May
07

52 Toe Touches Around the World.

I guess I should start by welcoming all the new readers to my blog. My blog has experienced some crazy exposure thanks to a post featured on Mashable “Acrobatic Blogger Puts Your Travel Photos to Shame” and other major publications. So hello there & welcome to Breakaway Backpacker. I just got home from a 2 year backpacking trip around the world and am currently working to save and do it all over again. Even though I am home at the moment I still have a lot of stories to share so will continue to do so. I recently answered some of the most common questions I get in a series of three post: “Random statistics from a 2 year backpacking trip around the world.” – “How much do it cost to travel the world for 2 years?” – “Finally, my answers to all your questions about my RTW trip & random things.“. Be sure to check them out and let me know what you think.  If you want to know more about me check my “About Me” page or just browse through the blog, but for now though lets talk “Toe Touches”!!!

I only now just realized that this is the first time I share all my “Toe Touch” photos on my blog. I normally only post them in my “Toe Touch” album on my Facebook Fanpage. You have seen 20 of them on Mashable, but will now see all my “Toe Touch” photos from around the world exclusively on Breakaway Backpacker along with some insight on how it all started and my thoughts.

I vividly remember how it all started. I was only two months in to my travels, on a volcano boarding tour in Nicaragua (where I almost died) and the tour guide stopped us all at the top of the volcano to get a jumping photo. I jumped, but he was not impressed and made me do it again. Still unimpressed, I decided to do a jump he probably hadn’t seen many people do and bam! He caught my 1st toe touch photo. I posted it on my Facebook Fanpage, and everyone loved it! I got such a good response and it looked so great that I knew I’d be doing these toe touches all over the world.

Because much of the time I travel solo, the hardest thing though was getting complete strangers to take the photos for me. They would look at me very puzzled and wonder why on Earth I would do a photo of me doing this. I remember sometimes I would have to ask the stranger to take several shots, because they were not able to get it right. Not only that, but sometimes it was embarrassing to do the “Toe Touch” in front of very iconic locations, because people all around would just stare. I remember a few times having to make space (yes I asked people to move) so that I can do my “Toe Touch” with out hitting anyone. I look through all 52 photos and laugh because I remember every single one of them and they each have a unique story. I have posted all 52 photos along with links to post that I have written that are relevant with the location of the “Toe Touch”.

1. Volcano Cerro Negro in Leon, Nicaragua

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

Volcano Boarding in Leon, Nicaragua

2. Mayan Ruins of Copan Ruinas, Honduras

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

My 1st ruins… The Copan Ruins!!!

3. Volcano Pacaya in Guatemala

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

4. Mayan Ruins of Palenque, Mexico

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

Ruins, Rivers & Waterfalls in Palenque!

5. Mayan Ruins of Tikal, Guatemala

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

Guatemala Highlights & Tips.

6. Mayan Ruins of Chichen Itza, Mexico

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

7. Top of The Nohoch Mul pyramid at the Mayan ruins of Coba in Mexico.

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

8. Mayan ruins of Coba in Mexico.

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

9. Akumal Beach in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

My brothers beautiful destination wedding in Playa del Carmen.

10. La Presidencia of Gral. Teran, Mexico

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

Visiting a town that is basically run by drug cartels.

11. Skyline of Houston, TX

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

My Best Friends Wedding!!!

12. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

What does Paris taste like?

13. Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

14. Musee du Louvre in Paris, France

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

I bet they’re all jealous of “Mona Lisa”?

15. Atomium in Brussels, Belgium

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

Golden Showers in Brussels!!!

The 2nd time I’ve cried on the road…

16. Amsterdam, Netherlands

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

Segway tour of Amsterdam!!!

Shrooms, Pride & Good Times in Amsterdam!!!

17. Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

How it feels to be blind.

The hospitality of my readers and how we partied in Hamburg!

Camping in Northern Germany & a quick visit to Denmark!

Bad Boy in Berlin.

18. Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) in Prague, Czech Republic

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

24hrs in Prague and mission was accomplished!

19. Covered in Tomatoes after La Tomatina in Bunol, Spain

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

My thoughts on La Tomatina!

My tips for La Tomatina!!!

20. City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, Spain

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

A week in Valencia & we did nothing…

Tapas, Tapas & more Tapas in Spain!!!

21. Chefchaouen, Morocco

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

My 1st 48hrs in Africa (Chefchaouen, Morocco).

Chefchaouen, a town with a million shades of blue in photos.

For a minute I was actually going to go home…

22. Sahara Desert in Merzouga, Morocco

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

An open letter to the Sahara Desert.

A Sahara Desert expedition in photos.

