Who said there were no Peruvians traveling around the world?

If you are reading this article, it is because you are possibly Peruvian (or Latin American) and you are dying to leave everything and go traveling around the world. But… there are many BUTS in your head, right? What if money, studies, work, boyfriend...

With this note, I want to introduce you to several Peruvians who, just like me, one day wanted to stop thinking about that great dream, and we jumped into the pool. We dared to make it happen!

What happened? We lived an incredible experience that we will never change, despite all the fears that could be running through our minds and what people told us.

As you know, usually there aren't many Peruvians backpacking around the world, but it fills me with pride to have been able to contact several who have the same traveling desire as you and me; and that I do not doubt that reading their stories can fill you with inspiration.

(If you know more Peruvians who have left everything and have taken a long trip around the world, contact me by leaving me a comment below so I can evaluate their participation in this article).

1. Henry Urrunaga

Age: 28 | City: Lima, now traveling the United StatesOccupation: Audiovisual Communicator and Blogger at The Borderless Project.

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

Hardest question to start with.

I keep thinking about this question and I don't have a clear answer. I would like to say the simple part: I hated my job, the routine and I was not happy. But it was not like that. I loved my job, the routine didn't bother me (skating to work, a tremendous luxury) and I was “happy”, I think.

If I have to answer this question now, I would say that I left Lima to reach another level of personal experience, take my travel skills to a level that I had not seen before and for the first time, take a trip for a long period and undefined.

There's also the part where he wanted to know if he could, if everything that was said was true and how determined he was to achieve it. There are many other things, I'm sure, that affected the initial decision to make this trip.

As I walk through certain cities and experience different cultures, my answers become clearer towards the same question. Why I decided to do this trip, I still don't know.

- What places did you visit and for how long?

Unbelievably I'm still on the road. I officially left Peru in May 2014 towards Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, and from there, I set foot on Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Ecuador, the United States, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam , Philippines, Indonesia.

In a few months I'm going to Mexico, Colombia and back to Brazil for the Olympics.

- What were your main fears/barriers before starting this journey? How did you overcome them during the trip?

Mostly money. He had big ambitions and a small budget. Is incredible.

When you start the journey you worry about things that, at first, make sense: Where am I going to stay? Where am I going to go? Will I always be alone? Will the money be enough?

But then you meet an 18-year-old Argentinian who is touring South America or Asia for a year asking himself the same questions you have and at that moment you ask yourself again: wait, am I not the only one?

Each and every one of us has the same worries when it comes to starting a trip, we are not alone, but we will never know if we continue stuck in our intellectual fantasy of thinking that we are the only ones with this “problem” .

Overcoming barriers: The decision to travel is the first part, traveling is the second and most important. 50-50 is the way I travel. I plan 50% of my next destination to prevent setbacks and unnecessary expenses (also reading a little about the city or country you are visiting is the best idea, Singapore will appreciate it).

And a wonderful habit that I adopted recently on my travels was to write down each and every one of my expenses, it's an addiction. The feeling you get from looking at your expenses is great, it's a way - a little cooler - to bring memories of the trip to life, as well as knowing what you're spending your money on and what your options are for the next stop.

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

Happily, yes. Ever since I arrived in Asia, I had been (secretly) waiting for that moment to find a dowager, and in fact, I found more than one in parts of my trip.

Well, I never knew that such a short word would make me smile and, perhaps, move a little: “OE”

I heard those two vowels on a Friday night in Vietnam. It was a group of three Peruvians who lived in Japan and were doing Vietnam only, the rest of the night is history.

It was after six in the morning and deadly cold in Bagan, Burma. The taxi was parked outside our last attempt to find a bed for the night. When I entered, I heard the two vowels that caught my attention, after comings and goings, the intuition was correct and they were two Peruvians doing Asia for two months and a bit. From Peru directly to Japan, then Southeast Asia, amazing, I didn't know you could do that. We became friends within seconds and it was a tremendous two days in magical Bagan.

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

You're not the only one. You won't be the only one. We all have the same fears, and here we continue, traveling the world.

2. Oriana Cicconi

Age: 26 | City: From Caraz, currently in Lima.Occupation: Actress, comedian and traveler. (Facebook)

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

I have had a very strange spinal injury for 13 years that caused me a lot of pain in my legs, one day I went on a trip with a friend and we found a stone from which all the people jumped. I thought that by jumping from there I could overcome my fears and make the pain go away…I JUMPED! and I fell so badly that it hurt even more, I couldn't jump, I couldn't run, I would walk two blocks and I had to stop because of the pain.

My parents have always taught me that emotions become diseases and I began to investigate more about this topic, leg pain means "the fear of moving forward in life" and the part where the injury was had to do with “the fear of running out of money”. One night I had an amazing dream! I dreamed of my ancestors telling me: “You have to move! You have to grab your camera and go with your husband to travel the world! there is a whole universe to discover!” I got up and realized what was happening to me, I had been in the same job for many years, safely back in my comfort zone, but I was no longer as motivated as before and I did not want to realize that, because I was afraid to leave a safe job, who was going to pay me? how would i survive But after that dream she couldn't stay the same!

I looked at my husband, who was my boyfriend at the time, and said, “I know how the pain will go! MOVING US! We have to go travel the world together!” and he, without thinking twice, told me: “LET'S GO!”. We had a little bit of savings, so we gave it all up. We give away all our clothes, our things, all material things, we send them through a tube and we begin the trip.

-Which places did you visit and for how long?

We were in Cuba for 23 days, in Mexico for 2 months (we visited 11 cities there), Miami for 1 month and a week, New York for 1 week, Oslo for a week, Poland for 5 days, Barcelona for a month and a week, Rome for 12 days , Florence 1 week, Paris 4 days, Lisbon one week, Madrid one month, Canary Islands two weeks.

- What were your main fears/barriers before starting this journey? How did you overcome them during the trip?

Our main fear was running out of money, but during the trip we realized that money was the last thing we should worry about. There were so many wonderful gifts that the universe gave us, you begin to value many things that you didn't even realize existed before. Along the way, many angels appeared and that made us understand that if we flow with life and follow our dreams, it surprises us in an incredible way.

