Various Travel Experiences: South America

Background and rationale

Everyone loves traveling. But why? At the heart of traveling lies the feeling of freedom: to wake up with the fresh thought of exploring new cities, trying new foods, chatting with locals and stocking up Instagram photos. Initially, just the idea of getting away from the mundane routine of 9-5 work is exciting. While packing our suitcases, we anticipate certain events, and plan for particular activities. The idea is that our central nervous system is already releasing dopamine prior to receiving the actual reward of traveling. This initial rush of dopamine drives our behavior and promotes us to look forward to the future. What is unfortunate, though, is most people have a downward dip in dopamine when their expectations are not met during their travel. Instead of embracing a novel moment, they feel a lack of their anticipated events.

Our minds, often than not, are better at imagining and idealizing activities rather than experiencing them. For this reason, some people may have lots of memories from their travels, but they are often shallow since they didn't fully pay attention to each moment. In the last three years, I have traveled to 4 different countries: Colombia, Mexico, India, Nepal. Like many travelers, I got caught up in idealizing trips, rather than embracing the actual moment. So this set of blogs will help me reflect on my experiences, and in a way give me a bit of nostalgia in the process. I have decided to split the content in two blog posts: (1) Various travel experiences in Latin America and (2)... in Southeast Asia. I will summarize my experiences for each country separately while simultaneously expanding on the themes of (1) Simplicity (2) Mystery (3) Patience (4) Humility.

1. Colombia- Simplicity

I visited Colombia in November 2023 with an international service organization called Sewa International. We landed in Bogota, where we soon learned people followed a strict curfew during night time. We were told not to step outside our guest house after 7 pm. But like any other tourist, I was curious to know what really happened behind doors and in narrow alleys. So me and a couple more friends decided to take a walk late at night to explore the area. We didn't see much besides dogs barking and druggies shouting. We did realize public bathrooms cost money following a certain time period in Bogota. We also noticed most local restaurants closed very early around 8 pm in hopes of keeping unwanted company away. Colombia is atrociously known for its cocaine production and illegal trafficking. However, most locals use coca leaves as a medicine to fight hypotension and shortness of breathing near mountainous areas. I used it myself and found it effective for health purposes with proper guidance. Everything is valuable, if taken in moderation, as Aristotle would say.

My service project in Colombia was to visit underprivileged schools and teach them english, yoga and meditation. In this process, I was exposed to the harsh reality of poor housing and abusive parents, yet brilliant and caring students. I had studied the neurobiology and psychology of resilience, but I had never witnessed it this closely until I visited a rural school named La Jardin de Allegria. The school promoted world peace and mental tranquility despite children's rough background at home and in society. The students chanted mantras from all religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Judaism) and expressed their peaceful nature through arts, crafts and other humanitarian classes. These innocent children were perfect example of simplicity. They had little to nothing, and yet their heart was full of love and energy. I specifically remember playing soccer with some kids, and all of them were extremely friendly.

My trip then took me from the school to the mountains to visit the farmers. The rural landscape, the fresh scent of indigenous flowers and fruits, and the perfect taste of aromatica juice still remain in my memories. I even made a perro amigo, who followed me through the mountains. We did most of our hiking around Miraflores, Boyaca. We even visited Laguna De Iguaque, a small heart shaped lagoon. There are stories that all wild animals come to drink water at the lagoon without any animosity or intention of hunting. I enjoyed a deep meditation followed by some authentic Colombian guava pastries with a side of fresh quesito (cheese). Interestingly, Colombians also drink hot chocolate with cheese in it- and hey, I don't blame them. After trying it for myself, I can definitely say it's worth having seconds. Trying new food, meeting new people and exploring thick forests and lagoons of Boyaca gave me a perspective of simplicity. Most people in rural Boyaca didn't have much, but they learned to live symbiotically with nature and make the most of what was readily available. I could clearly see this in local farmers that sustained their life through their own produce and animal farm.

My trip taught me that true joy lies in the heart of being simple and straightforward. Getting rid of unnecessary drama and personal preferences leads to living in peace with truth, which pervades all illusory perceptions. Truth is only available when the false perceptions are cleared. This can only happen when we declutter our minds and simplify our bodily, mental and vocal actions. The simpler a man is, the more peaceful he makes his surroundings. 

"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary, so that the necessary may speak" - Hans Hofman.

What Hans is trying to say is that when we eliminate the gibberish clutter inside and outside our minds, we can experience what truly matters: the raw experience of being a human in a symbiotic relationship with everything around us. Sort of like the movie, Everything Everywhere All at Once. But it starts with simplicity, and being comfortable with the bare minimum of what nature provides.

