What I actually found when I arrived The representatives from camp never came to the Jeju airport to pick me up. In the waiting room of the small airport, I sat for an hour […]
English Camp in Korea: What it’s like Read More »
The Citrus Farms of Jeju Island The tangerine was introduced to Jeju Island of Korea during the Japanese occupation and grows well, together with native Jeju citrus fruit varieties and hybrids, in the rich volcanic
Photo from the Road: Citrus Farms of Jeju Island Read More »
January is almost here and that means winter holidays for Korean school kids. That means English teaching jobs for native English speakers! And what are supposed to be holidays from school are actually intensive English
Why I’m going to South Korea Read More »
Don Elias’ nephew, Jose, looks to be about twenty. He’s short. He has curly black hair and wears a cutoff tee-shirt, worn jeans, and black rubber boots. A woven basket is strapped around his waist—a
Sipping Coffee at the Source: La Zona Cafetera, Colombia Read More »
Salento is not the type of place where you’re going to be the only Gringo in town. Don’t try and fool yourself, it is a touristy place. But it’s popular for a reason. And even
Salento, Colombia: The Quintessential Backpacker Village Read More »
Botero back by Popular demand This second round of Botero on Bohemian Traveler (see the first round of Botero sculptures) features his works, mostly paintings, which are located inside the Museo de Antioquia in Medellin.
Botero in the Museo de Antioquia in Medellin Read More »
By Stephen Bugno My love of Colombian colonial towns continues. After Barichara and Guane, I took the bus to Villa de Leiva (also spelled Leyva). Villa de Leiva is beautiful and there aren’t many who would contest
Colombian Colonial Towns: Villa de Leiva Read More »
Barichara has been called the most beautiful town in Colombia, and it’s really hard to argue that claim. It is gorgeous. Beautiful wide flat stone streets afford views of farms and ranches on the
Colombian Colonial Towns: Barichara and Guane Read More »
By Stephen Bugno I had intended on blowing right past Sal Gil on my way to some colonial villages to the north of Bogota. But I’m so glad I did not. San Gil has emerged
Adventure Sports in San Gil, Colombia Read More »
I snapped this photo at the market in San Gil, Colombia. San Gil has recently emerged as the adventure sports hub of Colombia, but it is a fine small city to visit on its own.
Photo from the Road: Fruit Vendor at the Market, Colombia Read More »
By Stephen Bugno I’m sitting on the balcony of my small hotel room in Giron and it’s raining again. It’s rained almost every day I’ve been in Colombia, about 3 ½ weeks straight. The sky
Colombian Colonial Towns: Giron Read More »
Tayrona National Park, Colombia. The guidebooks hype this place as what we should expect from a tropical paradise: “Thick jungle teeming with wildlife spilling over onto golden sand beaches with pounding surf.” And for
Visiting Tayrona National Park, Colombia Read More »
I found this stencil graffiti just outside of Cartegena University. The graffiti artist poses an interesting question. Is the graffiti around this stencil art or not? Which graffiti is street art and which is just
By Stephen Bugno When a city has the reputation that Cartagena has, it takes a few days to absorb the city to see if it lives up to its hype. So I spent the first
Cartagena: Living up to Expectations or Not? Read More »
After walking all around the old city for a few hours, I stopped for some grilled chorizo that this guy was cooking up. Colombia is a good place for street food: lots of fresh fruits like
Cartagena Street Vendor Read More »
By Stephen Bugno I’m going to dedicate this post solely to Colombian bus rides, focusing on one ride in particular. How does an 80 km (50 mile), 4-hour bus ride turn into a 10-hour trip?
The Wheels on the Colombian bus go… Read More »
One weapon less is many more lives. One technique Medellin, Colombia has implemented to improve safety was by installing this large bin to get knives off the street. To prevent the urge to pull your
Photo from the Road: Medellin Knife Drop Read More »
After Pablo Escobar, Medellin, Colombia’s most famous son is Fernando Botero. He is perhaps South America’s most beloved artist. You might recognize his art as those characterized by the use of distorted proportions, or more
Fernando Botero Sculptures in Medellin Read More »
By Stephen Bugno I have come to Colombia for two reasons. Noel, a good friend of mine lives in Medellin and after lingering for almost a year here, was encouraging me to visit before he
Arrival in Colombia, First Stop Medellin Read More »
By Stephen Bugno Colombia is in the news again as The Expeditioner has out. And for good reasons, the Financial Times and the New York Times are talking about tourism in Santa Marta. This country
Yes, Mother, I’m Going to Colombia Read More »
By Stephen Bugno Over-crowded, polluted, dangerous. These were some of the misconceptions I had about Mexico City. Strolling the quiet, tree-lined neighborhoods of Coyoacon, the one-time neighborhood of Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and Leon Trotsky,
Misconceptions about Mexico City Read More »
I was so impressed by the architecture and interior design of Mexico City’s most elegant buildings: the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Torre Latinoamericana, Museo Nacional de Arte. One of my favorites was this: the interior
Photo from the Road: Correo Central, Mexico City Read More »
By Stephen Bugno Well, not exactly. But the house of Trotsky has definitely been a highlight. You can’t actually see the ice axe that was used to assassinate him, but if you’re into a moderate
I went to Mexico City to See an Ice Axe Read More »
Walking off the plane I meet Gonzalo. He has black hair slicked to the side, is dressed stylish and caries a guitar. He asks me if this is the correct line for buying bus
Coming into Mexico City Read More »
