Across The Final Frontera

Journal Entry
March 24, 2006
Monteverde, Costa Rica


my fearless GAP leader Jemise

The conclusion of my trip has officially begun as I have no crossed my final International border (okay, save for that stop-over in Miami en route home) and now find myself in Costa Rica. The GAP tour is merely 4 days from over and soon I will once again be left ot my own devices to wander the Pacific coastline of Costa Rica. Of course, I have mixed feelings about this. I'm excited to be travelling on my own terms and schedule once again, but the apprehension about setting off alone, that I have faced a few tiems already on this trip, in once again setting in. Again, I find myself slightly worried about whether I'll be able to meet people to travel with. It's a constant mind game when you travel alone and I've had such a varied trip in terms of the periods of self reliant travel mixed with the security of friends, tours or homestay families, that I've found myself stuck in this mind game more times then is normal while away on a solo tour. The truth of it though is that meeting people while away is half the challenge of travelling alone, and more than half the reward.

One thing about this trip that I've enjoyed more than my trip to Europe, as far as meeting poeple is concerned, is the fact that I've met a lot more locals and been able to learn more about life here than just your average tourist trip. On our last night in Ometepe, Maria and I joined Evert, one of our waiters, on the beach for a couple Cuba Libres, after he was done his shift. It was great to be able to practice my Spanish with someone who is native to the island. After Evert left, however, we met Luis, the hotel's night security guard, and that conversation was incredibly interesting. Interesting and, in fact, quite sad. Luis told us about his desire to study more and be something more, like an engineer. unfortunately the reality for 22 year old Luis is nothing more than a fourth grade education (couldn't afford more than that) and a night security position that pays about $40 a week. He's originally from Grenada but had to move to the island to live with his aunt because it's the only place he kind find work and, as he put it, you have to work to eat!

Although I certainly don't have a lot of money by Canadian standards, I do from a world point of view. At least I have the opportunity to travel. It may have taken me 8 months to save for the trip, living with my parents, and still facing a decent credit card bill upon my return home, but I can still do it! Rent in Toronto is outrageous but, provided I'm working, I can pay for it! I am very lucky to be Canadian and to have the family and friends that I have, there is no question about that!

As for the worries I have about setting off alone again, well I just have to remind myself how easy it is to meet people on the road and, even if I shouldn't, Costa Rica is a much easier country to navigate and apparently my Spanish is pretty good, or so some have told me. I know it's at least good enough to get by.