Canadian Nomad

We made our way from Zihuatanejo to San Pedro, it was a 36 hour trip. Once we arrived in San Pedro we quickly realized it was not the place for us. After staying one night in San Pedro we made an early departure to Caye Caulker. The second my foot hit the dock I knew I was where I should be. Kyle and I got settled at Tina’s Hostel, and then I made my way out for a walk. I got quite a bit of attention from the guys in town, and it was actually quite refreshing knowing what they were saying opposed to being in Mexico and having no clue. While I was on my walk I made friends with a local who pointed out some great spots for good eats and just good fun. He suggested I go to the Lazy Lizard for the sunset. Kyle and I proceeded to do so.

Once we got the Lazy Lizard we decided to go our separate ways, as it is easier to meet people that way. I was quickly noticed by an Aussie guy who brought me over to his group of friend he had made. We chatted for a while, made some other friends and headed back to the hostel for a few more drinks. It was a really amazing night. I became very close with one of the guys I met the night before, Erik, and we decided to do a tour together. We took the full day tour with Raggamuffin Tours (more…)

Tags: Caye Caulker, Guatemala, Manatees, Moray Eel, Raggamuffin Tours, Rum Punch, San Pedro, Socializing, Sting Ray, Tina's Hostel, Travel
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I just finished reading “Life Nomadic” by Tynan and it was a great read. I find it really sad how many people are out there and they are so scared. The world is not a scary place. I’m sure there are some parts a little more frightening than others, but all in all the world is not a scary or dangerous place. Yes, I admit I was scared to first get on the plane alone and venture down here but, there is so much to see and to do. People who never leave their country or the “safety” of a resort are sheltered. They want to travel to a different country but they think resorts are the way to do it, because anywhere else would be too risky. I love Canada, it’s an amazing place to live. But if I have the opportunity to see the rest of the world, I’m going to take it. I’m going to live in an apartment where I have to wash my own clothes, cook outside, and the water runs cold unless you wait for the heat of the day so the sun warms it. It may sound terrible to some, but it’s a great life. I have a hammock down the center of my dining room, where I can write, work, hangout or just sleep.

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
-St. Augustine

I grew up with parents who love to travel. My mom would never book a vacation at a resort. She would dig and dig and dig until she found a place that looked perfect. Sometimes, yes it would be a hotel. But never a big hotel that you can find anywhere, she would find something quaint and simple. In Thailand she found this amazing place where we stayed in floating raft houses. It was a string of little huts floating in the middle of a gigantic beautiful blue lake. There was a central area for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but other than that… nothing. She likes to find places out of the “norm”. Maybe that’s why I enjoy travelling like this. Or maybe it’s because I can go for a walk on the beach and see a little boy with a can of coke with fishing string wrapped around it and using it as a fishing pole or sit for hours with a Mexican “surfer dude” and talk for hours. You may love where you’re at at home, but you could be missing out on so much more away from home. If you had the chance to do it, to just go. Would you? If yes, then anything you say is just an excuse because you’re afraid.

Tags: Fear, Fishing, Floating Raft House, Getting Away, Hotel, Life Nomadic, Safety, Thailand, Travel
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My first two weeks in Zihuatanejo have been a blast. After working through the Olympics, seven days a week and taking the odd night shift at the bar it’s nice to kick back and relax. It’s exciting knowing that the first apartment I’ve ever rented is in Mexico. The kitchen is outside on the patio, along with a hammock down the center of our dining room. We wake up to the sounds of the parrot downstairs cackling then screaming bloody murder.

Kyle has introduced me to a bunch of locals who I get along really well with. They have taken us out to many popular events and local bars. Thus far, we’ve been to an outdoor concert on the beach, a fishing tournament in town where they are catching Marlin and the anniversary of a bar opening. Also, I have seen many beaches since I’ve been here, my favorite was Barra De Potosi.

I have been reluctant to go out on my own for fear of getting lost. Though, the other day Kyle gave me a grocery shopping list and booted me out the door. To my surprise it wasn’t as scary as I thought and I did not get lost once! I came home pleased to tell Kyle that I made it back in one piece and did not break down crying at any point in my travels.

On Sundays almost the entire town shuts down, so Kyle and I decided to go adventure. We found a huge staircase that looked like an exciting challenge for us to climb. Also, after the lunch we had we could afford to do some cardio! Once we climbed to the top of the stairs we found a cute little village. The village was very poor; their homes had dirt floors, sheets for doors and a bush outside as the washroom. Kyle asked one of the men living in the village to show us where the best view would be. We trekked through the bush and up the hill to a clearing where you could see the bay of Zihuatanejo, La Noria, Las Gatas and much more. It was absolutely stunning. Afterwards we insisted that we buy our new found friend Jose a beer, we would have never found that lookout if it weren’t for him.

Tags: Beaches, explore, Zihuatanejo
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