MISSION #1 : ARGENTINA – Learn Spanish & Find a Job in Buenos Aires
On October 1st, 2009 I touched down in Buenos Aires, Argentina. With zero knowledge of language, local contacts or scheduled plan, this was my first my Tourist 2 Townie Mission – To learn Spanish and find a local job in Buenos Aires.
These were many of my specific goals for traveling and working in Argentina:
- Get into Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Find an Apartment in Buenos Aires (Palermo, Recoleta, Barrio Norte or Belgrano)
- Purchase a cell phone in Buenos Aires
- Have dinner at a true Porteño’s home
- Play basketball with locals
- Play in a pick-up Football match
- Get a Job in Buenos Aires (Beyond Teaching English)
- Make it to a 2nd date with a Porteña
- See Eva Peron’s grave in the Recoleta Cemetery
- Buy something at the Sunday market in San Telmo
- Have a Coffee @ Cafe Tortoni, Argentina’s Oldest Cafe
- Visit the colorful houses of La Boca
- Go crazy at a football match in Buenos Aires
- Watch a River Plate Game at River Stadium
- Go to a Boca Juniors game at La Bombonera
- Go to a Professional Rugby Match – Los Pumas
- Take Polo Lessons with Polo Elite
- Attend an Argentine Open Polo Finals match
- Take Tango Lessons in Buenos Aires
- Go to a local concert
- Visit a Telo
- Drive a car/bike in the city of Buenos Aires
- Learn how to play Truco and win a game against a local guy
- San Antonio Areco for the Fiesta de la Tradicion
- Attend the Feria Mataderos
- Visit Tigre, Argentina
- Visit Rosario, Argentina
- Visit Cordoba, Argentina
- Visit San Isidro outside Central Buenos Aires
- Step on grapes in Mendoza, Argentina’s wine country
- Lay on the beaches in Mar Del Plata, Argentina
- Compare Iguazu Falls to Buffalo’s own Niagara Falls
- Visit the crazy Salinas Grandes in Northern Argentina
- Ski Patagonia (while wearing a Patagonia half-zip fleece sweeter vest).
- Drink whiskey after trekking on El Perito Moreno.
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MISSION #2: COLOMBIA – Learn Salsa in Medellin
After Argentina, I moved to Medellin, Colombia on a mission to learn Salsa and prove that Colombia is much more than coffee beans and drug lords. Unfortunately, I fractured my ankle playing basketball two months into the quest so I wasn’t able to reach a competitive level with my Salsa moves. This was an unfinished mission.
These were many of my specific goals for traveling and learning Salsa in Colombia:
- Get into Colombia
- Find an apartment in Medellin/Envigado
- Find an apartment in Cali Colombia
- Have dinner at a true Paisa’s home
- Start taking salsa lessons in Medellin
- Take intensive salsa lessons in Cali, Colombia
- Find a professional salsa partner
- Win a Salsa contest
- See where Pablo Escobar lived and died
- Checkout the fat chicks in Plaza Botero, Medellin
- Go crazy at a futbol match in Medellin
- Visit a traditional coffee plantation
- Visit the beautiful Colombian countryside
- Visit Castillo San Felipe de Barajas in Cartagena, Colombia
- Go snorkeling in the Isles de Rosario and Playa Blanca
- Act like a hippie in Taganga, Colombia
- Attend a beach party in El Rodadero Santa Marta
- Spend New Years in Bogota, Colombia’s capital city
- Visit Guatape & climb La Piedra
- Visit Jardin, Colombia
- Visit Manizales Colombia
- Hike to the Cuidad Perdida
- Go nude at Tayrona National Park
- Visit the burial tombs & sculptures @ Tierradentro National Park, Colombia
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MISSION #3: PERU – Learn to Cook like a Peruvian Chef
After Colombia, I traveled through Ecuador and Northern Peru before settling in Lima. My biggest mission in the Peruvian capital was to eat my way around the city and learn to cook like a local. I gained a lot of weight, but the trip was a success!
