Attempting to Return to the USA

 My funds have dwindled to what is surely to become a new low so having failed to find dependable work here in Chile I must accept a temporary setback and return to the USA.  That being said, it will not be without a little bit of mystery and adventure.  

The first step of my trip will be a flight to Lima, Peru on Halloween.  All flights from Chile were extremely expensive so in an attempt to add more fun (and maybe save a few dollars) I am making up the trip home as I go.

Right now the options are:
Fly to Washington DC from Lima
Fly to Fort Lauderdale FL from Lima
Fly to Bogota Colombia from Lima and then to the US from Colombia
Fly to San Juan Puerto Rico from Lima and then toe the US

Bus to Ecuador and Colombia (80 hours) from Lima and then fly home

or magic carpet.

I am sure there are other options that I will have to just make up as I go.  wish me luck.

Leaving the country

THE BLOG

I understand that I should be better with my pictures and posting them on here but I am finally ready to leave the country again and there are definitely pictures to come.

Currently I am in Woodbridge, VA staying with my friend Brandon and his amazing wife Desiree and she is taking me to the airport tomorrow.  I have been hesitant to disclose my travel plans thus far because everything was tentative and like any traveler I did not want to set myself up to fail.

In terms of lateness on disclosure I really couldn't be closer.  I take my first flight tomorrow morning at 10am and I have been packed for a week now.  My first destination is Lima, Peru where I will meet up with my friends Robbie and Flame who are down there currently on different trips but the three of use will unite in the same apartment (just like at Snowshoe) for the first week I am there for some light imbibing at social gatherings (partying) and taking in of the local culture (more of the same). 

After the month of July ends I will be slowly migrating south (although unlike the birds I will be heading into winter conditions) down to Chile.  Hopefully, as of tomorrow my apartment will be booked and I will be living near the ocean in the resort town of Vina Del Mar until at least December of this year.  Granted, I will be there illegally after 3 months so before that happens I will have to cross the border for over one night before crossing back in.

Well now that my travel plans have leaked out I guess I should sleep because it is nearing 12 and I leave for the airport at 5am to catch my first flight down to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where I will wait for my 5pm flight to Lima Peru.  Wish me luck.

Working Toward My Escape

I am currently in the process of looking for the cheapest method of getting myself to Chile.  I have decided that I will be moving there (if all goes according to plan) as early as this July.

 

 (with any luck this will be my plane)

Of course I have been to Chile before.... that is how I got to make the flight to Easter Island to see these guys.

 

Right now it appears that the best (most fun and cheap combo) is for me to fly from Washington DC to Lima Peru, Where my friend Bob will be for the next 2 months and staying with him for a while and ultimately renting and apartment in Vina Del Mar, Chile starting in August.

Where am I getting the money for this trip you might ask?  OK so I still haven't got that ironed out yet, but I am working on it.  I have taken up 4 jobs or so that have been going on for over a month now and with another month or so to go I figure I will at least have a start.  I am also certified to teach English as a Foreign language so maybe that will pan out down there.  If not the plan is live cheap and try to make ends meet.  Wish me luck.

Back to the States - In Food

I decided to document my trip back to the states with food so here it goes.


Early the morning of the 28th I found myself in the Birmingham Aiport settling for BK.


On my Aer Lingus flight from Dublin I chose the Beef and Pasta over the Chicken and Veg option.


My first meal back in the states was a moderate half-rack of ribs and loaded mashed potatoes from Chilis. (Oh yeah and a Coors Light)


Back at the house on the 29th I enjoyed some Buffalo Wings with Blue Cheese Dressing and an ice cold Pabst Blue Ribbon.

And later that day I attended a feast and pretty much enjoyed the best that the USA has to offer. I have missed the food here. Go Mountaineers.

Adios England

After returning to England I spent some time in and around London with my friend Bex that I met while traveling in Argentina. Sadly I was all pictured out and didn't get any real pictures except for this one from the train station in Chorleywood (quite a happening locale).

Other than that I have spent my time here saying goodbye to my friends


I will miss that even on a Monday things can be busy (now back to WV) where things are barely busy on the weekend.


I am not sure what to type about this photo but I thought I'd throw it into the mix anyway.

I fly out tomorrow at 8am into Dublin and then from there to Washington DC.

Gone to Cork for St Pattys

I am heading to the airport now and should be back from my St. Patrick's adventure in a couple of days. There will be no posts during this time because my laptop will be sitting this one out. Check back on Thursday or so for pictures of chaos and hopefully the Blarney Stone.

The Trip Toward England

In anticipation of my move to England I packed my bags up. 2 snowboards, massive amounts of cold-weather clothing and my cache of electronics later I was all packed. The final weight of everything was over 120 pounds. Basically I smuggled another person with me.

After getting packed up I said hello to the parents who have served as my favorite hosts over the course of my travels. Luckily this time I will be moving from my bed into another real bed and not a hostel bed or hammock.


Goodbye bed/tv/computer. Notice how tidy I keep everything.

I then set off. A 4+ hour ride with my uncle to Dulles, 3 hours there waiting, 7 hours on the Aer Lingus flight to Dublin and then I was here.

Dublin, 8am local time 3am Easter Time. Don't I look thrilled...


Then I saw the light....

A couple of pints later and I was en route to England. I will update soon with pics from the flat and the Birmingham area as soon as I make the flat a little more my own.

Jonny is Walkin

Tomorrow is the first day of my move to England. I have an apartment in Birmingham awaiting me for the next 6 months and some travel plans already in the works. Before leaving once again I had to have a night in my hometown.

This is a shot of Mr. Walker "walking"

I then went back to Snowshoe to have a last night with some friends. I didn't expect to run into one of my best friends from growing up and I really didn't expect this picture to happen.


Then it was time to say goodbye before heading back home to pack.


I am going to miss my sweet living arrangements ant Snowshoe.


Lew me know if you plan on "walking" toward England yourself...

On my way out of South America

Now that I am closing out this leg of my adventures in South America in Lima and doing such wonderful things such as talk down the price of bootlegged DVD down to under 70 cents American at the massive Polvos Azules *Similar to a black market... I am ready to go home.With my camera still down I will just boost some random pics and show some airport shots. I fly out of Lima's airport at Midnight tonight en route to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.



Six hours to go until American soil... wish me luck.

Then just the 12 hours or more in a car to be i West Virginia again.

Easter Island Bound

I just finished packing my bags for EASTER ISLAND! It was by no means on the itinerary, but then again I travel without a watch or any sort of alarm so I might as well live in the moment. I am planning on just going until Thursday before flying back to see some more of Santiago.

I am leaving some stuff here for my trip so the pack is much lighter than it was before.


Got my electronics still and my travel book... I should be fine.


Morning pic of the traveler


It will be hard to move back into hostel life after staying here though because my friend Cami's house is amazing.

Here is a view of the back garden.


Some of the surrounding houses as viewed from the top deck of hers.


Wish me luck on my trip, I love hearing from everyone. Either in comments or at jonnywalks@gmail.com.