San Salvador: One day turned into a week. But that's not a complete surprise. I really like it here in El Salvador. I've met some great friends here, and feel quite at home. But because I was here a week, i'm going to skip Belize. Truth is I had no desire to go to Belize. I don't know why, but I was almost dreading the thought. So no Belize. Instead im heading straight to Mexico, which I am really excited about!

Tomorrow i'll take a bus from El Salvador to Guatemala City, then to Flores, Guatemala, where i'll spend the night, and finally head to Chetumal, Mexico on Tuesday. I'll spend about two weeks on the coast of Yucatan (Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Cancun, and Chichen Itza). From there i'll head to Merida, Campeche, San Cristobal, then to Oaxaca. From Oaxaca I hope to visit Iguala, where my dad is from, but I need to make sure I have some connections there. It otherwise is a town that most people would not visit.

Then 6 weeks in Guadalajara, with easter week in Mexico City.. After that i'll have about two weeks to see as much of the north of Mexico as possible. I think it'll be a quick three months. I wish I had about 6 months, Mexico is a huge country.

I'm also planning on taking the next 12 days in semi solitude. It's difficult when traveling, but i'll at least stay away from the computer, and any other communication home. So fyi to the family, you shouldn't be hearing from me in the next 12 days.

The trip is rolling along. I wish I could stay in El Salvador another few days, but alas, I must move on. The friends i've met here are great! So now the end of my Central American travels is here. On to North America.

PS, anyone catch the Lakers game today? It was on, live, in El Salvador, and I got to see Kobe do it again! That guy is incredible. But don't forget that the Lakers wouldnt be in that position unless Artest creates the offensive foul on Pierce. What a great game!

Love you mom,

love you fam, love you friends!

Michael

January 24, 2010: Last full day in South America. My plane leaves in the morning, at 6:55am. I was going to stay at the airport overnight, because my buddy left tonight, but I got tired and checked into the airport hotel. A bit expensive, but I couldnt take it anymore, plus I was able to negotiate free internet access. Otherwise its .60 reais per minute. About a quarter a minute, but it can add up.

So this is it! I´m on my way home! It´ll take me three months, but i´ll get there. My plane leaves for Peru, then a connecting flight to El Salvador. From there Belize, then Mexico, then home.

Brasil was great! Spent the last ten days with one of my best friends from back home. We were in Rio for three days (the weekend), then headed to Manuas, which is near the Amazon, then back to Rio for another three days (again the weekend).

Rio was incredible. I´ll post pics soon. We were at a hostel the first night, but it was very crowded, three level bunks, and too many people per room, so we decided to go to a hotel. We ended up at a really nice hotel in Ipanema. Promenade Visconti (something like that). It was nice. A big change from the hostel life. People bringing up your bags, tv in the room, 24 hour concierge service. We really spared no expense. We even had our own driver. Well, he was the hotel driver, but no one else used him except us. We were chaffuered (sp?) everywhere! Although we were a block from the beach, and close to plenty of restaurants, so we also walked often.

We also had great weather!

The amazon was amazing! Fishing for pirainas, swimming in the river, alligator hunting, hikes, camping, all sorts of stuff. It was great. Pics will be up soon.

The trip has been amazing, but as I expected, i got a bit homesick today. Maybe because I want to be home to watch the NFL playoffs? jk. But I knew it would happen. Same thing happened when my brother came out to visit me. After he left I got really homesick. I knew it would be the same when my buddy left. And a travel partner from back also went home recently. We didnt travel together the whole time, but we were never more than a bus ride away from each other. Now she´s home, my friend flew home today, and I feel like, maybe I should just get back myself. But I was prepared to feel this way, and I know by tomorrow I will be fine. Plus i am really, really looking forward to going to Mexico. Especially Guadalajara!

