As an anxious person, I like to feel prepared and create lists to cross off in order to calm the nerves. Below you’ll find the last minute things to cross off before you begin your journey.

“The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before.” – Albert Einstein

After telling people that I’m traveling for about six months, after maybe a question of “why?” or a “you’re going alone?” I am asked “what are you bringing with you?” Before I became obsessed with South America, I figured, meh, besides what I’ll need for Patagonia, I’ll be there during their summer so I’ll just jaunt around in shorts and dresses every day! Um, I was wrong. Really wrong. Take Quito for example: located in Ecuador, also known as República del Ecuador. So I assumed it would be blazing hot any time of year… then I see the temperature is 45° to 65°F year round. On the freaking equator?! So needless to say, I learned altitude in many places in South America is no joke.