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

LOTS! I put all my trip on my Fan Page and many fans gave us their houses, food, took us for a walk. They made us feel at home! I was delighted to find so many Peruvians on the trip with such a good vibe. We will never forget our friend José Luis who lives in Oslo, we had nowhere to sleep on December 31 and he was driving the bus that took you to the airport, we did not know he was Peruvian. We talked, we told him what was happening to us and he immediately took us to his house, we spent the best new year of our lives (so far) dancing with other Peruvians and then he put us up at his house for a week and just like José Luis we have many Peruvian angels who gave us help.

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

Don't think twice and do it! If it really is her dream, let them send everything through a tube and follow it. Don't waste any more time, you will always feel like you could have saved more money, but ignore that feeling and go with what you have. You don't necessarily have to leave Peru to travel, you can tour this beautiful country and I'm sure you'll be surprised.

3. Daniel Barreto

Age: 41 | City: Lima; Currently in Toulouse, FranceOccupation: Purchasing Manager, Photographer, and Travel Blogger.

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

In 2001 I traveled alone for two months along the Silk Road from Turkey to Kyrgyzstan, also passing through Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. I decided to make that trip because I had already decided to quit my job to do a master's degree and I thought it would be a unique opportunity to undertake a long journey.

- What places did you visit and for how long?

I have traveled to 72 countries in the last 24 years. If I add up all the trips I have made in my life, I calculate that I have spent almost 4 of my 41 years traveling. I have traveled throughout much of Latin America, Europe, the Middle East , Asia and several African countries. I have also lived in five different countries.

- What were your main fears/barriers before starting this journey? How did you overcome them during the trip?

I was afraid that something would happen to me (without knowing exactly what), afraid of feeling alone. I have also been afraid that taking the vacations that correspond to me to travel would be a professional brake. I overcame my fears by throwing myself, there is no better way to overcome your fears than by facing them. I also learned to order my priorities. It's better to have a less brilliant career and be happy than to be on your deathbed and regret spending so much time on your job.

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

I've come across Peruvians a few times while I've been travelling. I ran into one in Egypt and a Peruvian walking in the Sapa Valley in Vietnam. Also once I hitchhiked in Meteora, Greece, I was picked up by a Swiss and his wife peruvian

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

Let them launch. There are many excuses for not traveling: that I don't have money, that it is dangerous, that I need visas, that we are a poor country and traveling is a luxury, that my career will suffer. I think that in Peru children are overprotected and That is why people are afraid to take initiatives and get out of the ordinary. When you are a teenager you start traveling through Peru and Latin America. Why do you see so many young Argentines, Uruguayans and Chileans with few resources backpacking through South America and not Peruvians? I think the first hurdle is getting out of your comfort zone. If you take that first leap of leaving the comfort of your home to travel on a cargo and passenger boat through the Amazon, or hitchhiking to reach some distant Andean town, then sleeping with the nomads of Central Asia, hitchhiking Japan, or riding a bicycle along the Nile River will no longer seem so unattainable.

4. Annaira Díaz de Ravago

Age: 27 |City: Lima, now traveling AsiaOccupation: Fashion Designer/ Former Cabin Crew.

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

Two years ago I traveled to Hong Kong-Thailand-Cambodia all in one month and I feel that it was the month where I felt most connected to myself. I met so many people from different parts of the world with the same purpose: to travel, live, meet, enjoy and give themselves that gift even once in their lives (although several had already done it several times) and that's when I thought: Why? I do not? I had always wanted to do something like this and I was in a place where I didn't feel strange for having that idea, so that's how my desire to make this trip began, I worked hard to save money and travel the world.

- What places did you visit and for how long?

Spain, Holland and England, and I am currently in Vietnam on my way to the airport to go to Myanmar.

What were your biggest fears/barriers before starting this journey? How did you overcome them during the trip?

I had all kinds of fears! Probably more than it would have been ideal to have…in those 2 years that I was saving to leave, I was talking countless times with my Coach/Friend of Life/guide Fernando Araya to be able to calm down, start to have more confidence in myself and get rid of all the doubts I had (for example: what could happen to me traveling alone, who would I be with, if I get lost what do I do, I get to the airport and from there how do I go to the hostel alone, if I feel bad who do I tell, if something is stolen from me , if I run out of money, etc. Those were some of the small and stupid doubts I had because I prefer not to write the biggest ones).

After spending so much time talking to him about it, one day I understood that the biggest fear I should have was living with all those doubts and never having tried. The day I understood it, I thought no more and gave up to be able to travel.

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

Now I'm traveling with two Peruvian friends, but on the trip I haven't met any others yet. Even when they ask us where we are from and we say Peru, they tell us "Ahhh, it's the first time we've met someone from there" (obviously the next question is: "Where is Peru?")

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

I'd love to tell you how I've heard others say: “Just give it a go! Travel, try, enjoy! You will see that everything is happening”. That it is true, but for me the best recommendation I can give is:

If you know other travelers, try to stop with them more, ask them everything you can, clear up any doubts you have with them (remember that they also went through that) Let them give you their best tips!

If you don't know, then try to stop with people who may have the same idea as you so that you continue to motivate yourself, read all kinds of travel blogs, get inspired by them...

If you need more support, find someone who can help you to be more confident (as I did) and you will see that you will have a great result.

But the most important thing is to look at the photos of all the places you would like to go, write down the names and then imagine that you are there, but above all when you open your eyes, remember this: that you keep looking at photos, pointing and imagining. It would be better if you were there watching, writing down what you felt and imagining your next destination.

5. Isaias Mendoza del Solar

Age: 31 | City: ArequipaOccupation: Administration / Tourism in Caleta San José

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

I always liked to explore and discover new places, even if it was a new park. After the Work&Holiday trips to Gringolandia, where I always completed them with a few weeks of trips there and a summer backpacking through South America with friends, I didn't want to accept that these experiences were ending and I started planning a great trip. I got into the 9 to 5 work routine, saved and projected what I could travel with the savings, believing that if I traveled long that desire would calm me down... but it didn't happen, haha!

- What places did you visit and for how long?

My long trip lasted 18 months, I spent 2 months in Peru, 1 in Europe, 1 in Morocco, 1 in Egypt, 1 in the Holy Land (not so Holy), 1 in Kenya, 5 in India, 2 in Nepal , 2 Southeast Asia.

