Sitting in the Atlantica Norte (in San Jose, Costa Rica) bus station gave me a slight revelation. Not only was I probably a more seasoned traveler than most of the other tourists around me, but I was a different kind of traveler.
This was a thought I had while I was sitting in the terminal, to riding on the MEPE bus to Puerto Viejo, to being in Puerto Viejo itself and watching the people run about. They were different than I was, to put it mildly.
Most of these people seemed to be seeking something, but what they were seeking seemed to be meaningless. Honestly, I can’t say this with 100% confidence because I didn’t talk to all of them about it, but I can hazard a guess. They all seemed to be chasing things. An experience, a drug, an environment, a beach, a relationship, a new life, a “free” life, an easy life. I’m sure the options are endless.
As they toted their bags made of hemp, their surfboards, their backpacks that looked like mine they all seemed to have visions where they were going. An awesome hostel, beautiful scenery, the next farm where they can work, next party, next whatever seems less painful than where they’ve left.
They masquerade as enlightened, as people who truly know the way the world works. But I highly doubt it, frankly. Mother Earth doesn’t fix all wounds, a day at the beach doesn’t heal someone’s soul, and the next drag of marijuana isn’t going to change the pain you feel deep down.
But I digress.
More what I realized is just how different of a traveler I am from the masses. From those aforementioned people.
I was traveling to Puerto Viejo to begin month 3 with team Indomitable. I was traveling alone due to the fact that Indomitable was the only team on the Caribbean coast in Costa Rica. Which is why I had so much time to reflect.
I’ve been all over at this point. Not everywhere (yet), but I’ve gotten a pretty good look at the world. I truly haven’t yet been somewhere with the soul intention of vacationing there. With my only desire to be a tourist, and I pray I never do. My intentions and goals for my time in Puerto Viejo are likely incredibly different from my bus mates.
It was strange. To think that I was likely in a vast minority. Not just the love of God I was going to share, but the places I was going to find fulfillment. Everything I was going to do.
Hear me when I say this though, I am not better than these people. I wasn’t sitting smugly in my seat judging the people around me. That’s just not the case. I think they’re incredible in their drive to travel and see the world, and to find fulfillment in something. I just hate that they’re running in the wrong direction, and hope that one day they find they’re way home.
It’s funny to think about how weird I am in these places. Having already traveled for around 13 and a half months in my life, been to several continents, and done things that would blow people’s minds. But not for the typical reasons.
I’m absolutely running. But not the way most people are. They’re running away, searching for acceptance. I’m running headlong into whatever is next, searching for whatever God has for me next.
As I keep talking to these dirty hippies, veteran travelers, newbie backpackers, and all things in between… I hope a little of my kind of running rubs off on them.
