What's an itinerary?

Here's how to travel to _________ for a week! Only have 3 weeks? Here's exactly where to go when you are here:_______!

This is what I'm seeing when I look online and I always stop to think....

What ever happened to discovery? Going to new places on your own without being told? Making your own on-the-go itinerary and being open-minded to change. What about just booking one night and then making your own decisions once you have in fact seen the city and see where you'd like to head to next?    

Sure myself, as well as others, post where I've/they've been and that's perfectly fine! That's the fun part of traveling. Showing your experiences and memories and bringing joy to others while showing this magnificent world that we live in. 

But there's a difference between writing about your exciting trip and telling someone where to go.  

Being excited about your adventure and writing about it is inspiring to others and hopefully makes someone consider going to that country/doing that adventure. 

But I do not want someone else planning my travels!

What about the amazing places you did not experience because you stuck to your set schedule of what you were doing? Or because you did what someone else did? Is that even considered your trip?

This is for all the travelers out there, including myself, who book their plane tickets and go where they want to go! Kudos to you all! There is so much out there to discover and it would be a shame to have any sort of regret coming back from a trip and realizing you missed out on something.

The number one trip I always have in mind was when I went to Bolivia. Before I went there, I had it in my thoughts to return back to Chile as well. I saw the Santiago area during a previous trip but wanted to head out to the northern region since I was close to the area by being in Bolivia.  But I did not want to set a schedule just in case something special that I didn't know about here in the states popped up in Bolivia.

The time came when I was looking to cross the Bolivian border by land into Chile. The weather was so bad that they closed the roads between Bolivia and Chile and I would not be able to make that trip. If I had planned around that, I would have missed out on a lot. So with no plans, I went straight to Peru! A beautiful country I plan on hopefully moving to towards the end of this year/beginning of the next! *Originally I was thinking Brazil---I'm still going back and forth!

If I had planned my whole trip, I would have not soaked in this incredible world wonder!

Machu Picchu, Peru

  If I had stuck to a planned schedule, I would not have had this spectacular view to see for myself. Not just this trip, but all my adventures, in general. There has been at least one thing I never planned on seeing but had learned about while in the country. 

I'm not a tour guide book reader but what I can assume is that I'm sure not everything is written in the guide books. There are some secret places that are yet to be discovered.

And travel is all about discovery!

So how do I travel?

With no plans of course! I book the plane tickets and just for the day of arrival, I book a hostel for one night. That allows me to figure out what I'm going to do next. Or if I need the day to relax (I have yet to use the first day of travel as a day to relax!). Usually I stay there or I move on to different areas, depending on what the area offers. My schedule is very flexible by doing this. Which I highly recommend because plans don't always stick and issues will sometimes arise. Always have to be prepared for anything! Safety and otherwise.

I do:

Research the country--customs, history, points of interest, safety, food, and ways of travel. That's extremely important to me. I like to be 'one' with the country and not an outsider. To experience it like the locals.

This allows me to be my open-minded and adventurous self. It's absolutely thrilling to travel this way, in my opinion. It's not a rushed schedule at all. It's a go at your own pace traveling style. If you need a day of rest. Take it! If you discovered a new area, book the bus ticket! 

You work so hard to make the money to be able to travel and enjoy yourself. Don't you want to make the best of it? 

As for the future, whether I'm single or not, I still see myself traveling this way. I'll settle in certain places longer than others more as I get older if (and hopefully) I move out of the US permanently as an expat. But it definitely won't stop me from seeing this whole world!

So with all this said, go with your heart and gut. Make and follow your own path, not others. It's your life journey. Make it the best you want it to be!

How do you travel?

Sleep and Hostel Etiquette

Lately sleep has been on my mind more often than usual.

 

Mainly because I haven't been getting a full nights sleep for awhile now!

 

I've been caught up working two jobs and going back to school to takes some fun classes. Going to take the last Advanced Spanish class the college offers and finally going to take Mandarin Chinese! Been wanting to try to attempt the language for a few years now.

 

Anyway, with all this stress, working a lot, and the (very hot and humid) weather, it's all contributed to my insomnia, which I don't think I've ever had before. And I'm exhausted. I miss falling asleep early! :-)

 

And I got to thinking, with all the hostel stays I've had while traveling, there have been experiences where I had a hard time getting rest and relaxation after an adventurous day exploring a new city.

