Couchsurf your life

Many things have happened since I left Belize and last updated my blog. I have met interesting people, heard profound life stories and traveled Mexico and United States.

I have couchsurfed. In Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Cancun and Miami.

I have to say that couchsurfing is by far one of the best things I have done. People who are part of that community know exactly what I am talking about, but people who are not familiar with the concept might find it odd. Some of my friends, or people I meet, don’t really know much about couchsurfing and when I explain it to them, they seem suspicious.

Usually the first question is how safe can it be; what if you end up staying with some creep? Well, usually at that point I explain how it works and how they make it safe. And according to research, couchsurfing is actually safer than regular traveling.

Then the other question is usually about money: you don’t pay to surf someone’s couch. And for that reason some think that the surfer is actually the one gaining something from the deal, while the host/hostess is the loser. Well, this is exactly why I love couchsurfing: hosts never think like this. People who are hosting surfers don’t think they are losing something: otherwise they would not do it!

Hosting people from different countries, getting to know them, their personalities and sense of humor, stories from back home and travels, can be very rewarding. It is an exchange of cultures and exchange of ideas.

My question would be: do you always have to win or gain something in order to do a nice thing for another person? And if so, how can you measure your gain? Financially, materially, or maybe mentally?

During my travels it has been the encounters with other human beings that have made the greatest impact in my life. The kind of impact that makes you think about life, view it differently, wanting to change your life and realizing how self-involved you can be.

Owning only what I carry in my backpack, traveling across continents, learning new languages and cultures and making new friends on the way have made me revalue my life. This life that we have, at best, is a short interaction with others, an expedition in yourself. Who am I? How do I really want to live my life? What is really important?

I could live the rest of my life with owning nothing but the clothes that I’m wearing, and I could be perfectly happy. But this doesn’t mean I think badly of owning things, nor does it mean I believe I should never own anything. It simply means that there are several dimensions in life, and the material side is not the most important one. What we own or have gained does not measure the quality of our lives.

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

- Maria Robinson

Belize and People

When I started my trip in Guatemala not too long ago, I could not have foreseen what a life changer it would be. I remember writing in my blog in Xela that traveling this time feels different. So I had a hunch. But I had no idea how, where and for what reason my life would change.

Of course my life hasn’t changed all that dramatically. But I have. I’ve learned so much more about myself, about life, about people. And however amazing the countries and places I have been to have been, they do not compare to the people I have had the privilege to get to know.

Last time I updated my blog I was diving in Utila. Since then I have traveled through Honduras, small piece of Guatemala again, and Belize all the way to San Pedro. Since then I have also left Belize, but let’s linger there for a moment.

I decided to couchsurf in San Pedro instead of staying in a hostel. Best decision I have made so far. I stayed with Bruce, awesome and unique American retiree. What’s so awesome about Bruce, you might ask. What is not, will I respond. He is just something different! So much fun, great sense of humor, and a huge hockey fan! He knows so many people on the island, introduced me to bunch of them and I ended up having the time of my life. How many times you get invited to go sailing in the Caribbean with bunch of awesome people? (okay, happened in Egypt, but still. And yes, I know Egypt is not in the Caribbean).

I met a group of girls from Canada doing their teacher practicum in San Pedro. These girls reminded me again that every single day should be the best day of my life. Every day counts, so live it to the fullest. So many laughs, so many good jokes, so many good songs, good times, and of course, night swims. Oh girls, how I miss you!

After five fully lived days in San Pedro I continued my way to Mexico and found myself in Playa del Carmen, again couchsurfing with Xavi, a Mexican guy who lives with friends and animals (two dogs, four cats). After two days in Playa, I hopped in a bus again and ended up in Isla Mujeres.

What can I say? Traveling is my life. Not knowing where I will be tomorrow, or even tonight, is exciting. When people hear that I travel alone, they usually ask me two questions: don’t you get lonely or aren’t you scared? But how could I be lonely when I meet so many new people every day? Or scared: Why would I be? What should I be afraid of here? Even though I do crazy things sometimes, I’m not stupid. And besides, I could get robbed or molested in Finland too. It’s not about where you are, it’s about how you deal with where you are.

My life is right now, at this second; not tomorrow. My dream is to live my life today. And I do.

What do you do?