The last blog: Gained Travel Knowledge
Door: Sjoukje
Blijf op de hoogte en volg Sjoukje
11 Januari 2017 | Nederland, Leiderdorp
Home sweet home amigos!
After a 28h during travel, with a beautiful stop in Madrid to discover the city (recommended! - wearing sandals in wintertime in Madrid: not recommended) I can officially say I'm back.
In this episode I'll deal with your frequently asked questions, I'll summarize the highs and lows of my trip, and Aunt Sjoukje will give you some travel advice for if I made you too jealous and you wanna do a travel yourself as well.
Frequently asked questions:
1) How do you deal with dirty / uncomfortable conditions?
Let's see... This is what Western tourists want:
This is how you want a hostel: a firm mattress, a metal bed frame (against bed bugts), curtains, light in a room, kitchen (preferably equipped), living room, helpful staff (You see... I don't need a pool, a movie area and A/C. Somehow most hostels prefer this above good basics. Best hostel? Casa Mariposa in San Gerardo).
This is how you want a buss:a responsible driver, enough seats, seats with enough space for your legs so you are able to sit, windows, space for your bags without the chance that they will be stolen, silence (no Spanish cry-music or preaching shouting Jesus-men).
This is how you want a supermarket:meat in the fridge, neutral smell, prices on products and the availability of vegetables.
And this is how it is NOT: ALL ABOVE! Out of your comfort zone it is! Deal with it!
2) How is traveling alone?
Challenging and amazing. I feet really courageous and proud that I did this by myself. The freedom, the amazing people you meet to travel with... Not many people are traveling alone, but somehow you always end up with them! Is that having luck, or normal while traveling? :) The disadvantages? Sharing your experiences is difficult. You constantly have to introduce yourself again to new people, and if you are worrying or in a difficult situation, you have to figure out that yourself. Depending on my mood, sometimes I really wished I wasn't alone, and sometimes I couldn't get enough of the freedom. I can honestly say that Skype and whats-app calls saved me.
3) Isn't it dangerous there?
Well... I'm still alive, I'm not raped, and all I lost this travel was my toothbrush, my watch (my fault), my head lamp (I can live with the idea that I saved the life of one of my fellow travelers who can now see during night), tie rips (to secure my bag) and 1 earring. Dangerous? Por supuesto!
4) How was the culture/nature/time-zone shock when you came back?
Quickly summarized, it's fucking freezing here. And I'm suddenly allowed to trow my toilet paper in the toilet instead of in a bin, which is really confusing.
Highs and Lows:
- worst natural experience: hurricane Otto freaked me out. And those lovely mosquitoes aren't my best friends either.
- worst personal experience: being ill in a tent in the middle of nowhere is not recommendable.
- worst transport experience: the 3.5h during border crossing / changing flight schedules without communication to me.
- Favourite country: Costa Rica because of its stunning nature and Nicaragua because of its friendly people.
- Favourite beach: playa Zapatilla (panama)
- Favourite national park: Cahuita (Costa Rica) and Monte Verde (Costa Rica)
- Favourite hike: Cerro Chirripo (Costa Rica)
- Favourite volcano: Telica (Nicaragua)
- Favourite travel partner: y'all guys! You are amazing! (Just to make sure my new made friends won't turn into new made enemies)
Aunt Sjoukje's Travel Tips:
- Download maps.me (it saves you when getting lost, and it knows EVERYTHING!)
- Don't think you can do this without a lonely planet (like I did... and I borrowed those guide books from everybody in any language available. Trust me, you need it, Internet is much less reliable -but tripadvisor is a nice backup-).
- pack your backpack smart (and don't take a trolley!). My backpack was way too large. This is not a big disaster but it can be really annoying. After this travel I would have packed so different. Ask advice to experienced travelers -and really listen to it...-.
- Learn the local language. It makes everything much easier, and locals really appreciate it. They are much more friendly if you try.
- Travel with at least a debit and (preferably multiple (as well Visa ánd Mastercard)) credit cards. Take also multiple USB-sticks with you (sharing experiences, making backups, be careful with viruses).
- Book a one way flight, or at least a flight from different destinations. It gives you much more freedom.
- Make thousands of pictures and keep a (limited) diary. You'll love it when you are back.
And now you tell me: | yes aunt Sjoukje, I'll do that", forget everything I just said and make your own crazy amazing experiences with all the mistakes belong to them.
