Latin Americans love to travel. They might travel for fun, for work, or even for love -the reasons are endless.
There are many intrepid travelers in the region, many of them brave enough to explore any terrain or climate.
With the hashtag #YoViajoPara [1] (“I travel to”, or “I travel for”), travelers started an online discussion, sharing the most common reasons why they are passionate about traveling.
Travelers in Oaxaca. Picture by Andrea Arzaba.
Maria Boa (@_mariaboa) [2] [es] from Mexico expressed her passion about learning when going abroad:
#YoViajoPara [1] vivir, soñar, sentir y descubrir mundos, cada viaje es una aventura y con ella una nueva responsabilidad, conocimientos #feliz [3]
— Maria Boa (@_mariaboa) August 5, 2013 [4]
I travel to live, dream, feel and discover different worlds, every trip is an adventure and with it a new responsibility, knowledge #happy
Honduran user Queenmarielos (@queenmarielos [5]) [es] wrote that her favourite thing about travelling is discovering different food and drink:
#YoViajoPara [1] comer distintos platillos y beber bebidas locales de distintas ciudades y países — queenmarielos (@queenmarielos) August 5, 2013 [6]
I travel to eat different dishes and to drink local beverages from every city and country
Global Voices contributor [7] Julián Ortega Martínez (@julian_ortegam_) [8] [es] from Colombia confessed that he travels to see his loved one:
#Yoviajopara [9] cumplir el sueño de verte a ti — J. O. M. (@julian_ortegam_) August 5, 2013 [10]
I travel to fulfill the dream of seeing you
Elizabeth Rivera (@elimaguire [11]) [es], also a Global Voices contributor [12], wrote about her interest in moving around to discover new places:
#YoViajoPara [1] conectarme con el mundo. Este planeta es demasiado interesante para estar siempre en el mismo lugar.
— Dudette (@elimaguire) August 5, 2013 [13]
I travel to connect with the world. This planet is too interesting to stay always in the same place.
Francisco Diaz (@Frank_FDP [14]) [es] from Mexico described his passion for traveling as a unique way to find out how people from other cultures understand the world:
#ViajoPara [15] tratar de entender cómo piensa el mundo.
— Francisco Díaz (@Frank_FDP) August 5, 2013 [16]
I travel to try to understand how the world thinks
Brazilian Twitter user Transeunte (@transeunte_bsb [17]) [pt] tweeted about his desire to get out of his comfort zone:
#YoViajoPara [1] cambiar el contexto!
— Transeunte (@transeunte_bsb) August 8, 2013 [18]
I travel to change the context!
Mariana (@MEspinozaE) [19][es] from Mexico said that traveling is the best way to spend her time:
@Lolawm [20] me ha ayudado a expandir mis horizontes, y tirar la caja de pensamiento.. la mejor inversión de tiempo en mi vida #Yoviajopara [9]
— Mariana Espinosa (@M_EspinosaE) August 8, 2013 [21]
@Lolawm [20] it has helped me to expand my horizons, and think outside the box.. the best way to spend my time
Chef and Global Voices contributor [22] Melissa DeLeon (@cookingdiva) [23] [es] from Panama wrote that she travels for work, but also to enjoy local food:
desde muy pequeña viajo, ahora #YoViajoPara [1] trabajo y siempre encuentro oportunidad para el placer de conocer la cultura y gastronomía local
— Chef Melissa DeLeon (@cookingdiva) August 5, 2013 [24]
I've been traveling since I was very young, today I travel for work but I always find a chance to enjoy leaning about the culture and the local gastronomy
Why do you travel? Share your stories, reasons or thoughts with the hashtag #YoViajoPara. [25]