South America Archives - The Pin The Map Project

The Perfect Colombian Arepa in Cartagena

November 8, 2015 By Nikki 1 Comment

For 40 years, Elaine (whom I’ve come to refer to as The Arepa Lady) has stood on a corner in Cartagena whipping up her modest arepas by flattening and shaping the maize, tossing the arepas in a vat of hot oil and serving them alongside colorful salsas in vibrant hues of green and red.

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The Pin the Map Project Guide to Cartagena (available for FREE download!)

July 28, 2015 By Nikki Leave a Comment

If every place on earth could have one descriptive word by which to identify it, I think Cartagena’s word would be “alive.” In Cartagena you always feel alive as your senses are ignited with Caribbean flavors, Latin music and rich colors. During the day, the colors of the sea set against the vibrant color palette of the… [Read More]

Photo Diary: Cartagena, Colombia

June 18, 2015 By Nikki 4 Comments

A photo diary of Colombia’s colorful seaside city, Cartagena, as taken on a recent assignment for VICE.

On Assignment in Cartagena’s Local Mercado de Bazurto

May 9, 2015 By Nikki 6 Comments

It is an ungodly hour in Cartagena and I am sitting on the cement steps of a cathedral-like building, watching the Old City come to life around me. Street vendors roll their arepa stands and fruit carts along cobble stone streets to their designated corners, uniformed children shuffle to school, birds chirp as the… [Read More]

The Playa Blanca Cheat Sheet for Cartagena Beach Goers

May 8, 2015 By Nikki 13 Comments

Around 3pm, I will head to Playa Blanca to enjoy its white sand beaches and turquoise waters after the hoards of tourists leave. Like a well-kept secret, the way to enjoy Playa Blanca is to simply stay on the island. Here, I share my Playa Blanca cheat sheet to make the most of your visit.

The Ultimate Guide to Cartagena, Colombia

May 7, 2015 By Nikki 11 Comments

It’s evening in Cartagena and I wander out into the balmy night towards a humble looking plaza in Getsemani, just steps away from the Casa Santa Ana Hotel I am staying at. Up ahead, filmmaker Jeff Cerulli and I spot a crowd of people around the Plaza Trinidad; some sitting on the stone steps… [Read More]

What Not to Miss in Buenos Aires

March 2, 2015 By Nikki 7 Comments

Blame it on the two cuba libres I had on arrival but from the beginning of my solo travels in Argentina I had fallen in love with Buenos Aires. When I navigated my way from the airport (seemingly located in the boondocks of Buenos Aires) to Palermo, I applauded my small success. When… [Read More]

From Weapons to Wine in Chile

February 23, 2015 By Mehdy Ghannad 2 Comments

Mehdy Ghannad of The Hostel Life, is a first time guest contributor to The Pin the Map Project. To be a guest blogger for The Pin the Map Project, e-mail [email protected]. A few months ago, I found myself in the midst of a unique opportunity while location scouting in Chile. It began on… [Read More]

Serendipitous Encounters & 24 Hours in Iguazú

September 11, 2014 By Nikki 1 Comment

Legend has it that a deity fell in love with a beautiful woman named Naipai who in turn fell in love with a mortal man by the name of Taroba. Together Naipai and Taroba fled in his canoe, which infuriated the God and drove him mad with jealousy and rage. Impassioned, the God deeply… [Read More]