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I am a recent liberal arts graduate who travels as a compulsion. I have lived in several regions of the US as well as briefly abroad in England and Spain, and these changes in location have only made me more determined to travel to and write about the climes and currents of the world that remain foreign to me, and what I write tends to reflect my views on the importance of mindful travel as opposed to tourism. As my father is Cuban-born, Latin America is particularly high on my list of regions to explore and understand.
- Hometown
Lake Mary, FL, USA
- Location now
Portland, OR, USA
- Travel philosophy
Unlike tourism, which is easy but ultimately unrewarding, travel requires forethought, mindfulness, and often discomfort, but its rewards can be endless.
- Bizarre experience
My most bizarre cultural experience would have to be a conversation I had with the woman in Madrid, Spain from whom I rented a room. We were sitting over dinner, watching Spain's wildly popular "Quien Quiere Ser Millionario," when a trivia question on the show triggered my landlady to start talking about life under Franco's regime. With the show still playing in the background, she started recounting memories she told me she'd not thought about for decades as she fought back tears of anger and frustration. It was a completely unexpected moment of intimacy that transcended barriers of age, of culture, and of language.
- Dream destination
My dream destination is to travel to Cuba to visit members of my family I've never met, and also to dance the Cuban Son.
- Traveled before
I have traveled extensively around the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as throughout Western and Central Europe--most prominently, Spain, the Czech Republic, Italy, France, and Switzerland.
Most recently, I made the cross-country drive from Florida to Oregon.
Lauren Yero's Guide Book Entries
Info
Safety: Los Vilos
Nov 12, 2008 - Los Vilos, ChileLos Vilos is a sleepy beachside town with little to worry about in the way of safety. During the winter, ......
Read MoreSafety: Vicuña
Nov 12, 2008 - Vicuña, ChileThe small town of Vicuña is generally a safe place. Activity in and around the town square continues till late ......
Read MoreGetting to and away
Nov 12, 2008 - ChileOn Ruta 5 North at kilometer 389, take the second road toward Fray Jorge. From here, it's 25 kilometers to ......
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Destinations
The Elqui Valley Region
Apr 30, 2009 - ChileThis small strip of land, which at times is no more than 200 meters wide, has a little bit of ......
Read MoreGuanaqueros
Nov 02, 2008 - Guanaqueros, ChileAbout 15km north of Tongoy, Guanaqueros is the smaller of the sister beach towns with a few restaurants and hotels ......
Read MoreQuintay
Nov 02, 2008 - Quintay, ChileQuintay is a tiny, mostly residential beach town hidden among wooded seaside hills and relatively untouched beaches about 40 minutes ......
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Hotels
Puerto Natura
Oct 28, 2008 - Valparaíso , ChileThe Puerto Natura hotel and spa is for travelers who like luxury without the pomp and circumstance. A night’s stay ......
Read MoreHotel Manoir Atkinson
Oct 28, 2008 - Valparaíso , ChileThe Manoir Atkinson is a small hotel with seven carefully decorated rooms (one is an upstairs suite) in a newly ......
Read MoreHotel Halley
Sep 30, 2008 - Vicuña, ChileA tasteful hotel in a restored colonial home, Hotel Halley is luxurious without being showy. Rooms open onto a sunlit ......
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Restaurants
Club Donde Mismo
Nov 09, 2008 - Bellavista, Santiago, ChilePop into Club Donde Mismo for cheap Chilean/Peruvian food and a full bar. The place is unpretentious and clean, the ......
Read MoreEladio
Nov 09, 2008 - Santiago, ChileIf you’re looking for a classy but affordable way to spend your evening, Eladio is an excellent choice. Located centrally ......
Read MoreCafe Molinos
Nov 09, 2008 - Bellavista, Santiago, ChileCafé Molinos, a quiet spot to have lunch, is just off the main Bellavista drag on Calle Arzobispo. The café ......
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Activities
Maestra Vida
Nov 12, 2008 - Bellavista, Santiago, Chilealseros looking to get their salsa fix while in Santiago should try out Maestra Vida, located on the busy Pio ......
Read MoreCerro San Cristobal Funicular
Nov 09, 2008 - Santiago, ChileOn a clear day, the view from the top of Cerro San Cristóbal is spectacular, providing the best view in ......
Read MoreIsla Negra
Nov 02, 2008 - Valparaíso , ChileTour guides at Pablo Neruda’s Isla Negra home will claim that, of his many houses, this home was the place ......
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Tours
Discover Valparaíso
Nov 01, 2008 - Valparaíso , ChileIf you’re looking for something a bit different from your run-of-the-mill tour, check out Discover Valparaíso. This one-man tour operator, ......
Read MoreLa Fundación Valparaíso
Nov 01, 2008 - Valparaíso , ChileThe still young Fundación Valparaíso, established in 1998 by a North American poet smitten with the city, is a non-profit ......
Read MoreTourism and Culture Information Center
Nov 01, 2008 - Valparaíso , ChileNext door to Pablo Neruda’s home, La Sebastiana, on top of Cerro Bellavista is the Centro de Información Touristica y ......
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Services
General Services: Vicuña
Sep 28, 2008 - Vicuña, ChileAlmost all of the services in Vicuña are near the Plaza de Armas in the center of town. The tourism ......
Read MoreShopping
Sep 21, 2008 - Valparaíso , ChileThough shopping isn’t the primary reason to come to Valparaíso, there are some worthwhile outdoor markets and small artisan shops ......
Read MoreGeneral Services in Valparaíso
Sep 21, 2008 - Valparaíso , ChileMost services, including banks, money exchange offices, travel agencies, postal services, Internet and telephone cafes, and pharmacies, can be found ......
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