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It’s hot and humid sultry summer, and it just makes you want to cast off the bonds, leave work…to take it all off. Summer is historically a time of freedom-finding, so in this edition of bridging the gap, we’re celebrating independence in the Americas. There are a couple of independence days coming up 3 days apart and right next to each other – Canada’s and the United States’ – and that means long weekends, fireworks and summer fun.
Have a look at our top 5 destinations for the independent-minded traveller, join us in a Guatemalan restaurant or running the bulls in Pamplona. Most of all (for those of you in the northern hemisphere), enjoy the summer!
Happy Canada Day,
Carl Michener, Editor, bridging the gap
¡Viva la Independencia!
Here at home we’re coming up to Canada Day, a time commemorating the creation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867. We celebrate with a national holiday, fireworks, big meals and a long summer weekend. It’s a funny thing that few people here know the history of this day, and that may have something to do with the fact that Canada’s independence was won peacefully. Throughout the Americas, a peaceful independence was an exception, and in many countries, the fight for independence is celebrated more forcefully.
Bolivia is one country that had a tough time of it (and in fact still does). Once part of the Inca Empire, modern Bolivia won its independence in 1825 after a fierce fight with the Spanish. It was named after its chief liberator, Simón Bolívar. However, it lost great slices of territory to three neighboring nations. Now, every August 6th, the country shuts down and the Bolivians pour into the streets, celebrating with song, dance and processions. They’re passionate people and because of their history, guard their independence and national borders jealously. Independence Day here and in many Latin American countries is immortalized in every major town, where at least one street is named 6 de agosto.
Costa Rica achieved independence on September 15th, 1821 along with the other central American nations except for Panama and Belize. But the country was almost immediately absorbed into the Mexican empire of Agustín de Iturbide. Costa Rica eventually became a republic in 1848, and with one exception has enjoyed one of the most democratic governments in Latin America.
In addition to parties, fireworks, and feasts, there is the traditional running of the torch from Guatemala to Costa Rica. Travelling on the Panamerican Highway on the 15th of September is a real spectacle. In each village where there is a school, you will see the children dressed in uniform waiting with their elders to cheer on a runner carrying the torch.
Perhaps the most culturally rich nation in the Americas is Mexico, home to at least four great civilizations—the Mayas, the Olmecs, the Toltecs and Aztecs – before the Spanish invaded and conquered this last and mightiest civilization under the leadership of Hernán Cortés. Mexicans finally won their independence from the Spanish after 10 years of fighting, almost exactly 300 years later, the day after the Central American countries achieved theirs: September 16th, 1821.
Three centuries of oppressive rule aren’t forgotten easily, and so the conspiratorial gathering in 1810 that initiated the revolution is reenacted in every town square, or zócalo, in Mexico. Streets, houses, buildings and cars are decorated everywhere in the country. On street corners there are vendors selling flags, balloons, sombreros and rehiletes (shuttlecocks), all with the green, white and red, the national colours. Lighted decorations are set up in every city, the most spectacular being those in the zócalo in Mexico City. Hundreds of stands are set up several days before and offer the traditional antojitos, or finger foods, Mexican candies, and punch. There are fierce celebrations, with fireworks, parties, dancing, processions and occasionally gunfire.
The United States’ independence story is undoubtedly the most famous in the Americas. The Fourth of July commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by delegates from the 13 colonies that existed in 1776. The battle waged against the British was long and bloody. This independence story differs from those of Latin American countries only in that it was British colonists fighting against the Motherland, not Spanish. Independence Day in America is celebrated much the same as elsewhere, but there is always a great emphasis on military might and the independence that it symbolizes, with airshows and displays of military muscle.
Come celebrate independence with the locals in the country of your choice:
Canada: Yukon Trek
Bolivia Discovery
Costa Rica Quest
Mexico Ancient Civilizations
US: Western Discovery
Running of the Bulls
Can’t make it this year? Sign on for next season’s espectaculo. During Pamplona’s annual 9-day celebration which honors the city's patron saint, San Fermín, 6 bulls from the area’s top breeders are run down the city streets to the Plaza de Toros. The running starts at 8:00 a.m. each morning. The festival was made famous by Ernest Hemingway's 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises; the writer took one town’s celebration (among lots of other curious festivals in Spain) and immortalized it so eloquently that it’s now known around the world.
For Pamplona's earliest residents, running the bulls started out as something quite practical: It was simply an efficient way to move the animals through town to sell at market. Now the daily event, called an encierro, attracts thousands of people from all over the world, not to mention several dozen drunk guys who attempt to outrun the bulls and occasionally get maimed. It’s definitely a sight to behold! This year’s festival runs from July 7th to 14th.
Check it out yourself on our Iberian Experience or other tours to Spain.
Postcards from the Edge: Guatemalan Goodness
I have many memories of a recent G.A.P trip (Mayan Adventure) – one memory in particular brings home to me how the G.A.P philosophy of giving back to the communities in which we travel, and directing business towards locally owned and run businesses, is so important.
One night, the group was at the tail end of enjoying a dinner in a local restaurant in Antigua, Guatemala. A young boy of about 9 years old came into the restaurant and the owner, who obviously knew him, offered him some sweets. Not to be deterred, he hovered near our table until we had noticed him. While he didn’t initially ask for any money and he wasn’t malnourished, he was certainly hungry, and his clothes were dusty, and it was late – later than you would expect a boy to be out on the streets alone. He looked around the table and I suddenly realized how much we had, and the size of the gap to be bridged between us.
