2021 SFLR Features Kirstin Valdez Quade

Starting in December 2010, I travelled from Guatemala to Patagonia, making the trip mostly overland, by bus. I'm grateful for my funding provided by Wellesley College's Mary Elvira Stevens Traveling Fellowship, and am indebted to Doug Glover, who assigned me Paul Theroux's book, THE OLD PATAGONIAN EXPRESS, and thus inspired this project. I traced Theroux's footprints through Central and South America, learning Spanish, teaching English, and writing my book, PATAGONIAN ROAD.

Here's what I learned along the way: Don't listen to those who try to talk you out of your dreams. Focus on figuring out how to get to where you want to go, and then making it happen. All is possible, as they tell you in India. Drop me a line if you've got ideas, suggestions, or questions. Happy reading!