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Episode 2 of our video series documenting our 3 month vagabonding adventure to and through Costa Rica. In this episode: We fly from Hollywood, Florida to San José, Costa Rica and make our way to the city of Ciudad Colón, where we spend our first couple nights CouchSurfing with one of our favorite families in the world. See more
I was contacted by a production company working on a documentary about life on the road. I'm excited to be given the opportunity to help share this amazing lifestyle. The possibilities of reaching greater audience and giving a broader view of what "home" is and the many options of what it could be. They've asked us to share their casting call with the van dwelling community. Interested? Here's what you need to know: See more
We recently returned from a life-altering 3 month trip backpacking to and through Costa Rica. We did our best to capture many of our experiences during this adventure. What was it like to pack up and travel to another country with no plan, limited money, limited research, and whole bunch of nerves? Follow along as we share our Costa Rica Chronicle video series over the course of the next several weeks. In this segment, we share our thoughts and highlights as we prepared to leave and began the first leg of our trip to Costa Rica: Over 24 hours of continuous bus & train travel from Greensboro, North Carolina to Hollywood, Florida. See more
At Compañeros Cacao Farm in San Clemente, I am once again reminded of the simple pleasures in life. Rain pelting a tin roof has to be among my top ten. There's a strange calming effect emitted by the continual white noise that fills every space in the house. As I sink deeper into bed and closer toward sleep, I feel as though I've become one with the ebb and flow of the clouds' tears. The rain continues to sing its lullaby throughout the night as it varies intensity; creating soothing tones and rhythmic pitch changes. What a strange feeling it was to be lulled to sleep by the night's rain only to be jolted awake at 4AM by its voracious screams as mother nature opened her skies to let it pour down on our roof all at once. The sound was deafening, yet oddly calming at the same time. See more
Pulled to the ocean early in the morning around 1:00 am, I found myself almost completely alone. Sitting on the sand with a palm tree stump at my back, I could sense even before it was physically validated, I wasn't the only one awake. Only sighting a male walking alone and busy texting away, I was the only human enjoying this section of the beach. So for the most part I was left in peace and only interrupted on occasion by the neighboring hotel security guard making his rounds, and a few passing cars. It was a bonding time for me, the ocean, the moon, as well as the sand beneath my feet. See more
Once again, my morning began at an hour far too early for my vagabonding standards. I crawled out of bed and out of the mosquito netting to leave Meisha fast asleep. After a bit of coffee and a quick breakfast, Clay and I left the house to meet our fishing guide at the Estero Negro River. Slathered in sunscreen in anticipation of a very warm day, we walked down the dusty 500 meters of road from Clay’s cacao farm out to the highway. As we met the highway, the rain met us. If there’s one thing that moves quickly here in Costa Rica, it’s the rain.
Within minutes, a slow drizzle became a veritable downpour. We trudged on as canceling wasn’t an option. Edgar was paddling 2 hours downriver to meet us where the river meets the Caribbean Sea. Cell phones weren’t an option, so this trip was going to happen, despite the weather. See more
After a few quick email exchanges via CouchSurfing, we jumped on the bus with our Czech friend Michal to go meet a (mostly) total stranger in San José for some coffee and urban exploration. Upon our arrival, we stepped out of the Puriscal Bus Terminal to see Mariano waiting there for us on his trusty little blue Fiat. Curbside pickup. Right on 🙂 As we drove to find a good parking spot, we got to know each other a bit and Mariano explained the disorganized driving habits of Central America to us. Mariano found a suitable spot and as we started to head toward Avenida Central, he was stopped by a "watchy man" (an under-the-table person who keeps an eye on your car if you pay him... if not, not guarantee of what might happen). He paid the watchy man and we moved on. See more
The sun had barely cracked the horizon, its warm glow moving down the adjacent slope of the Rio Quebrada Honda valley as we rolled out of bed. While rubbing my eyes and peering out the hazy window at the early morning spectacle I begin to wonder, "Why did we sign up for this again? Oh yeah... volcano." It seems as though the very word was designed to suck the interest of anyone who dared glance at a Lonely Planet Guide. We stumbled into some CouchSurfing friends the night before and as soon as the word was mentioned, it sounded good to us and we agreed to meet up and go together. Luckily our bags were pre-packed and limited clothing makes for limited selection time. We rouse Michal, the Czech CouchSurfer staying in the room next door. Out the door and down the road. See more
You pull into a nice quiet and dark parking lot. There are only a few cars around and one semi truck. The business looks closed and it seems like a fine place to hunker down for the night. You climb into the back, get your comfy clothes on and whip out the sleeping bag. Memories of the day and excitement for tomorrow’s adventures float through your head as you drift off to sleep. Just as Mr. Sandman begins to guide you through tonight’s dream journey, a Maglite taps the glass. You jerk up and your heart skips a beat. Adrenaline. Short breaths. You attempt to gather your thoughts as you wipe the fog from the glass. On the other side is a man in uniform and he wants to talk to you much more than you want to talk to him.
No self-respecting van dweller wants to find themselves in this type of situation, but unfortunately, it’s an unavoidable fact of van life... OR IS IT? If you’re thinking about living and/or traveling in your vehicle (or if you just want to know what it’s like for us), this post is for you... See more