- What were your main fears/barriers before starting this trip? How did you overcome them during the trip?

Before I started, the fear was going to places totally unknown to me and without anyone I knew, to countries where they did not speak the language and finding myself lost alone... after a friend postponed his trip at the last minute, I had to start my part of the trip alone in Morocco… the first hours I crossed by ferry to Africa I began to meet more travelers and there I realized that it was very difficult to travel and be really alone, the vast majority of the world are good people.

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

Outside Europe and Peru and the 4 friends who accompanied me for a few weeks around the world, I found 1 lawyer from Ica in Morocco and 1 candidate for the Huancayo congress in Kenya and in the guestbook of a "Feluca" from Egypt I found the signature of 1 arequipeño from a few weeks ago haha.

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

Fuck you without fear, the experience of living something you always dreamed of doing is invaluable in many aspects. For us travelers we have it easy since it only takes leaving the frozen issues in the city, putting together a backpack and going out for an early retirement for a while, when you return you will see that everything remained in an almost static routine, but as long as you live traveling It will teach you more than you can imagine.

6. Cecilia Andamayo

Age: 28 |City: Lima, currently living in AustraliaOccupation: Administrator

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

I was very curious to see what the world had to offer. I started traveling alone when I was 17 years old and since then I have always found a thousand and one excuses to leave Lima (at least for a weekend). The two main reasons I took the gap year were because I always felt that time was too short and because I wanted to know what I was going to do with my life. I liked my job but I wasn't passionate about it and I didn't want to live like that. I knew that traveling would help me clarify myself, but now, after 20 months of leaving Lima, I can say that this has helped me a lot…in fact, more than I thought!

- What places did you visit and for how long?

I started this trip in South America, then I traveled a little through Europe, I went to Southeast Asia and now I'm going to Oceania where I'm just taking a break to start the second part of my “World Trip”. I traveled exactly 1 year and I have been living in Sydney for 8 months.

- What were your main fears/barriers before starting this journey?

At times I think I was influenced a bit by my parents' fears that made me wonder if I was making the right decision. My dad used to tell me that I'm crazy, that how was it possible to leave my job for a trip that isn't going to help me at all. My mom used to tell me that they can kill me, they can rape me, they can rob me, etc. Personally, my fear was whether the money I had was enough.

- How did you overcome them during the trip?

Regarding leaving my job and my comfort zone, I realized that it was the BEST DECISION I COULD MAKE. When she was on El Calvario hill (Copacabana) in front of that beautiful lake completely alone, she felt a sense of peace and happiness that she could not describe, she just gave thanks to life and knew that she was doing the right thing. The fears that something could happen to me, I realized that it could still happen to me if I am in Lima. On the other hand, to be honest, I took great care of myself and tried to be prudent in the things I did. As for money, I realized that you don't need to be a millionaire to travel, you can hitch hike, volunteer or try to find a job wherever you are.

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

Just one. A boy who sold bracelets in Penang caught my attention, listened to hard sauce and had a Peruvian “I don't know what”. I approached him and said: "I'm sure you're Peruvian!" and he yelled at me excitedly: "Yeah!" It was very cool to find it, but I would have loved to meet more Peruvians on my trip.

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

If you want to travel, don't think too much, because when you think you ask yourself too many questions…So my first piece of advice is “Don't think”.

Personally, the beauty of traveling is meeting people (I realized that on this trip). It is nice to see beautiful places, but the difference between one place and another is the people.

Over time they will realize that something has changed, traveling in one way or another does that to you, I think it's always for the better.

So travel, explore, get lost, make friends, fall in love, be surprised by the simple things that life offers us. YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE.

7. Arturo Bullard

Age: 46 | City: LimaOccupation: Travel Photographer and Travel Blogger < /b>

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

Two and a half years ago, when I decided to sell the shares of my mining-related company and go after my dreams. Before starting my new projects, related to photography and travel, I took 6 months of sabbatical from which I decided to travel three months to Asia. It was the break I needed to leave behind my life as a collar-and-tie businessman and start my life as a photographer and traveler.

- What places did you visit and for how long?

I started the trip with twelve days through Holland, Switzerland and Germany and then headed to Asia for 3 months. I toured Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nepal and India.

- What were your main fears/barriers before starting this journey? How did you overcome them during the trip?

I had no major fears before traveling, although some appeared along the way. I experienced some events that made me step on the ground and walk more carefully. I got a kidney stone in Chiang Mai – Thailand, an infection with a fever over 40 degrees in Yangon – Myanmar. In addition, I was chased by a Rhinoceros in the jungle of Chitwan – Nepal and we ran over a cow in India. These facts made me think a lot and evaluate some issues in my life. It was definitely 3 months of a lot of learning. Definitely, in my life, there is a before and after this trip to Asia

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

Only in Thailand I met a friend who lived there and I spent a few days with him, he was the only Peruvian I saw.

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

Let them lose their fear of traveling. Fear is the biggest obstacle that people have to encourage themselves to take their backpack and begin to know their country and, why not, the world. There are many paradigms about traveling, that it is expensive, that it is dangerous, etc. Remember that "Dreams are found on the other side of fears".

8. Amelia Mendieta

Age: 32 | City: LimaOccupation: Communicator

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

I always had in mind to take a long trip, I had just turned 30 and I was kind of bored with my job, I set myself a deadline to get something new, the day came and I was still in the same thing, don't hesitate for a second, and I bought the ticket. It all started in April 2014, at the beginning it was going to be only 6 months, but it ended up being almost two years. The best of my life without a doubt.

- What places did you visit and for how long?

I started with Cusco, Tarapoto, then Ecuador, Spain, almost the entire coast of Croatia (from Dubrovnik to Tisno), Berlin, Prague, Greece, the entire coast of Vietnam, starting with Ho Chi Minh City until reaching Hanoi, then Laos, I crossed the Cambodian border until I reached Siem Reap, then Thailand, to then take a flight to Bali, closing the Asian adventure with a flourish on Gili Trawangan. I went back to Peru, I traveled a little here, Paracas, Huacachina, I made a road trip from Lima to do the Choquequirao trek, then Urubamba. I was in the north, in Órganos and Máncora. I thought that it would all end there, but then I decided to go to Europe again, I was in Cardiff, Swansea, Bristol, London, Bath, Bruges, Amsterdam, Utrecht and Paris. I returned to Peru again and I did Tarapoto and Chachapoyas. All this in the last two years.

