Author Archives: Shmuel

Brazil – at 3.3 square miles and 217 million people, is the largest country in South America. Bordering all countries and territories in South America except Ecuador and Chile, Brazil is one of the most multicultural and ethnically diverse nations in the world. It is here that I would spend the next 8 days ofContinue reading “Days 45 to 53: Rio de Janeiro & São Paulo”

Argentinian Patagonia encompasses the arid steppes, grasslands, and desserts. Argentina’s famous RN-40 highway passes the pinnacles of Monte Fitz Roy and Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. I knew I would only have about a week on this side before heading to Buenos Aires so I had to make some hard choices onContinue reading “Days 25-40: Patagonia II”

Patagonia, Forever Changing Growing up, my Mother would often take me to the beach in the summers. It was one of my favorite places to visit. I remember whenever we would arrive to the coast and I got my first view of the ocean, a feeling of euphoric excitement would fill me – and whenContinue reading “Days 25-40: Patagonia I”

Medellin! Capital of the Flowers and The Land of Eternal Spring Colombia’s second largest city (after Bogota), Medellin is nestled in the Aburra Valley of the Andres Mountains. Founded in 1616, the city remained largely under the radar until the Colombian coffee boom in the early 1800’s. Later, Colombia became a major hub for aContinue reading “Day 8-16: Medellin & Lima”