Comments for Mark Feenstra

Comment on Slow Travel by Nomadic Chick

Nomadic Chick — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:06:45 +0000

I am one of those culprits – “Why are you on the net??” Take my shame and beat me over the head with it. Alas, I’m on a dual path. Sights and incredible architecture is part of the package, but frankly, I’m most looking forward to meandering days. Especially naps, reading and absorbing an entire book, then tinkering with writing. Well said, prose master, as usual.

Comment on Slow Travel by Liz

Liz — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:36:09 +0000

Love the photos and the blog. I agree with you on the slow travel and taking in everyday life rather than rushing around trying to do and see EVERYthing. Sounds like a pretty sweet schedule you have. The part about the ‘what are you doing on the internet?’ and having even more free time really resonates. I think you’ve caught something important there.
Glad we’re both taking more time to write.

Comment on Slow Travel by Mark Feenstra

Mark Feenstra — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:01:06 +0000

Hi Ayngelina,

I haven’t spent a lot of time outside of a few small towns in CR (Tamarindo, Santa Theresa, and brief stops in a couple of others), and haven’t been anywhere else in Central America, but I really enjoy the good infrastructure here in CR. It’s nice to know that the water I’m drinking from the tap is almost always clean, bank machines are easy to find, and wireless internet is plentiful. Mostly I’m here because of the multiple world-class surf breaks this country has to offer. My gut feeling is that it is one of the more expensive countries south of Mexico, but compared to my month in Chile last summer, it’s still fairly cheap.

After travelling through neighbouring countries, you may find it far too Americanized, and want to continue moving through. Ask around when you get into the country, and I’m sure you’ll find plenty of quaint little beach towns where you can surf (or learn to surf) and relax without spending a fortune. Tamarindo just happens to be best for my current surfing needs, so I’ll probably be sticking around to enjoy the Pura Vida for the next couple of months.

Comment on Slow Travel by Ayngelina

Ayngelina — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:21:38 +0000

I’m interested to hear your thoughts on Costa Rica. I’m traveling through Central and South America but thought about speeding through CR because of higher costs. Maybe I’m making the wrong assumption that the whole country is expensive.

Comment on Doppelgängers and Las Drogas by Everywhereist

Everywhereist — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:15:17 +0000

Fantastically well written, Mark – felt like I was reading a short story out of a book (something that one rarely finds in a blog). And a really interesting story. They say if you travel enough, you will find your own doppelganger. Sounds like you found yours … sort of. Can’t wait to read the story about when you meet your intellectual twin. :)

Comment on Doppelgängers and Las Drogas by Mark Feenstra

Mark Feenstra — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:40:59 +0000

Thanks for the compliment! I always look at my writing with an overly critical eye, so it’s always nice to get pleasant feedback from other people.

As for Marc, he actually did take Spanish lessons before his trip, and has an okay vocabulary. I think his single-minded focus on getting high and partying at the beginning of his trip just blotted everything else out. I think witnessing that type of behaviour is what kept me from ever really getting into the travel-partier scene.

Comment on Doppelgängers and Las Drogas by Nomadic Chick

Nomadic Chick — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:32:43 +0000

Why has it taken me so long to visit? As for Marc, some folks just don’t have sense when it comes to a travel budget. If he took the time to speak Spanish and engage the locals, prices might drastically drop. I don’t want to use the word (sucker) thus, I’ll refrain.

By the way, you are an immensely capable writer. If I didn’t respect you, it would border on disgusting. Truly.

Comment on When Your Mind’s Made Up by Abby Tegnelia

Abby Tegnelia — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:59:37 +0000

Hey! Sounds like you’re having a blast down here in Costa Rica. I live in Coco. Don’t be a stranger!

Abby

Comment on A Comedy of Errors by Clean Lines | Mark Feenstra

Clean Lines | Mark Feenstra — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:53:32 +0000

[...] small sampling of the extent of my calamities can be read in my post A Comedy of Errors, but the summary is that on the third day of my trip, I burnt my feet so badly that I [...]

Comment on My Pack: South America by Mark Feenstra

Mark Feenstra — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:23:25 +0000

I haven’t spent a lot of time in dormitory hostels, and really prefer to have my own room if I can help it. After hearing my fair share of thieving hotel staff stories, I am wary of leaving things in any budget room.

Typically, the netbook stayed in the room and the camera gear and external hard drive came with me. I’m about to spend ten weeks surfing in Costa Rica and I’ll be leaving my iPod, netbook, and point and shoot camera in the room for several hours twice each day that I go out to surf.

My general rule, is that if you can’t live with having it stolen, then you have to keep it in sight at all times. The rest of the time you have to be ready to part with it should the worst occur. Having insurance can help too, I believe home owners or renters (in Canada, anyways) covers theft while travelling.