- What were your main fears/barriers before starting this journey? How did you overcome them during the trip?

Definitely my main fear was losing myself, I always said it, I was born without a compass; but from the moment I started the trip that fear was gone. You get by, and I think it's time to thank Google Maps, my best friend on the road! What would I have done without him?

Another point that scared me was going alone, when I made the decision it was me and my backpack. In the end, in almost all my destinations I was with friends, and with people I met along the way. You will always meet people, there is no doubt about that; so there's no need to worry.

And although at some point I thought that the language would be an obstacle, it never was, if necessary you can even communicate with mimicry, and believe me it works perfectly.

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

The ones I met were friends I had arranged to meet up with in some destinations, and two of my best friends who joined me for part of my Asia adventure.

With the only Peruvian I hadn't planned to meet, and it happened that I knew her a couple of times from Lima, it was at a boat party in the middle of the Adriatic Sea, isn't that unprecedented?

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

Don't be afraid, it's going to be the most amazing experience you're going to have in your life. It makes you grow, get to know yourself, appreciate things you didn't even look at or pay attention to before, discover things you never thought you could do.

If you resign and you are worried that you will return to your country without money and that you will be left without a job, it is the least of it, the experiences you gained along the way are incalculable.

Your city, your friends, your family, your career, they will never change, they will always be there, you can come back whenever you want. What does change is oneself, and I think for the better.

9. Martha Reátegui

Age: 34 |City: Lima, currently in LondonOccupation: Master in HR / Administration and Logistics

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

12 years ago I left Lima and went to live in Munich without knowing anyone, without having been to Europay before, without speaking the language well. I have lived 3 years in Germany, 5 years in Spain, 4 years in Ireland and I have been living in England for 4 months. I love to travel, I am a very independent person and although I had already traveled almost all of Europe, I felt that there was much more to discover, I had never traveled alone, I wanted to do it until the opportunity presented itself and that is how I began the best trip of my life.

- What places did you visit and for how long?

India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates for 65 days (just over 2 months)

- What were your main fears/barriers before starting this journey?

I had no barriers but I did have many fears.

My first destination was India, I arrived in Delhi at 4:00 am, I remember that I was very afraid that the taxi would not arrive and I had nightmares about the night train where I would spend 13 hours until I reached Varanasi.

It was inevitable to feel afraid of getting sick and the idea that I could get dengue or malaria was always present. I was also afraid to think that I could lose my passport, money, cards, camera, or come across bad people who could hurt me. The closer the trip got, the more fear and anxiety I had.

- How did you overcome them during the trip?

I had jumped into the pool without water many times and for me there was no barrier or fear that could interrupt something that I wanted so much. I simply took all the precautions I considered necessary, such as buying excellent travel insurance that thank God I did not have to use, I had all the corresponding vaccinations, I took malaria pills, I used 100% deet repellent, I did not walk alone at night , I brushed my teeth with bottled water, I didn't carry my money all together, I always kept important things in locked lockers or safe deposit boxes and above all I followed my own instinct.

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

I met amazing people from many countries but I didn't come across any Peruvians.

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

Let them dare because traveling is living and there is nothing more enriching or a better investment than knowing the world, experiences, learning and memories will last a lifetime.

10. Dania Rodriguez

Age: 27 |City: Lima, currently in Hurghada, Egypt.Occupation: Professional dancer, chef in live foods and vegan, therapist in natural medicine, teacher of Taichi and Chi kung. Currently: Divemaster and Blogger in DaniaPeru World Traveler.

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

I was sure there was a lot waiting for me outside my home in Buenos Aires, outside the world I was used to, outside the career I had chosen. I was very happy with my life, but the certainty of knowing that there was a lot of world and that there were people to meet, places to visit, a lot to learn and that I couldn't do it from where I was, led me to make the big decision to go away

- What places did you visit and for how long?

22 months so far. Southeast Asia twice, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Macedonia, Egypt, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Jordan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka…among others.

- What were your main fears/barriers before starting this journey?

Very honestly, I didn't have any fears before I went on the trip. The fears arose some or many times while already traveling.

- How did you overcome them during the trip?

Transiting them. There is no use just worrying and waiting for something to happen. If we don't take care of ourselves, no one else will.

I loved my conversation with Khong Xiong on the Purpose Tune Podcast recently where we talked how to tune in to you… https://t.co/yAqnivtteF

— Melissa Kitto Tue Jul 20 12:00:23 +0000 2021

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

Yes, to my dear Analucía in Russia! Later, when I visited my family in Peru, I met others, like Ximena, Miguel, José...

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

Never run away from anything and try, where possible, to have goals.

The reality is that not all of us have to be traveling there. But if you feel that flame inside you, don't hesitate… Decide and act.

11. Bo Saldana

Age: 32 | City: Iquitos, now living in Málaga, SpainOccupation: Administrator, HR and Social Media Consultant and Blogger at El Mundo OK.

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

Basically, traveling around the world is a need that becomes constant and I would even say primary, as you get to know new cultures, new people. A need that “needs” to be reinforced and always fed. For me the great journey has been changing my place of residence a few years ago.

- What places did you visit and for how long?

Since almost 10 years ago when I began to travel more often and to more places, there have been many places traveled, in a number of countries about 35; charming places like Machu Picchu (Cusco), Caminito del Rey (Málaga), touring the great Amazon River on several occasions until after the tri-border located in the Amazonian trapeze, touring various areas of one of my favorite cities: London; sleeping in the most sensory desert I've been to so far: Wadi Rum in Jordan; float in the Dead Sea, get to know El Tesoro and the Monastery in Petra, bathe and relax on various paradisiacal beaches in Thailand, have a few drinks at the foot of the Opera House in Sydney, go listen to Gardel's tangos in Buenos Aires itself, etc

- What were your main fears/barriers before starting this journey? How did you overcome them during the trip?

Fear of the unknown is the main barrier when you want to start traveling, not knowing if you are going to communicate correctly with other people, not knowing if you are doing the right thing or not in a certain place, leaving your area of comfort to go in search of making your dreams come true, etc.

