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Lost In Amsterdam

7/26/2015

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As I sit here at the Easy Times Coffee Shop in Amsterdam I can’t help but observe all the different people around me. Amsterdam is an interesting and mysterious city. It is beautifully cultivated with green parks and flower gardens. Amsterdam is a clean and tidy city, fashionably lined with art museums, cafes on every corner, and old, yet charming buildings. Amsterdam is sophisticated with just the right amount of unrefined nightlife. 

You walk down the street and you hear all different languages being muttered between families, couples and friends. The sound of Dutch, French, English, Spanish, and German makes it easy to forget where you are. As you stroll through the city, you are overcome with fragrances of blooming flowers, aromas of coffee brewing in local shops, and whiffs from the passerby taking tokes of what Amsterdam is famous for. The city provides you with a taste of whatever you may be looking for. With cuisines from all over the world, food (good food) is easy to come by. Art, history, fashion, weed, quality beer, and friendly people make Amsterdam a unique hub for people of all different cultures and backgrounds. 


There is no wonder tourists come from all over the world to spend time in Amsterdam. Having experienced only two nights out in Amsterdam so far, I can say that the city didn’t disappoint. Whether you drink in Leidseplein Square, go to a coffee shop in Dam Plaza, or bar hop in the Red Light District, the bustling streets late into the night will keep you buzzing for more. People from all over the world come to party hard in one of the biggest party cities around. Sometimes the city’s liberal rules escape my mind! You see people lighting up joints in the middle of the street directly in front of the police. It is surprising at first, until you remember where you are! Shroom truffles, absinthe, and space cakes are no big deal. People consume them all the time in Amsterdam.

While I am sure many people come to Amsterdam to experience sex, drugs, and up all night partying (all legally), there is so much to see in the day as well. Vondelpark, the biggest park in Amsterdam, is always bustling with bikers, people walking their dogs, and friends relaxing by the lakes. You can check out the famous Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, and Rijksmuseum. Many people also suggest taking a canal tour through one of Amsterdam’s many canals (the canals cover a quarter of Amsterdam’s surface)! Not far from the city you will find tulip fields, windmills, and other cities worth visiting. You are a short train ride away from neighboring countries such as Belgium and Germany and the trains are clean, comfortable and easy.


My favorite thing to do in a new city is to walk aimlessly through the streets. You will find lovely cafes tucked away behind the main busy plazas and squares. You will realize that often the coolest bars are those at the end of a dark alley. And the people you meet when you are on your own, lost in a new city, are the ones that you will always remember. You can never know what to expect when you explore a new place. I whole heartedly believe that taking yourself out of your comfort zone, and letting happen what will, is the best way to realize the Universe is on your side. Stay mindful and aware, but open yourself up to the world. Forget what you “should” do and spend your days doing what you enjoy. In the end, the most memorable moments usually happen on a whim. It’s 10pm here. I think it’s time for me to get lost in Amsterdam ;)


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Colca Canyon Hike in Peru

7/20/2015

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Peru is a stunning country. The geography varies so much across the country and there is so much to do. From the beaches to the mountains, Peru will amaze you. While many people immediately think of Machu Picchu when it comes to hiking in Peru, there are a ton of other unbelievable hikes. Colca Canyon is one of them. Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world- it is more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the United States. Located in southern Peru, Colca Canyon is a canyon of the Colca River.

There are a few options when it comes to hiking Colca Canyon. Most people opt for either a 2-day or 3-day hike. The 2-day hike is slightly more strenuous as you have less time to rest while inside the canyon. I decided on the 3-day hike. You will need a guide and you can easily book one while in Arequipa. There are a ton of companies that will set you up with a guide, transportation and a place to stay while in the canyon. 

Before I started the actual hike, I went to Cruz del Condor, a popular tourist stop to view the Andean condor, a bird species that has been the focus of conservation efforts worldwide. Seeing the condors fly so close by was amazing. 
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The first day of the hike through Colca Canyon is pretty relaxed. As you descend into the canyon you will be able to take in some amazing views and won’t strain out your body too much since most of the hike is downhill. I had a fun group that ended up hiking the canyon with me. The 5 of us all got along really well which definitely made the 3 days much more enjoyable. When we arrived at our final destination for day 1, we relaxed, played some cards and found some berries and prickly pear cactuses to eat. We were staying at a “house” in the middle of the canyon. The couple that owned the house gave us our rooms and showed us where the outdoor shower was. We made sure to shower before nightfall because not only does the canyon get really cold, but it also gets really dark at night! I was sleeping in a room with a girl from London. The 3 boys in our group were staying in the room next to us. There were openings between the walls so we could all talk to each other even though we weren’t in the same room. The boys kept trying to scare us as they discussed the scorpion that they found in their room. Funny enough, there ended up being a scorpion in our room as well! Luckily, we found out they weren’t poisonous, but it definitely caused some excitement between our group.

The second day was not too tough, much like the first day. The hike only took us a few hours. We were able to stop and take in the breathtaking views. We also covered ourselves in the “blood” of the prickly pear cactuses. 
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When we arrived at our stop for the night, we couldn’t have been more thrilled. We were to stay at Paraiso Ecolodge. The lodge is run sustainably with hot water from solar-heated tanks, recycled wood for the tables & chairs, and armchairs made from synthetic fibers (not animal skins). There is a small pool, hammocks to rest in, gardens, and we had beautiful, cool weather. We were all dreading waking up at 4am the next day to start what would be a very strenuous hike up and out of the canyon, but for the moment, we were in heaven. We spent time relaxing in the hammocks, drank a couple of piscos from the little “café,” ate some Sublime chocolates, and spent a couple of minutes in the way too cold swimming pool. We slept comfortably in the bungalows before waking up at 4am to start our hike up.
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The hike up was not easy. We woke up before sunrise to avoid the heat of the sun. The hike was completely uphill and it took between 2-3 hours. While it was difficult, it was definitely worth doing. When we reached the top we felt accomplished. We were sweaty and tired but as we looked out over the canyon we felt alive and grateful for the adventure.
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