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 met artists, musicians, architects, retirees, poets, restaurant owners, very few tourists, you name it.
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.