I haven't posted for a while. My laptop slowed to crawling pace one morning in Costa Rica and I couldn't get it repaired until Florida a few weeks later. So the fantastic country of Costa Rica and to some extent (lesser so), panama have not enjoyed a write up. And nor has Florida.
Costa Rica was amazing, the wildlife (and especially birds) stunning. If I had to go back to Central America it would most likely be Costa Rica.
In Panama, whilst hiking Bocas Del Toros, I happened upon a world traveller who has had some coverage in the press, which was fascinating. That story for another day, as will be the airbnb host in panama, (ex-mercenary), who did not have normal social barriers.
When I planned my arrival back in the US, I once again delved into the world of couchsurfing. As I was arriving at 6am, and would be exhausted from a night flight, I figured a flexible host would be a huge advantage. I'd mostly given up on couchsurfing after California and Central America, but it works a lot better down in Florida where it was relatively easy to find hosts. I jumped from one host to the other all the way up to Asheville. of course, my extensive hosting history helped a lot.
It can be addictive. There's something about beating the system and saving money on top of the challenge. It makes you want to find out how far you can go without paying for lodgings. How far outside, "the norm" you can live.
But after almost three weeks where I have only paid for three nights lodgings, I am back into the land of airbnb bookings. Sometimes with CS, you can feel trapped, and at the mercy of the host. Finding the appropriate balance is something tricky. Where does the appropriate level of gratefulness lie exactly in these circumstances? That's something must people lightly struggle with in these circumstances. You are staying with complete strangers (at the start). I can report that Americans are often just as generous and welcoming as they are reputed to be outside of built up and busy areas.
I sometimes feel guilty and undeserving of the good CS experiences. Most hosts are fantastic, others have strange personality quirks that make you uncomfortable, so it's back to airbnb for now, where the boundaries are clear. When you are paying, there's no confusion as to how grateful you ought to be. Overall, the hosts have been amazing, just one or two make it hard work. I am too sensitive.
I'm starting to crave my own space, my freedom and my dignity. Somehow, CS denies me this, although it's not meant to. I'll be back to try it agin on this trip but not for the next three nights at least.
It's chilly here in the Appalachians which is a relief after Florida, but the best place to be in March is somewhere in between, or at least at a lower altitude. America continues to delight. I long to travel to more remote places and stay in one place for longer. No more quick fire travel when this trip is over.
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