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.