dank_traveller

17/08/2024

Arrived at the Ecuador / Colombian border (again).
About to take a boat to indigenous land. Won't be reachable for 3-5 days.

16/08/2024

Here's where I am today.

04/08/2024

The symbol in my tattoo is known as the Chakana or Andean Cross. It holds deep significance in Andean culture, particularly among the Inca. I got this tattoo in the style of the famous Nazca Lines, a geographic phenomenon made by the indigenous Nazca people of the Andean Mountains.

Here’s a breakdown of its meaning:

The steps and corners on each side represent the three levels of existence:

Hana Pacha:
- The upper world, inhabited by gods and spirits.

Kay Pacha:
- The world of our daily existence.

Uku Pacha:
- The inner world, associated with the dead and ancestors.

Four Cardinal Points:
- The cross itself points to the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, and west)

Central Spiral:
- The spiral represents the cyclical nature of life, symbolizing growth, evolution, and the continuous journey of transformation. It reflects the idea that life is a series of cycles, each leading to new beginnings and personal growth. The spiral is often used as a symbol of spiritual growth and the journey towards enlightenment. It represents the path of self-discovery and the quest for higher consciousness

The Chakana also symbolizes the interconnectedness of the universe and the importance of maintaining harmony and balance.

I have been obsessed with spirals since I was a teenager. I even had one carved into my arm (which is now covered up by my axolotl tattoo)

04/08/2024

Create a life that you can't wait to wake up to.

03/08/2024

Spent Extra day in Otavalo, Ecuador. The tattoo artist, Lucho, ended up taking us up the mountain to visit an ancestral site.

The ancestral site was a giant Boulder and I was told that there were 2 mountains, a father and a mother, who had an argument due to infidelity. The mother hurled a rock at the father, and this was the boulder we visited.

I think it's interesting the native stories they tell about these mountains, it seems there may be some geological sense to these stories, as both of these mountains were inactive volcanoes.

Apparently, there was a monster living in the nearby lake, and when these two mountains were fighting, the monster decided to leave and left a giant footprint on Father mountain.

After the hike we walked through the country and stopped for beers along the way before catching a bus back into town.

I also decided to get another tattoo. It's been very nice to hang out with folks I can get along with and making friends has been easy.

Thank you, Lucho and Belén!

02/08/2024

My travel buddy and I arrived today in Otavalo, Ecuador. We rested for an hour before walking to "Plaza De la Ponchos". I bought a poncho, my first one ever. Ever since I was a little boy I always wanted a poncho, maybe due to my Mexican heritage on my mom's side.

We also looked for small musical instruments that would fit in our bags. I ended up buying a rattle / wristband for when I participate in another Ayahuasca / Yagé ceremony.

Afterward we we on a quest for Beer. We succeeded at finding beer, but the place was a tattoo Shop.

Long story short. We talked, we laughed, I made a tattoo appointment for tomorrow, and now we are out with the artists eating Tacos and Burritos.

17/07/2024

Colombia Update:
2 months & 2 weeks

My Spanish is improving ever so slightly. After my tattoo, I spent another week in the big city of Bogotá. To keep it honest I was very depressed, missing the countryside and being on the mountain...
..sooo I returned to the mountain of Churuguaco Alto on the outskirts of Tenjo, Colombia. Since I've returned here, I've participated in a second sweat-lodge or Inipi/Temazcal ceremony. I also participated in a water ceremony with Abuelita Pascuala (pictures in a previous post).

For work, the owner has us putting in fence posts to prepare for building a new fence.

For food, I continue to eat mostly vegetarian food.

For fun, I conversate with my roommates, play guitar, do meditation, learn a little about yoga...

Today, One of my fellow roommates and traveler departed for her future travels. There's a possibility that Eric and I might meet up with Leony (from Germany) in the near future.

Our current trajectory is to go to Ecuador and Peru at the end of this month. What adventures await us? Nobody knows.

One thing is for sure, I'm extremely happy here on this property. I hope to continue socializing with the types of people that I have met here at Tierra Zanta.

I truly feel as if I have been adopted by the hippies of Colombia, especially after participating in these ceremonies consistently and meeting with the same folks. I have come to realize that there is a network of people like this.

This coming weekend, I'm participating in my 3rd Inipi / Temezcal ceremony. It's intense, and I love it.

15/07/2024

Last Sunday my grandma Ruth earned her wings and Halo. I miss her tremendously. She made me feel like a comedian, always laughing and smiling with me. She passed quickly, which is a blessing in disguise. After her accident it was very difficult for her to go on.

15/06/2024

Here's a video preview that I'll be including in my next YouTube Episode. This is also my favorite dog that I've met in Colombia.

15/06/2024

30/05/2024

Day 23 - Bogotá Colombia
(May 30th)

Here's something that will blow your mind...

