IMAGINE THERE IS NO COUNTRIES... THE WORLD LIVING AS ONE...

Yes, John Lennon dream is still a dream. We travellers are dreamers, and not the only ones but.. Unfortunately, there are still borders, possessions and the world is not shared by all the people.. What Im trying to says is YES, We need passports, paperwork and if you are Colombian.. VISAS AND MORE VISAS.

A visa is a document or a stamp placed in your passport that acts as an endorsement to enter a country. Many countries require a visa for entrance, and most do for work, study or extended stays. Some you can get at the border (or when you arrive) or others you need to obtain in advance.. NOT FUN, I Know.....

Read carefully all the requirements (They are usually published clearly in the embassys webpages) and please, dont avoid any of them. Its better to have more than less of what they ask. And plan with time... Depending on the embassy is the process time but its usually a couple of weeks. Usually, embassies will ask you for paperwork about your finances, plain and accommodation bookings,  references and job certificates and filling forms. 

HOW TO HANDLE YOUR PASSPORT?

Dont lose it!! Take plenty of precautions. Don't walk around with your passport (unless the country you are in requires you to have it at all times). Instead, carry a copy of your passport and visa (if there is one) in your wallet, stash one in your bag, and give one to a travel buddy. Also, e-mail a copy of your passport and visas to yourself in case you lose all your staff and need to prove your status anywhere in the world or at your own embassy anywhere in the world. 

This is an important and practical issue to take into account. If you happen to need further advise on visa matters, I may be able to help.... Just write!

WHEREVER YOU GO... DISCOVER THE LOCAL TRADITIONS

Thats how you get the most of every place you will visit.... Today, Im writting from FINCA LA ADLAGISA... In Mendoza, Argentina.. Wine Paradise... So, I thought.. Should I find the commun very well located into the city room or drawn myself into the wine country... I chose right! This place is just unbelivable and wanted to share it in my blog... Totally reccommended if you happen to be visiting the área... Not only the great attention, personalised counselling and food but also the amazing experience you get to have here... Don't even think about it!

The traditional familiar winery offers in-house "bodega" where you can have the homemade wine every night before going to bed... And just judge yourself by the pictures:

If you want any further information, contact Gabriela! She is the boss here!. This is a very good option along with many others in the area. Also, you have many activities to do in the area if you get tired of wines (don't think so), extreme sports, trekking, termas and spas... My recommendation- COME!

https://fincaadalgisa.com.ar

TODAY, CLOSER FROM THE STARS

Today, I was in the border between Argentina and Chile. Visiting the Aconcagua:

The Aconcagua Provincial Park is 185 km. of the city of Mendoza, near the Chilean border. Here is the highest mountain in the Americas, Aconcagua, 6,962 m. It is an icon of world mountaineering visited every year by lovers of trekking, mountain climbing and ecotourists in general.

Trekking is one of the most important activities within the park. There are numerous trails for trekking inside the park

When starting any journey, it is important to consider the height. A quick ascent can cause mountain sickness (nausea, headache that does not go away with aspirin, insomnia, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, dizziness, etc..). The area has some breathtaking views. If you have the opportunity, THIS IS A MUST in SouthAmérica.

FOLLOWING MUSIC

Whatever is your music taste... You never have to settle to what your hometown has to offer.... There are many options in the world to enjoy your favourite music or discover new sounds you may fall in-love with...

Here are some music festival options around the world so you can plan your agenda for this year or next!

1. DONAUINSELFEST (VIENNA, AUSTRIA)

Attendance: 3.2 million

Acts: 2,000+

Stages: 21

2. COACHELLA (CALIFORNIA, USA)

Attendance: 675,000 

Acts: About 190

Stages: 6

3. ROCK IN RIO (RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL)

Attendance: 700,000

Acts: about 75 (500 more on “Rock Street”)

Stages: 4

4. ULTRA (MIAMI, USA)

Attendance: 330,000 

Acts: 300+

Stages: 7

Of course, there are many many more options... Just follow your music spirit and plan your outfit!!!