We shared what food was left with him and he ate until he was full. He particularly enjoyed the part of my meal I hadn’t eaten, which was largely leftover vegetables and rice. I wished I’d eaten less! We asked him about himself and he relaxed a little as he told us about his family. The group asked the restaurant owner to wrap up the leftovers for him to take home which she kindly arranged.
Guatemala is a land of contrasts - beautiful lakes and dry, dusty roads, exceptional handicrafts and babies precariously wrapped in shawls, and I will always remember the boy in the restaurant. I can’t forget him and hope that he has a bright future despite obvious hardships.
- Stephanie Allen, Australia
Experience the beauty and meet the people of Guatemala yourself on our 15 day Mayan Sun.
Share your interesting travel stories with us: editor@gap.ca. We might print it for all to enjoy.
The G.A.P Top 5: Places of Independence
I’ve taken this one on myself – hope you like it! Yes, these are the same locations as in our feature article, but to be honest I could easily think of more than one top-notch place in every country I’ve been to.
- Carl
1. Yukon, Canada
There’s nothing you know like your own backyard, and even if it’s 7000 km away from home it’s still more familiar than Mexico, which is closer. Canada’s Yukon, east of Alaska and north of British Columbia, has attracted independent types since frontier days. I like trekking in the mountains, which there are lots of (the last ice age missed this part of the continent) and the long light in the summertime. I don’t recommend getting treed by a grizzly as I did, nor being in a helicopter accident, but sometimes these things just happen. Once back from your stint in the woods, take in the carnivalesque goldrush ambiance of Dawson City.
2. Colca Canyon, Peru
This canyon is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, and one of the few places that you will see the mighty condor. The canyon is great for the independent and intrepid hiker – it’s somewhere you can walk, as portions of the Colca Canyon are habitable and lived-in, with pre-Colombian terraced fields still supporting agriculture, unlike those on the mountainsides around Machu Picchu. I wandered off, found a corner I liked and watched the sun filter down on the red rock. Just beautiful.
3. Coroico, Bolivia
Exciting as LaPaz and the Bolivian highlands are, the cold of the Altiplano can get into your bones after a while. To escape typical tourist haunts and the cold, catch a 4 hour bus ride down the World’s Most Dangerous Highway to this humid oasis. It’s halfway down to the Bolivian Amazon, there are few travellers, the air is fragrant and warm, and there’s lots of nothing to do, which sometimes just hits the spot.
4. Taos, New Mexico
The state of New Mexico is not one of the smallest in the U.S., and with a population of 3 million there’s a lot of space for everyone. New Mexicans are friendly folks, but you get the impression that they are really a nation apart, and that is true…in their political orientation, the way they speak and their pace of life. Photographers: the quality of light there is exceptional, partly due to elevation and lack of pollution. I recommend the canyons, mountains and walking out into the middle of the desert and listening to the sound of the wind.
5. Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Tortuguero is a secluded marine part off the northeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica north of Puerto Limón. It’s great for the independent-minded traveller because you won’t see a lot of other travellers there, and you can wander off by yourself, catch a turtle, light a fire and make delicious fresh turtle soup. (Just kidding!) No, the green turtles that verged on extinction for this very reason are coming back nicely, and it’s also a birder’s paradise. I’m not exactly a birder, but I do enjoy watching them swoop and dive and taking the odd photo. Best of all, I like wandering off and enjoying the sea breeze and natural atmosphere.
Carl Michener, Editor,
bridging the gap
Where in the World?
Unfortunately, no one guessed that the photos in the last edition of bridging the gap were of Garai Cham towers, Vietnam and Steninge Palace (Steningeslott), Sweden. We sure had some interesting answers though! Better luck next time.
For your chance to win a G.A.P discount voucher and a pair of Rip Curl boardshorts, guess where these two shots were taken. Don’t forget to include your mailing address along with your submission!
Last Minute Departures – 20% off
This promotion is valid for new bookings only, and is not valid in conjunction with any other offer. To qualify for the discount, please quote Promo # LM063005. Bookings must be made online at www.gapadventures.com or through your travel agent. A listing of preferred travel agents can be found on our website.
South America
Southern Cross-LaPaz to Rio August 29 to September 22
Southern Cross-Lima to Rio (no Permits) August 9 to September 22
The Ecuador Experience August 25 to September 11
Choquequirao September 4 to 11
Inland and Amazon July 23 to August 7
Inca Empire – Lima to LaPaz July 30 to August 13
The Lost World July 22 to August 5
Central America
Cuba Libre August 6 to September 13
Mexico Ancient Civilizations-Cancun to Mexico City August 13 to 27
Europe
Great Moorish Experience July 16 to July 30
Catalonia Walking July 11 to July 17
Crete Explorer July 17 to July 24
Catalonia Biking July 18 to July 25
Africa
Botswana & Falls Adventure August 24 to September 5
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"Mexico" testimonial:
I enjoyed the trip. Most people in the group were well travelled and fun to be with. I like a trip with the historical side to it - this had it. A very different look at Mexico.
Janet Hill
Canada
Mexico Ancient Civilizations
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