But the trip now is a journey home. . It started in Mexico, and moved south through Central America, into South America. Now im headed to El Salvador, and will travel north, all the way home. Being alone is also something Ive been wanting to do. I want to take at least 10 days in complete solitude. Well as much solitude as possible, anyways. You always have to talk to folks. But its not very hard to meet people on the road, in fact, its hard not to. But at some point in the next month I want to spend 10 days just alone, thinking, meditating, praying, all that good stuff that gets difficult to do back home. Not that I havent been doing that all along, I just want to make it more focused, more intentional.

My buddy also brought me some books to read, so I have a lot of reading to do. He brought six books, on a variety of topics, from finance to fiction. Thanks for that Dave, and Eoin! I´ll list the books later, i cant remember all of them right now. Some of the books were recommended by a really good friend and mentor, so i´m lookinh forward to getting started with those.

So the next part of the trip begins tomorrow. There are multiple ways to split up the trip. By city, by country, by continent. But I break it up in visits. First it was Mexico, and Cindy came (one part), then my brother came to Peru (second part) then Clarrissa came to Uruguay (third), then Dave to Brazil (fourth). And now the last part, alone. But looking forward to it.

I love you mom, miss you a lot! Been thinking a lot about you lately. Thank you for being such a great mom!

Love you all,

Michael

January 15, 2010: In Rio de Janeiro! Known as the Cidade Maravilhosa...the marvelous city! And with good reason. Have only been here one fully day, but already can sense the vibe out here. Post 9 in Ipanema is where we hung out yesterday. Every post seems to have a distinct group. Not all, but I think most. Post 9 is a more young crowd, whereas other posts have a family crowd. The beach itself is just ok, but its the people that make it what it is. And the surrounding landscape. Imagine laying on the beach with the Sugar Loaf in the distance. I havent taken many pictures, but I will soon.

I have a buddy flying in today, so I dont want to see too much of the city until he gets here. Soon enough, though.

Before Rio I was at the most beautiful island in Brasil. Well, that according to most, and I would have to agree. Ilha Grande is about 150 Km from Rio, South of Rio. They work in Km here, so not sure how many miles. But the island was amazing. I could say it about almost every place ive visited, but it was true again, just didnt have enough time there. I wish I could have stayed another week. We went on a great hike one of the days through the island and to 4 beaches, finally ending at Lopes Mendes beach, which was the most popular, but not nearly the nicest. There were some secluded beaches that were absolutely amazing.

Before Ilha Grande I was in Paraty. Another beautiful coastal town. Its tough to always remember to appreciate what your doing out here. Travelling from beautiful beach to beautiful beach in Brazil. But Paraty was really nice. I have pics up on Facebook. We took a boat ride to various islands one day, and walked around the Centro another day. The town is great.

And before that I was in Florionopolis. I think its an island, but not sure. There is a Lagun in the middle, but im pretty sure its surrounded by water. I have to go back and check. But, again, it was beautiful. The last four hostels ive stayed in have all been ocean front. Really nice as well.

I think before that I was in Iguazu Falls, which ive written about.

So this is it. Nearing the end of my South American tour! I cant talk about favorites, because everywhere I went I enjoyed for one reason or another. But because im in Brazil, I can say, this was a great place to end.

I fly to El Salvador on the 25th of this month, and hope to visit the orphanage, before I head to Belize. It sounds horrible, but im not really that excited about Belize. Its almost like im forcing myself to go, and convincing myself that its on the way to Mexico, so it wont be that bad. I have to again remind myself to appreciate every part of this great tour.

But after Belize I head to Mexico for three months, which im really looking forward to! I plan to see most of the major cities, lots of beaches, and then stay in Guadalajara for 6 weeks and take an intensive advanced spanish course. College level. We'll see how I do. My blogs those weeks will be in spanish. I cant wait to get to Mexico. I actually had a dream about it the other night.

But, since we must live in the moment, ill enjoy Rio today. (shouldnt be hard to do). My buddy gets here in about three hours, and im pretty excited about it. Its like when my brother came. Always good to get a visit from a good friend. We will be in Rio for a few days, then fly to the Amazon for five days, return to Rio for the weekend, and he will head home, and ill head to El Salvador, which is the beginning of my journey home.

