“Music Lives Here”; Suwannee Music Park

I wanted to take the time to jump out of my past tales and into my current life for a little to spread the word about one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been- that is right here with me in Florida, Suwannee Music Park. I was at a small music festival this past weekend here, “Purple Hatters Ball”. It was energizing experience as always, escaping the real world even if just for a few days. Siestas during the day in the warm meadow leave you feeling one with the earth. Nights of bare feet dancing on the cool dirt to funky jams, quickly roll into dewey sunrises over the Spanish Moss of the Live Oak trees. Suwannee holds a number of festivals all year, but this was a particularly special one, because it is in honor of a young girl who died a few years ago during a police informant drug bust that went wrong. You can read more about the story here http://rachelmorningstarfoundation.org/ . The gathering of like- minded individuals sharing good vibes, and being surrounded by the purest form of beauty always leaves you coming home a little changed. Has anyone else had a chance to visit Suwannee Music Park, or any other music festivals that hold a little place in your gypsy soul ? 

xx SLW

fair well my magical little Cusco ...

So the day had come. My last days were filled with adventures to nearby towns and sunny days with Willy and his friends; a girl Sarah found a four leaf clover, and gave us all a leaf and we said we'd meet again in 2020 in the same spot. Leaving a place that you've been for over a month and a half is both exiting and sad. I felt like this was my town; I had friends, I had my favorite spots, and would even see people I know walking around dailey. However, Cusco was the first place I had been for more than two days in South America- so I was dying to get out and explore! Besides, I was deathly pale and needed the beach. I love, love everyone that I met here in Cusco- and still keep in touch with a few. I will forever give the best recommendations to visit here as it remains my favorite city in the World so far! As well, I foresee me coming back in the near future, and hope to bring my mom and little brother one day.  So goodbye Cusco, your beauty, abundance of wonderful energy, mystics, humbleness and innocence will all be very much missed. Nos Veamos ! MUAHS !

xx SLW

It’s All Apart of the Journey

Something that I am always trying to remind myself of doing, is to take life as it comes and to not try to map out the future so much. This can be easier said than done, as I have witnessed time and time again. While backpacking, you do need to have somewhat of a plan if you want things to go smoothly, but at the same time need to understand that at least half of your plans might end up a little bumpy. A perfect example would be at the end of our trip to Chile. We left Mollendo, with the plan to get to Tacna, Peru then hop on over the border to Arica, Chile. We went on our way, grabbed a van with a few fun lovin' Peruvian strangers, and arrived in Tacna after a few more hours. 

Franzi and I then arrived at the chaotic bus station to discover that the road that crosses the border had been damaged due to flooding and they weren't sure WHEN we would be able to get a bus! We could 1) Stay in the industrial-like city of Tacna and see what happens within the next few days; which didn't sound great considering the mishaps we had already experienced in this little trip and the fact neither of us had much money to waste on hostels. Or 2) Head on over to Puno, Peru where Franzi would go alone for the night to Bolivia since I, being the lovely American I am, couldn't join her without paying for a Visa.

After about five minutes of standing in the crazy busy Terminal, we shared a “Get me the fuck out of here” look, and went directly to the ticket booth. It was one of those moments when you are so annoyed, but being miserable about it really won’t solve anything. Instead we loaded up on our favorite bus snacks, ( Sublime Chocolates are to die for) and knew we would laugh about it later. For those of you reading who are thinking, what is the big deal? You rode a few extra hours and had to turn around? Well, these can be up to a twelve hour ride consisting of a mixture between nice Grey Hound like buses or to sharing a four person Oldsmobile with a crying baby without A/c.

Well, we definitely did have our laughs afterwards! Not to mention the amazing scenery as always, as you can see the pictures above. This trip always reminds me of the lesson mentioned earlier. Much of the time while traveling, your plans aren't going to work out exactly or anything like you had hoped. However, you can't let it get to you, and panic. Sometimes you may literally be in the middle of nowhere, and complaining won't solve your problems.The best thing to do, is continue along your adventure by improvising!  After all, the unknowing of where your going, how your getting there, and who you may meet along the way is all apart of the journey. 

xx SLW 

Nightlife: Cusco

I came to Cusco to volunteer, to escape my crazy busy life in Miami, and to chill. I had no idea that I was going to one of the most touristy places in South America. Cusco is filled with travelers from all over that all have one thing in mind, to party. Wether you are looking for a wild club and drugs to keep you up all night, or just to hang out at a bar and listen to live music; Cusco has it, and everything in between. I usually prefer to meet locals and veer away from touristy spots, but a lot of the girls I hung out with from the school like going to the mainstream clubs, so I ended up doing lots of both. So here goes my fav's :

- Wachuma: This is the little Reggae bar that my roommates own. They have awesome music all the time, and usually a band each night. Upstairs is super chill, with floor cushion seating. Everyone goes to just hang out, smoke, etc. Don't be surprised if you see the hippies come in later with their Didgeridoos or who knows what instruments, and start a drum circle up there. 

- Groove: Groove is the most popular club for sure. They have mostly house, European and American music. I'll be posting an entry about it next! 

-Ukuku's: Although I'm not huge on Latino music, I loved this place. It was the place where everyone was wasted or just having so much fun, it didn't matter what you did or looked like. We would dance here for hours! Some friends I made in a band Sin Nombre, were always playing here.. and there definitely worth seeing! 

-Wild Rover Hostel: I'd be surprised if you heard anyone even speaking Spanish here.. but it is always a wild time, hence the name ;) They have really good drink specials, like a huge jar for 5 s./ for a few hours each night. They also have drinking games, and really fun theme parties. 

-Siete Angelitos: This, and all the other little bars in San Blas are really awesome. They are more chill, but always have good bands playing, and are definitely less crowded! Siete Angelitos claims to have the best Mojitos in Cusco, is this true !? I'm not sure, but they do serve a killer Pisco Sour which I've grown to love. 

Everywhere I went to was always free to get in. Most of the bars and clubs around the Plaza de Armas will give you drink passes to get a free drink as well. They will also be whispering "coke.weed.marijuana.cociana." if that's your thing. I was really stoked because it seemed like I kept finding face paint all the time, which I LOVED. My favorite thing about drinking in Cusco is the giant Beers that all the bars sell.. if they sold 40's to people at the bars in America, it would be a hot mess. Do you have a different favorite spot in Cusco ? Let us know !

xx SLW