Traveling Long Term is So Different!

I keep saying the same thing that I knew ahead of time; that this particular trip was not going to be a "traveling around" trip. That I was just going to stay in one spot and might not really "see" much of anything. And that has indeed been the case. I actually even started having a little guilt about not vising all the amazing sites around Costa Rica in general, then particularly in Monteverde, the second half of my stay. There's not much to do around Zancudo (my first location) so that made it easy. ;)

But I have to say that I'm really loving the feeling of living here rather than traipsing around going from attraction to attraction. I mean, I like that too! But not having a travel buddy makes that not as fun for me anyway, so this is working out great.

What better way to really get to know a place than to spend TIME there. This has been more rewarding than I expected and I have made some incredible friends. I know it makes logical sense, and I've certainly heard that from other retired travelers, but up until now I have spent my month-long travels moving around whatever country I happen to be visiting. It's a slower travel style than many people have, but still with lots of moving around.

It's hard to explain just how nice it is when you meet some local people and go hang out with them and do what they do. Just a regular ole' day. Then through them you meet yet more people and really feel more like part of the community. It's different than the short encounters, no matter how special, befriending locals and fellow travelers when you're just passing through. And yes, I know I'm still a temporary fixture but it's at a slower pace.

I'm curious how it will feel when it's time to go though. Eventually I'll have to leave the friendly space that gets created. I already miss two of the gal pals I have made in Costa Rica and even though I keep in touch with some of the women I have become close to during other travels, it's difficult to actually meet up again.

So for now I will enjoy what I have and see what comes. There are definitely still some lonely times, like my sad little sandwich on Thanksgiving, but the good is outweighing the bad.I have spent time having dinner and wine with locals and expats (girl-talk for hours! :) ), taking the bus to Panama to go shopping with them, almost having Thanksgiving dinner with a large group (but we had the dates wrong - a week off! LOL), visiting the local haunts (I might be getting a little too familiar with some of them but I'm sure having fun! jiji), learning the treacherous back roads, getting in on the town gossip, helping out with a local fundraiser, playing "mountain tennis" (okay not really but watched it and barely played - looking forward to actually playing soon), and meeting such interesting people.

I have met artists, musicians, architects, retirees, poets, restaurant owners, very few tourists, you name it.Last night I had the totally surreal experience of going to a jam session held in an art studio. Just a few friends playing their music with the rain pounding on the roof and surrounded by beautiful artwork and bonsai trees (and miniature orchids!). How did I get so lucky?

Even though I logically knew this was the path I would take when I finally set out to travel full time, I didn't realize just how different it would be. I'm so looking forward to this new life. I thought I loved budget traveling before, well this is a whole new level. I didn't think it was possible, but I'm in love with the world even more.