So there it is. About 8 months into the trip! Wow, what an advernture. Hope everyone is well back home. Haiti is in my prayers. Just read a little about it the other day. It sounds bad.

On a lighter note, also read that Carroll left USC for the pros, and Kiffin is taking over. I laughed when I read that. I used to think Garrett was a good Athletic Director, now I know he has no clue what hes doing and just got lucky with Carroll. The basketball program is in shables, and now this. Tough times for USC fans...haahaaaa. Go Bruins! (had to get that in).

Love you all

Love you mom,

Michael

Somewhere near the Brazilian, Argentina border, Brazil: On the road again....

That song popped into my head as I headed to Iguazu Falls in Argentina. 18 hour bus ride from Buenos Aires, but worth it. What an amazing sight. Please look up pics on google, but realize that the pics will never do the place justice. (ill try to post mine on FB soon). Its the most incredible thing ive seen in nature. Ill be in the Amazon in about two weeks, so dont count it against me if I say the same thing then. But the falls were absolutely incredible. I just saw them today, then got on a bus to Brazil, and now im headed to a beautiful beach town called Florionopolis, in about an hour.

Let me recap, moving backwards.

Im here at the bus station after crossing the border from Argentina to Brazil. Border crossings always excite me. You never know what to expect, and you hear all these horror stories about customs being difficult, and thieves prowling. But I made it over with no trouble at all. There is a long visa process to enter Brazil with a US passport, but that was all taken care of weeks ago. I was still a bit nervous, because I told them I was flying in, but instead took a bus. It didnt matter, im in. But the whole border crossing was fun.

Before the crossing I was at Iguazu falls. An absolutely incredible park full of waterfalls, but not just any waterfalls. Probably the most amazing in the world. We got up early today and were one of the first into the park, and saw the whole thing before 1pm. The town itself reminded me of Central America. Sub tropical climate, lush green scenery, and dirt roads. I became quite nostalgic hanging out there. I think I miss Central America!

I have a bus to catch tonight, so I wanted to give myself enough time to cross the border and get to the international bus station (where i am now). So I left Iguazu for the Brazilian border.

While at the falls I stayed in one of the coolest hostels ive ever been to, and at this point, thats been quite a few. It was an old casino, and has been renovated for hostel use. It has a huge pool, and there was a bbq last night, and tango show. I was quite impressed.

Before that I was in Buenos Aires, again. I had to travel from Uruguay back to Buenos Aires, and then to Iguazu. Apparently there were no direct buses from Montevideo.

I was in Montevideo the day after New Years, but only for a day. Its the capital of Uruguay, a nice town, but nothing special.

Before Montevideo I was in Punta del Este, perhaps the coolest place ive been to on my trip. Of course, it could have to do with the fact that I was there during New Years week. It was a really good time.

As I mentioned in my last blog, I hung out with some Brazilians, one of which had connections to every happening event on the peninsula. We got into one of the most exclusive parties in Punta, held at one of the most exclusive hotels in Uruguay, overlooking the ocean. It was nice. The cover charge to get in was 350 US dollars! Way too much money, so most of the guys had given up on the idea of getting in. I on the other hand, always love a challenge, and promised the guys that we would get in and would not pay close to the asking price. The cover charge is a ploy to keep out rift raft, or guys who show up and just cause trouble. Really I knew that Felip, one of the guys, had a connection. He wasnt even sure if he could pull it off, but I assured him he could. I gave him a little pep talk and he came out with 10 wrist bands, enough to get us all in. More than half the guys were still at the hostel, not thinking they had a chance, but me a Felipe went in, and Rubens, went to go get the rest of the guys, and Clarrissa. We made about a quarter of the asking price. Most of the guests inside wore loafers worth more than my whole luggage bag, but we fit in just fine.