All those fears are overcome with more trips, meeting more people, learning from each one of them. With the magic of the internet, it is now easier to have the experience of other travelers through word of mouth or travel blogs, which are a very important source of information that the network of networks has given the world with great success. .

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

In countries close to Peru yes, but in more distant destinations less or almost none. I recently met Analucía, Peruvian and author of Viajar Para Vivir and learned more about her at the World Travel Market held in November 2015 in London. I was very pleased to do it, to learn about their projects, their desire to continue on the traveling route. We hit it off quickly. It is that I already said, the trips unite you yes or yes.

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

My eyes moisten with happiness every time I feel that someone else will dare to travel the world, either for a long time or temporarily for various reasons.

Tell you not to be afraid, that now it is much easier than before, there is a lot of information that you can use to make your path easier. Of course, YOUR path will never be the same as that of others, dare to start a conversation with someone you do not know, there are many (not to say many) good people in the world willing to help you.

Let's travel!

12. Tischa Aguirre

Age: 31 | City: Lima, now living in Queenstown, New ZealandOccupation: I studied Performing Arts, but am now a restaurant manager.

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

Curiosity, desire to get out, start over, give back (I volunteered a few times in different countries).

- What places did you visit and for how long?

Small and not so small trips before deciding not to return for a while there were several, after that I left and 5 years and a little more have passed since I made that decision. I was living in Canada for a year, the United States, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Spain, Kenya, India, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia.

- What were your main fears/barriers before starting this journey? How did you overcome them during the trip?

People have a bad habit, when you decide to do something risky they just start giving you a list of the list of problems and dangers that you are going to face, as if you didn't already know them.

In the end, you're throwing yourself into something unknown, and depending on your chosen destination, what you know most about that place is the dangers you run into. The unknown is scary, but I think what scared me the most was the idea that something bad could happen to me and I would be alone to have a bad time, probably in a place where few people speak my language and obviously what happened... It's not so it's bad to cry alone, it's not so bad to have to learn new signs and languages ​​to be able to solve the problems that life brings, one becomes very creative to find solutions. When you're out there, you live from day to day and every day brings something new. In the end, you learn that you are much stronger than you imagine, much more creative than you think, and you live surprising yourself, getting to know yourself more every day through experiences.

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

Very few really... while I was wandering around in slightly more remote places, I only met one girl on an island in Cambodia and here in New Zealand, in all this time I will have met 10 at most. In Canada and Spain, obviously there was a bit more, but the number of people of other nationalities was always greater.

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

Who dare you NOW! There is no way for things to go wrong if one is willing to always find the silver lining. Nothing is lost trying, the least you gain is an experience.

13. Alexander Wong

Age: 26 |City: LimaOccupation: Blogger at Planeta Mochila.

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

For 2 reasons. From a very young age, my dream was always to walk the streets of Paris and stroll along the Seine River and its surroundings. The second reason is because I had recently created a travel blog and I wanted to start with this experience.

- What places did you visit and for how long?

The first European city I stepped foot in my life was Amsterdam, then Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Toulouse, Perigueux (beautiful), Limoges, Paris, Munich, Zurich, Schaffhausen, Florence, Rome, Cinque Terre and Pisa. The entire trip was completed in approximately 2 months.

- What were your main fears/barriers before starting this journey? How did you overcome them during the trip?

The main fear like all Peruvians is the acceptance of the Visa, but happily they gave it to me easily. Another fear was lodging and transportation in each city, but throughout my stay in Europe I did not pay even 1 euro for lodging since I used Couchsurfing and in transportation I hitchhiked and did Blablacar, which saved me a lot of money.

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

I just found a passionate traveling couple in Rome.

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

That they lose their fear of leaving their comfort zone since the experience they are going to live in each place teaches us to give the value it deserves to life and we learn to be reflective not only with our actions but with the world around us. In addition, sharing with different people, languages ​​and cultures makes us global citizens and we create an international network of friends.

14. Patricia Palacios

Age: 37 |City: Lima, currently traveling the worldOccupation: Marketing, technology, education.

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

I was 15 years old the first time I left Peru to do an exchange to the US, since then I have not stopped exploring the world.

I have lived in Argentina, Canada, USA, Ireland, France. After 8 years of living in the US, and growing a lot professionally, I decided to take a gap year and travel the world. I was lucky to have a traveling dreamer as a companion, who continually pushes me towards the uncertain. We both knew that after this trip, discoveries and changes would come personally, and therefore professionally. And yes, they are closely related. During the transition from a stable life, to an unpredictable and adventurous life, the idea of ​​a social enterprise, www.mentorperu.org, was born, and now we are not only happy explorers of the world, we also carry with us the Peruvian hat, we capture stories of innovative Peruvians and transform them into mentoring and inspiration for Peruvian youth.

- What places did you visit and for how long?

I've been traveling for almost 7 months, I have 5 months of adventures left. I know that I don't want to have more than 12 countries on my list because it would mean that I only went through tourist places instead of living and being part of a different system. I've been to New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Japan, UK, France... and I'll tell you where else.

- What were your main fears/barriers before starting this journey? How did you overcome them during the trip?

Fear of losing everything she had worked so hard to achieve. Today I know that everything I have achieved I carry with me, I am not a "management role in a recognized company" or "the owner of a department". I am more than that, now I am a set of experiences that only gives you living doing things that make you happy and constantly being out of your comfort zone.

Fears and barriers are sweetened with stories from other globetrotters, while your perspective and dimension of the world expands, and you realize that when you return you will be a more complete individual. Of course, reducing uncertainties by planning my trip helped me a lot, for example, carrying out projects that I always wanted to do and never had time (now I write a travel blog in three languages, and I lead an NGO), studying languages ​​(I studied French for 3 weeks in New Caledonia), budgeting and being creative on how to spend less (house-sitting, Airbnb, Couchsurfing, etc.), volunteering while living with a local family, etc.

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

It has not been so easy for me to find Peruvians on the road, unless I have looked for them. My job as co-founder of Mentor Peru is to find Peruvian talent in the world. This allows me to be even more inspired through life stories. I visit embassies, consulates, chambers of commerce and Peruvian restaurants, I organize events for professionals, I see students... I am very pleased to see that professional Peruvians are highly valued by foreign communities.