Did you know?

➡️ The Amazon Basin is about 2,700,000 miles²
➡️ The Amazon Rainforest covers 2,100,000 miles²
➡️ Texas is approximately 268,000 miles²
➡️ The USA is approximately 3,500,000 miles²

The Amazon rainforest would cover the vast majority of the lower 48 states in the USA.

You can fit SEVEN states the size of Texas, with room to spare, inside the Amazon rainforest.
============================================
Update:
My travel partner had surgery a few days ago, with success. His recovery time is longer than expected, so he won't be joining me on the farm until June 13th.

This means I will headed to the countryside of Tenjo alone and spending about 2 weeks on the farm among Spanish speakers with no crutches for speaking English. All I know is that I will be working with plants and animals at a high altitude. I'm looking forward to the much-needed exercise on the farm.

I have honestly been cooped up at the apartment, here in the big city of Bogotá. Studying... Studying... Studying...

I'm feeling more confident in my photography and videography skills, and learning Spanish is an ever going process.

On Saturday I will be connecting with another local YouTuber, and hopefully, filming more of the big city of Bogotá.

Last night I met a YouTuber from the Philippines, who is preparing to travel to Africa. Him and I started a Facebook group for YouTubers, and I'm hoping to expand that group anywhere between 10 and 30 people.

I have strong ambitions for filming, photography, plants, and animals.

This weekend is going to be very busy as I prepare for the next leg of the trip.

I want to encourage everyone to go to my YouTube channel, and watch a video, any video.

Leave a comment on YouTube to say HI or ask me anything on my YouTube channel.

Thanks for reading
~Taylor

28/05/2024

Day 20 - Bogotá Colombia
(May 27th)

Hey friends and family. I have a huge favor to ask.
I just published a new episode of my Travel Blog.

Please go watch it, leave a comment, and thumbs up!

Easy way to support... Search for me on the YouTube App

⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
Youtube:
⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️

Everyone who does this is helping me grow my channel and reach one step closer toward monetization on YouTube.

Please make sure to open the video in the YouTube app!!!

(Click this link, then click "Open App" button on the top of the video)

Join Dank as we travel to Monserrate, the sanctuary on the Mountain in beautiful Bogotá Colombia.

09/10/2023

Here's in the Pacific Northwest Islands

01/10/2023

01/10/2023

18/09/2023

White Rock Canada at night as seen from USA

18/09/2023

No filter

02/08/2023

No Filter. Today's adventure is taking me around Mt. Rainer

09/07/2023

🔥 420 Spotlight:

💜 OG Eddy Lepp

"Eddy Lepp, born as Charles Edward Lepp, is an activist, spiritual leader, and cannabis advocate known for his dedication to fighting for the rights of medical ma*****na patients. Born on February 13, 1952, in Covington, Kentucky, Eddy Lepp's life journey has been marked by a relentless pursuit of justice and compassion.

Lepp's journey into activism began after he discovered the medicinal benefits of cannabis. Believing in its healing properties, he became a passionate advocate for the use of ma*****na as a form of alternative medicine. In the late 1990s, Lepp founded the multi-faith ministry called "The THC Ministry" in Northern California, where he grew and distributed ma*****na to patients in need.

His actions, however, put him at odds with the federal government, which considered cannabis illegal. Despite facing numerous legal challenges, including multiple arrests and raids on his property, Lepp remained steadfast in his belief that ma*****na should be accessible to those who could benefit from its therapeutic effects.

In 2008, Lepp was convicted and sentenced to ten years in federal prison for cultivating ma*****na. His case drew significant attention from the media and the cannabis advocacy community, as many saw his imprisonment as a violation of the rights of medical ma*****na patients.

During his time in prison, Lepp continued to inspire others with his unwavering commitment to the cause. He became a symbol of resistance and a voice for those who believed in the medicinal benefits of cannabis. His story and activism attracted widespread support, with advocates rallying behind his cause.

In 2014, after serving eight years of his sentence, Eddy Lepp was released from prison. Despite the challenges he faced, he remained undeterred in his mission to fight for cannabis legalization and the rights of patients. He continued to speak at events, share his story, and raise awareness about the importance of cannabis as a legitimate form of medicine.

Beyond his activism, Eddy Lepp is a deeply spiritual individual, drawing inspiration from various religious and indigenous traditions. He believes that cannabis is a sacrament that can facilitate spiritual experiences and provide healing on multiple levels.

Eddy Lepp's legacy extends far beyond his personal struggles. His unwavering determination, resilience, and passion have left an indelible mark on the cannabis advocacy movement. He continues to be an influential figure, inspiring countless individuals to stand up for what they believe in and fight for the rights of medical ma*****na patients."

01/06/2023

Famous.

06/05/2023

Sunflower Tie Dye