The rest of the trip was just as exciting. Laying at the beach all day, driving around town in the back of the pick-up.

Brazilians are very passionate about soccer, and every soccer team has its own little song that the fans sing. We were in the back of the truck one day, and the guys were singing at the top of their lungs. One guy asked me what they sing at Redders games.

Redders games? What? What are Redders games?

¨Yeah, Redders, your team, he said.

Oh, Raiders! Well we dont sing songs at footbal games, sorry.

Then one of the guys mocked, yeah, you chant D-FENSE, and all the boys laughed. But, yeah, theyre right. Its football, not star search.

But I did learn a soccer song from my time in Mexico City. My cousins were huge Puma fans, of the Mexican soccer league, and they won the championships while I was there. I learned the song they sang, and taught it to the boys. It became our theme song for the week. Girls loved it when we sang it them. Check it out on Youtube, it may make more sense. Type in something like: Puma como no te voy a querer.

And thats the song: ¨Como no te voy a querer, como no te voy a querer...¨ and we just kept chanting that from the back of the truck. They loved it. Clearly one of those things where you had to be there.

Im at the bus terminal, so I have to go, ill post more later.

The trip seems to be getting more and more exciting. Brazil is a very cool place. Hope all is well back home.

Love you mom, family, and friends!

Punta del Este, Uruguay: I love this place! If I had to describe it, I would say, crowds like Pacific Beach on the fourth of July, vibe like Miami´s South Beach, and lots of Brazilians! If I didnt know any better, I would think I was in Brazil. I was fortunate enough to room with four Brazilians, so I was in the loop. In total they were a group of 8.

We were at a concert the other night and the singer was yelling out countries. Well, really just three. You know, the whole, ¨is Argentina in the house?¨ And parts of the crowd erupts, and is Uruguay in the house (and we´re in Uruguay), and another small part of the crowd erupts, then she gets to Brazil, and what seemed like over 70 percent of the crowd starts cheering. Its like that in the hostel as well.

The guys I am rooming with also have a car, or a mini pick up truck, so they allow me and my friend to go with them everywhere. And a car is essential out here, because there seem to be no taxi´s. The beaches are amazing, the whole atmosphere is fun, you can definitely tell New Years is approaching.

A little catch up on my whereabouts. I arrived in Uruguay on the 26th of December, a day after Christmas. I spent Christmas in Buenos Aires. Its like the 4th of July out there. At midnight, fireworks go off for about an hour. Its fun. Its a huge city and lots of people got to BA for Christmas, so there was plenty open on Christmas day, and plenty to do.

I took a boat from Buenos Aires to Montevideo, Uruguay. It was nice. Like the Love Boat on TV. I guess like a mini cruise ship, but i´ve never been on a cruise, so I can´t say for sure. From Montevideo, we headed straight for Punta del Este. And here we are. This place is great, definitely a great place to end the year. Very ritzy, with yachts, and expensive cars crusing the beaches, but still affordable for folks like me if you stay at a hostel. Although I am paying 50 bucks a night for the 30th and 31st. Thats more than double my daily budget for countries like Bolivia, and Nicaragua. A lot more expensive here, but its to be expected.

The Brazilian guys I met sometimes cook, and always invite me to join them, so I save some money there. I´m actually pretty lucky to have met them; sometimes we go to beaches that are about half an hour away from our hostel, and there is no way my friend and I could have gotten there without a ride.

I feel like the backpacking portion of my trip is over. From here it is all much more expensive. Iguazu falls, and Brazil after the New Years, then my South American part of the trip is over. The trip has been fantastic. I guess at the end of the year its time to reflect, and when I stop to think about how great this year has been, I wish it wouldnt end. But I guess ill just carry it over to next year.

