kitchen and drew out the smoke from what they were cooking and I was immersed in the pleasant aromas. Arriving into the town of Coron proper, I was already somewhat adjusted to the culture and vibes of Palawan. However, on my first full day here, I was struggling to get moving. Partly because of the toll from being on a boat for five days coupled with the pathetic dinner I had

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Journey to SE Asia: Pt2 - Palawan

Apr 5, 2014
15 min

Journey to SE Asia: Pt2 - Palawan

Part two of my journey around the world begins with a heavy dosage of travel. April 03, 2014 of the last sixty hours, fifty of those hours had been spent traveling. So, sleep was a priority to recuperate and make the most of my time on the expedition. At midnight I walked through the LAX gateway, preparing to fly for 15 hours to Hong Kong. I planned to stay up for the first six hours and then sleep the final eight as an attempt to put myself into Hong Kong time. The flight wa

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Journey to SE Asia: Pt1 - Pacific Coast

Mar 22, 2014
4 min

Journey to SE Asia: Pt1 - Pacific Coast

The Pacific coast portion of my journey around the world. March 21, 2014 The curvature of the coastline held the iconic West Coast imagery of the steep mountainsides falling off into the low laying ocean waters. Flying in over the Rockies, the desert landscape appears. Emerging from the dust are the high rises of LA. What appeared first as desert, is now revealed to be the low-lying sprawl of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan. Arriving at Play Del Ray, the restaurant, "Pla

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