Saturday, February 28, 2015

Bucket List: Worlds Wildest Whitewater (14-18)

I have white water rafted in Chile, Costa Rica, USA and India. I have lazily floated down class I sections and have gotten my butt kicked by class VI+ rapids. I ride Witewater for the epic feeling as you looking ahead at a rolling rapid, sizable falls and dangerous holes and rocks scattered through your trajectory. The heart racing, palms sweating, body shaking, mind racing feeling. The cold wet feeling you had before from previous rapids is gone, replaced by the excitement and fear that sweeps across your body. 



Three of the most important aspects of choosing a whitewater adventure is: Callenge, Good Guide and Scenery. It's important to choose a rapid that challenges you, starting out on a class III and working your way to the top (class V). Second item to look for is a challenging guide. Guides come in all shapes and forms. Depending on your group skills the guide can make any rapid more exciting with tricks and hidden gems. I remember my two day adventure on the American River, lead by a air force guide who knew the river like the back of his hand. He would guide us to the most exciting parts of the rapid, passing us over shallow rocks, spinning our raft, catching waves, diving us into unsuspecting holes. He made class three rapids into a terrain park for a raft, challenging us at ever turn. 



The last most important characteristic when choosing a rapid is scenery. Most of the time, no matter how challenging the river, you will lazily be floating down smooth segments. This is the time to relax, sit back, and enjoy the views around you. This can be jungle, sky scraping mountain ranges, lush meadows, busting towns, dry desert, steep canyon walls, or green forests. This is a great way to travel and see a new country. This is why picking a river where you will enjoy the scenery is one of the most important reasons to pick a rafting adventure. 



These are a few of the rivers on my bucket list:

14. Colorado River - Arizona, USA
The Colorado River in Arizona carved out one of the largest canyons in the world. It's strong Rapids shaped the famous Grand Canyon. Since I was a little girl I have always wanted to raft down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. The steep orange/red rock towering around you as you try to stay inside the raft, makes this trip one of the most spectacular and adventurous Rapids in the world. Trips range from 6-14 days many incuding hiking in and out. This breathtaking trip is not for the poor or spontaneous, you must book at least a year in advance and pay upwards of $4,000 for longer trips. 



15. Rio Upano, Ecuador
Translated as River of Sacred Waterfalls, this challenging River dives deep into the Ecuadorian rainforest. With a rapid named Godzilla, with 15 ft waves, toppling many rafts that dare to attempt it's wrath, why not take on the challenge. 


16. Sun Kosi River, Nepal
While in Nepal, I heard many stories about the spectacular rafting trips through the Himalayas. Since returning I have dreamt about the day I can return to take on the challenge. The Sun Kosi River, translated as River of Gold, combines spectacular views of the Mount Everest Rigion and challenging whitewater. With many tours leaving from Kathmandu it's easy to book when you arrive. Most trips last between 10-14days. 


17. Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho, USA
Salmon tastes good and is very health for you, but that's not the reason you raft down the Salmon River. This is one of the most challenging rivers in North America and one of the most popular whitewater destinations in the USA. The river is sandwiched between beautiful evergreen forests, towering mountains and North American wildlife. 


18. Zambezi River, Zambawe/Zambia
This is the forth largest River in Africa and boasts one of the worlds most challenging stretches of high adrenaline, class V madness. The rafting starts just below Victoria Falls. Trips range from day trips to week long expeditions, where you can enjoy riding by local African wildlife, including the most dangerous animal in the world, the hippopotamus. Dangerous Rapids and dangerous animals, sounds like my kind of adventure. 





Thursday, February 19, 2015

Live Below The Line 40 Days

It's impowering to preform self sacrifice. A couple of years ago I participated in Live Below the Line where you feed yourself on $1.50 a day, which is set as the poverty line. I was impowered by the growling in my stomach as I went to bed at night. And decided to do it again but for 40 days (lent).  

Yesterday I went to Aldi's discount food store and spent $60 on 57 items for the next 40 days. Included were pasta, tomatoe sauce, eggs, bread, ramen, beans and rice. I will document my next 40 days of living below the line. Some exciting finds was penut butter and jelly together for $1.89. I will update with some other finds soon. 


Sunday, February 8, 2015

Tastebud Traveling

One of the most exciting parts of traveling is eating. There are so many types of foods to try around the world. If you are an adventurous eater there will be infinite flavores to expose your oral chemical receptors too.

First it's about trying something exotic, maybe something you have never had before. Anytime a tour guide grabs something from a tree I am the first one putting it in my mouth. Anticucho (cows heart) on the streets of Cuzco or maybe some parana wrapped in banana leaves in the Amazon. Seafood arepas in Puerto Rico? Have you had fresh civiche (raw fish) in Costa Rica? Have you had someone hand you a freshly opened coconut with a straw? Have you perused the offerings at a Indian wedding? 

With adventurous eating sometimes comes adventures in the bathroom. Is it worth it? It sure is. The memory of sitting on the toilet and vomiting in the sink at the sametime will fade but that amazing curry you just had will stay in your mind forever. 


Sometimes the best food is the food cooked in someone's home. The warmth that is stirred into the meal will fill you up more than anything on the street. As you sit with the family you will learn about the traditions and customs that come with the food. There are rules about eating. Maybe it's a prayer before Shabbat dinner in Israel or eating with your hands in India. Maybe the family maid in Chile cooks the best Chilean Sea Bass. If your lucky you might even get a cooking lesson. 


As you explore different flavores you need to quench your thirst. Have you tried a terrimoto (earthquake) in Santiago, Chile? How about wine in Argentina? Non-alcoholic beer in Israel? You can't leave India without enjoying a hot cup of chai. A day on the beach in Costa Rica is not complete without a fresh fruit smoothie. Of course it's important to have a mate while hanging out with Argentinian friends at the top of Machu Picchu. Of course purifying your water while hiking through the Himalayas in Nepal is important so you don't end up with Giardiasis. 


After a filling meal their is always room for a dessert. Have you had Beaver tail in Canada? Maybe a huge cupa of ice cream in Chile? Jalebi on the street in India is the best company for a cup of chai. Does a Havanna Alfajor from Argentina make you salivate, if not then a Sufganiyah from Israel or a Baklavah from Jordan will hit the spot. 


Sometimes it's not about what your eating but who your eating with. Food always tastes better with good company. 


And as any realtor knows location, location, location. I have had the opportunity to eat with some of the most beautiful views. I remember cooking bland mashed potatoes and pasta in Torres del Paine national park, Chile. Sitting with my sad plate of food I watched the sun dip behind the glacier and tuck itself behind the snowy mountains. My dal baath didn't compare to the clear view of the Annapurna mountain range as I ate at a local tea house in Upper Pisang, Nepal. Eating lunch with a view of Machu Picchu or the epansive Uyuni Salt Flats brings tears to your eyes. Enjoying a cup of tea in front of the Monastary in Petra Jordan and eating above the crashing waves at the Cliff House, San Francisco have been some of the most memorable moments of my life. 


No matter if you are with friends, family or all alone food can bring you comfort and memories that last a lifetime. Stimulating your taste buds with a snack while hiking through Yosemite, CA or a questionable cup of corn in the busy streets of a mumbai bazaar is a memory that will last a lifetime. It's important to respect the food you eat and give thanks to the people who prepare it for you. Many people go to bed around the world with empty stomachs, as you travel and try food, remember not to waste and to give back to the community if possible.