Its also the end of a decade. And a great decade for me. Graduated college, law school, passed the bar, started work. All sorts of great things. Of course, not without adversity, but with Gods help always overcame it. I´m really looking forward to this next year, and the next ten years! Life is good. Really good. God is good. And I am so grateful for all I have. I think in the next blog i´ll reflect on the last ten years. The thing about traveling, it allows you the time to do that sort of the thing. lol.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, and hope everyone has a Happy New Year. Out here there is a tradition where people throw trash out their window, well really white paper, so the streets are littered with white. Its supposed to represent getting rid of the old, and in with the new. So I hope if anyone had a crummy year, you let it all go and start fresh. You got to love new beginings. And if things are going well, let´s continue to build on them. I have a few prayers and goals for the next year, maybe ill share in the next blog. I think its always good to set goals.

Hope all is well at home. Love you mom, love you family and friends.

Michael

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Wow! I guess I have to start there. I don´t know if it has to do with the time of year, but the people here are incredibly nice. Very hospitable, going out of their way to make sure you have a good time here. People who minutes before were complete strangers, invite me to Christmas dinner. This has happened multiple times. I haven´t spent a dime on accomodations for the last four nights. They insist I stay with them. So i must say, the people in Buenos Aires have been the kindest of all the people i´ve met. Not sure if its was just luck running into the right people, or everyone being in the Christmas spirit, but its going to be tough to leave this place.

Although i did manage to escape once for three days and head to Mar del Plata. Its their coastal getaway town. Very nice beaches, reminded me of Miami. As I always say, check out the pics. Except you may have to wait, because although this is one of the coolest cities i´ve been to, the internet service is horrible! At least thats been my experience. Well, at least uploading photos is difficult.

I think its three days until Christmas, but it really does not feel like it. I can´t say i´m looking forward to some time off, because ive been off for about 6 months! And i cant say im looking forward to being with the family, because I wont be with the family. But there is a sense of Christmas out here, at least in the commercial sense. Lots of folks out and about doing what i think we do best: shop. Lots of Christmas shopping going on. And being the scrooge that I am, ive never been fond of that part of Christmas. But i´ll find something productive to do on that day.

Can´t say enough about this city, but wait on the photos to see what its like. Ive not blogged in so long that i dont know where to begin.

Arrived in Buenos Aires right after Roasario, which I believe was the 10th or 11th? Not sure anymore. I took an overnight bus and found some girls I had met in Santiago, Chile at the bus terminal and they asked if I wanted to share a cab with them to Milhouse hostel. I said sure, and so I was on my way to Milhouse, intending to stay only three nights because I wanted to head to Mar del Plata. Three days turned in to seven, and that´s just how it is out here. There is always an invitation somewhere. The food is amazing, great steaks at great prices. Just last night I was invited to an asada, it was on someones rooftop, of their apartment building. Great views, reminded me of New York. The steak was incredible, probably the best ive ever tasted in my life!

The city never sleeps. One of my first nights here i was invited to a concert that did not end until 3am, followed by a dj playing until who knows when. I thought we were waiting for another band to come on, but at 5, I told my friends i was going to bed. I walked back and the sun came up by the time my head hit my pillow. Its like that most nights. And dinner doesn´t usually start until 11am, ending at about 1am. If you show up to a restaurant at about 9pm, youll be alone.

Which also means breakfast consists of only toast and juice or coffee. Your so full from last nights dinner, that you´re not hungry for breakfast. And its not just the youth that carry this schedule, youll see grandmas and grandpas out at all hours of the night. Walking the streets, having a coffee, or whatever else.

Ill post pics as soon as possible. Ill be here for Christmas, but then am heading to Punta del Este, Uruguay. Its said to be the St. Tropez of the south. Something like Miami, but even more exotic. The kind of place where the rich and famous go to ring in the New Year. Im not rich, nor famous, but ill be there. Ill take lots of pics.

Merry Christmas, and Happy New!

Love you guys!

Rosario, Argentina: Its already December, and as they say, time flies! I can remember getting in the plane with my grandma, to Mexico City, wondering where i´ll be for Christmas. It think its clear now i´ll be in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 15 days til Christmas, if you´re keeping track at home! Still the most wonderful time of the year, in my opinion.



