Planning my getaway

I met with my local language partner today. He said a friend had obtained a good deal on a ticket to South America via the local travel agent. I wouldn't have thought of going to a travel agent! I don't think I was even aware that there was one here.

Sounds like good idea though. Getting out of this backwater can be a bit complicated. Also, the travel agent would know the cheapest travel months, etc.

I'll do some more research on my own, and figure out when and where I want to go. Then I'll go and see what they say.

Just goes to show -- Once you get started on a path, help and information appear.
 

Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement.

@charry Yes, moving is stressful. And of course moreso with a disabled husband, especially if you have a lot of stuff.

@Alligatorob Yes, this place has its good points. Nice people, very little traffic, and some beautiful moments.

I've only been out of town once. I turned back because the road was too scary. Similarly, my language partner invited me to his family-owned lodge, but I can't face the mountain roads.

The mountains aren't far, but the view is hidden from town by a ridge.

I did some more research on Guatemala. Summer is the rainy season. I've been to Guatemala (just briefly), and it is *really* rainy. So I guess if I go there it would be winter.

There are pluses and minuses to going in the winter, but I think it would work.

This winter is too soon. So maybe next year!
 
Northern, I am wondering if this might work for you as I know someone who does this every year. She is Canadian, she rents a lot in a seasonal trailer park and owns her own small trailer. Not winterized so she leaves in mid October, travels to a foreign country, and returns in May the next year thereby keeping her benefits.

A small trailer can be picked up for under $5,000 and they often offer financing. The seasonal lot could go anywhere from $1000 and up depending on amenities.

She picks her go to destination by putting a world map on the wall, blindfolded, spinned around a few times by a friend and she then throws a dart to determine where she lands. Last I heard it was Viet Nam

One drawback, make sure you have a backup plan if the need arises for returning home before the seasonal lot opens.
 
Thank you, @Lee . I had considered trailer parks in the past (one seasonal, one permanent). At the time, it wasn't going to work for me.

I could tell you all the reasons it might not be right for me now. But it is certainly something to think about. I'll roll it in with all my other ideas. You never know!
 
I checked hostel prices for Guatemala. They're all CAD 12 (USD 9) and up, for a dorm bed. Dorm is fine, as long as there's a locker for valuables. It seems a bit pricey though. Of course, these were online prices. In-person prices might be less.

Maybe hostel on arrival, then look around/ask around for a room, e.g., in a family home.

I am also aware of the possibility of helping out in a hostel in exchange for a bed. I did say earlier that I don't want to work. But I lived in a guesthouse/hostel environment for years, so it wouldn't be quite like work to me. I'm familiar with the routines and problems, and I'm bilingual, and I used to be a cook (just in case they want me to make breakfast). So it's a thought.

I briefly looked at a hostel "opportunity" in Mexico. They wanted someone age 18-35! But I'm sure not all are like that.

Speaking of Mexico ... it keeps turning up as a "cheap" place to travel. It's all relative, isn't it? A few years ago, someone was telling me I could rent an apartment in Mexico for "only" CAD 700 a month.

I haven't talked to my Guatemalan language partner about this yet. I want to be quite sure before I get him involved. We have talked about traveling, but nothing specific.

Bolivia is still a possibility.

My local language partner (a Canadian interested in Spain) asked me if I only wanted to go to Latin America. Yes, pretty much. Flights to Asia or Europe are more expensive. Europe has never called to me somehow (at least not enough), and it's expensive. And although I loved Asia, I kind of want to speak Spanish.
 
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It's been winter here for about a month. Although winters here are cold and long, they are surprisingly okay. Often sunny, and not windy.

Still, it is winter. By last April I just felt exhausted. Special lights and Vitamin D can only do so much.

So I've been asking myself why I want to put my trip off until next winter. I could make all the arrangements and hop on a plane this January or February.

Then I remembered. Oh right, Covid. Not just the fear of catching it, but also the airline and airport craziness that seems connected to it somehow.

I can only hope that a year from now, things will have straightened themselves out a bit.

My Guatemalan language partner is eager to meet English speakers in person. I was researching his city, and unlike some other places, it seems it would be a bit difficult for him to meet foreigners there.

In some places I've lived, there was a quiet bar, a library, or meetups, where it was very easy to strike up a conversation with a stranger. He says he hasn't encountered such a place. My research seems to prove him correct.

And "foreigners" do get tired of having locals approach them out of the blue.

But if I were there with him, I could introduce him to other foreigners. So it could be to our mutual benefit for me to go to Guatemala.

