A Day in Rio Das Pedras, Brazil

April 7, 2008 ·  

The sun beats overhead and Maravilha dances alone on the stage with humidity heavy in the air – typical of a Brazilian summer. He gyrates and glides with style in precision to syncopated Brazilian samba. While he dances, I think of all the great Brazilian music, and that Maravilha is definitely a pro. Then something catches his eye in the distance. Abruptly, Maravilha halts his dance, turns off the music as disgust washes over him. He looks down, shaking his head, throws his hands on his hips, and stomps his foots to... [Read more]

Argentina ‘08 (video podcast)

April 3, 2008 ·  

After I returned from Rio de Janiero I remember thinking, how have I missed Buenos Ares. If only time and money weren’t a factor. Fortunately, I caught up with the beguiling Evangelina of Argentina at the recent Los Angeles Times Adventures in Travel Expo. So I can hear about Buenos Ares and get something about the more cultural elements of the Andes.

Like all of our videos, quicktime 7.0 or better is required for viewing. We are also on iTunes, YouTube, and Google videos. This year’s interview with... [Read more]

Birthday Memories in Copacabana, Bolivia

April 1, 2008 ·  

When I mention that I had spent my 25th birthday in Copacabana, everyone thought I had perhaps joined the beautiful bikini clad women full of feathers Samba-ing the night away. Little did they know, I was grasping for breath from high altitude and enjoying a quaint lake side life with the Bolivianos.

It was a long five hour bumpy bus ride from Puno across the Peru-Bolivian border along the shore of Lake Titicaca. The bus swayed in and out of the small country roads dodging pedestrians, chickens and donkeys alike.... [Read more]