It's been awhile since my last blog post. My website was down for a few weeks due to late subscription payment, a cost-benefit side effect of traveling on a shoestring budget and constantly measuring budget constraints.

Greetings from Tarapoto in northeastern Peru! I've been here for a few days after taking an 8-hour ride by collectivo bus from Chachapoyas. Tomorrow I'm traveling by cargo ship to Iquitos, the largest city in the world not accessible by road. It takes about 2 days to reach this city, all meals included, far off the beaten path after an epic journey from Yurimaguas along a vast tributary system of the Amazon River. This morning I was starting to get second thoughts allowing irrational fears creep into my anxious mind. Then I went for a walk, ate breakfast, drank coffee, flew the drone, and reminded myself that life begins at the edge of your comfort zone. I can't turn down this unique once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'm excited to go for an epic 3-day hike in the Amazon Jungle! The hammock I've been carrying around in my hiking bag for over 2 months will finally become useful! I haven't decided yet whether I will take part in an Ayahuasca ceremony. It all depends on budget constraints, diet requirements, and mental readiness. I believe it could help unlock the treasures in my mind, release anxieties about the future, reduce financial stress, and remember large chunks of my forgotten past. However, I don't want to become an eccentric ultra-spiritual person and disconnect from modern society. I will just go with the flow and see what happens...

Flights from Iquitos to the capitol city of Lima are incredibly cheap. Only S/160 or about $50. It's over 1,200 km from my current location to Lima! According to Google Maps, it would take nearly 24 hours to reach by public transportation and would probably be roughly the same price. I'm grateful to have a nice place to stay in Lima with a college friend I haven't seen for many years. This is really helpful when you're traveling on a shoestring budget and don't know when your next client or payment from the Airbnb referral program is going to roll in.

So far I've taken buses and collectivos everywhere during my travels with the exception of Panama City to Medellin, Colombia since it's unreachable by road and very dangerous through The Darien Gap. There's still so many places I want to visit in Peru. One of my top destinations is Laguna 69, a pure turquoise blue lake in Huaraz located about 12 hours north along the coast from Lima. Even though it's out of my way toward Cusco, this will be a great opportunity to visit more coastal towns in Peru along the way. My complimentary ticket on Peru Rail from Cusco to Puno in the far south doesn't leave until June 5th. Time is on my side! I've already covered a lot of territory in just over 2 months. Here's the current itinerary of my personal hero's journey through South America!

If you enjoyed reading this blog post, please consider donating to my GoFundMe campaign. You can be a sponsor in the contributor credits of my upcoming travel documentary! I'm going to continue providing free content to my loyal readers. That being said, my time is valuable and I sincerely appreciate any donations you can make at this time! Thanks in advance...

Please enjoy my full-length travel documentary through Central America from last year.

My Journey to Iquitos in Peru!

My Hero's Journey in Peru!

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