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

Let them know that YOU WILL NEVER BE READY. That there will always be a "future promotion in a job that pays you well" or "I have no money" or "I will disconnect from the labor market" or "I want to meet someone to travel with him/her". Don't see taking a gap year as a setback in your life, but rather as an opportunity to get to know yourself better, discover new talents, eat, dance and drink with new friends, meditate in a Buddhist temple, bathe elephants, chat with a Strange, laughing because the menu is in Japanese and you have no idea what to eat, getting wet in the rain, walking 10 km. because there is no taxi or bus…

15. Gonzalo Cortes

Age: 27 | City: Lima, now traveling in IndiaOccupation: Industrial Engineer, Blogger at Memories of a Chasqui

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

It was always a dream, and without realizing it I was taking steps to reach it. Suddenly one day I realized that nothing really prevented me from doing it. So I bought a ticket and left.

- What places did you visit and for how long?

Since my departure from Lima on March 15 I have been in: Boston, NY, Lisbon, Sintra, Faro (Portugal), Seville, Almería, Cabo de Gata, Barcelona, ​​Paris, Strasbourg, Munich, Prague, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Delhi, Srinagar (Kashmir-India), Pahalgâm (Kashmir-India), Mattan (a small town in Kashmir-India) and Khajuraho. Next destinations in India: Varanasi, Agra, Jaipur and Goa. Next plane to Sri Lanka.

- What were your main fears/barriers before starting this journey?

Before making the decision, you always find -or unconsciously invent- reasons not to travel. The main ones in my case were:

1. My job: I didn't want to lose the line of career or the experience I had already gained.
2. The money: I always thought I didn't have enough.
3. I didn't it was what I thought it would be and see me coming back within the week.

Once I made the decision everything went downhill. I really did not have any more barriers, unless something could happen that prevents me from traveling and it was not under my control. But since I made the decision I have always been eager to leave.

- How did you overcome them during the trip?

The trip topped them for me, and still does.

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

I have met friends in Europe, but they are studying, I have not been lucky enough to meet any so far, although I coordinate with some to see if we agree on a destination and add some kilometers together.

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

Think less and feel more.

16. Andrés Núñez del Prado

Age: 31 | City: ArequipaOccupation: Entrepreneur // Information

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

Complicated to answer in a few lines! But I think that it is a moment that we all go through, in which you are full of uncertainty and you try by all means to discover (you) and understand (you). A trip like this all it does is change your state of life, you go from feeling comfortable and safe to feeling uncertain and constantly excited. And obviously not everything is rosy, if it were so it would be a lie. The interesting thing is that living this way for so long forces you to get to know yourself much better, you discover what you are capable of and what you really like to do. The truth is that I believe that most of us who set out to discover the world only want one thing: to discover ourselves and enjoy the consequences of achieving it.

- What places did you visit and for how long?

The whole trip was done in 300 days. And I was in the United States, Russia, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, India, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Hong Kong and Japan.

- What were your main fears/barriers before starting this journey? How did you overcome them during the trip?

I think my main fear was traveling alone. But both in Europe and in India, Laos, Hong Kong and Japan I traveled alone and found the charm. Although it demands more of you, it also rewards you with many more friendships and encounters. The economic barrier is also always a problem during the trip. I got a job in Thailand, which allowed me not to spend all my savings. Another big fear was the future after the trip. But the truth is that if you have already decided to travel, all you have to worry about is getting the most out of it.

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

I started with one of my best friends, but then we broke up and the truth is that I never saw another Peruvian's face again until I returned to New York.

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

Honestly, I don't understand why they wouldn't dare. There are simply people who do not see the benefit of wandering through life for such a long time, and there are others who do. But hey, the only thing I could tell them is not to worry about the "after" trip. A trip like this gives you a lot of confidence in yourself. And that is worth gold in working life. In addition, since you know better what you like to do, it is easier to be productive in what you do.

17. Claudia Yañez

Age: 30 | City: LimaOccupation: Marketing, Administration

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

It was always one of my dreams. From the first time I traveled outside of Peru, at the age of 15, I discovered how passionate I was about traveling, getting to know new places, cultures, making new friends, listening to the stories and adventures of travelers who traveled the world indefinitely. However, the years went by and I always found some excuse, "oops I fell in love", "I'm doing well at work", etc. Until a couple of years ago I took a 20-day trip through Southeast Asia and that dream that was always latent but sometimes slept, woke up more than ever. I returned to Peru full of beautiful experiences and experiences and I realized that nothing was stopping me from finally making this great trip that I always dreamed of. A few days after my return to Lima, I got together with a friend, another Peruvian traveler, to tell him about my last trip, he also told me about his plans, he motivated me even more; and a few days later I made the decision, I bought my ticket one way, Lima-Madrid.

- What places did you visit and for how long?

I started in Europe, in Germany, traveling mainly to the East, countries like the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Bulgaria. Then a bit of the Middle East like Türkiye, Israel, Jordan. Egypt in Africa and continue to Southeast Asia. On a previous trip I had toured Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, and I fell in love with that side of the world so I was happy to finish touring Thailand, Burma and Indonesia. I then worked and traveled around Australia and ended up in New Zealand visiting my younger sister.

- What were your main fears/barriers before starting this journey?

There were a lot of things going through my head about this trip, most of them positive because deep down I knew it was going to be an incredible experience (and it really exceeded all my expectations!); but it is normal that there are fears and worries. For me the main ones were:

1. The job and my career line: Giving up a good job and the fear of leaving a gap in the CV, losing the career line that I had already followed until then.
2. My family: My parents, mainly my mother, is quite traditional, I was worried that this news would affect her.
3. Budget:< /b> I wasn't sure if the budget would be enough or if it would last as long as I wanted.
4. Traveling Solo: despite having traveled all my life, I had never traveled alone for so long, also without a return date; I was wondering if I could really do it and enjoy it.

- How did you get over them during the trip?

