There are a lot of things the tropics are good for, writing isn’t one of them so far. Weathers great, foods good, pace is laid back. But everything seems to be trying to kill you.
Any period of time out surfing sees the sun burning you from above, your board trying to hit you in the face, and the sneaky rocks below cutting your knees. I hope my brief bleeding on the way out didn’t attract a shark for the others. And yet I’ve gotta go back for more.
I won’t mention driving conditions because so far its only second hand info. It’s to hot and humid to focus…
Flew into liberia costa rica yesterday after a night in Texas. My little iPod touch is all I’ve got so updates will probably be a bit shorter.
8am in the little hostel now, and were all gonna head out surfing a bit later. Coming straight from a canadian winter my goal is to not get sunburned the first day. Avoiding crocodiles while surfing the river break would also be nice.
So I tried to make change for a 10000 (20$) colones bill yesterday so I bought a couple bottles of water at the airport. That was a terrible idea, I soon found out when I got less than 10$ change. some things are the same everywhere.
Moving sucks. I have a ridiculously small amount of things, but it is still way too much. It is always too much. Moving out of an apartment and having it take more than a couple hours annoys me.
I am a firm believer in Minimalistic travel. I probably take less on a 6 month trip that most people take away for the weekend. Everything I care about is in my small carry on backpack which never leaves me. Never stored with luggage below a bus, always beside my head in hostel dorm bunk beds. Passport, wallet, camera, ipod. If my main average sized backpack of clothes disappears in a Bangkok bus station its not that big of a deal. Its this type of situation that taught me that 7-11 sells decent t shirts.
Random tip: In sketchy places always carry your passport and wallet in your front jean pockets, or risk looking like a nerdy tourist with your travel pouch. In general anything advertising yourself as a lost tourist will attract the wrong kind of attention. Being 6’4” and white in Asia would fall under this category…
My latest skill to learn from the internet. Surfing inside a barrel.
In 2011 I learned to become an intermediate level snowboarder after a few youtube videos and 5 or so trips to the mountain. When I arrived at the level of carving straight down the blue runs, landing average jumps, and dodging trees in the glade’s deep powder it was time to move on.
Something I absolutely discourage is learning to rappel without professional guidance. I was trained in rock climbing and belaying, but rounded out rappel specific techniques on the internet. I am all about back up plans, always. If I don’t have one prearranged I will make one at the slightest hint of trouble. Whether its a broken down car in Mexico, or a blizzard canceling all flights out of New York, or catching a snowboard edge while cruising at 70km/h I am quick to adapt. This is why rappelling is horribly dangerous in my personal opinion. There is no chance to grab tree branches, or dive roll at the bottom, if anything goes wrong beyond your device and equipment failsafes thats it. After the major 50ft Ammonite falls rappel, and 100ft little mountain overhang where we didn’t know if the rope went all the way to ground (this is why you always tie a knot in the end so you don’t drop off the bottom) I was more or less done with this sport unless the skill is required in the future. Its a handy back up plan in itself.
Always seek professional guidance, and plan your escape route.
So that was 2011 this is 2012. Hopefully my wakeboarding and snowboarding skills will somewhat help me achieve my surfing goals quicker. I’m sure surfers will tell me its impossible and it will take years, its worth a try anyways maybe I’ll get hooked and stay years. I have surfed several times on the west coast of Canada so I have some sort of base. I am so looking forward to the warm Costa Rican water this weekend.
A well travelled friend of mine had a great recommendation to organize the travel section into interactive sections based on regions. So this is it. Where better to start than right here on Vancouver Island. If anyone is an expert on this area we all are.
Ammonite Falls, Tofino beaches, Horne Lake Caves…
If you need an escape from the office, check out the new: Best of Vancouver Island section for some west coast escapes. Maybe you’re planning something to do Saturday afternoon, or you’re more like me and looking for something random to do at 10pm on a thursday.
What I should be doing: packing, or emptying out my apartment, or applying for jobs.
What I am doing: drinking coffee, listening to music without autotune, writing random stuff, planning and spending time with awesome people.
Significantly cut some days off my countdown to bankruptcy clock by hanging out with the K man last night. Crazy Davey, Marcus and The Boss joined in, with our favorite teacher chaperoning. The bachelor party in Vegas is upcoming, as if we needed Dirty Barry, AK47’s and gambling thrown into the mix.
I wish I could draw, cause I’d do some really goofy picture of these unlikely characters. Either because I have faith in your imagination, or I am far too lazy to elaborate I will leave it as is.
After adding descriptions to my own favorite places list I got bored. I want to know where your favourite places are. Is it a country, or a local coffee shop, or a desert oasis, or a waterfall at a certain time of year? Or just somewhere you’ve always wanted to go?
Don’t worry, If I quit a job and irresponsibly travel to Iowa to check out your recommended hang out spot I probably won’t hold you responsible.
If you get bored during that lecture, Leave a comment or send me a message!
