Category: Travelings & Ramblings – Around the World

Hectic Treks – Unusual Stuff Encountered While Traipsing Around

Posted on by Wes Choc in Announcements & Events, Travelings & Ramblings - Around the World, Uncategorized

Be sure to look up Hectic Treks on Amazon: Amazon – Hectic Treks

It’s a collection of one-of-a-kind stories about some very odd things that happen when one travels around. Sure, there are some fantastic and magnificent places in the world …and these indeed get photographed every time …but the stories in Hectic Treks are about what goes on before or afterwards or in between …and not just touristy stuff.

To tourist? …or to travel? To merely take photographs? …or to experience?

It’s not about seeing the pyramids in Egypt …it’s about what happens if you break your arm descending the Alabaster Steps in Alexandria. It’s not about sightseeing the Alaska wilderness …it’s about what to do when you get a flat tire when it’s pouring rain, hundreds of miles from anywhere, with no cell service …and you can’t figure out how to get the spare off the bottom of that rented Ford Explorer. It’s not about celebrating Easter in that small village in central Mexico …it’s about what to do when you’ve lost your passports, AND your travelers’ checks, AND your airline tickets (just ask Carlos …he’s Maria, the Hairdresser’s husband). And what if you’ve just finished taking in all that Machu Picchu (Peru) has to offer and board the train to go back to Cuzco …then, once departed the station, that trainworkers are going on strike and the trip back will not be completed …it’s okay, we’ll make a stop in Urubamba so you can get off the train.

Why is traveling different than touristing? Well, let me tell you about my …

 

Hectic Treks – Unusual Stuff Encountered While Traipsing Around

Posted on by Wes Choc in Announcements & Events, Travelings & Ramblings - Around the World, Uncategorized

Be sure to look up Hectic Treks on Amazon: Amazon – Hectic Treks

It’s a collection of one-of-a-kind stories about some very odd things that happen when one travels around. Sure, there are some fantastic and magnificent places in the world …and these indeed get photographed every time …but the stories in Hectic Treks are about what goes on before or afterwards or in between …and not just touristy stuff.

To tourist? …or to travel? To merely take photographs? …or to experience?

It’s not about seeing the pyramids in Egypt …it’s about what happens if you break your arm descending the Alabaster Steps in Alexandria. It’s not about sightseeing the Alaska wilderness …it’s about what to do when you get a flat tire when it’s pouring rain, hundreds of miles from anywhere, with no cell service …and you can’t figure out how to get the spare off the bottom of that rented Ford Explorer. It’s not about celebrating Easter in that small village in central Mexico …it’s about what to do when you’ve lost your passports, AND your travelers’ checks, AND your airline tickets (just ask Carlos …he’s Maria, the Hairdresser’s husband). And what if you’ve just finished taking in all that Machu Picchu (Peru) has to offer and board the train to go back to Cuzco …then, once departed the station, that trainworkers are going on strike and the trip back will not be completed …it’s okay, we’ll make a stop in Urubamba so you can get off the train.

Why is traveling different than touristing? Well, let me tell you about my …

 

Teaching English – Ecuador

Posted on by Wes Choc in Travelings & Ramblings - Around the World

I was happy to learn how Bridge TEFL (see:  http://www.bridgetefl.com/notes-from-the-field-tefl-through-the-eyes-of-a-late-bloomer/) found the story about my sojourn to Ecuador a few years back. The Bridge TEFL folks gave an overview of this story and linked it directly to the whole posting here on this site. If you haven’t read it, look it over (it’s a fast read); it’s one of those roads less traveled stories you might like. It’s more than just a classroom in Quito or Guayaquil, the sojourn took me to the Galapagos as well. Check out the photos, too.

For the full story, look under “Nonfiction” for the story “Teaching English in Ecuador.”

Bridge TEFL is a unique school where students learn the fundamentals of teaching English to those who wish to learn it. Look over their entire site at bridgetefl.com for lots more information.

Eyes Right …or, South America on the Up and Up

Posted on by Wes Choc in Travelings & Ramblings - Around the World

img060 This is not necessarily like looking at visitors’ photograph albums from their vacation to Machu Picchu, Peru, although the story does take place there. And, indeed, Machu Picchu is an amazing, famous, breath-seizing place.

This story is more about observations and experiences made between Machu Picchu and Cuzco on the way back to civilization after our awe-inspiring ascent and descent where the top of that mountain meets the Inca Trail. It is a recounting of an unusual encounter that really happened.

No it’s not a “touristing-type” story at all; rather, it’s about the impact of meeting Ernest Hemingway on this narrow, curvy, mostly-paved road high in the Andes. You may know this road. It’s that precarious twisty one without guardrails; you know, the one where you can look straight down from your bus window! Wait a minute! Except for a hiking trail (like the Inca Trail), tourists must use the train; it’s the one and only means to get to and from Machu Picchu. What roads? Ernest Hemingway?

Click on “Eyes Right” to read more.