What do people think of my trip? Some of them think I’m a fool, because I’m leaving my job during this economic slump. Others admire me. Still others envy me and they would join me, if they could. Almost everyone thinks I’m crazy. So, why I am leaving? I’m leaving because traveling is one of the passions – it’s THE passion – of my life. Just the idea of getting out from my home to catch a train makes me excited. I grew up watching “Jonathan Dimensione Avventura” (an italian TV show about wild traveling). When I was a boy, [...]

We arrive in Antofagasta just before sunset and, after three days in the desert, it makes me happy to see a city worthy of the name. Antofagasta literally means “City of the Great Salt Lake”, but it’s also known as “The Pearl of the North” for its historic and economic importance. This region is in fact full of copper mines, which supply over 50% of national production. The city surely deserves a visit at night, but after the incident in the desert I’m pooped and I just want to die in my bed. And I want to get up early [...]

Working on a cargo ship is not an easy task. These people spend most of their life away from home and family. They do a difficult and dangerous profession, often in foreign countries and unable to access the most basic services (eg. health). Apart from the old cliché that women bring bad luck on board, there is no wonder why the crew of a vessel is generally formed ​​by men. On the cargo ship I took to reach South America the fourth officer was a woman, the only one in a crew of thirty people. Her name is Monika, she [...]