2. Mexico- Mystery

I visited Mexico in November 2025 for an ethnographic field study of an indigenous tribe called the Purepechas. The main motive was to study their lifestyle, culture and herbal medicine practices to better understand their history and traditional values. We particularly planned our trip during La Dia de los Muertos, The Day of the Dead festival on Nov 1. Famously represented in the 2017 movie, Coco, Dia de los Muertos is a festival to commemorate and remember dead ancestors in the family. Each home decorates an altar, where they place photos of their dead family members and offer cempasuchil (marigold) flowers with fruits and special food. I was fortunate enough to visit both home altars and local altars for the festival. My trip started in Zacapu, MX, where we visited the purepecha historical museum and talked to some drunk locals about local festivities. We saw streets filled with marigold flowers and masked portrait decorations. Many of the original Mexican traditions were diluted by Spanish conquestadores in the 16th century but some groups have maintained their identity and refused to accommodate their cultures. One of these groups is the Purepecha tribe.

The Purepechas are a native group in Mexico that have a self autonomous government in Cheran, Michoacan. I was privileged to meet the elders from the Cheran government and discuss political ideas to improve Purepecha wellbeing and growth. The main conflict resides in advancing Purepecha technology while maintaining historical roots. Many tribal groups prefer isolation, hence they are hesitant to bring in newer ideas from western world. We have witnessed many instances of the White Man's Burden ideology, where western colonists take it as their duty to  'educate' and 'develop' the indigenous and native cultures. The Spanish invasion is a similar story. Nonetheless, the Purepechas are adamant about their culture and hope to preserve it through their self governance. Talking to the elders in Cheran gave me an opportunity to bridge gaps between my own culture (Indian Hindu/Buddhist) with Purepecha culture. On my way to Cheran, I had read the book, Purepecha Wisdom… by Huichu Kuakari to deepen my knowledge and develop cultural humility. It was a fascinating read, though one established in belief and not empirical science. Purepechas believe that a dog barking at the moon predicts death nearby and that certain vegetable hangings (ginger, garlic, carrots) at the door keep witches away. Beyond these fairy-like tales lies a deeper theme of mystical experiences. I witnessed one such mystical experience while participating in a famous mesoamerican ritual called Temazcal. It was led by a shaman from the Purepecha tribe, who had studied both allopathic and herbal medicine. We did this ritual at Centro Sirus: Ashram de Luz in Michoacan.

Temazcal can be roughly translated to a sweat lodge. However it isn't just a sauna or jacuzzi experience. It is seen as a spiritual and transcendental experience in which one travels through mystical portals and heals one's own spirit through facing suppressed memories in life. The sweat lodge is built from big sticks and tarp each time the ritual is performed. Various enchantings and offerings are given to the God of sun, forest, and animals. All four directions are venerated before entering the small hut-like sweat lodge structure. After bowing to all mystical protectors, the shaman permits the visitors to enter his Temazcal. I was told to wear nothing but shorts while entering due to the sheer amount of sweating. Traditional songs are sung while large rocks are heated and brought into the hut structure. The shaman instructs all of us that this sweat lodge journey is no ordinary one. It is a symbol of facing the mystery of life. No one knows how the spirit travels through space and time, yet it is believed that rituals such as these invoke our true self and lead it to its rightful place. I obey the shaman and repeat the songs after her.

Soon the rocks have accumulated in the middle, and our group is sitting, more like crouching, in a circle around the outside. The entry gate to the lodge is closed, and a special herbal combination of indigenous pine, eucalyptus, chamomile, sage, and lavender are burnt over the heating rocks. There is no fresh air as the lodge is completely blocked from outside. We have no option but to breathe the burnt herbs. It almost feels like a weed-fest, except more spiritual as it is guided by the shaman's songs and prompts. 10 minutes into the ritual, one of the older visitors with us becomes extremely uncomfortable, and leaves without taking permission. The shaman requests him to stay, but he doesn't listen. The shaman tells us bad omen follow those who aren't patient and respectful with the ritual. The shaman gives us prompts to remember our childhood starting as a baby, then teenager, and ultimately as an adult. My experience was very intense as I remember having extreme discomfort with the sweating and herbal smell. Every inch of my body wanted to leave the Temazcal, yet I stayed there for almost 2 hours. We were given breaks, where we briefly went out. I remember going to the bathroom in a break and feeling like I was in a dream. As I walked in the forest to get to the small bathroom, each step felt heavy and I thought I was going to pass out. But my spirit carried me. The ritual continued, I kept sweating, so did the others. So much so that I was drenched in sweat, and my body was almost paralyzed due to the strong effects of herbal plants. Some of these plants were toxic to the lungs, and they were intended to produce a near-death experience or an ego death. I felt like I was going to die, but the memories of my childhood slowly became more vivid over time. It was almost like I was reliving my past and my spirit felt more free as it let go of my current worries. Ultimately, the ritual was over, I bowed to the shaman, prayed for the wellbeing of all creatures, thanked the spirits of temazcal and stepped outside the lodge. I gasped for air, and fell down. I looked at the sky with a feeling of triumph. Somehow everything felt light, there was no conflict in my mind. Perhaps my mind had embraced the mystery of life and learned to be a child again. In any case, I laid there, all giddied up, until I was helped by my friend for some traditional Purepecha food for dinner.