 

Normally my motto when it comes to sleep and travel is this: Sleep is for home! Life is short and I don't want to spend my traveling days sleeping! And since travel makes me the happiest, my body adjusts quickly and I get the most out of my trips.

Here are some of my thoughts and experiences.

 

A quick rest before New Years festivities in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica (December 2010).
 

Like most backpackers and solo travelers, you want to save money and make sure you are secure but have fun, make friends, and stay safe.

 

An option that most people like is to pick is a dorm with plenty of beds. One of the options I usually look at first when I travel. The dorm with the most beds = the cheapest option when staying at a hostel. You save money and chances are you'll make a new friend or two! But with this option, you do not have your privacy and you either like your roommates or not. I feel there should be rules in how you carry yourself AND realize you are not the only one in the room. And your actions should reflect that. I've been fortunate enough to have become really good friends with the majority of the travelers I've roomed with. Those relationships are the best because no one understands you better than another traveler. :-)
 

Definitely not a room to just put yourself first (minus safety-wise of course). You must think of others before any actions that you take. For one, if you need to leave the hostel at 5 in the morning, please please have everything ready and set the night before so you do not end up waking your roommates while rummaging through your belongings or turning on ALL the lights. -For the most part, I've only experienced this a few times, but those few times were not pleasant!

 

SNORING is a big one! I actually never stayed in a room with loud snorers until my most recent trip to Guatemala this past December/January. Every night there was a new buddy snoring! I understand it's not something you can really control and for the most part, all these guys snoring were actually sick, but IF you are sick, I think it's only fair to pick a room with less beds. I didn't get any sleep that whole trip*. Am I right or wrong? Let me know! Of course it's not in the rules when you book a room but common courtesy, right?

*I'll get into my sleep deprivation experience in my next post.

 

I don't need to get into any details about this - DO NOT STEAL FROM YOUR ROOMMATES. If you plan on staying in a 10-bed dorm, bring locks just in case the hostel does not provide lockers. I haven't come across this and I am so thankful! Let's all be good and honest travelers okay!!

 

I understand all humans have needs but after talking to many people I have met through the years on my adventures, they ALL agree that it is DEFINITELY NOT okay to bring a one-night-stand or multiple stands or multiple partners into a room with other travelers in there. It's wrong, not just because you have roommates but what about your morals and what it says about you! We want to think good of everyone. I'm not saying to not do this at all because that's no ones business but please just keep it in a single dorm!! Keep it private. And please protect yourselves. YOU SHOULD HEAR SOME OF THE STORIES I HAVE WITH EXPERIENCING THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR!

 

Oh and we can't forget about the partiers! You do realize you take the chance with your sleep by staying at a hostel but for the most part I'm fortunate that I've been able to sleep through everything minus the snoring! Just don't come into the room yelling and outta control! :)

 

 Returning to my hostel dorm at 5:30am in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I was EXHAUSTED! And yes I returned as quiet as a mouse. (February 2009) I was never a party girl growing up but I did go out once just for my travel partner at the time, who did like to party. Buenos Aires does have an exceptional night life for those who are into going out all night.
 





 Did I forget something? What have you experienced in a hostel that made you feel uncomfortable or lose sleep over?



Wacky Wednesday!

So I thought I'd pose this question that you've probably been asked before at least once in your life..

 

 

If you were stuck on a deserted island, what 5 things would you have?

 

Think about it carefully before you answer. :)

 

The reason why I'm posing this question is because I'm currently experiencing an 'I don't know what to write' moment and I figured, why not? It's Wacky Wednesday! I like asking random questions that make you think! Maybe I'll do this every Wednesday? 

 

I've been pretty caught up with my current job. My high schoolers are now starting school and now I've been catching up with ordering their uniforms for Cross Country and planning their crazy running schedule! I'm now taking a break from the working world and am LOVING my current job as a High School Boys and Girls Cross Country Coach. Best 'taking a break' job ever! (I was a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher for 8 years and I miss my little ones like crazy!) But I needed more room for travel.

