South America Prep Part 11 Final: Bravery

 To go on a solo backpacker trip requires plenty of this, bravery.

We are used to be around friends and family and the normal routine that when in the situation of facing changes, uncertainty and unfamiliarity, we freak out. Really, it´s just getting use to the uncertainty factors, bracing the unknown and being okay with not knowing. You may make awesome friends and experience things that will not happen in the usual safety zone bubble.

People hear my plan to go solo in South America for three months, they freak out for me. I am also a little freaked out but deep inside somewhere I know it's going to be okay. I just need to get over the first stage of solo travelling, meaning taking care of myself and all responsibilities along with it. After the first freak out stage, then you head into the homesick zone, then it gets REALLY fun. So, ladies and gents, take a deep breath, gather all your bravery and jump! Guts.

I don´t find this on a normal day!

South America Prep Part 10: Believe in Humanity

Believe in humanity. It´s kind of hard at the beginning but it gets easier and easier. People are nice in general. There have been times where I desperately needed a helping hand and got offered tones of help from strangers whom I´ve never met and probably will never see again.

Just to name a few, when I stupidly brought myself to the middle of no where in Australia and a family gave me a free ride to my destination. When I got to Switzerland and forget all the information of where I booked the hostel and what the hostel name was. There is also a time when I got trapped in Paris without anyway of getting out of the city due to strikes and no way of getting accomodation due to football finale during the weeend then a friend of a friend of a friend whom I don´t even know the name of offered me to stay at her place for the night. There has been so many times people approach me when I look lost and offered their knowledge and even brought me to the place I wanted to go.

I trust people in general under the normal circumstances. Always exercise normal precautions but don´t get paranoid. You´re instincs are usually correct. It´s karma, be kind to others and you´ll be returned with same kindness.

Dog at Ollantaytambo using me as a sun shade. I guess he trusts me too.

South America Prep Part 9: Stuff you got to have

Among the hundreds of things that you think you might need...
Here's a quick list of items that I find essential for a South America trip

1. sunblock (high altitude, definitely need sunblock, even if its not a really sunny day)
2. bug repellant (going into the woods and wild, you will need this for sure, especially the Amazons)
3. waterproof jacket (depending on your season of visit)
4. a good small day bag that can hold water bottle and a journal (this will go a long way)
5. fleece jacket for night (the temperature goes from 5-24 degrees celcius in a day)

Peru is a growing touristy place, so anything you don´t have can be found here, its just the matter of the cost and the quality. I bought fleece jacket, leg warmer and warm socks for $40 Canadian here in Cusco, which come to think of it, if bought in Vancouver, it would have cost at a good $100. If you are going into the Amazons and/or hiking in the mountains for multiple days, investing in good outerwear at home country is a good idea.

When I climbed Machu Picchu, it was 4am but then it got really hot because of the vertical climbing. Then it started to sprinkle rain, which then I pulled out my thin wind jacket that can also withstand a little bit of rain. Machu Picchu had good sunlight for about two hours or so then it started to pour rain, which then I used the plastic poncho I bought from Aguas Calientes for 4 solus. Then when we headed down back to Aquas Calientes, it became hot again, which then I packed away all the warm gear and back to a thin long sleeve top. From there, you can tell that the temperature and the weather here is varies massively so being prepared for all kinds of weather would help you. Again, layering is a good technique in this case. Climbing Machu Picchu for two hours in the dark from the bottom was really difficult for someone who doesn't do any sport but it's totally worth it. Beautiful sight when the mist cleared up and the ancient city slowly appears in front of you.

South America Prep Part 8: Clothing Strategy

This is probably the most difficulty I have for packing for a trip. Most of the time the visiting area is not so vast that it would range from -10 Celsius to 25 celsius. Cusco and la Paz are both high altitude so it's cold at night while Santiago and Buenos Aires are mild temperatures throughout their spring season.

To prepare for this crazy variance, I had to strategy pack for layers. I packed 3 pairs of pants for spring and a pair of jeans for the colder areas plus a black tight just in case it gets really cold then I can double it up with the pants. For tops I have 3 tank tops, 3 tshirts, 3 long sleeve shirts, 1 merino long sleeve, 1 fleece hoodie, 1 wind breaker jacket. Then there's the usual intimate and socks. Then I packed a big scarf and a warm blanket just in case it gets cold at night.

