Engineers who quit careers and moved to South America, tell your stories

I haven't done this, but am considering 3 months in Uruguay in the first half of next year (keeping the career).

Interested in any replies people might have.

Nothing too wild or "permanent" but I've spent about 6 months total in South America (Ecuador and Colombia) and Mexico on separate occasions after quitting and being fired from different jobs.

The only "story" really coming to mind right now is about a Chilean individual who told me something like "Colombia isn't in South America, it's not until you get into northern Chile to where you're really in South America!" I personally disagree and just kind of laugh and shake my head thinking about that person.

The passenger shuttle/busses (especially overnight) in South Am. have always seemed really unsafe and scary to me - that's another laugh and shake head.

What would motivate someone to do this? Is it just because they can't make any money and "south America is cheap", or are there other reasons?