RACING ABROAD

Running is a sport that has been growing at breathtaking pace during the last 10 years. 

From the 5k to the marathon, Amateur runners are signing up, more and more, to cross the finish line and break what they call their "PB" or "PR"; which stands for personal best or personal record, respectively. And finding a reason for the accelerated growth of this popular sport might be quite easy; in essence, almost everyone can run; you only need a pair of trainers, and that is it, you are ready to hit the road. But is it all you need? How about compression socks, singlets, fueling gels, sun glasses, tights, Vaseline, bands, gps watch, and all the rest of goodies and stuff runners use? Now, just like the consumption of all these, traveling for a race has also been growing, so here are 5 tips if you are willing to race abroad:

- Select your race with enough time in advance; not only to train for the distance, but also to register for the event. Berlin Marathon entries are available almost 11 months before the race and get sold out in a few hours. 

- Now that you know when and where you are running, don't be lacy and book transportation and lodging ASAP. During the last month before Boston Marathon, it was almost impossible to find a room in the city for the race weekend, and if you did, the prices could be 3 times more expensive vs regular prices. 

- Make sure your travel plan is considering to arrive at least 24hrs before the race. Attending to the expo, and picking up you kit is part of these ritual that runners love. 

- If flying to get there, one good thing to do, is to wear compression socks during the flight. You might not feel any difference to regular socks, but keeping a good flow of blood to your muscles will let them recover faster from the pressurized environment of the cabin. 

- Last but not least, don't send your racers (racing shoes) in your registered luggage; keep them in the carry on bag that you are allowed to take. In case your luggage gets misplaced, you will still avoid the not-so-nice experience of running a long distance race with brand new shoes. 

Once a runner sets himself/herself a bigger, or let's call it longer, or faster goal, they will, most of the times, aim for something greater. And they don't mean greater only in terms of record breaking. How about the World's Best 10k (Puerto Rico) in February? NYC or Berlin half in March? A World Marathon Major? Individual greatness is being challenged every weekend on the roads and trails of the world, and behind it, there are thousands of traveling runners ready to do so.

The last weekend I visited Rosario, Argentina for the half marathon (Rosario 21k). Amazing Atmosphere!

SKYING IS NOT THAT HARD

I had never done it. I had always wanted to try If I could do it... First time this January... Just want to tell you.. Its not that hard!! Not easy either but if you take a couple of hours course, you will be fine!

Skiing is an "approachable" sport that anyone who wants to learn the technique in very few days to slide in the snow can do it...  You just need some good humour.

Here, Iam in Navacerrada, near Madrid.... Not the nicest weather but after two hours, I managed to do it on my own. Just find a good academy or instructor and be well equipped and dressed.

THE NIGHT SIDE OF THE CITY

One of the posts of these week was about walking tours. There is one specific walking tour that is not very cultural or historical... Oh well, you can say it has some cultureness about it.. You get to know the local way of drinking! Its the pub crawls, or bar crawls.. Depending on the city and the culture.

Most of the touristic cities would offer them, and its just a way of having a fun night out, even if you are travelling by yourself... Its fun! And its a wonderful chance to meet new people and explore the best of the nightlife of the city. 

How it works is basically, you meet at a set time in the evening. Usually the starting point is a bar, and the fees include some drinks, or even a T-shirt some times. After you get there, it all flows.. So don't worry! Be prepared for a fun night out and don't plan any early morning trips the next day... You may have to sleep longer after visiting more than 5 bars and a club at the end.

Here, its me attending a pub crawl in Prague, with some Australian girls I met there. As you see, people get very friendly!

And Here, pub crawling in Scotland. Specially testing the beer culture there. 

In a nut shell, the pub crawl is a great way to meet people and fellow travellers, from all over the world while experiencing some of the hottest venues of the city´s nightlife has to offer, discovering its particular music and party culture.