During our trip, we had booked an Air-BnB at Zirahuen. It was a small town with a beautiful view of a lake and a vibrant local community. While taking a walk around the town, my friend stumbled upon a young boy who told him the story of a mermaid that appears in Lake Zirahuen on rare occasions. The mermaid has blue eyes and blue hair, and she enjoys the company of little children. She only appears during special moon cycles, and it is unclear what the pattern really is. The locals visit the lake everyday just in case the mermaid shows up. My friend and I chuckled at the story, but the young boy was pretty serious. We talk to the boy's father, and he says the mermaid is a legend that explains the creation of lake ziraheun. It is believed that she brought water with her and replenished dry land. She is believed to lure men with her beauty and punish them if they have evil hearts. She enjoys the company of children because they are innocent and are willing to help with no return. We spent the rest of the night looking up at the stars and wondering how amazing it was to witness the mystery of life. From spiritual rituals such as temezcal to ancient folklore of the zirahuen mermaid, we had experienced a new aspect of life: genuine curiosity of the unknown that lies beyond common sense.

Ultimately, we visited Pátzcuaro, Michoacan where we celebrated the largest Mexican festival, Dia de Los Muertos. My friend and I painted our faces and roamed streets full of marigold flowers. We were downtown, which was overcrowded with people and large market stands. Tourists took photos with La Catrina, the elegant lady with pretty dress and gorgeous mask, symbolic of the festival. Our group enjoyed street snacks including roasted corn, icecream, and caramel coffee. There were all types of vendors that sold clothes, gift items, furniture, and even board games. We refused to buy anything major, because we had already gotten the best gift possible: the rich company of a Purepecha shaman and the ultimate guide for the festival. We walked around until midnight, when the fireworks started. It was a night of happy faces. It was apparent that Mexicans genuinely respected their elders. More importantly, they believed that the dead never parted away, instead they lived in a spiritual realm that is interconnected with this human realm.

"Death is not the end; it's a doorway to memory, and love is the key"
 - Leo Buscalglia.

Summary

Visiting Colombia and Mexico have opened my eyes to very nuanced and rich cultures that I would have never witnessed in the United States. The more I travel, the less I am inclined towards tourist locations. I am more fascinated by localities and indigenous cultures. Luckily I was able to avoid tourist traps and get rich experiences through native guides in both countries. Colombia's deep forests, mountains, and rural schools taught me the path of resilience and simplicity. Children continue to show compassion and love in spite of harsh financial and social lifestyles. They practice meditation and yoga, and sing prayers of all religions, a heartwarming symbol of kindness and world peace. Hiking mountains and meeting farmers helped me reconnect with nature, and reminded me very little is needed in life to be content. If we re-orient ourselves to what nature gives, we start to embrace each moment with gratitude and compassion. We share what we have, and learn to live collectively. A simple man never complains, and thus he is never complained against.

Mexico's bright colored flower streets and busy market systems were contrary to Colombia's nature. Yet, they provided a deep feeling of community and belongingness. My experience with Temazcal was supernatural and reminded me to be open minded about spiritual powers and indigenous traditions. There are so many concepts beyond our sensory or cognitive abilities, and science is just unable to study it. But just because it is not falsifiable doesn't mean it is not real. It may be unscientific, but it is not unreal. Herbal medicines are growing in popularity and there may just be a rhyme and reason to why the elders of Purepecha rely on them for their rituals. Life is a mystery; there is no right or wrong path. Just endless streams of possibilities. But death is an even greater mystery. The Mexicans believe death is a doorway to love. We experienced this sentiment in Patscuaro as we visited home altars and roamed downtown. I learned that some questions can never never be solved, sort of like a koan (a zen puzzle that leads to enlightenment despite its self-condiction). The essence of mystery lies not in its final answer, but in the solver's curiosity. The curious mind contains far superior momentum than any other mind, and is perhaps the most powerful of all minds. So next time you are curious, take a step back, and dig deeper into the mystery. The rabbit hole is worth falling into. Next blog will highlight my experiences in Southeast Asia: India and Nepal. Lot more to cover, and even more to travel and write! :)