Happy 2009!

Thanks to everyone who voted in my poll about where I should go in South America as it’ll be my last opportunity to spend a few weeks in a foreign country for a long time!

Brazil edged out Peru with 40% of the votes, and while I had my heart set on the beaches of Rio too, I couldn’t ignore the higher cost of airfare from Europe, the higher cost of living there, and the massive size of the place.

Instead, I booked a flight with Iberia from Madrid to Bogota!

Yes, Colombia is the dark horse garnering only 3% of the votes, but perhaps that is all the more reason for me to go explore the country most people are still too afraid to consider.  The truth is I want to visit a country yet to hit the global tourism scene.

And to recap a few other trouble spots from 2008:  I had my pocket picked in Bali, was about to visit Tibet when riots broke out in China, trekked in Nepal when Maoists won free elections, was present in India during bombings, enjoyed Thailand as government protests gained energy, and was almost robbed in Cape Town.

But first, I have to catch you up on a whirlwind tour of Egypt and my attempt to couchsurf through pricey Europe.

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