Category

Culture & Society

Run around, see the place, tick off the list. That’s not our idea of travel. We don’t want to go through a country without understanding it. Different latitudes, different ways to see life.

What is culture? Arts, knowledge, creativity, but also customs and beliefs. It’s the scars of the past and the light of the future. It’s what makes a country, from where it comes from up to where it’s going.
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Art can give a deep understanding of the soul of a nation. It lets us connect and understand something of the country. Visiting art museums, watching a folk dance show, or understanding the political meaning behind street art.

We are fascinated by customs that are completely new to us. When we try them they’re both exciting and inspiring. Like when we drink mate with Argentinians, offer to the Pachamama in the Andes, or dance Candombé in Uruguay.
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On our travels we always try to get close to locals. We cook with them, ask them about their habits, their ideals. That’s how we learn about the country’s culture.

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These posts are all about Culture, with a capital C and in its wider sense. We’re happy to share our discoveries about history, archaeological sites, street food & social issues alike. Because they all join in to make up that multicoloured patchwork that is a country. Let them shed a different light on your own travel experiences.

In the end, what’s the point of travelling abroad if you’re the same person when you come back?

Showing: 11 - 20 of 33 RESULTS
Culture & Society

🇦🇷 14 Famous Festivals and Celebrations of Argentina

When planning holiday in Argentina, I often think of visiting cities, hiking in nature, or even planning a fun activity. After arranging flights, accommodation and maybe transportation, the next thing I do is to check out museums, interesting spots outside the city, and nature trails. And it’s only when I’m already there that I hear from locals what an awesome festival I just missed! Well, I don’t want to miss those anymore. So I promise myself to include in my next Argentina trip some of these famous festivals, so I can join the fun. Here’s what I found out about …

Culture & Society

What Are Your Favourite Movies Set in South America?

Question: How many films set in South America can you name? A couple, a handful, quite a few? To score better at your next game of Trivial Pursuit, or rather to inspire you with some great watching inspiration, we’ve turned to fellow movie lovers and asked them this question: What are the best movies set in South America? We’re happy to list here international films set on the continent, some famous Latin movies and also a few lesser-known South American directors. We have comedies, we have dramas, we have historical fiction and an essential road movie. So enjoy the best …

Culture & Society

What Are Your Favourite South American Novels?

Question: How many South American authors can you name? As for me, I’ve never been good at that game, despite having read a lot of books – or maybe precisely because I read a lot of books. Things get messy in this head of mine. To help you impress your in-laws at the next family reunion, or rather to provide you with some great reading inspiration, we’ve turned to fellow book lovers and asked them this question: Which are your favourite South American novels? You’ll see from this list that there’s more to the literature of Latin America than a …

colombian-spanish-flag
Culture & Society

🇨🇴”A la orden” – A Beginner’s Guide to Colombian Spanish

Colombian Spanish is one of the most varied we could hear all over South America. Its unique use of words, colourful expressions, and especially the slang of Colombia make it fun to listen to natives from different regions. We don’t think Colombian is the easiest form of Spanish to learn though. Their pronunciation can be hard to understand, especially on the Caribbean coast and in Cali, where many letters are dropped or even replaced (!). We hope this little beginner’s guide will help you find your way through a Colombian conversation! Of course, there is not one kind of Colombian …

San Alberto Cafe terrace
Culture & Society

🇨🇴 Coffee Paradise: San Alberto Cafe in Buenavista

At the end of a winding country road one hour from Armenia lies the peaceful small village of Buenavista, in Quindío. Cute, but nothing special. Its square is not particularly charming, its houses are not as colourful as in other villages around. It doesn’t boast a vibrant market. In fact, most visitors, national and foreign, come to the place for just one thing: to drink a cup of the best coffee produced in Colombia. After a mere 15 minute steep walk up the hill from the central square, Julián welcomes us with a warm smile. He is a coffee connoisseur …