mandogsays | blog

sitting coyote-colored.png

sitting coyote-coloredLeft.png

Search

LESSONS OF A LONG-TERM BACKPACKER

Dec 5, 2015
8 min

LESSONS OF A LONG-TERM BACKPACKER

A written out, time-tested, categorized guide to traveling along with only a pack. December 05, 2015 One has to search, recognize and enjoy those little moments of peace as they can be quite hard to find. < Getting Around > Bus travel is friendly and very affordable. In most South American countries, expect to pay about $1 per hour for long distance bus rates. Prepare oneself for the haul before entering the seating area, as most luggage will be stowed below in the bodega. I

13 views0 comments

THANKSGIVING @ LOMO MAI

Nov 27, 2015
8 min

THANKSGIVING @ LOMO MAI

Spending a US holiday amongst gracious, kind-hearted people ushered the heart into a new understanding of what community means. November 27, 2015 This is their life. I am just visiting, unsure to whether or not it could be my next home, but learning and absorbing so much about the culture as I go. Helping hands.. To start the third day at Lomo Mai, I thought it would be in the Thanksgiving spirit to volunteer my morning helping the workers pick coffee. They and the roosters w

6 views0 comments

CARTAGO FOR MORE CARGO

Nov 23, 2015
2 min

CARTAGO FOR MORE CARGO

Returning to the industrial town of Cartago for much needed travel supplies. November 23, 2015 The winds were cold and whipped themselves through this highland city and I deemed it time to flee the imposter of a nice dream. Brace yourself.. From Castillo I direct bussed it back to San Jose to retrieve the broken computer. I sat around thinking/looking for a place to stay there and then it came to me! I could stay with Alexandria again! I laughably knew what I was getting myse

4 views0 comments

LEADING UP TO VULCÁN ARENAL

Nov 18, 2015
6 min

LEADING UP TO VULCÁN ARENAL

Stopping short in Fortuna, a chance to get to Arenal a day ahead was missed, but it would not stop me from getting to my destination. November 17, 2015 He used the upstairs part of the hostel as a hangout for him and his friends to smoke pot and watch movies. A Night in Fortuna.. From San José, I bussed it two and a half hours to Fortuna. its the hub for action, city-wise in the Vulcán Arenal region. I intended to go on to El Castillo, but weather and time did not permit it t

2 views0 comments

SAN JOSÉ

Nov 17, 2015
4 min

SAN JOSÉ

Many attempts at avoiding the capital resulted in failure, and to my expected dismay, it was as terrible as anticipated. November 17, 2015 I stood on the corner as a man totally encapsulated in a tattered and torn assemblage of what only could be described as bags of sewage crossed my path. Brace yourself.. Stepping off the bus I landed into a chaos of smells, debris, cacophony of noises, beggars, peddlers, people shouting from all directions. I stood on the corner as a man t

6 views0 comments

CAMPING IN POTRERO

Nov 1, 2015
10 min

CAMPING IN POTRERO

Immediately getting into a bind for finances in Costa Rica, camping looked like a good way to slow down and recover lost expenses. November 01, 2015 Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I'm going to take tomorrow. (Imogen Cunningham) Three and a half hours of bus rides, spread out across three different connecting busses I was out, around and back through to the coastal highlands towards Flamingo Bay. I passed Filadelfia. Flamingo was an Isla/Isthmus that seemed is

5 views0 comments

BOOTS ON GROUND

Oct 28, 2015
5 min

BOOTS ON GROUND

Getting a first look at Costa Rica and the processes of backpack travel. October 28, 2015 My senses, my allure to the fascination of going further, turning a corner and pressing ahead would be the gravity that keeps me connected to the path. Flying in to Liberia Airport, Costa Rica, a sudden awareness of the endless lush, green canopies brought in the realization that I'd certainly flown to some place remote. The varied and changing landscapes, with specks of civilizations ma

8 views0 comments