These were many of my specific goals for traveling and learning to cook in Peru:
- Enjoy the beaches of Mancora
- Visit the Chan Chan Ruins
- Erotic Artifacts at Larco Museum in Lima
- Circuito Magico del Agua in Lima
- Learn to cook Ceviche from Locals
- Learn to cook a traditional Peruvian dish from Locals
- Experience the Hare Krishna Lifestyle
- the Ballestas Islands
- Sandboard the giant sand dunes in Huacachina oasis
- Hike the world’s deepest Colca Canyon outside Arequipa
- Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Explore Machu Picchu
- Volunteer on Christmas in Cusco
- New Year’s Eve in Cusco
- Visit the floating islands of the Uros in Lake Titicaca
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MISSION #4: BOLIVIA – Help Build Libraries with BiblioWorks.org
From Peru, I moved to Sucre, Bolivia to begin volunteering with an organization called BiblioWorks.org. BiblioWorks builds and facilitates libraries in and around the city of Sucre. Based on the contribution to the community, this was a very successful mission. Through the donations of Tourist2Townie.com readers, we managed to raise $2,500 to fund the first ever Literacy Festival in Sucre.
These were many of my specific goals for traveling and volunteering in Boliva:
- Help BiblioWorks.org establish sustainable literacy programs
- Help fund, organize and execute the first ever Literacy Fair in the city of Sucre
- Living like a local in Sucre, Bolivia
- Experience Carnival in Bolivia
- Speak in Spanish on Bolivian Radio
- Appear Live on Bolivian Television
- Experience the Legoland that is La Paz
- Visit San Pedro Prison in La Paz
- Survive Mountain Biking the World’s Deadliest Road
- Volunteer in Cochabamba
- Experience the salt flats of Salar de Uyuni
- Make the coolest tour video of all time
- Visit La Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca
- Work in local villages to build literacy initiatives in Bolivia
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MISSION #5: GUATEMALA – Small Business Development with Kiva.org
After volunteering in Bolivia, I was addicted to the idea of helping others, so, I joined the Kiva.org family as a Kiva Fellow and moved to Sololá, Guatemala. In the Atitlan Region of Guatemala, I worked with local entrepreneurs to help fund their businesses through Kiva Loans. I met some amazing individuals and had the opportunity to explore the beautiful country.
These were many of my specific goals for traveling and volunteering with Kiva in Guatemala:
- Meet local entrepreneurs to help them develop their businesses
- Work with with Kiva’s local microfinance institution partner
- Enjoy the architecture of Antigua
- Discover the beauty of Rio Dulce
- Swim in the pools of Semuc Champey
- Watch the sunrise on the Island of Flores
- Visit the Ruins of Tikal
- the end of the world is all about from the Mayans
- Soak up some sun on Lake Atitlán
- Party in Panajachel
- Explore San Pedro
- Discover the best foods in Guatemala
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MISSION #6: Brazil – Learn Portuguese and Work at the 2014 FIFA World Cup
This was supposed to be my sixth and final Tourist 2 Townie adventure. This would prove to be the most ambitious and difficult task of them all. I lived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where I slowly learned Portuguese through social interaction. I partnered with the Tourism Board of Brazil to travel the country and then worked with an Australian Tour Operator to Film during the World Cup. This was an incredible trip.