I talked to a friend who had also gone on a gap year, she told me “GOEEEE, don't think about it!… there will always be work”, she told me how she re-entered the labor market without any problem; He told me forget about it, what you are going to live and learn will never be done in an office and it is something that the employer values ​​very much (said and done I came back and reinserted myself in a month and a half in a job with a better salary and position than I was , and where today I am super happy). On the other hand, I talked to my parents and even though my mom didn't love the idea and was a bit scared at first, I explained my reasons and when she saw how happy and excited she was I convinced her that this was something positive and that would finally add up in my personal and professional life, and it did! It has truly been the best decision of my life so far. Overcome the fear of traveling alone when you were on the road, you realize that you meet people every day, on the bus, on the train, on the street, in the hostel; all travelers are as one, they want to share and listen to stories; We share the same values ​​and the complete opposite of what I thought, valued and really enjoyed the time that I was really alone. On the subject of budget, along the way you realize that there are many facilities for travelers today that allow you to save, from Couchsurfing, Bla Bla Car or even getting a temporary job.

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

I started the trip with a Peruvian friend who was also doing a similar trip, then each one continued on different routes. Also, a friend from Peru put me in touch with Analú; He told us: “Girls, you are doing similar trips, get together!” She was also with another Peruvian who does not live in Peru but also travels seasonally and the three of us traveled together for a couple of months through Burma and Thailand. Then I never met another Peruvian traveler again.

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

They will always find or invent some excuse not to take the plunge, but they have to fight to dismiss it and realize that if it's really something they want to do they should TAKE IT. Chat with other travelers, ask lots of questions, we are always willing to help where we can and share our experiences to motivate you! Read travel blogs to get even more motivated!! Don't think about the after, don't be afraid to travel alone. Seeing the world and making new connections is the real reason to travel and live. Many incredible experiences await you, experiences, learning, courage, impressive places, beautiful and good people around the world! And they are not going to learn or acquire all this in the office. So go ahead! Leave your comfort zone, go for that dream and live!

18. Mary Salas

Age: 31 years old | City: Arequipa, now in ParisOccupation: Architect, set designer and photographer. Blogger at Los Viajes de Mary.

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

I have had trips that have marked me in different ways. At the age of 16 I did an exchange to Rennes – France for 3 months and this made me see the world from another perspective and the fact of traveling alone at that age taught me to be stronger in many aspects since I went through some difficult moments. The other great trip was the one I took in 2011. I had bought and organized a trip to Germany to visit my boyfriend who lived there. However, the relationship ended shortly before leaving and I had two options, either I would stay crying or I would go on this new adventure. That's how I started traveling completely alone and changing my route in less than 10 days. This trip was important to me and it gave me many lessons that still serve me today. It was also on this trip that I got to know Barcelona, ​​a place where I went to live for almost 8 months in 2012 and with which I fell in love. I made that long trip because I lost many loved ones and I wanted to change my mind and simply live. I quit my job and went to pursue my dreams, which were to study Scenography and Photography in the old continent.

- What places did you visit and for how long?

On my trip in 2011, I visited 15 cities for 21 days. The countries that I visited were: Spain, France and Italy; and the cities: Madrid, Cuenca, Valencia, Barcelona, ​​Nice, Rome, Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti, Venice, Milan, Tonnerre, Rennes and Paris.

- What were your main fears/barriers before starting this journey? How did you overcome them during the trip?

The first time traveling alone is intimidating. My main fears were whether I was going to be safe on the trip, being hurt or robbed. I was also afraid of not being able to find all the places where I was going to stay, since at that time there was not as much technology as now. One of the barriers that I had during the trip was managing in Italy since I did not speak the language and it was difficult to make myself understand and understand the Italians when I needed to make a query, but this also led me to want to learn more languages ​​and so on. It was that the following year I ended up studying Italian and I appreciate that trip because it enriched me in every way.

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

The truth is that in general I have always found few Peruvians on the road, but on that trip in 2011; I did meet a Peruvian traveling in Milan. He helped me a lot, since he spoke Italian and he gave me a couple of tips that encouraged me to continue on the road.

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

For those who feel like traveling, I would recommend following your gut. They should not be scared by comments that people around them can give them, many times by trying to take care of us they scare us or tie us up. The first trip is the scariest, but once you overcome these obstacles, the rest becomes easier. It can even become an addiction to keep learning more cultures and more places. Follow your dreams and leave your fears behind, live like there is no tomorrow.

19. Glenny Palomino

Age: 30 | City: Lima, now living in Honolulu, HawaiiOccupation: Travel Agent and Blogger.

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

Because I knew the best days of my life were yet to come and I had to go looking for them.

In 2007 I left Peru alone with an exchange program to the United States, I made friends from all over the world, I traveled within the country with those new friends, I had thousands of anecdotes and already at home I knew that what I wanted was continue to fill my life with experiences. I returned to the United States 2 times and in between I went on a backpack trip through South America and traveled to Europe twice. Until in 2014 I decided to quit my job and take a gap year not only because I wanted to know more about the world but also because of a need for personal growth.

Today I live in Honolulu-Hawaii where I fell head over heels in love in 2011, because there are places you might want to go to on the first day while there are others where you never want to leave.

I did all the trips alone, growing up in a city like Lima prepared me for everything. Today I am very grateful to my parents for the upbringing they gave me, since I was little they advised me to go through the world not with fear but with caution, traveling alone was never a problem for me.

- What places did you visit and for how long?

On my first adventure: Peru (10 departments) Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile for 4 months.

Then a long trip of 16 months: I started in Europe, then Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Brazil, USA (Road Trip through California), 2 months in New York, 3 weeks in Miami , The Bahamas, Aruba, Brazil again (over a month) and Colombia (5 weeks).

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

To my surprise, yes. In Barcelona I met a solo traveler like me, we became friends right away and now we plan trips together. We have met 3 times and today she is one of my closest friends, she lives in Paris.

In Ecuador I met one of my best friends, with whom I have traveled many times, she has lived in Canada, Australia and will soon move to Seattle.

In Myanmar I met Analucía and Claudia, two Peruvians taking a gap year.

In Laos I met a Peruvian doing his master's degree in Hong Kong traveling 3 months through Southeast Asia.

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

A few years ago I saw a video on YouTube, it was a message from Steve Jobs to the graduates of Stanford University, this message stuck with me: “Have the courage to follow what your intuition and your heart say, they They somehow know where you want to be." To those planning a similar trip, follow your gut. If that desire to explore, travel, is there, heed that call! Life is too short to regret later. Perhaps the best days of your life have not yet arrived, it is your mission to go for them!