See you soon!
THE END
After a 28h during travel, with a beautiful stop in Madrid to discover the city (recommended! - wearing sandals in wintertime in Madrid: not recommended) I can officially say I'm back.
In this episode I'll deal with your frequently asked questions, I'll summarize the highs and lows of my trip, and Aunt Sjoukje will give you some travel advice for if I made you too jealous and you wanna do a travel yourself as well.
Frequently asked questions:
1) How do you deal with dirty / uncomfortable conditions?
Let's see... This is what Western tourists want:
This is how you want a hostel: a firm mattress, a metal bed frame (against bed bugts), curtains, light in a room, kitchen (preferably equipped), living room, helpful staff (You see... I don't need a pool, a movie area and A/C. Somehow most hostels prefer this above good basics. Best hostel? Casa Mariposa in San Gerardo).
This is how you want a buss:a responsible driver, enough seats, seats with enough space for your legs so you are able to sit, windows, space for your bags without the chance that they will be stolen, silence (no Spanish cry-music or preaching shouting Jesus-men).
This is how you want a supermarket:meat in the fridge, neutral smell, prices on products and the availability of vegetables.
And this is how it is NOT: ALL ABOVE! Out of your comfort zone it is! Deal with it!
2) How is traveling alone?
Challenging and amazing. I feet really courageous and proud that I did this by myself. The freedom, the amazing people you meet to travel with... Not many people are traveling alone, but somehow you always end up with them! Is that having luck, or normal while traveling? :) The disadvantages? Sharing your experiences is difficult. You constantly have to introduce yourself again to new people, and if you are worrying or in a difficult situation, you have to figure out that yourself. Depending on my mood, sometimes I really wished I wasn't alone, and sometimes I couldn't get enough of the freedom. I can honestly say that Skype and whats-app calls saved me.
3) Isn't it dangerous there?
Well... I'm still alive, I'm not raped, and all I lost this travel was my toothbrush, my watch (my fault), my head lamp (I can live with the idea that I saved the life of one of my fellow travelers who can now see during night), tie rips (to secure my bag) and 1 earring. Dangerous? Por supuesto!
4) How was the culture/nature/time-zone shock when you came back?
Quickly summarized, it's fucking freezing here. And I'm suddenly allowed to trow my toilet paper in the toilet instead of in a bin, which is really confusing.
Highs and Lows:
- worst natural experience: hurricane Otto freaked me out. And those lovely mosquitoes aren't my best friends either.
- worst personal experience: being ill in a tent in the middle of nowhere is not recommendable.
- worst transport experience: the 3.5h during border crossing / changing flight schedules without communication to me.
- Favourite country: Costa Rica because of its stunning nature and Nicaragua because of its friendly people.
- Favourite beach: playa Zapatilla (panama)
- Favourite national park: Cahuita (Costa Rica) and Monte Verde (Costa Rica)
- Favourite hike: Cerro Chirripo (Costa Rica)
- Favourite volcano: Telica (Nicaragua)
- Favourite travel partner: y'all guys! You are amazing! (Just to make sure my new made friends won't turn into new made enemies)
Aunt Sjoukje's Travel Tips:
- Download maps.me (it saves you when getting lost, and it knows EVERYTHING!)
- Don't think you can do this without a lonely planet (like I did... and I borrowed those guide books from everybody in any language available. Trust me, you need it, Internet is much less reliable -but tripadvisor is a nice backup-).
- pack your backpack smart (and don't take a trolley!). My backpack was way too large. This is not a big disaster but it can be really annoying. After this travel I would have packed so different. Ask advice to experienced travelers -and really listen to it...-.
- Learn the local language. It makes everything much easier, and locals really appreciate it. They are much more friendly if you try.
- Travel with at least a debit and (preferably multiple (as well Visa ánd Mastercard)) credit cards. Take also multiple USB-sticks with you (sharing experiences, making backups, be careful with viruses).
- Book a one way flight, or at least a flight from different destinations. It gives you much more freedom.
- Make thousands of pictures and keep a (limited) diary. You'll love it when you are back.
And now you tell me: | yes aunt Sjoukje, I'll do that", forget everything I just said and make your own crazy amazing experiences with all the mistakes belong to them.
See you soon!
THE END
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Je kunt nu ook Smileys gebruiken. Via de toolbar, toetsenbord of door eerst : te typen en dan een woord bijvoorbeeld :smiley
