Ever read a book that’s moved you enough to want to peel back the pages and step through an imaginary door into the world of the characters, and that’s described the place to you in such vivid mouth-watering detail that you felt you could almost reach out and touch the landscape through the paper in your hands? You know you have. The massive, magnificent continent of South America has been the inspiration for many authors of some classic novels which have become the tomes of our times. From the lyrical twists and turns of the Orinocho in Venezuela and Colombia; through the steamy jungles of the Amazon in Brazil and Peru; and down to the heart-stopping beauty of Chile and Argentina; each country tells its story in its own way. Wouldn’t it be nice to kick off your business clothes, throw your toothbrush in a backpack, and set off hiking South America on a journey through the pages of your favourite novels?
Colombia
Acclaimed novel ‘Love in the time of Cholera’ by Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez is the beautifully complex tale of finding love in strange and unusual circumstances. Whilst the city in the tale remains unnamed, Marquez’s descriptions and his own personal history led to the common conclusion that it is Cartagena in Colombia. Situated at the mouth of the Magdalena River, Cartagena today is a wonderfully preserved colonial city. Apart from being an important port, the city has a fascinating history. A stroll though the narrow streets of the Ciudad Amarullada (the old walled city) will take you back to the charming days of old; and for a stunning view out over the entire city and port, a visit to the Convento de la Popa will not disappoint. From Cartagena it is only a short side trip to the famed ‘Lost City’ of Ciudad Perdida, or Parque Nacional Tayrona, which offers wonderful opportunities for hiking South America’s unspoilt terrain.
Chile
The passionate prose of prolific Chilean author Isabel Allende has been translated throughout the world and, her first book – ‘The House of the Spirits’ – became a much-loved bestseller. The story is an epic tale of the South American Trueba family and charts their romantic, spiritual and historical quests as ultimately, their destiny overtakes them. Chile is home to some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes, and hiking South America’s central Andes Mountains will be the journey of a lifetime. You can also trek through Patagonia across the rugged terrain of the monumental Torres del Paine National Park and experience the endless beauty of its glaciers and lakes. The narrowest country in South America, hiking is not confined to the mountains and there is over 4,000 miles of breathtaking Pacific coastline to explore as well.
Brazil
Brazilian author Paulo Coelho is a household name and, although his novels are set all over the world, many of his main protagonists retain a distinctly South American flavour. His inimitable style challenges the reader in more ways than one, but his wonderfully descriptive writing style has secured him a faithful following. A visit to Paulo Coelho’s Brazil will take you on a journey where his imagination becomes your reality. Brazil covers nearly half the continent’s area, and hiking South America’s largest country can cover the vast remote interior rainforests; voyages up the mighty Amazon River; endless miles of pristine beaches; and of course the world’s biggest and best party – Rio.
By: Tony Maniscalco
Posts Tagged ‘Isabel Allende’
Fun Facts About Chile
November 10th, 2009
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
Chile has many idols: Claudio Arrau (pianist), Gabriela Mistral (writer), Pablo Neruda (writer), Nicolas Massu (sportsman), Fernando Gonzalez (sportsman), Miriam Hernandez (singer), Cecilia Bolocco (Miss Universe 1987), Isabel Allende (writer), Jorge Edwards (writer), Christian de la Fuente (actor), Roberto Matta (architect), Hernan Büchi (economist), and Jose Piñera (economist).
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
Michelle Bachelet Jeria is currently president of Chile.She is South America´s second elected woman president.
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
In 1987, Pope John Paul visited Chile.
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
The 1945 Nobel Prize for Literature was awarded to Gabriela Mistral, a poetess. Her real name was Lucila de Maria del Perpetuo Socorro Godoy Alcayaga. She was the first Latin American to win the Nobel Prize for Literarure. Gabriela Mistral is a national heroine of Chile.
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
Santiago de Chile hosted the FIBA 1959 Men´s World Championship.Brazil won the tournament in Chile.
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
Like South Korea and Mauritius, Chile has one of the best democracies in the Third World.
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
UNESCO has declared Rapa Nui National Park (2005), Churches of Chiloe (2000), Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaiso (2003), Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (2005), and Sewell Mining Town (2006) World Heritage Sites. Like Petra (Jordan), Tikal National Park, and Taj Mahal (India), Rapa Nui National Park is considered among the wonders of the world.
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
Chile is also known for its International Song Festival of Viña del Mar. In the 1980s and 1990s, Many artists went to Festival of Viña del Mar, including Julio Iglesias (singer), Jose Luis Rodriguez (singer), Thalia (singer), Gina Lollobrigida (actress), Lucia Mendez (actress), Celia Cruz (singer and actress), Sting (singer), Bryan Adams (singer), and Maria Conchita Alonso (actress and singer).
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
Different from many Third World countries, Chile has competed in the Winter Olympic Games 14 times (Saint Moritz-1948, Oslo-1952, Cortinad´Ampezzo-1956, Squaw Valley-1960,Innsbruck-1964, Grenoble-1968, Innsbruck-1976, Sarajevo-1984, Calgary-1988, Albertville-1992, Lillehammer-1994, Nagano-1998, Salt Lake City-2002, and Turin-2006).
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
Chile has more Nobel Prizes than Brazil (0), Cuba(0),Venezuela (0), Colombia (1), South Korea (0), Puerto Rico (0), and Bangladesh (1).
Chile has two Nobel Prize winners:
1945:Gabriela Mistral (Nobel Prize for Literature).
1971:Pablo Neruda (Nobel Prize for Literature).
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
Chile has had famous athletes in the past century: Marlene Arehns (track and field), Ivan Zamorano (soccer), Carlos Caszelly (soccer), Elias Figueroa (soccer), Javier Margas (soccer), Marcelo Salas (soccer), Marcelo Rios (tennis), Jaime Fillol (tennis), Alfonso de Irruarrizaga (shooting), Oscar Cristi (equestrian), RicardoEcheverria(equestrian),Cesar Mendoza (equestrian), Ramon Tapia (boxing), Claudio Barrientos (boxing), and Carlos Lucas (boxing).
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
Chile has had spectacular beauties in the past century: Cecilia Bolocco (Miss Universe 1987), Margott Montt (Miss Chile World 1986), Jenny Purtho Arap (Miss Chile 1982), Claudia van Sint Jam (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1985), Maria Veronica Sommer (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1976), Marianne Muller Prieto (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1978), Mariana Villasante Aravena (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1986), Maria Macarena Mina Garachena (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1989), and Urania Haltenhooff (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1990).
Chile has had spectacular beauties in the past century: Cecilia Bolocco (Miss Universe 1987), Margott Montt (Miss Chile World 1986), Jenny Purtho Arap (Miss Chile 1982), Claudia van Sint Jam (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1985), Maria Veronica Sommer (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1976), Marianne Muller Prieto (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1978), Mariana Villasante Aravena (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1986), Maria Macarena Mina Garachena (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1989), and Urania Haltenhooff (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1990).
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
The Chilean metropolis has hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1962
By: Alejandro Guevara Onofre