Learning from experience...
Since the writing of my last blog I have moved exactly zero meters. This blog is going to center around mine and Bryony's previous trips, with a few pretty pictures, what we normally do and things we learned along the way.
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| © GWilgar 2015 |
So, full disclosure our trips have so far have focused around looking in bushes for reptiles and amphibians. Yes, you read right, what most people try to avoid when in the countryside we try to find. For the last four years both in the UK and abroad we have gone out in to the wilderness to either survey herps (reptiles and amphibians) for science or photography (see above image). Neatly bringing me on to our first regret.
Language and culture
One of my big regrets is not spending more time immersed in the wonderful cultures we have passed through on the way. Well, we aren't pasty white Britons hanging around a pool and complaining that the restaurant doesn’t serve a Sunday roast. However, we have been guilty of getting up very early in the morning and spending lots of time in the wilderness then returning late at night. We have somewhat remedied this in our recent trip to Spain, but only because there were hardly any snakes to be seen (2 in total :( ). I think though my attitude to travelling changed when I first went to Guatemala, where we spent a month in a small research station (Las Guacamayas). I suddenly realized I spoke no Spanish whatsoever. The locals certainly spoke no English, in fact, Spanish was their second language with their mother tongue being K'iche' (one of ~25 Mayan languages in Guatemala). Since that point I decided I wanted to learn Spanish which I have now been doing (with Bryony) on Duolingo for the last year. Furthermore, our first port of call will be one of the many Spanish schools in Guatemala (probably Xela). Future blog posts on this will follow!
Culture wise, Bryony and I love markets, street food, meeting new people and staying as far away from popular tourist spots as possible. We will hopefully be immersing ourselves as much as possible, which apart from anything else will definitely improve our Spanish. I also have a weird desire to see or take part in a Mayan ceremony; they fascinate me. Onto the second point.
Packing light
This particular learning curve was not too bad. Both Bryony and I knew that one must carry as little as possible but I don’t think we quite knew how little. I am always prone to bringing too many shirts, too many pants and a big bag full of crap. No backpacker enjoys that twinging pain in the back from walking around with a 75ltr rucksack full of everything their Mum thought was a good idea 'just in case'. This time around it is just the essentials and a future blog will give more details.
Planning....Too Much!
Mostly because of trying to squeeze every last drop of fun juice out of our trips, Bryony and I normally don’t leave enough time to just wander around and see what happens. Our upcoming Central America adventure is about becoming 'Yes people' instead of plans and itineries we have more aims; if we miss some of them we will still end up somewhere amazing. To be completely honest, before I met Bryony I was always a bit suspicious of hostels and could never imagine myself hitch hiking. However, one must still make an effort to be sensible. Taking life as it comes doesn’t mean being in a daze. Although traveling is normally great, it can still be dangerous to your health and wallet.
Expense
You don’t have to go for broke when travelling! Hostels, Workaways and off peak flying has saved us hundreds of pounds. Friends and family will think you are crazy staying in dorms with people you don’t know but that is part of the adventure. The revelation of this trip has (and will have) been Workaway: the website and the concept. At a Workaway, one can work a few hours a day for free lodging and board. Furthermore, there is a huge variety of places out there. That will be the biggest change to our previous expeditions, cutting costs right back.
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Happy travels,
Greg
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