Colca Canyon literally breathtaking scenery at 3.500m altitude
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just a glimpse, stay tuned for more to explore MilesAstray unfolds in retrospect. I was living these stories full time, now I'm making space to pen them down. Head over to the countries section for the latest places/stories and completed countries.
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a glimpse
glimpse: CHANGE | Seeing it from our tiny and perishable human dimension, earth seems immutable. Rock-solid cliffs look like they always have been and always will be. Yet, the face of the earth is changing as it ages, just like ours, just a little slower. Future generations will have to redraw the physical map as erosion, climate change and tectonic movements will have their say. And tectonic change is bound to happen on that political map too, as society gets its way, pushing or erasing arbitrary borders with pencils or tanks. We’ll all be moved by this constant and inevitable change, one way or another, literally and figuratively. Those, desperately clinging on to the known, might frown and tremble. Those, welcoming the unkown might find beauty and comfort in the embrace of change.
glimpse: AT HER MERCY | She calls us back with a roar. No matter if we meet her with joy, awe or even fear, she draws us near. And when we immerse ourselves in the element that birthed us, we trust her. We trust her surf will carry us, not crush us. We trust her with our life because we know she is benevolent and giving, even though her capricious side can toss us around in the tide. We are, after all, at her mercy.
My eyes didn't linger on Machu Picchu, but drifted to the limestone formations all around, where playful rays now surged the air between them.
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Machu Picchu
Lima Everybody said she was ugly. And maybe the low expectations were part of it, but I fell for Lima right away, despite being utterly broke. There were limeños who helped me with free accommodation and jobs from day one.
this blue
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Laguna 69, Huaraz
I had never associated the desert with South America.
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Huacachina Oasis
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places / stories
story lived, yet to be written
Arequipa / Couchsurfing Gratitude & Commitmentstory lived, yet to be written
Colca Canyon / On the Hike-Runstory lived, yet to be written
Cusco / The Crux of DIYstory lived, yet to be written
Huacachina Oasis / “This is Huaca-Fucking-China”story lived, yet to be written
Huanchaco / These Wavesstory lived, yet to be written
Huaraz / Altitude Sickness, Magic Pills & Twist Endingsstory lived, yet to be written
Lima / Broke at Last – Survival Chroniclesstory lived, yet to be written
Machu Picchu / Attraction TrapShow More
story lived, yet to be written
Paracas / My Beloved Solitude & My Beloved Peoplestory lived, yet to be written
Picapiedra / Of Heroes & Villainsstory lived, yet to be written
Trujillo / Uneasy Feelings & Time WarpsShow More
Arequipa / Couchsurfing Gratitude & Commitment
story lived
yet to be written
stay tuned
Colca Canyon / On the Hike-Run
story lived
yet to be written
stay tuned
Cusco / The Crux of DIY
story lived
yet to be written
stay tuned
Huacachina Oasis / “This is Huaca-Fucking-China”
story lived
yet to be written
stay tuned
Huanchaco / These Waves
story lived
yet to be written
stay tuned
Huaraz / Altitude Sickness, Magic Pills & Twist Endings
story lived
yet to be written
stay tuned
Lima / Broke at Last – Survival Chronicles
story lived
yet to be written
stay tuned
Machu Picchu / Attraction Trap
story lived
yet to be written
stay tuned
Paracas / My Beloved Solitude & My Beloved People
story lived
yet to be written
stay tuned
Picapiedra / Of Heroes & Villains
story lived
yet to be written
stay tuned
Trujillo / Uneasy Feelings & Time Warps
story lived
yet to be written
stay tuned
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related
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photos | landscapes
Americas
nature's wild heart
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reads | travel
Must I Really Though?
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...strapped into our backpacks, to declare guerrilla war on bleak society regimes with Mondays? Every child is more of a rebel, when Mom allots musts... read more
reads | travel
Who Is That White Savior With the Complex?
Are Westerners trying to save the world on their terms?
...development assistance can be viable; unless it feeds into an individual or systemic White Savior Complex that results in the idea of one side helping the other and distracts people from the underlying issues and inequities. read more
photos | urban
South America
brick beauty & street art meet splendor
tin roofs & brick oceans juxtaposing sleek high rises & centuries-old architecture see more
Argentina
from falls to glaciersBolivia
surreal Altiplano dreamscapesBrazil
bustling sprawls & pristine jungleChile
rugged beauty, bohemian citiesColombia
where Caribbean & Andes meetEcuador
tiny country, big culture & natureShow More