Something to think about and plan for, and discuss with him.
 
Northern Light, I am wondering about something and hope you do not take my query the wrong way.

I mentioned earlier about someone I knew who stayed at hostels as they are affordable. But she did say that most were young, teens and twenties. That would concern me. It did not her though, she showed group pictures and there she was, the old lady right smack dab in the middle of the youngsters. She loved it, Mama Bear and her cubs she called it. Takes a certain personality I suppose.
 
Thank you, @Lee . From age 56 to 68, I lived on the same property as an island hostel. For the final year and a half, I lived in the hostel itself. I also worked in the hostel, off and on. I've stayed in other hostels as well

So I'm quite familiar with the clientele and conditions. Anyway, there's nothing I can do about being old!

I've belonged to another Internet forum for about 10 years. Most of the people are in their 20s -- some younger, some older. A few are maybe in their 50s. I'm quite sure I'm the oldest member. I don't mind, someone has to be the oldest.

Young people tend have a hang-loose mentality, which I share. I'm not sure whether it's their youth, or a characteristic of their generation(s).

Please don't worry about me taking your comment the wrong way. I appreciate your input!
 
My Guatemalan language partner wants to visit relatives in the US. He got his passport, and inquired about a visa. He has to wait almost a year for an interview!

So his travel might end up overlapping with my tentative travel plans.

I guess it's all a moving target no matter what. My health, finances, airlines, world happenings....

For now, it seems the most I can do is save my pennies and look after my health. I have neglected my travel research recently; I could do a bit of that too.
 
Thank you, @hearlady . I was there briefly in the late 1980s (those were bad times for Guatemala). It sure was beautiful!

My friend lives in Guatemala City. It wouldn't be as beautiful as other parts, but it would be interesting just the same.

I'm not sure how much traveling around I'd do, as I've developed a fear of mountain roads.
 
Ha! I like your post and I can really understand your desire to go to Paraguay while you are still able.

First of all, Canada is a very expensive country to live in. Today I was research L'anai, Hawaii and Cuba. On VRBO there are house and apartments for rent in L'anai for $500 or $600/night. Are they kidding? In Cuba you can stay in a Air B&B accommodation for $40 or $50/night. Guess where I'm going? I'm no fool whose money will be quickly parted.

The "happiness" factor here in Canada really sucks. I have to say there are a lot of very sad looking, depressed people walking around and trying to find happiness in a shopping mall. The politically correct people are trying to change the country to their own way of thinking; Pride parades are in but Christmas and Easter are out. They are now, Winter Festival and Spring Festival. Teachers have to work under a gag order. Nurses have to work 2 or even 3 shifts without going home. Family doctors are hard to get. Our "fearless" leader is flying around the world and giving away the money that we don't have and people are wondering why we have this inflation?

I went to the opera a couple of weeks ago. Yup! The politically correct have changed the story of Cinderalla. The wicked stepmother is gone; replaced by a drunken abusive father. The fairy godmother is gone; replaced by some god father guy with dark glasses. The ending has a lovely dovey scene that is suppose to represent our country.

The news is so bad that often I just look at the titles and keep going. First they told us that all priests were abusive and now they are starting on school teacher. The witch hunting in this country is laughable if it wasn't for the fact that I live here. Our "fearless" leader is bringing in 1/2 million immigrants every year. Some of them are demanding their rights. They don't care about the Canadian way of life but want to continue the way they lived in the country they left. You can guess what I'm talking about. Never mind the lovey dovey propaganda; ethnic conflict is on the horizon. Good thing I'm 76 and ain't gonna be around all that long.
 
For more than 10 years, I lived in a warmer corner of Canada. The winters were short and mild. I could exercise outdoors and sit outside most days of the year. I forgot how badly I'm affected by "real" winters.

This is my second winter in the north, and it's all coming back to me. No matter what lights I use or how much Vitamin D I take -- and although I try to keep a good attitude -- it just wipes me out.

So I need to get serious about winter getaways. My friend in Guatemala sends me photos of his activities, and it's always summer there!

I just became a trustee on a local board, and (understandably) they have rules about how many meetings I can miss. I've figured out a loophole though: The meetings are on a certain day each month. In February, the meeting is canceled (every year), because of a statutory holiday. So it should work.

I've been putting aside a small amount each month, so I could afford to winter in the south every 2 years, or maybe even every year. Assuming that the travel situation is not too crazy and my health holds out, etc.

So I'll be checking out possibilities again, with expected departure in late January 2024. That's one year from now.
 

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