Southwest Trip: Day One

Here's our layout drive on day one:

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We left pretty early (7am) from the Culebra/1604 area and started on our journey.
All three of us taking turns driving.
I have to admit, the most boring and monotonous part of it is on the way out of Texas (and of course, the longest stretch to get out of the state).
One of my personal favorite sights was the change of color in the soil: from dark brown to light brown and all of the sudden bright brick red.
The little abandoned towns in the great state of New Mexico, with their old vintage signs and their crumbling structures.

We were excited to enter Roswell and I'm pretty sure Julie and Ina were starting to roll their eyes at my alien jokes and how we are all part-alien anyways-comments.

Roswell Restaurant

Some silo near Roswell.

Santa Fe

As we were entering Santa Fe, we got 2 big clouds completely full of rain and though our driver seemed a bit restless at this fact (after all, we were driving on a two-lane slippery road) it was as it was welcoming us with even more beauty. The rain really lasted about 10 minutes anyways.

The freshest air you can hope for was the best reward. 

We rolled-down our windos and marveled a the mountains: flat, curvy and even bumpy.

Then, the adobe houses starting showing up: some red, some mustard other terracota colored.

Our dear friends welcomed us with open arms and Barbie was kind enough  to takes to her favorite make-out spot, I mean....viewing spot. A nice park with a white cross sculpture.

She proceded to describe some areas of town where the city square is and where all the cool modern galleries and events happen. And somehow she seem to remember a legend about a round staircase build by a unknown artisan who all wondered where he came from and where he went (many thought it was Jesus).

It was already getting dark but the calmly faint lights of the city were glowing.

Then, we came home after some food and beer supply purchase and our great friends Adrianna and Barbie cooked us the BEST spagetti with the most awesome home-made sauce.

As soon as we ate it.....we all passed-out  ;)

New SOUTHWEST ROAD TRIP updates coming up!

We have a Google Map:



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MORE UPDATES COMING UP!

The Extremely Low-Budget Road Trip (the plan)

It's been a while.
This is the perfect occasion for me to tell you about my long-awaited travel plan.
I started planning this with a friend a good 8 or so months and though the circumstances and the people have changed, it seem like I'll be undertaking a great adventure after all.
-DESTINATION: The Grand Canyon.
Never been, but my soul feels like it knows it already.
-TRAVELERS: Ina and I so far. But we'd like it to be a third person.
-DATES: Sometime in the Summer.
-TRANSPORTATION: Car
-FOOD: Grocery-bought, college-student budget/backpacking style.
-ACCOMMODATIONS: Couch Surfing, baby! and maybe camping if we feel ready. Maybe we'll stop by our friend's house in Santa Fe.
-FINAL GOAL: To enjoy either the sights from the top of the Canyons or from the bottom or both. Time will tell which route we'll take.

Yes, ladies and gents.
Looks like its a GO.
And it's only a few weeks away.
We need to get on it ASAP.
I've never been on such a long road trip, so I hope my friend and I don't end up wanting to throw each-other over the cliffs. But we are both aware of this possibility and thankfully we've been friends for such a long time that we know our weak areas.
I personally plan to have a very low budget.
Gas would probably be the largest expense:
Here's a map of my calculated route:

Bike Touring: A non-expensive and healthy way to see the world

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/theta444/3171889826/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Bike culture is strong.
Many cities have adapted their streets, drivers and public transportation to accomodate more bike-riders who care for the environment, finances not to mention their health.


With the increase in gas prices is no wonder that many have welcomed this more economical and healthier choice.
There are many who have created an even more interesting use for their bike: bike touring.


I first learned about bike touring through a friend.
We would talk about our dream travel adventures and how cool it would be to make different cross-country trips.
She mentioned this new trend, explaining how there's a new wave of people traveling by bicycle.


She showed me a couple of websites completely dedicated to bike touring: how to pack, what kinds of bikes to use, different routes to take and of course, user pictures to share.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/echadwick/362201602/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Not only do some of these adventurers travel all throughout the US, but also venture into other countries. Creating new routes and sharing them with other community members. There's also sections on what types of camping tents are the best and some have even devised their own by using their bikes as part of the structure.

Of course, other suggestions are: layering, bringing some rain and water resistant attire (windbreakers, etc) and camping gear to cook with.

Bike touring seems like so much fun, I would love to try it one day with a group of people. But starting with the basics is the best decision: get a bike, get in shape and plan a sort-of long-term goal to reach before taking this new step into adventure.

Make a map  on google  of the routes you would like to take or check out this map app.

Enjoy traveling as much as I do? Learn how to become a travel nurse or research other similar careers that allow you to see the world!

Top Ten Reasons Why I love Couch Surfing

I can tell you, from personal experience, that Couch Surfing is one of the best and coolest ideas ever.
Couch Surfing is a Social Networking website dedicated to travelers and inspired on the idea of "crashing of someone's couch".
Being a seasoned member myself since 2008, I have met people from Australia, Poland, Germany, England, Canada, Mexico and all around the US. 


CS is favorite travel website for the following reasons:
1) You can stay at a host's "couch" (can be any type of comfortable surface, really) virtually for free.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/salihan/3499357292/sizes/m/in/photostream/

I say virtually because some hosts might want some kind of contribution, but so far I haven't met anyone who demands it.
2) Friends can give you feedback
3) Hosts and "surfers" can give you feedback.
4)You can specify what the sleeping, staying, eating arrangements are before hand.
5)You can brag about your trips around the world.
6) You can meet people from around the world, even if you can't host them. Via parties, having coffe or giving a tour of the city.
7) You can choose a destination and browse through the large directory of thousands of CSrs (now, 3 million around the world!) and choose the host you might have a good connection with.
8)You can find groups inside CS with similar interests as you to hang out with.
9) You can get traveling on a budget tips all throughout the CS community, including ride sharing and more.
10) It's FREE to join!


These are some of the top reasons that make CS so spacial, there are some other cool ways to be part of this fast-growing community.
Entrepreneur Magazine has a whole page article on the newly renovated CS this month (Dec. 2011), I highly recommended read.


Is traveling your passion?
The University of Phoenix offers an Associate Degree in Arts with a concentration in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism. 


www.couchsurfing.com