Can You Predict the Future?

Whether or not you believe that certain people have a sixth sense, we are firm believers that people should trust their gut feelings. There have been times in our lives when we have had a sense that something had occurred and found out that those were true. Sometimes it isn’t anything magical, it is just a matter of using a little common sense, life experience, and trusting your senses. If you are in a strange city and get off of the main streets at night and get the feeling that someone is watching you, it isn’t a stretch to think that something bad might happen to you and that you should turn around and try to get to a more populated area. Traveling puts you on edge as it is, so it isn’t uncommon to get that nagging feeling that something is going to go wrong. A flight will be delayed and you will miss your connection. The taxi driver isn’t taking you to where they are supposed to or they are purposely taking a longer route to run up the bill. These feelings aren’t a bad thing, they make you more aware of your surroundings, make you plan for unexpected changes, and will ultimately make you a more confident traveler.

Cruising Along the Amazon River
Heading into the Jungle

When we were in the Amazon Jungle, there was definitely no telling what we would see every time we rounded the next bend of the river or trail. Obviously, we were with experienced guides, so that definitely gave us confidence. All the same, we knew that we could come across anaconda snakes, caiman, poisonous frogs, snakes, spiders, and other insects. This week’s Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is things that start with the letter J and are at least six letters long. We have chosen photos from the Jungle from both our trip to Bolivia last year as well as our trip to Ecuador this year.

Frog that Spits Poison When Threatened
Walking through the Jungle

Autumn is Magical in the Colorado Mountains

Autumn is our favorite time of year to get into the mountains and go hiking. The weather can be cool and it is possible to get snow at times, but when the sun is shining and the leaves have turned golden, it is truly spectacular. We enjoy autumn everywhere and the different tapestry of colors that you find. Autumn in Colorado is a little unique from other places where the trees turn a dark gold, orange, and vibrant red. Those colors are beautiful and we definitely enjoy seeing them, but in Colorado, the Aspen trees turn a brilliant gold. When the sun hits the bright yellow leaves on a clear day, the trees almost seem to glow. So, for last week’s Daily Post Photo Challenge, Glow, we have chosen some photos from Beaver Creek.

View from Beaver Creek Trail
Golden Landscape
Surrounded by Glowing Trees
Beaver Creek Mountain
Hiking in Autumn

It is a Matter of Perspective

No matter where you go in the world, there is always one thing that you always take with you. Regardless of who you are, you take with you your own past experiences, values, beliefs, and preconceptions. We should all try to have an open mind and understand the culture, which is truly a good thing, but it isn’t always as easy as it sounds. One of the first things that you learn about cultural anthropology, where people attempt to study a culture without changing the culture, is that just by observing people, you can change their behavior. Is it really possible to travel to a place that is truly foreign to you without viewing it through the filters of your own life? This week’s Daily Post Photo Challenge is Scale, which is really just a matter of perspective.

Smokestack in Downtown Denver
Pikes Peak from Garden of the Gods
Balancing Rock in Mahabalipuram, India
Virgin of Quito in Ecuador