These were many of my specific goals for traveling and working in Brazil:
- Learn Portuguese in Rio de Janeiro
- Try all the best Traditional Brazilian Foods
- Experience Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro
- Parade in Sambodromo during Carnaval
- Learn Ju Jitzu with Gracy School in Rio de Janeiro
- Compete in Brazilian Ju Jitzu tournament
- Take Capoeira Lessons in Salvador de Bahia
- Discover the Amazon Rainforest
- Spend a Weekend in Sao Paulo
- Go Piranha Fishing in the Pantanal Wetlands
- See the Nature Beauty and Things to Do in Bonito
- Recife
- Eat way too much on a Day Trip to Gramado
- Race across the Sand dunes and Beaches of Natal
- Find the Best Things to do in Porto Alegre
- Curitiba
- Discover the Best Things to do in Paraty
- Act like a Kid @ Beach Park in Fortaleza
- Kitesurfing lessons in Jericoacoara
- Experience Belo Horizonte like a Local
- Find the best beaches in Rio de Janeiro
- Find the best beaches in Florianopolis
- Spend A Weekend in Buzios
- Work at the FIFA World Cup
- Watch World Cup Matches
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OTHER GOALS IN LATIN AMERICA:
- Ride motos on the cobblestone streets of Colonia, Uruguay
- Eat a big steak at the Central Market in Montevideo, Uruguay
- Hit the beaches of Punta del Este, Uruguay
- Visit the central market in Santiago, Chile
- Travel to Valparaiso & Vina del Mar on the Chilean Coast
- Ski the Andes in Chile
- Skinny dip in the World’s Largest Pool in Chile
- Catch crabs on Easter Island
- Explore Paraguay
- Explore Venezuela
- Volunteer at a Monkey Rescue Center in Puyo, Ecuador
- Bungee Jump in Baños, Ecuador
- Explore Quito, Ecuador
- Visit the Middle of the World (Mitad del Mundo)
- Eat Guinea Pig (Cuy)
- Have a love affair with Cuenca, Ecuador
- Mountain Bike down the World’s Largest Volcano in Ecuador
- Experience Latin America’s Largest Market at Otavalo Market
- Visit El Cajas National Park in Ecuador
- Explore Puerto Rico
- Explore Cuba
- Swim in Cenotes in Mexico
- Explore the ruins of Chichen Itza
- Explore the ruins of Tulum
- Explore the ruins of Copán
- Scuba Dive in the Tropical waters of the Yucatan Peninsula
- Experience Street Food in Mexico City
- Kayak in the Galapagos Islands
- Cruise down to Antarctica
- Get on a Spanish television show
OTHER GOALS IN THE USA:
- Road Trip up California’s Route 1 (Highway 1) from San Diego to San Fran
- Visit the San Diego Zoo
- Learn to Surf in San Diego
- Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge
- Experience Bay to Breakers in San Francisco
- Eat my way through the Pike Place Market in Seattle
- Get Weird in Portland, Oregon
- Mountain Bike in Moab, Utah
- Visit Arches National Park in Moab, Utah
- Act like a local in Park City, Utah
- Attend Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah
- Visit Zion National Park in Utah
- Visit Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona
- Visit Havasupai Falls in Arizona
- Experience the best of Tucson, Arizona
- Rate the best Mexican Restaurants in Tucson, Arizona
- Ride a horse in Montana
- Visit Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming
- Attend SXSW in Austin, Texas
- Watch a Cowboys game at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas
- Cruise along the River Walk in San Antonio, Texas
- Attend a Rodeo in Houston, Texas
- Explore the outdoors in Denver, Boulder and Golden, Colorado
- Kayak down the Chicago River
- Eat my way across the Taste of Chicago
- Attend a “Cross-Town Classic” Cubs vs White Sox Game at Wrigley Field
- Sit courtside at an NBA game (Chicago, LA, New York, Boston or Miami)
- Experience the best of New York City in the Summer
- Explore Boston
- Eat lobster in Maine
- Eat Crab in Maryland
- Party on Bourbon Street in New Orleans
- Road Trip through Florida
OTHER GOALS AROUND THE WORLD:
- Trek to Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal
- Explore Bhutan
- Eat my way around Istanbul, Turkey
- Visit the Greek Islands
- Act like a baller in Dubai
- Act like a baller in Monaco
- Act like a baller in Las Vegas
- South of France
- Sail the Mediterranean
- Morocco
- Drink Vodka with Russians in Russia
- Motorcycle through Italy
- Be Myself in Spain
- Get lost in Portugal
37 Responses
Motorcycle all the way for the road trip across the US
Cody, this needs to happen. First the US and then hopefully other countries like Vietnam, Italy or France!!!
You can’t go wrong in Lima with the chefs and restaurants there, even the tourist traps and uber cheap comida chifa is amazing. But I think you need to add “Surf a long left at Chicama” to your Peru list!
I definitely need to surf in Peru! I haven’t had the chance yet, but it’s on the list!
Visit a cacao plantation in Ecuador and help harvest cacao. Take a chocolate class in Quito!
I missed the chance when I was in Quito Jeff, I’ll definitely be back to Ecuador and experience much more the second time around.
Can you add go to the Galapagos islands with your dad?
Deal.
Follow the path of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in Bolivia.