 

Anyway, I'm also posing this question because my friend joked about it the other day and it brought back my memories of being stuck on Yandup Island in San Blas, Panama. It wasn't a joke then! I used to live this question up until I experienced it for myself.

 

This is a true story.

 

Imagine...

 

You're noticing the cloudy weather and the bumpy boat ride to your island destination.

Ah my chubby cheeks! I've leaned out since then!!

Nevertheless, excited to spend time on a beautiful island. A bit cloudy but hoping for the best.

 

 

 

 Then all of a sudden it starts to rain.

 

Relaxing in my rain soaked hammock listening to the sound of the beautiful rain. I am definitely a rain girl. Not a usual 'Southern California' thing. And that's what makes me unique. :)

 

And it got extremely windy. Taking a chance and walking around the island in this weather would mean experiencing flying for the first time!

 

 

Now when I travel, I have my usual deck of cards, word searches, sudoku games, and journal. But one can only play with those for so long before you either: a) get a headache b) get hungry or c) get bored!

 

And knowing me, I have a hard time sitting still! I'm an explorer. I love learning knew things. Experiencing places I've never been before. And I only play with my deck of cards, word searches, and sudoku games when I'm on the airplane!

 

So after a little awhile, I was getting antsy! So I wandered around...

 

I found a coconut! Coconuts + Reima = love. :)

 

I named it 'Wilson'!

 

Well I tried to crack this coconut open for I'd say at least 40 minutes with no tools. I couldn't do it! And gave up.

 

I ended up wandering around but the wind was taking no prisoners. The rain was getting heavier. Although the island was still incredibly beautiful to me, I could no longer walk around. This island is very small and there weren't many other people here so pretty much deserted. The tour guides and people who work on this island live on other islands so no one was really around.

 

Later that night at dinner, they told us unless the weather changes, the flights were going to be cancelled and we'd have to spend another day there. I was only able to stay for one day/night on Yandup, mainly due to funds at the time, so it was not fun having to pay another night when I was already on a tight budget! Fortunately, they gave me a discount.

 

Which I ended up paying because the next day, the plane didn't arrive. Glad this day was a little better. The water calmed down and all us survivors on the island were taken to another island to explore and see some locals and how they live.

Ukupseni Island. These beautiful boys playing my favorite game, soccer, even after the storm.

This was the highlight of my second day on the island and so thankful that we were able to explore another island while the weather was still gloomy.

 

That night, it rained again. This time I was extremely worried because I was actually supposed to be in Bocas del Toro at the time, missed my flight to Bocas del Toro, and the next day I had a flight to Costa Rica to meet up with a friend.

 

Next day came and we went back to Playon Chico in hopes that the plane would come.

 

I needed to explore one more time, so I crossed the bridge that was between Playon Chico and the nearest island.

 

I was about to give up hope and then there was the sound. The sound of a plane flying above! It was here!

 

Grabbed my backpack and hopped onto the plane. I made it! Survived! Before we got back to Panama City, the plane made a stop on another island to pick up some other passengers.

 

It was one of the saddest sites I have ever seen. There were only 3 spots left on this small plane but there were at least 25 people arguing about who would get those three spots. All these people were stuck on their island as well! After some time, they chose the family with two children to get on the plane. I wished the plane had been big enough for everyone.

 

So after this experience, I NEVER joked about being stuck on an island ever again! And I still haven't.

 

I was only stuck for two days.

 

The San Blas islands are a beautiful place and I'm thankful I got to stay there but I'd suggest bringing a friend just in case this happens again! Don't go alone. :) Besides the fact I have more opinions about these islands and the people here. I'll save that for another day.

 

This occurred in the month of December 2011.

 

Now, with all this said and after much thought, I think these are the 5 things I'd have on a deserted island:

(remember, there is NO internet access/technology!)

 

1) Flashlight/Extra batteries

 

2) A knife (for the coconuts and fish/seafood I've caught after fishing!)

 

3) Fire Metal Match Starter

 

4) A journal with plenty of paper/pens

 

5) Marshmallows - My guilty pleasure! 

 

What's on your list?

PROS Vs. CONS of Hostels

Oh the hostel.

 

The good. The bad. The parties. The solitude. The pleasant and not so pleasant roommates. To share a room or not to share a room. Location. Location. Location.