23. Es Vedra in Ibiza, Spain

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

4 for 4 – 4 cities 4 naught encounters!

Corrida de Toros… Spanish tradition or animal cruelty?

It’s 4:38pm… on a Wednesday in Ibiza.

Ibiza in November.

24. Burano, Italy

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

 Getting lost in Venice in photos.

25. David in Florence, Italy

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

The most beautiful nude man in the world.

26. Leaning Tower of Pisa in Pisa, Italy

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

 Being dirty with the Leaning Tower of Pisa…

27. Colosseum in Rome, Italy

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

A tragic yet amazing Thanksgiving in Rome!

Popping my Italian Gelato Cherry!

28. St. Peters Basilica in Vatican City

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

29. The Parthenon in Athens, Greece

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

What I’ve been up to in Athens.

30. Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

Happy New Years from Istanbul, Turkey!!!

This is how I spent my New Years in Istanbul, Turkey!!!

31. Library of Celsus in Ephesus, Turkey

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

 A short adventure to Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia, Turkey in photos.

32. Hot Springs and Travertines of Pamukkale, Turkey

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

33. Cappadocia, Turkey

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

34. Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) in Istanbul, Turkey

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

Istanbul Dreaming…

35. Great Pyramids of Giza in Giza, Egypt

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

 Living a childhood dream… visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza!!!

Witnessing history first hand in Egypt.

36. Sahara Desert in Siwa Oasis, Egypt

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

A visit to the Sahara Desert again (this time in Egypt) in photos.

37.Sunset at the Sahara Desert in Siwa Oasis, Egypt

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

38. Temple of Ramsess II near Aswan, Egypt

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

Temples of Abu Simbel & Philae in Photos.

39.Temple of Nefretiri near Aswan, Egypt

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

40.Temple of Philae in Aswan, Egypt

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

Meet Elephantine Island (my new love) in photos.

41. Temple of Karnak in Luxor, Egypt

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

A view of Luxor the Pharaohs didn’t even have.

42. Deir el Bahari Temple in Luxor, Egypt

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

A backpacker on a 5 star luxury nile cruise.

43. Medinet Habu Temple in Luxor, Egypt

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

 Diary of a 2nd class train ride in Egypt.

44. Tahrir Sq. in Cairo, Egypt

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

A side of Tahrir Square media/news do not want you to see – in photos.

Cairo, revolution street art in photos.

A Gay date through the streets of Cairo.

The Last Goodbye.

60 images from Tahrir Sq. after the historical announcement of Egypt’s new President.

My thoughts on visiting “Garbage City” in Cairo, Egypt!

Photos from Cairo on the 2nd Anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution. 

45. Pyramid of Djoser (Step Pyramid) in the Saqqara Necropolis, Egypt

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

Why you should visit the “OTHER” pyramids & how.

46. Bent Pyramid

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

47. Bahá’í House of Worship in New Delhi, India

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

New to India in New Delhi.

An intense Holi experience in Mathura.

The Sex Temples of Kajuharo in photos.

Diary of a 31 hour train ride from Mumbai to New Delhi.

48. Taj Mahal in Agra, India

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

Visiting the one thing I knew was in India the Taj Mahal.

My $1 haircut in India!!!

The worst toilet experience of my life (so far)!!!

The Kerala Backwaters by houseboat (an experience no one should miss).

49. Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, India

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

Ruins of Hampi in photos.

My experience volunteering in India.

Faces of India in photos.

Oh India I hate you… I hate you not!

50. Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

 A 9 day layover in Istanbul in photos.

51. Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) in Istanbul, Turkey

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

52. Off an Elephant in Chiang Mai, Thailand

TOE TOUCH AROUND THE WORLD

 15 days in the paradise island of Koh Tao in photos.

My failed attempt at Scuba Diving in Koh Tao, Thailand.

My experience and thoughts on riding elephants in Chiang Mai.

I have been doing it for over 2 years now just for the sake of my blog, because I knew my fans liked it. I think it’s something very unique and uncommon and also very ‘me’. I plan to continue to do them as I explore more of the world. I hope you enjoyed the shots along with the related posts, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. If you would like you can also follow my adventure on Facebook and Twitter where I share even more random thoughts and tidbits of my life. Oh & my love for Kelly Clarkson as well. Be sure to come back on Thursday where I will share photos of what a passport looks like after two years of travel. Thanks again for stopping by and if you have a question please don’t hesitate to ask, I reply to every comment I receive.

I hope you share your thoughts below.

