Boldly Go Solo

Hey, you missed Peruvian food and drink night a couple of weeks ago at the "clubhouse" in Cusco, Peru. And, you missed poker night last Friday. But you still have time to make it to the pub quiz tomorrow night.

The Cusco clubhouse of South American Explorers, hosts these events and others. But Cusco isn’t the only place where you can find a clubhouse. South American Explorers has clubhouses in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Quito, Ecuador; and Cusco and Lima, Peru. They are aimed at the "independent" traveler.

I joined a few years ago while planning a trip to Ecuador on my own. The Quito clubhouse calls itself a "home away from
home." What a great invitation for a solo traveler.  Especially a nervous one going alone to South America for the first time.   

The club is located in a house on a quiet street in the Mariscal
neighborhood. It felt pretty welcoming. Sunshine streaming in the windows. Clutter gave it a lived in look. Lots of people
who looked to be in their 20’s manned the fort.

I picked up a few brochures and read about lots of exciting things to do in Ecuador. Biking, hiking, trips to the Amazon and to the cloud forests. Some of these I’d already booked.

The club is a great service for travelers. They can use the Internet, meet other travelers, read postings on the bulletin
board, get advice and participate in clubhouse events. 

They can get trip-planning advice, info on places to
stay, hard-to-find maps and books, assistance locating guides, info on
adventure vacation outfitters, and the all-important networking and socializing with
other travelers.

Anyone can join. The membership fee is $50. Members come from 42
countries and range in age from 6 to 97. I would guess that most are traveling on a budget. And not a Bill Gates one. 

If you’re heading to South America, you can call SAE in advance, toll-free: 1-800-274-0568.

Photo: Ellen Perlman. Side street in Quito.