For now I don't know how it'll work out, I wish I packed an extra warm pair of socks, merino tights and another warm long sleeve for the colds in highland but who know, maybe the Canada cold training will come in handy.

The layering strategy is usual good. I like to wear a long tank top to keep myself warm then layer clothing on top depending on the weather. Layering allows you to peel off like bananas when it's hot and put them on when it's cold. In any case, you can always buy a couple pieces of clothing if you needed more.

South America Prep Part 7: Backpack and bags

Backpacks
I've been travelling with tow duffle bag most of the times. This time, I want to get a 65L backpack so it would be easier to go around less developed areas. After much research, to simply put it, the backpacks are ridiculously expensive. Most of them are more than $200, some bigger brands goes up to $300-400. I went to craiglist in hopes to find a second hand for a much better price. Turns out, craglist did not let me down! There was a lady selling a brand new Taiga bag for $80 (regular price $160). There are plenty of people selling their used backpack for a reasonable price. Make sure they have a photo available with product name and type so you can check online for the bag's details and reviews.

Bags
Again, plenty of travel bags are made well but at the same time, they are pricey. I went to urban outfitter for bargain searches. I needed a bag that is durable and can be backpack, messenger bag and shoulder bag. This Deena & Ozzy bucket bag on the left hand side matches the needs except its unknown durability (UO have good bags but many times it's not built to last). The bag was on sale's sale's sale which turned out to be $7 after tax. I got another very durable looking Herschel eighteen cordura fabric hip bag for $15 at the UO sale. It can be a shoulder bag as well so it'll probably be used as a day pack.

South America Prep Part 6: Hostels and Guides

Guides

I refer to Lonely Planet and Rough Guides when first starting to do backpack trips. Later on, as I got more use to socializing with people and finding local resources, reading guides became less of a habit. I'll do a little homework scan on the local safety and top known attractions then leave the rest as a surprise! Socializing to people is such a fun way to find out where to go and where's the party. Its so boring to have things planned out on a trip, it eliminates the element of surprise, plus, you get to do these things with new friends. Talking to the local hostel hosts and staff is a good idea as well. They usually have good suggestions and local secrets and most of the time, it will not burn a hole in the wallet. Many hostels have boards that tells you what to do around town as well, but that depends on the quality of hostels you go to.

Hostels

Hostelworld has been my go-to since the beginning of adventures. It hasn't failed me once. Top qualities I look for is cleanliness and safety. Usually what I do is search the location then sort the results by top satisfaction reviews then look for the one with cheapest dorm room bed. It usually gives you a within reasonably cheap dorm room but a great overall hostel quality. From my past experience, it doesn't make a difference whether its a 12 person mix dorm or a 20 person mix dorm, so I just go for the biggest dorm room possible to save more money and still maintain the quality. The pros of staying at dorms is that you will meet plenty of people within a short amount of time and the cons is your dorm mates will mostly likely be guys. For me, they are easier to befriend and hang out with but you have to understand that they are simply not as clean or tidy as girls.

one of my favourite hostel :)

South America Prep Part 5: Route Planning

When I was taking a short vacation at Quebec, I met a guy while staying at a couchsurfing who just travelled to South America. I was naive thinking one month would be more than sufficient for South America, but then he replied "Girl, you need way more than that, I went for almost 6 months and I felt another 3 months is in need." This is when I extended it to 3 months.

The Rough Guides on South America had many suggested itineraries so I did some research, ruling out the stuff I don't mind missing out and the places I definitely want to visit. Eventually I just dot them down on the map and figure out a loop route out of Lima and back while referencing them to the amount of in between travel time and whether I can afford it. Its a rough itinerary, things change in split seconds sometimes so I usually try to not write plans in stone unless its something like the Macchu Picchu trail which needs 6 months advance booking. I decided to leave Brazil out of this round since I was too late for visa and because it would be a rush to do it all. I rather spend an extra night or two at one place...

So here is the rough idea for this loop trip

1. Peru
• Lima
• Cusco & around
• Macchu Picchu
• Lake Titica
2. Bolivia
• La Paz & around
• Amazon tour guide
• Uyuni
3. Argentina
• Buenos Aires
• Maybe hop over to Uruguay for a couple day if I feel ultra adventurous
• Rosano
• Cordoba
• San Juan
• Mendoza
4. Chile
• Santiago
• Valparaiso
• travel along the coast all the way to Arica and cross Peru border back to Lima 

I have to admit I haven't done a whole lot of homework so this might include some bad ideas but I'm sure there would be advices and information along the way. As long as I am open to change, make enough time cushion for myself and remain calm, it'll be fine. 

