After jetting around in Europe, where I spent an average of 1 week per city, I decided to take it even slower in Central and South America. After all, the visa is easier here. I mean I get 90 days for Schengen which is for 24 countries, while I get at least 30 days per country in those that I can go to here.

First time in Central America. I was not totally surprised but it was still curious to observe the striking similarity to the Philippines. The churches, the plaza, the market โ€” I could very well be in one of the provinces, with the differences being (1) weather โ€“I thought itโ€™s summer in Costa Rica? Itโ€™s freaking 16 degrees in the morning and 10 in the evening, but about 25 during mid-day. And (2) that I donโ€™t understand them (language barrier which I hope to overcome in time).

National Theatre

Teatro Nacional

 

Hosteling in San Jose, Costa Rica

I took a volunteer post at a hostel in San Jose, Costa Rica. I just find it amazing how random I can be on this trip! I originally plan to get a short-term apartment but thought it would be boring to live alone in a city where I know nobody. So the hostel gig seems like a good idea for now. Most likely Iโ€™ll be spending Christmas and New Years Eve here. While Iโ€™m here, I also hope to learn Spanish and dance salsa.

HOSTELING LIFE

hosteling life

On my first day volunteering, after pushing the snooze button for the last time, I got out of bed, wondering if I was crazy taking a โ€œjobโ€ that makes me wake up so early, 6:00am. I make the coffee and set the breakfast buffet. I could be sent to buy bananas, bread, butter, detergent, or whatever. When breakfast ends at 9:30am, I clean up and go change bed sheets emptied by the guests.

For lack of better term, I say it feels a little funny, as I never had to do these chores in my life. I had made (significantly) more beds in 4 days, than whole of my life combined. I can now add domesticated in my list of characteristics. I suppose this is character building.

My agreement with the management is that I would volunteer for at least a month. I donโ€™t get money, only bed & breakfast in exchange for 4 half-day work (20 hours/week).ย Then I have 3 days to do whatever. San Jose is the capital and in the middle of Costa Rica, so itโ€™s just as well since wherever you want to go, you have to start in San Jose.

I stay in the staff room that is nowย livable. They sent the cleaning lady to clean it and I made sure I was there to super, haha. I even bought all cleaning and bleaching stuff to clean off the disgusting stains in the toilet and sink. Right now, you can almost sleep in there. If only I can send for Darlina.

MAKE BED

i made this bed on my first day

The management and I had one week to quit each other. After a few days of getting up so early (and other stuff), I thought of giving up. But I like the people who works in the hostel. This is the reason why I decided to stay put in one place. Iโ€™m not melancholic but I thought I may want to spend Christmas or New Years Eve with people I know for more than 24 hours.

Itโ€™s also really interesting being in the hostel with stream of different people coming in and out. Sometimes I feel like in a sitcom and having weird characters as guest stars. I have many hostel guest stories that better be told when Iโ€™m already out of the hostel.

Finally, Iโ€™ve also come to peace at being the runner-girl. At least I get the walking exercise Iโ€™m used to. I didnโ€™t sign up to run the business after all.

 

Future Plans

Central America wasnโ€™t part of the plan, but I am happy to be here. I was looking for flights to Colombia or Brazil but they were all so expensive. But after chatting with other travelers, I finally have a route! Backpackers here basically go the same way in opposite direction, as with Asia or Europe. I just donโ€™t know about it because Latin America is exotic to us. ย Anyway, here it is below

Costa Rica >> Panama >> Colombia >> Brazil >> Bolivia >> Peru >> Ecuador. Iโ€™ve no ticket yet, but I will book the first few legs soon.

 

Six Months and Still Amazing

It is over six months since I started this trip and Iโ€™m amazed myself that itโ€™s still amazing. I believe that the change in scenery is a great boost and renewed my energy. Latin America is so colorful and so upbeat, so friendly and so positive. I expected the weather to be warmer, but itโ€™s warm during mid-day.

And while I saw amazing things in Europe, in here Iโ€™m going to experience amazing things. I will travel by planes, buses, boats. ย The journey is going to be fabulous.ย ย Stay with me!