Passionate travelers Žilvinas and Diana have been living in the United States of America, Chicago, for almost 30 years. Living across the Atlantic, they nurture Lithuanian traditions – the Lithuanian family has been actively participating in the activities of the Lemont World Lithuanian Center, established near Chicago, for many years. In it, Diana works as a fund-raising coordinator, and Žilvinas gets involved as a volunteer for events, concerts and cultural projects.
It is not surprising that this summer Žilvinas and Diana did not miss the opportunity to participate in the centennial Song Festival, where their children, Ben and Adele, participated in the Song Day with the expatriate children’s choir “Vyturys”.
The Lithuanian family also enjoys another heart-warming activity – organizing trips to South and North America. For this purpose, Žilvinas and Diana founded the niche travel agency “You Go Wild Adventures” and say that this is like their third child, born from their love for South America, travel, Lithuania and its people.
What you should know about traveling in South America and why those who want to visit one of the seven new wonders of the world – Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca city hidden at the intersection of the Andes Mountains and the Amazon jungle – should hurry, in the podcast “Kamantinėnai. Žilvinas Usonis and Diana Aleknaitė talk about the creators and characters” while talking to the director, head of the events agency “ReKūrai” Aurimas Kamantauskas.
When the door closes, the window opens
“There are rumors that Machu Picchu is promised to be closed,” says Ž. Usoni.
For now, subject to certain restrictions, tourists are allowed to wander around the ruins of Machu Picchu and see the impressive wonder of the world up close with their own eyes and touch the walls that tell a thousand years of history. However, the traveler Ž. Usoni warns that the restrictions are increasing rapidly, so in the near future Machu Picchu may completely close its doors to the world’s tourists.
“There have been eight rule changes since the coronavirus pandemic alone. I can safely assure that in the future some people – those who are watching and listening to this show – will no longer be able to explore the territory of Machu Picchu,” Ž. is confident. Usoni.
D. Aleknaitė adds in the “Kamantinėmai” program that if such a decision were actually made, tourists would still be able to see Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, but this time – from very far away. They would no longer need to drive on gravel mountain paths or climb the mountain: it would be enough to reach the viewpoint on the mountain via the paved road and admire the magical Machu Picchu from there.
The Latin spirit is stifled by Western luxury
Over the years, various changes have affected more South American countries, and Panama is no exception. Žilvinas, who visited Panama for the first time about 14 years ago, says that the most beautiful areas of the country are increasingly in the hands of businessmen, who ruthlessly turn towns into luxury resorts.
“In the past, I used to see tattered clothes hanging between the local colonial houses, people playing guitars and cooking food on the streets, children playing football – it was a truly unique scene. Now, I recently visited Panama, the same district of Casco Viejo, and there is Gucci, Armani… Of course, everything is beautiful and the streets are clean, the houses are white, but there are no longer those local people, the authenticity is disappearing”, – in the show The traveler regrets the “marching”.
In order to give Lithuanians an authentic introduction to South America, the founders of the agency “You Go Wild Adventures” not only organize group tours to the most secret places of the continent, but also try to introduce Lithuanians to the local population and maintain the principle of “responsible tourism”.
“If you go to a 5-star hotel, most of your money stays in that business, and we care about the local people. Maybe we go a little harder, further away, more secluded, but everywhere, even when visiting shamans in the jungle, we try to support a local person who raises chickens, has a house or a small family business, a hotel”, admits Ž. Usoni.
Contact with the local population also helps to destroy stereotypes about South American culture, which is often given a negative tone by social networks, films and series. Namely stereotypes, according to Ž. Usonio, often discourages compatriots from vacationing on a distant continent.
“Everybody who’s seen Netflix’s Narcos thinks Mexico or Colombia is all about drugs and beheadings, so they’re afraid to venture into all-inclusive hotel territory.” Chebra, it’s time to break stereotypes. For nine years now, we have been organizing trips to Mexico every winter, showing the most beautiful places and people can’t believe that it is really safe here, and the local people are kind and generous”, Ž shares his good travel experience. Usoni.
The last stop is Bolivia
The “dangerous” Mexico is the country from which experienced travelers D. Aleknaitė and Ž. Usonis recommends starting your journey through the labyrinths of South America. The next stop, they say, could be Argentina.
“For Lithuanians who have never traveled around this continent, it would probably be easiest to visit Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, known as the Paris of Latin America. If you like cities, this one will surely surprise you with its beauty and friendly inhabitants,” advises Ž. Usoni.
After getting a taste of life in Mexico and Argentina, you can continue exploring Peru, Colombia or other South American countries with confidence, but it is advised not to rush to Bolivia. Both travelers unanimously decide that Bolivia leaves tourists with the biggest cultural shock, so you should visit it only if you have already visited other South American countries.
“I have clients who come to me and say, ‘I’m interested in Bolivia.’ I immediately ask if they’ve traveled to Latin America before, and if they admit they haven’t, I’m very skeptical about showing them the country because it’s a completely different planet.” – warns Ž. Usoni.
For those planning a sightseeing trip to South America, the interviewers of the show “Kamantinėmai” advise to remember one golden rule: no matter which country you are traveling to, you must leave your full suitcases with wheels in Europe. “Too much stuff and a suitcase on wheels are the worst things about traveling. Forget the suitcases, ride with backpacks”, advises D. Aleknaitė.
2024-08-25 05:52:29