Photography by Samantha Demangate Words by Matt Dursum Spending a day in the markets of Cusco, Perú is what I’ve always wanted. I’m at my happiest in a market. The warm conversations with strangers and merchants, the colors, smells, sounds, they swoon me. In Cusco Peru, getting lost in the markets is a rite of passage for anyone interested in the region’s food and culture. Cusco is a city steeped in history. It was home…
It’s 7am on a Saturday morning in Buenos Aires. The streets are dead other than a dog-walker and an elderly couple walking hand-in-hand across the cobblestone street. The sun lifts and a cool breeze from the Rio de la Plata penetrates the urban grid. Produce stand clerks place fruit and vegetables on makeshift stands on the sidewalk. Cafes and restaurants set up chairs outside. As the morning evolves, the city comes alive with traffic, music,…
Words by Matt Dursum As I approach two years in Latin America, I can’t help but look back at my gear choices and how I took care of things. Would I make any changes? Absolutely. Not using a hair dryer to quickly dry my merino wool boxers would be one. Like those unfortunate undergarments, most of my clothing and gear sustained unthinkable damage, mostly thanks to my carelessness and the ever changing weather and climates…
Words by Matt Dursum Brazil’s national liquor is more than just caipirinhas. From complex and barrel-aged to crystal clear and resembling fresh pressed sugar cane, Cachaça holds its own as one of the most timeless and versatile flavors in the world of spirits. What is Cachaça Cachaça, pronounced ka-sha-sa, is Brazil’s most popular spirit. It’s made by distilling sugar cane juice, similar to the rhum agricoles of the French Caribbean. Its cousin, rum, on the…
Words by Matt Dursum Sure, I’ve squatted in a chicken coop, taken a bite out of a living and squirming fish, and greeted a group of men holding machetes with a nervous smile. But why did I feel the most out of place in Oklahoma? Culture shock is a common feeling when we travel, and sometimes we even experience it at home. But what is it and why can it be so unbearable? We can…