Sitting at the airport in Puerto Maldonado, I looked up and saw five 20 something girls, sitting in a circle, reading books, checking their phones, or journaling. They all seemed extremely content, so I have to admit, I kept watching them. Each had backpacks. And not the cute kind. So they were definitely backpacking through Peru, and each also had hiking boots. Hiking the Inca Trail? Visiting one of the Amazon biology stations? Did they know each other before they got their horrendous capris and high socks tan lines, or were they brought together by a shared experience? Continue reading “Five Things to Look for in a Perfect Travel Buddy” →