Chronicles of On The Road Travel

Test Your Cultural Consciousness

Did you know that  Luis F. Leloir, the man who discovered sugar nucleotides and won a Nobel prize for it, was a citizen of this South American Country?

Did you know that George Bush regularly offends people from this South American country whenever he displays his signature 'A-OK' gesture (the thumbs up or the index finger-thumb circle)?

Did you know that this peak is the highest in the Western Hemisphere?

Did you know that Alfred Hitchcock's film, Notorious, starring Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman was primarily set in this Latin American coastal city?

For more fun cultural trivia, check out these great quizzes.

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Surfing 101

It's that time of year again - summer is here and vacations are in the works. Some will head off to exotic destinations while others stick closer to home and pick up a new hobby or activity. The lucky ones will manage to do both. Ian MacKenzie, over at Brave New Traveler, yesterday posted A Newbie's Guide To Surfing. Reading through this chronicle of his experiences brought back waterlogged memories.

The first time I ever tried surfing was in Byron Bay, Australia. The hippie-surf culture had won me over and I was determined that I too could experience the carefree exhilaration of floating on water, synchronized to the rhythm of the waves.  It didn't quite work out that way. I'm not sure which ended up more bruised - my body or my ego. The lesson I learned that day was that good surfers are great at making it look easy.

Further up the coast, at Airlie Beach, I got my PADI (scuba) certification and never looked back. That is, until a couple of years ago when I was vacationing in Tofino, British Columbia. I'm not sure what made me want to give it another shot - in freezing ocean waters, no less. This time I was experienced enough to know that a day of surfing would require some beginner lessons. The lessons started out on the sand, with the instructor drawing a surfboard silhouette on the ground which served as a 'dry run'. Although it seemed silly at the time, it actually made a huge difference when I finally got the board out on the water.

For those considering taking the leap on a longboard, I would definitely recommend swallowing your pride and starting with lessons. Women seeking a surf experience should check out Surf Diva's in San Diego (they now offer camps in North Carolina and Costa Rica). Those looking for inspiration should head to Mavericks, an invitation-only surf competition for big wave surfers. This world-famous surf spot is right near Half Moon Bay in Northern California, where the waves top out at over 50 feet. Serious surfers should head to Surfline for surf forecasts, videos and great stories from fellow surfers. If you're planning a destination launch into the world of surfing - consider the beautiful coast of Brazil or the beaches of Coastal Peru, where some of the longest waves in the world can be found.

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  Cronica Spencer Tunick Mexico 
  Originally uploaded by netwalker100.

A Whole Lot of Naked People

Spencer Tunick has done it again. Known for his quirky abstract photos featuring large groups of naked people in historical spots around the globe, Spencer Tunick has just completed a photoshoot in Mexico City's famous Zócalo square. 18,000 people participated in this 'installation' in Mexico, breaking his previous attendance record of 7,000 in Barcelona. Other disrobed destinations have included Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, London, Montreal, Santiago and Helsinki.

Next stop... Amsterdam. Sign up to participate here:
www.spencertunick.com

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Live Music and Dancing in Rio de Janeiro

Tuesday nights is Choro Night at Trapiche Gamboa in Rio de Janeiro. Choro is a style of music that combines European dances such as the Polka and the Waltz, with African rhythms that are common to Brazil's northeastern coast. It is a fast, jazzy instrumental music –played with cavaquinho, sax, flute, clarinet, guitars and tamborine. Rio is considered the capital of Choro, since many of the genre's most influential contributors eventually made their way to Rio as the music flourished.

Trapiche Gamboa is a historical venue in a beautifully restored building in the Centro area of Rio. This former port warehouse is a bit out of the way but well worth the trip. Original stone walls and high ceilings along with tasteful touches of old tiles and ironwork give this place plenty of character. There is even a small outdoor space in the back. Although this club is not small, it has an intimate feel, perhaps because the musicians sit around a table right next to the patrons. Trapiche usually attracts a mixed crowd of all ages and backgrounds who enjoy dancing and singing along to the music.

For more details about Choro Night and other recommendations, check out our Going Out Section for Rio de Janeiro. Watch the video below for a taste of Choro:

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The Fashion Scene in Rio de Janeiro

Brazilians love their shopping, whether it is  for quality leather goods, especially shoes, purses and belts or the ever-trendy Havaiana flip flops. In recent years, home-grown fashion designers have not only been meeting the local demands, they have also made inroads on the international fashion scene.

