Nikki's blog

Slum Tourism in the Developing World

Nikki — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:45:22 +0000

One of the new trends in travel is tours of the ghettos and slums to get an idea of how large portions of the developing world really live. There were several tours offered in Time Out Buenos Aires to visit the villas de miseria or more politically correctly: villas de emergencia in the outskirts of town.

Highlights of San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico

Nikki — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:55:24 +0000

San Cristóbal de las Casas is a charming colonial town nestled into the green mountains of Mexico's southern state Chiapas. Home of the Zapatista uprising of 1994, the feeling in town these days is much more refined than revolucionario. A few things to check out:

Mexico City Highlights

Nikki — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:49:44 +0000

Although we didn't see nearly as much as we hoped with museums and events closed for swine flu, here are some great things to check out in Mexico City.

Any trip to Mexico City should start by reading David Lida's First Stop in the New World: Mexico City, the Capital of the 21st Century. The book is chock-full of fun facts and interesting insight into a fascinating city.

Doorways in Latin America

Nikki — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:26:37 +0000

The doorways found in Latin America (and Europe) are so much more exciting than ours... Below are a few favorites from our travels.

México, DF

Uruguay, Colonia Suiza

Uruguay, Colonia del Sacramento

España, Briones

Mexico City's Centro Histórico and the Zócalo

Nikki — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:23:19 +0000

View of the Zócalo

One of the quintessential sites of Mexico City is its main central plaza called the Zócalo. The Zócalo provides a gathering place and center of transit for tourists and locals alike. Here is a view from above, with a fun column detail demonstrating typical architectural design.

Solo Damas: Women only subway cars in DF, Mexico

Nikki — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:18:13 +0000

How to not get groped on the Mexico City Subway: Women Only cars

Mexico City authorities have taken the measure of offering only women and children cars on the city subway during peak hours of its use. During rush hour, this barrier is in place while several police monitor entry to the cars. Why? Because so many women were tired of being groped and worse on the city subway.

Delicious Restaurant in the Centro Histórico in Mexico City: La Casa de Las Sirenas

Nikki — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:05:17 +0000

Restaurant Recommendation in Mexico City's Historic Center

If you're looking for a delicious and authentic restaurant with a view, La Casa de las Sirenas located in the Centro Histórico of Mexico City is a great choice. Its prices are slightly high when compared with other local fare, but the view and food quality makes this restaurant well worth the price.

A must-see for sweet lovers: Pastelería Ideal in DF, Mexico

Nikki — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:56:21 +0000

An Incredible Cake Shop in DF, Mexico

Pastelería Ideal was described at length in a wonderful new book about modern Mexico city and its fabulous idiosyncrasies: First Stop in the New World: Mexico City, the Capital of the 21st Century. He describes DF institution as a cake museum of sorts, and being the sweet tooth that I am, I had to check it out.

Tips for travelers to Argentina

Nikki — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:36:22 +0000

Do people speak Spanish in Argentina?

On a 4-month tour of Latin America, one of my friends arrived in Buenos Aires after spending a month in Mexico, and came to the conclusion on the first day "I guess they don't speak Spanish in Argentina." True, the Spanish (castellano) spoken in Argentina is so different it literally seems like another language. Here's some things to keep in mind language-wise on your trip to Argentina:

Accent: The biggest difference with the Argentine accent is that "ll" and "y" is pronounced as "sh", so yo me llamo becomes sho me shamo. There's also a very distinct rhythm/cadence to the language that is different from any other Spanish speaking country.

Loving Dutch-owned businesses in Latin America

Nikki — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 03:14:50 +0000

The Dutch seriously know how to start businesses abroad.

Ever since a trip to Central America two summers ago when we were introduced to our first favorite Dutch-pat enterprise, Via Via, we've sought out other DOBs (Dutch Owned Businesses).

Some Favorites:

Via Via, Copán, Honduras: A hostel and restaurant, this place is a hip travelers oasis. Our favorite was the great fresh food with plenty of our favorite Dutch options, which is to say flavorful food inspired by the cuisine of Dutch colonies Suriname and Indonesia.