*Disclaimer: I’m very much behind on these. Hope you can still enjoy my retroactive “blogging” and social media posts :). 

After more than four very full months in South America, I had to say goodbye. My last few weeks on the continent were spent in Argentina, where I embraced much needed visits with familiar faces in Buenos Aires and experienced the beauty of Patagonia with new, true friends—both of which were some of the biggest highlights of my trip. My heart was full and my mind was happy—but my feet were itching for the next adventure. It was time to go. 

Ironically, though my final moments in South America were ending on a high note, the political situation across many of its countries was hitting new lows. Protests were exploding across Ecuador. Violent riots were breaking out in Chile, where I’d just been less than a month before. There was a constitutional crisis in Peru; accusations of corruption, election fraud, and the fall of a president in Bolivia; and elections in Argentina that ushered in new leadership promising to curb the inflation that had infected the country. All of these events came to a boil right around my departure. On the surface, it seemed there was no better time to leave. But in reality, it didn’t make my separation any easier. 

Because the truth was that I’d grown really attached to South America. My trip had taken me through six countries on 10 flights and nearly 20 bus trips. And every stop along the way left me with more reasons to appreciate this incredible continent and its culture. Here’s just a few examples of the little, random things I love dearly about SA:

1. Everything—and I mean everything—comes in a bag. Shampoo is not packaged in a bottle. Mayonnaise is not sold in a jar. Juice is not poured in a cup. For better or for worse, all liquidly substances down here are put in plastic bags. If you’re lucky, your bag may be resealable or have a nozzle. But don’t count on it.
    
2. Dogs are like squirrels. They’re everywhere. For dog people, this is both fantastic and also equally challenging—it can be hard to restrain yourself from petting the cute street pups. Most are aloof, many are friendly, and one humped me twice (a semi-traumatic experience for both me and my mom). But still, I miss seeing these canine companions on every corner.

3. South Americans have a deep, strange obsession with all things chewy. In any street stand, in any market, you will inevitably find an abundance of custardy treats and gummy snacks. And as someone who often craves this texture, I was never at a loss for flan, pudding, Jell-O (seriously … Jell-O is like the international dessert of South America), or marshmallowy candy.
   
4. Even though countries in South America have their own celebrities—reggaeton singers, soccer stars, and other heroes—for some reason, they still love to advertise famous “global” figures on their salon signs. Pictures of Zac Efron’s fade haircut or Zayn’s faux hawk abound. Taylor Swift’s bangs and Jennifer Aniston’s early-aughts layers are all around. It’s a funny sight and reminder of how “Western” culture influences all parts of the world … even in the places you’d least expect it. 

5. From Colombia to Bolivia to Argentina, in South America there are always fewer regulations and less organization—and yet systems still work. Things still get done. And life is often simpler for it. Instead of waiting at a bus stop, just flag one down on the side of the road. Instead of buying a ticket in advance, just show up at the station a few minutes before you want leave. There’s a freedom that comes with this way of life—one that can be hard to find in more structured places, like the U.S. 

I could wax poetic about the big things I’ll miss in South America—the beauty of its landscapes, the kindness of its people, the absolute excitement I felt in every country I visited. But sometimes, what we remember most are the tiny quirks and small details.

So folks, these are my last musings on South America. (Although, if you want to hear more, check out the playlist I made to remember my trip here. I promise, it will get you pumped up at the pregame. “Calma – Remix” is my all-time fav, so give it a listen.) The next update you’ll get from me will be all about Southeast Asia! As always, thanks for reading. Miss you all mucho, mucho, mucho ❤️. And here’s one last Spanish sign off for the road. 

Hasta que proxima vez,

Caroline