giving back: volunteering with angeles de medellin

angeles of medellin

angeles of medellin

High in the mountains outside of Medellin (a few cable car and bus rides away) in the town of Bello is a small village named Regalo de Dios. Somewhat ironic this translates to English as “gift of God” as it is home to widespread poverty. Most of the residents that live here are displaced from the civil and drug violence in Medellin and live here in the hills as a hope for survival. In fact, this community is still controlled by gangs and if you ask Marcos, the founder of Angeles de Medellin, he’ll have more than one insane story to share with you.

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the seven best things I brought to south america

cusco market

cusco market

Wow. Somehow, just like that, I’ve reached the end of three months in South America.

Long term travel may come across as super glamorous as you’re browsing Instagram, but it comes with some not so pretty parts and some lows. That said, I wouldn’t change this experience for anything.

At the end of three months, I may be starting to hate most things in my backpack because it is literally the only things I own (and I see them every day), but are some things that make me so happy because they’ve made my travels so much easier.

My long term travel necessities below!

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explore south america: solo travel

franconia-ridge-white-mountains solo travel

“Never did the world make a queen of a girl who hides in houses and dreams without traveling.”― Roman Payne

franconia ridge - white mountains, nh

In one week from today, I am taking a leap of faith and will be flying to Ecuador on a one way ticket for months of solo travel. Though not specifically South America, but I’ve been thinking about long term traveling probably since I graduated college. I graduated from college over 6 years ago, and it took me until now to actually take the jump.

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