I rode my motorcycle from Salar de Uyuni to Tupiza in 2004. Did it in a day with a couple of bikers up from Salta, Argentine. Part of the ride was 10 miles through the river bed because a bridge was out.
I gotta do something like that Tom!
eat an “Asado Argentino” incluides , “chinchulines”
Check!
Go to Ecuador!! I strongly recommend the Northern Andes.
I’m a big fan as well Julia!
Regarding Brazil:
I’m from Brazil, born and raised in Rio de Janeiro and, even though it’s too obvious, Rio is actually a very good place to learn Jiu Jitsu since the Gracie family is from here and the whole city seems to be crazy about the sport (me not so much).
Now for the World Cup (which I’m really looking forward to): you should definitely check out the fixtures and stadiums at FIFA’s website so you know where to go if you want to see all those teams playing, because they might not play a game in Rio. Here’s the link: http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/52/99/91/2014fwc_matchschedule_EN_30052012.pdf
Besides that, Brazil has lots of wonderful cities to know. You might even find it easier to work at the World Cup on a smaller city like Fortaleza, Curitiba or Porto Alegre. And it’ll be definitely worth the trip.
I hoep this helps! Great website man.
Thank you so much for the info Luiz! I wanted to look into the smaller cities like you mentioned, I just wasn’t sure on where to start, this will help big time.
stumbled across your blog; read some; hooked! mighty fine writing! I am currently working in the coffee industry, and the US office sent me to our colombian operations for origins training. Just went crop touring in southwest Antioquia. Noticed you wanted to visit Jardin and coffee farms. On the crop tour, while most coffee farm owners are in their 50’s; we visited this one farm where a young man of 30 lives on his own. He’s been alone on the farm since 14, and now has over 10 diff types of fruits, 5 diff types of veggies, 200+ hens, flowers, and lots of coffee. Most surprising situation, and very cool to hear his tale. If you go our agronomist has his number and I can get you guys connected. Really, after being here for 7 weeks and about to return to the US office, I can’t help but think how absolutely amazing Colombia is.
This is awesome Cecy, I need to get in touch the next time I get to Colombia.. which will hopefully be very soon!
I am Sally Cespedes,and I am from Bolivia.I met your father this morning.My mother-in-law is in the Portage Hospital right now.He gave me your web site …I am so happy that you are helping people in my country…thank you!!Why sucre?…How can you help me to do the same work in my little town in Bolivia?.The name of my town is
Riberalta.(close to the amazon,and right close to Brazil)
I would love to help anywhere possible! You should contact BiblioWorks.org to see if they could get any programs rolling in Riberalta! Thanks for checking out the site : )
How about sailing or kayaking in our astounding San Juan Islands, Washington….beats Pike Place Market any day! See you on Orcas…
This is awesome! How inspiring! I am 5 weeks into a year long (or however long the funds will last) trip and reading this has just pumped some energy into me! Thanks so much!
what r u up to now gareth? have u decided yet? kind regards from tokyo
Visitar Santa Fe de Antioquia, acudir a la Semana Santa en Popayán, Visitar Villa Jordán en Manizales, divertirse en Panaca y el Parque del Café y visitar cuanto pueblo paisa pueda. Todo eso en Colombia.
So you forgot Venezuela? you are missing the best nature ever
Travel RUTA 40 in Argentina. It runs along the west side of Argentina right before the Andes. Total length: 5200 km. The only COMPLETE road that goes through the whole country without changing its name. Pretty cool, if you ask me.
Find a Gracie school for JiuJitsu. You will love it.
Very nice list! Congratulations in attaining it!
Why dont you visit the crazy but lovely balkans? :*
Don’t forget to add Burning Man to your list if you have not been there yet. The most surreal and transformative time and place on earth. Thanks for all the Brazil information, currently researching for my trip.
Good call Sasha! I have been wanting to go to Burning Man since I lived in San Diego!
Nice to travel to enjoy. But more fulfilling to travel to empathize. Why not travel to “actually live and share a local life” that is unfamiliar to you. For starters, say maybe taking to with the likes of the inhabitants of the city of the dead, Cairo Egypt… and working your way forward towards such empathetic traveling.