South America Prep Part 4: Money and Vaulables

Let's talk Murphy's law: shit happens.
But here's a few things you can do to reduce the chance of it happening. I've done quite a bit of stupid things in the past and learnt it the hard way. You don't want to learn it the hard way...


Stay low profile
It's simple, don't flash your blings. Keep bags, watches, cameras, necklaces, rings, smart phones and anything of high value out of sight. Don't tell others how loaded you are. A tip my sister taught me is to tell people you're at the end leg of your trip, this gives the signal that you probably don't have much on you.

Keepin' the money safe
Spread the eggs, don't put them all in one basket. Spread out the valuable money to three four different places. I usually keep visa card and some cash with me, keep the debit card and some more cash in the main bag's inner pocket or in one of the organizer bags and then also put medium bills in couple of jackets and pants pockets (it'll come in use when shit happens.)

Lock it up
Bring a lock so you can use the hostel safe box/lockers and just take the stuff you need you for the day or two. Some hostels even provide locks with electric plugs inside so you can charge the electronics while away. When hostels do not provide this service, I usually place my small purse (cards, cash, phone and other important stuff) under the pillow, against the wall or dead corner if possible and with the strap around my arm while sleeping. You'll be sleeping your head on it, placed in a hard to reach corner and have your hand wrapped around it.

Know the local crime and safety
Do the homework, read up crime and safety tips from guide books and online sources and also exercise normal precaution at all times. Be alert of your surroundings and go with your instincts (most of the time your instincts are correct). I usually put on a slight poker face, keep the map in the pocket and walk confidently. Also read up on Canadian travel advisory for local government stability and other advisories.

Back up plans
Remain calm. Breath and breath some more. Go back to resources. The embassy, the travel insurance, the spread out cash and cards, the police and the rainy day fund. As long as you are healthy and safe, you can work things out.

We are usually stronger than we think we are. 

South America Prep Part 3: Budget

Money Money makes the world go around. You know what they say, spend money on the things money can buy and spend time on the things money can't buy (not that it's relevant to this topic... )

Budget
I always have a rough budget plan so I will not return home broke, the costs will not be a surprise afterwards and that there is emergency money set aside for a rainy day. Everything below are budgeted in Canadian Dollars.

3 months budget to Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile
Return Ticket (Lima, Peru): $700
Travel Insurance (WorldNomads): $300
Vaccination: $500 (It was high because I did everything including meningitis and yellow fever)
Daily budget of hostels and food (Roughly based from guides book recommendations)
$20 per day at Peru x 25 days: $500
$20 per day at Bolivia x25 days: $500
$40 per day at Argentina x20 days: $800
$45 per day at Chile x20 days: $900
Guided tours approximate allocation: $600
Transportation: $600 (travelling mainly by bus)
Souvenirs and shopping: $250 (I am not a huge shopper)
Trip essentials: $200 (Backpack, prescriptions, sunscreen, bug spray)
Visa: $250 (for Argentina and Chile as Canadian)
Rainy day: $500

Rough budget total: $7500

For the rough budget to be effective and useful, determine your travel style and your general preference. If you are more of an luxury type or like to splurge, then allocate appropriately to daily budget and guided tours. If you are visiting for a short time, then check on the transportation costs of flying to destinations. If you do big shopping sprees or plan on taking home 50 pairs of Havaianas, then bump up that shopping budget.

I intentionally made guided tours, transportation and daily budget more than the recommended so it would be  more enjoyable rather than suffering (and safer in some cases). I have a low shopping budget because I generally just send post cards to friends and family then the rest of that money are for splurging purposes. Backpack cost would be much greater if you are buying it completely new and it would be non existent if you are able to get hands on a free one.

My recommendation would be to not cheap out so much that it would make your trip a complete lump of suffering. It's not fun when there's only one meal a day or sleeping in bed bug infested rooms. Stay on track of spendings and do the homework to find out which things you definitely want to do and plan it in the budget.

If partying day and night is your thing, bump up that alkie budget!