 

A forever hot topic to us travelers.

 

And the "Why are you staying in hostels?" topic for the non-travelers.

 

And I am here to say enough with the bad rap of hostels!

 

Sure there are some I would never stay in and have had to stay in, but some really aren't that bad and are actually just perfect for us budget travelers. The locations of most hostels, in my opinion, are better than hotels themselves. You are near tons of action and probably closer to more 'off the beaten path' activities and neighborhoods that you may not see by staying at a hotel.

 

A hostel is good for all ages. I've seen the late teens staying there through adults in their 40's, even early 50's.

 

Not every hostel is a 'party' hostel. And some may even label them as such but are not loud enough so that you can actually get a good nights sleep for those who travel for the culture and not the nightlife.

I've made a PROs and CONS list to show what is always on my mind when I look for a place to stay when I travel. Having a CONS list does not make me want to 'not stay in hostels' but it actually makes me well aware of where I am staying and to make good decisions. Some hostels are just better than others. That's a given. I keep this list in mind when I look at places to stay because 1) I'm a solo female traveler and 2) Safety is #1 to me so I am always prepared for the worst.

PROS

Affordable
Location
Make new friends
Get advice from other travelers
Cheaper tours
Able to book buses/transportation/taxis
Lockers
Some hostels have fun activities planned
Helpful, fun, and trustworthy staff
Storage rooms
Free Wifi
Restaurant/Kitchen
Safe ?
                                                                           

 

CONS

 

Cleanliness

Sharing a room up to 10 beds

Shared bathroom with multiple rooms

*Roommates and their 'guests'

Uncomfortable beds

No lockers

May not be a great location

**Expensive during celebrations

Does not offer most amenities

Loud roommates at night and early morning

Lights turned on at night

***Untrustworthy staff

Not Safe ?

 

*The one thing I am definitely not a fan of are having roommates who bring significant others or people they have just met 'for the night' into a shared room. I have experienced this quite a few times and it ALWAYS makes the whole room uncomfortable. It's obvious. What you do is your choice but please, please if you plan on doing this (which I'm against people not respecting themselves), get a private room.

 

**For example, I was in Brazil during Carnival one year and the hostel jumped from $13 to $75 a night just for that week alone. So you're basically paying hotel prices for a hostel room with less amenities. You eat the costs but hopefully you have a great time despite!

 

***Always be wary of the staff until you get comfortable. I had to pay for something and gave money to one of the guys working that day. I discovered I needed to pay a little bit more so I turned my back to get the remainder cash, handed it to him, and he basically hid the money I gave him and said I didn't give him anything. I HAVE NEVER LIED ABOUT HIDING ANYTHING AND HAVE NEVER STOLEN FROM ANYONE IN MY LIFE so this was a complete shock to me. I was getting a little emotional and he told me 'I didn't have to worry about paying the remainder balance.' So not only did he lie and try to steal money from me, he made it sound like he was forgiving me for not paying him. So just be careful. This happened in Antigua, Guatemala at the hostel: El Hostel. It may have a 92% positive rating on hostelworld.com but I would AVOID staying here if possible.

 

?Safe or Not Safe, that is the question. Some hostels have guards. And some don't. Some keep their gates locked at all times and some don't even have gates. Always research the area you are staying in and the safety of the hostel itself. What they do to make sure nothing bad happens.

 

My 10 bed Mixed Dorm at Luna's Castle Hostel in Panama City, Panama. Funny that it was a 'mixed' dorm because I ended up rooming with 9 guys! Of course I was extrememly cautious but they ended up being like brothers to me and made sure I was safe and sound.

Now if you look at the list, they are pretty equal. That doesn't mean my argument is lost. What I mainly wanted to get across is that not all hostels are created equal. Some you are glad you stayed in and others you wished you never laid eyes on. But if you notice, I didn't post anything that should alarm you to think twice about staying in hostels. Everything, I think, is considered normal.

 

This list should be looked at the same way for hotels. Not all hotels were created equal. Sometimes you end up spending quadruple or more for a night in a hotel room but whose to say that the room is clean? Safe? Trustworthy?

 

 

Did I miss something on the list? What experiences (good and bad) have you had? Hostel or Hotel?