19. Ana Belén García

Age: 31 | City: Lima, now touring New ZealandProfession: Publicist, currently Blogger.

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

Because it was something that I always had in mind but I didn't dare to do it. Since I was 22 or 23 years old, I thought about what it would be like to travel for a long period, what those countries would be like far from home, what else is there. Beyond Peru. But the circumstances at 22 did not allow me to make that great trip, I was in the middle of the university, looking for work, the typical routine circle in which one is involved and does not allow you to take a breather and think: "What is it that really want to do?" At the age of 25, I left my comfort in Lima, and moved to Chile where I worked for 5 years in advertising, and at the same time traveling from time to time, until I felt that the 15 business days they gave you on vacation were not enough. in Chile, and I considered making that long trip that I had dreamed of so much 9 years ago.

- What places did you visit and for how long?

Before the big trip, I traveled through Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, the United States, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and France... But they were typical vacations that one takes to visit another country, no more of 3 weeks. During the trip to Europe exactly one year ago, my boyfriend and I made the decision to take that long trip together at the end of the year. And that is how in November 2015 we delivered an apartment in Chile, sold all our belongings, took a couple of backpacks and ventured to start our gap year in New Zealand. We've been traveling the entire country for 7 months now, and from here we're going to Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, India, who knows, maybe China... It's not that we have a ready-made itinerary, we're putting that together as we go along.

I think the main barrier was society, not everyone thinks it's a great idea to travel and get to know other places, other cultures, other people, another language... Many people think you're out of your head, that it's irresponsible for your Part of sending you to change to travel the world and leave behind work, family, friends, profession, etc. But as I thought more and more about the idea of ​​making the trip, the question always jumped out at me, “If not now, when? When I am already retired, tired and without the strength to go for a walk or ride a bike or climb mountains? ?” So I finished convincing myself that it was perfectly fine to take that Gap Year, and put aside the barriers of what they will say. The other thing that held me back was the language, but once you travel... You are forced to speak and communicate with the rest, so I started to loosen up the language little by little and now English is not a problem, it's more even the books I get in bookstores or at campsites are all in English, and in these 7 months I have read 7 books in English... So it has been a great contribution to me.

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

Not as far as I'm traveling in New Zealand. What's more, all the kiwis I know here are surprised when I tell them I'm from Peru, it seems that not many Peruvians come here.

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

Get out!!! Travel, please... The world is not just what they teach you at school, university or at home. There are many wonderful places out there, interesting people, cultures, ways of life very different from what you are used to, get out and explore the world! Do it now, take advantage of the fact that you are young, healthy, with the desire to do it, without great responsibilities. I got the Work & Holiday for NZ, and since there are few Peruvians who come here, they gave it to me at the touch. I think so far it has been one of the best decisions I have made in my life, and I have never regretted it!

20. Jose Benavides

Age: 43 |City: LimaProfession: Metallurgical Engineer

- Why did you decide to take that big trip?

First, to experience a prolonged feeling of freedom, without being worried about time or some routine obligation. Freedom is what we all lack in our daily lives!

Second, to see the world, not only the “classic” places where most tourists go, but also interesting places that are off the beaten track.

- What places did you visit and for how long?

The original idea of ​​the trip (www.mytripjournal.com/jose) was to go around the world without planes. I started in Peru, I crossed the entire Amazon to Brazil, then Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay. But when I tried to take a boat from Brazil to Africa, I realized that the wait would be very long and the ticket would be expensive, so I decided to take a plane I traveled by land from Morocco to Benin, and then from South Africa to Egypt, including Yemen, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Then I spent a few months in Europe (the most "classic" part of my trip), and from there I went from Turkey to Uzbekistan by land, then Southeast Asia, Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and French Polynesia. Finally I returned by plane to Chile and then to Peru. In total I was in 64 countries for 2 and a half years, from 2006 to 2008.

- What were your main fears/barriers before starting this journey?

Actually my main fear was the subject of health. I did a lot of research on all the possible diseases that exist in all the continents I wanted to go to and I got all the vaccines I would need. I became an expert in vaccination, which which helps me so far to stay protected. A much lesser fear was the issue of personal security and the issue of visas for "weird" countries.

- How did you overcome them during the trip?

The main measure that one must take is precaution, both for health and personal safety. It is always necessary to inform yourself in advance about possible existing diseases and how to prevent them (vaccinations, mosquito repellents, avoid being in direct contact with animals, not eating in dirty or dubious places, be careful with the water you drink, etc.) and about the political situation in the countries you want to go to. There is a lot of information on the internet and when you are not sure, the best source of information is travelers who have been there recently. For visas, you also have to find out in advance which is the best where to obtain them and what are the requirements. During my trip I obtained many visas without major problems.

- Did you find more Peruvians traveling like you?

Very few. In Europe there are some, but in places outside the mass route I will have found 1 or 2 in 2 and a half years of travel. Note, this was 10 years ago, now I suppose (hope!) that there must be more.

- What advice would you give to those who want to travel the world but don't dare?

DREAM. Imagine the perfect trip, to an incredible place, with incredible food, incredible weather, incredible people, amazing historical sites, and incredible prices. And yes, these places exist! Decide which place makes your imagination fly and start to imagine the trip of your dreams, as if you were a child who was offered to go to Disney. And start planning it, deciding what you would like to do, how and with whom (or alone! !). Get a budget, collect the money, buy the ticket and reserve the first night in a hotel (or hostel). The rest comes alone. If you are afraid, read comments from travelers who have traveled there (on the internet there are many !). From experience I tell you that many of your fears are unfounded. Living in Peru, especially in Lima, is more dangerous than in most (note, not all) places in the world, as long as you know how to where you are going, how people behave there, and what is the political-economic-social situation of the place. Having traveled all the continents, except Antarctica, happily I have never had an incident to regret, beyond some petty theft or a diarrhea. I don't want to say that they don't happen, but if you take your precautions you can lower that probability to a minimum level (even less than what you have on a day-to-day basis in Lima). There is no excuse for not making the trip you always wanted! And once you start, there's no stopping. There are so many amazing places in the world! Please take a look at just a few of them…it's money best spent.