While designers and high end stores tend to be located in Sao Paulo, Isabela Capeto's  chic, bohemian designs come straight from her Atelier in Rio de Janeiro. A graduate of the Fashion School in Florence, Italy, Isabela's fashions can now be found in international stores such as Barney's, Browns and Collette. Oskar Metsavaht's Osklen designs were inspired on a climbing expedition in the Andes. No colourful weavings in this collection, but you will find high quality, fashionable sportswear. Both designers have focused on creating designs with a good consience, working with local artisan cooperatives.

Havaiana flip flops are a staple in the beachgoers wardrobe. They can be found throughout Rio, including the grocery stores. For more sophisticated shoes try Constança Basto, a locally-bred designer whose shoes are now found throughout the international scene and in most US states (check out the shoe section in Anthropologie stores).

Check out our website for more information on shopping in Rio de Janeiro and other things to do while you're there.

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El Dorrego Design Fair - Buenos Aires

This weekend marks the final two days of the annual El Dorrego Design Fair. This event, which takes place in Palermo, is organized by the government to promote up and coming designers in the area. Over one hundred small-scale designers of furniture, clothing, jewelery and artisan products will be displaying and selling their items.

Palermo is one of Buenos Aires' most lively barrios, or neighborhoods. What was once a playground for the elite is today the home of locals from all economic standings. Built in the early 20th century, this neighborhood is lined with beautiful old houses that today serve as homes, restaurants and eclectic boutiques. Formerly a strictly bohemian location, this area has blossomed into a thriving, hip neighborhood thanks to the designers who have set up shop here. Wandering the streets today you would almost think you were in Soho, New York. Not only have clothing and furniture designers settled here, you will also find some culinary rarities. If you look carefully, every restaurant around the Plaza has a special dish to offer, just like every clothing store is different and every piece of furniture is unique.

For more information about this and other events taking place in Buenos Aires, check out our calendar of events, or find out more about shopping in Buenos Aires.

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An Apostolic Pilgrimage to Latin America

Pope Benedict XVI will arrive in Latin America today for his first pastoral visit to the region. The Basilica of Nossa Senhora Aparecida (Our Lady of Aparecida), located about 100 miles from São Paulo has been chosen as the site for the 5th General Conference of the Episcopate of Latin America. The Pope will attend several events in an effort to bring Latin Americans back to the Catholic Church. Brazil, which is the largest Catholic country, has seen an attrition rate of 1% per year since 1991 in the Catholic Church. This is in the face of the recent legalization of gay unions in two other Latin American cities, as well as Mexico City's legalization of abortion.

240,000 people are expected to travel to São Paulo to see the Pope. This might be a good opportunity to see other, less-crowded parts of Brazil.

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What's Happening in Rio de Janeiro?

For those who are traveling in Rio de Janeiro, tomorrow night (Wednesday), be sure to check out Bungalafumenga! This band is nothing if not eclectic. They’ll play a mix of funk, samba and other rhythms, often doing their versions of well-loved songs by Nação Zumbi, O Rappa, Gilberto Gil, Paralamas and Tim Maia. Band members are: Rodrigo Maranhão (cavaquinho and voice), Thiago Di Sabbato (bass), André Moreno, André Bava and Dudu Fuentes (percussion).

The event takes place at Centro Cultural Carioca, a really nice place to hear music in an intimate setting. CCC—as it’s known-- is classy without being stiff so it is a great place for visitors and the 30+ crowd. Sit at a table and sip a caipirinha as you look out on the historic square below. Centro Cultural Carioca gets some of the best acts in Rio de Janeiro.

For more details on Bungalafumenga, or to find out other events taking place in Rio, check out our Calendar of Events for Rio.

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Inexpensive Options for Getting Around Latin America

Tourism to Latin America has been on the rise, with growth that exceeds most destinations around the globe. This is in part due to the strength of the dollar (or the Euro or the Pound) in these countries, but also thanks to the political climate, which has been increasing in stability for over a decade, and the fact that this region is filled with beautiful landscapes, plenty of things to do, great restaurants, and increasingly sophisticated hotels. As tourism increases, so do the transportation options within the region - allowing travelers easier access and flexibility without breaking the travel budget.

A recent article in the New York Times highlights some of the up-and-coming budget airlines that are servicing the region. We have written before about GOL, the Brazilian airline which has taken the country by storm. You can find out more by checking our 'Getting There and Around' sections for Brazil, Argentina, Guatemala and now Peru!

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Name This Country

I was named the number one cultural vacation destination in the world, was responsible for the creation of the Happy Meal, and have consistently produced the best rum in the world...

Who am I?

Find out more fun facts about me by clicking here...

OTR’s Guatemala Photos

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