But its a bit different out here. For one, its summer time, and that means heat! Think about how weird it would be if December averaged 90 degrees! We´d freak out! But that´s how it is out here. It´s one of the reasons I had to leave Santiago, Chile a little early.



I left off (the blog, that is) in Viña del Mar, a beautiful coastal town in Chile. From there I headed back to the capital, Santiago, with plans to stay a week. Turns out I lasted two days. The primary reason was the heat. I couldnt take it! About 90 degrees during the day, and the sun does not set until about 9pm. Its hot until about then. Unbearable, at least it was for me. So I took the next bus to Mendoza, Argentina. But, Santiago was nice, very nice. I loved it, and as always, you can see pictures on Facebook. So far, maybe the nicest capital city. A little bit of NYC, a little bit of L.A., and even some SF. Really nice city. And the people, great!



But just couldnt take the heat, so off to Argentina I went.

I spent 5 days in Mendoza, and I loved every minute of it. I was not as excited as some travelers to visit Argentina. I had heard too much hype. A lot like Europe, the Argentinians consider themselves more European than Latin, and on and on. But I found none of it to be true. At least not in Mendoza. Not that there is anything wrong with Europe, but if you´re in Latin America, you should consider yourself Latin American. And they do! And they have great steaks, and great wine, and yes, the women here are absolutely gorgeous. Just had to throw that out there. Of course, they dont compare to California girls, but thats neither here nor there.

My first night in Mendoza I was sick. A horrible sore throat; I sounded like Froggy from the little Rascals. It was a friday night. So I slept all day hoping I would get better. And I did, eventually. Well enough to go rafting, horseback riding, and on a really cool wine tour in the next few days. Not to mention the zoo, which was fascinating and scary at the same time. I swear the animals could have escaped at any time. And im talking about bears, and tigers, and lions. But we were able to get so close, it was cool. And I was well enough to enjoy the food in Mendoza. The meat is amazing. I attended a few BBQ´s or Asada´s. All you can eat; I was in heaven!

The town was great, but I had to move on, so I headed to Rosario. Its a town near the river, and about 4 hours north of Buenos Aires. Also the birthplace of Che, and also home to most of the models in Argentina. At least that´s what some old man in Mendoza told me. But that´s not why im here. At least not the only reason...lol.

So far the town is ok. You need to take a bus from the city center to get to the river, which they call a beach. And, yes, it appears that most of the models in Argentina are from here.

Im currently at a hostel, and though ive mentioned that i dont prefer hostels, I think its hostels from here on out. In other countries I had the choice to get my own room at a hotel. In Chile and Argentina, prices wont allow me to do so. But so far ive enyoyed the experience. Yes, there are lots of foreigners, but you also meet lots of locals, because Chileans, and Argentineans travel more often, then say Peruvians, or Bolivians. So, for instance, there were lots of Chilean girls at my hostel in Mendoza because they had a four day weekend. So, even though I was at a hostel, I was able to hang out with ¨locals¨. Though I also met other folk who i really enjoyed spending time with.

But one Chilean girl made it clear that I had a long way to go with my spanish. She kept making fun of my pronunciation, and I kept reminding her that even if I was fluent in spanish I wouldnt speak like her because im not Chilean or Argentinean. In L.A. we speak Mexican spanish! She still continued to mock me! But i´m working on my spanish, and I think its getting pretty good. I´ll let you be the judge when I get back.

Times are good. Im deep into a book about Sudan. What is the What? is the name of it. By Dave Eggers. I recommend it to anyone interested in a good historical autobiography. The situation in Sudan is still on going, by the way. Also currently getting through Corinthians. Just finished the first part, will start the second after I log off.

I hope everyone is having a great December. If you have not yet gone out and bought a tree, do so! The longer you have it up, the better!

Love you mom, great chatting with you today!

Love you family,

Love you friends.

Michael.