The Rambler

Culture Insights, Travel Tips, and Inspirational Journeys with Not Your Average American

As January winds down and the adrenaline of the New Year fades, I'm ready for our next trip.

We're looking forward to a break from cold weather when we head to Tuscon, Arizona in March for TravelCon. This is a huge conference for travel creators. I know that some of our readers are fellow travel writers. Let us know if you're going. It would be nice to meet you!

Our next international travel plans aren't until April when we head to Quito, Ecuador for Semana Santa. Interested? We have room for a couple more curious travelers wanting to experience the unique mix of Indigenous traditions and Catholic faith that takes place for one week each year in the Andean highlands. We'll tour Quito's Historic Center (a UNESCO Heritage Site), small towns like Tigua and Alangasi, and National Parks like Cotopaxi and the Quilotoa Crater Lake.

Recent articles

Cultural Insight: Vulgomaestre

Celebrate the fusion of Ecuador's ancient traditions and urban art through the work of Vulgomaestre Ethno-Urbano, a design brand in Quito’s Mariscal district. Known for their creative designs featuring icons like the Virgin of the Panecillo as a rock queen and the Blue-Footed Booby on a surfboard, they offer stickers, posters, and high-quality T-shirts at affordable prices. Discover their vibrant shop near the Mariscal Artisan's Market.

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A man standing on a balcony with view of a river, lake, and mountains

Inspiring Story: Tambo Condor's Quest for an Interpretive Center

Nestled in Ecuador's Antisana Ecological Reserve, Tambo Condor offers visitors a unique opportunity to observe the majestic Andean Condor in its natural habitat. Owner and co-founder, Vladimir Ushiña has ancient ties to this region where hacienda owners once controlled Indigenous workers like his grandfather under a system called Huashipungo. Today, this former farm provides breathtaking views of cliffs where these amazing condors nest and opportunities to see the Andean Spectacled Bear wander through while searching for its favorite food, an agave-like cactus called Apuchaya. Help Vladimir and his family educate visitors with an Interpretive Center and expanded Hiking Trail.

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Travel Tip: Wear a Mask—Yes, Still!

We’re still wearing masks while flying—not out of fear of catching something severe, but to steer clear of common viruses like the flu, colds, and RSV. And we’re not alone! Our most popular article this winter is “Our Favorite Face Masks for Safe Travel.” We recently updated it to include new options, as many pandemic-era favorites are no longer in production. With face masks becoming harder to find in local pharmacies, this guide is here to help you stay protected while traveling, especially on your flight out to a new location. Who wants to ruin their vacation with a cold?

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If you've read this far, you might be the person we're looking for! Would you like to join us in August to Chachapoyas, Peru? It will be our first time visiting this amazing location therefore our itinerary will be a combination of touring specific highlights of the region and leaving days open for adventure. We always find the unexpected when we go to a new place! We are looking for folks willing to split costs. Are you game?

We hope this edition of our newsletter inspires you to visit our website and delve into more content aimed at connecting the Americas. Stay curious, travel responsibly, and make new connections!

Until next time, happy travels!

Warm regards,