PREVIOUS IN PHOTOS

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Comments

  1. Amazing. I think I like the one covered in tomatoes the most.
    David @ That Gay Backpacker recently posted..An Bang: Hoi An’s lesser known beach

    • Jaime Davila says:

      Thanks David! I remember thinking I was going to die that die, because La Tomatina is seriously one of the craziest festivals I have ever attended.

  2. That’s a really nice collection. And I thought I was taking good photos on the road. Good stuff.
    Tate recently posted..May 1st is labor day and you should have been off

  3. Man you are FIT!!
    Zara @ Backpack ME recently posted..Roadrunner.. The Coyote’s After You!

    • Really!
      I dance several hours a week and I’m far from able to do that!

    • Jaime Davila says:

      Ja Zara, I wish I was. I’ve gained the weight I lost on the road back, now that I am home. The good thing is I can still do my toe touches and will keep doing them.

  4. I am highly impressed by the number of awesome places you have been to! I love travel as well, and I try and go to at least 2 new places a year (which, compared to you, is nothing, I know!)

    Looking forward to reading more of your stories from your travels across the world! 🙂
    Sanjana recently posted..The Mystical and the Mythical

    • Jaime Davila says:

      Thank you so much Sanjana, even if you can travel a bit that is good. It’s a shame a lot of people don’t like to travel, but hey it’s not for everyone. So where you going to next?

      Glad you are going to follow along. I have a lot of stories left to tell.

  5. Amazing! Love these shots, and that you’re able to touch your toes while jumping in the air – we could never do that 🙂 Keep the toe touches coming!!

    • Jaime Davila says:

      EEEEeeee thanks y’all!!! Looks like I need to get ready for some toe-touches all over NYC when I arrive. Glad I won’t have to ask strangers to take my photos. I will have y’all!!!

  6. So awesome Jaime! I love that I was there for the Valencia one and sort of there for the Tomatina one!
    Ali recently posted..Weekly Photo – Carcassonne Castle

    • Jaime Davila says:

      Thanks so much Ali, I know crazy that now all those pics are getting recognized. Hope we meet again and are able to take more…lol!!!

  7. Wow. Well done. I like the wrap up of the whole thing, too. Thanks for adding the related posts, too. The looks on some bystanders’ faces are pricless.

    Did touching your toes get easier over time?
    Carmel recently posted..FINDING MY VOICE

    • Jaime Davila says:

      THanks so much Carmel and I’m glad you enjoyed the wrap up! The faces of by standers are priceless in some photos. It’s always been easy for me to do them, but in some place I struggled. Like if I was wearing jeans or it was freezing cold or just couldn’t get the shot with my camera.

  8. Great to see the full set and the related posts! Can’t wait to see more of your toe touches around the world 🙂
    Adam recently posted..The Diversity of Spain

    • Jaime Davila says:

      Thanks Adam, I hope to share more while I’m visiting Toronto and NYC. I can’t wait to be back on the road full time though… to take many more!

  9. Seriously.. this is so awesome! Normally we’d jump random jumps but I like that you kept it to a specific one. If I scroll down fast enough, it’s like a flip book. LOL. My favorite is la tomatina where you’re covered in tomatoes. lol
    Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted..An Unexpected Career Path

    • Jaime Davila says:

      Thanks Kieu, yeah I always did a toe touch. Oh & if I put the photos I have in sequence you can actually seem jump up and down in front of everything. It’s so cool. I need to work on that. La Tomatina was a crazy experience…lol!

  10. Woooww!!! You did the jump in all the places you went! I actually tried to do the same jump three weeks ago in a botanical garden in the outskirts of Jakarta. But the next morning I found it hard to walk properly. :p Nice shots!
    Bama recently posted..The Uneasy History of the Tao

    • Jaime Davila says:

      Oh Bama, yes sometimes it hurt me too the next day. Sometimes I wouldn’t stretch before doing it and yeah would be in pain the next day!

  11. ahahahaha amazing! love them all but my favouite is the one with the elephant! 🙂
    kle recently posted..Koh Tao: The Amazing sunsets Island!

  12. Awesome photos of your toe touches around the world. I’d have to say I really dig the ones you snapped in Egypt the best 🙂

    Thanks for sharing.

  13. That is hilarious and so funny! You should’ve put them into video as Matt did and get toe touches around the world on youtube 🙂

    • Jaime Davila says:

      Thanks & I have actually thought about putting them in video. I need to go ahead and do that. I’ve just been so damn busy.

  14. Great jump! Just remember not to lean forward too much and to look up and smile! It always cheers up the jump!
    Craig L. Phillips recently posted..No last blog posts to return.

  15. These photos are amazing! I love the tomato one, and the Blue Mosque. You make it look so effortless, and you’re making me feel like I want to develop some signature move! I wonder what it could be…

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