At the end of last year I was encouraged and inspired to get my passport by my girlfriend, Natalie. It’s something I always thought I would do one day, but had never made it a priority. I’ve been so enamored and satiated by the wild and natural beauty of North America that I hadn’t even really started to think seriously about international travel. Natalie is a very well seasoned and experienced traveler with many international stamps in her passport. Her passion for international travel is only equalled by her love for Latin America. It wasn’t long before she had sufficiently wet my appetite to experience it for myself and we were booking tickets to Oaxaca, Mexico.
On that trip, I too fell in love with Latin America, its culture, its people, and its beauty. It quickly opened my eyes to a whole new perspective and a whole other world that is waiting to be explored and experienced. I immediately started to think about going back and Bikepacking in Oaxaca, which is made a little easier thanks to all of the great routes by Cass Gilbert and Bikepacking.com. However, I also quickly learned that my inability to speak Spanish was a major barrier. Luckily, Natalie speaks Spanish and we had no issues, but it made me realize that if I really want to go into remote parts of Mexico on a bikepacking trip, I should know some Spanish first. Plus, I’m a communicator, and I want to be able to meet and communicate with the locals in their own tongue.
I came home from that trip with two goals. One, learn how to speak Spanish. Two, to spend a lot more time in Latin America.
I don’t know if you believe in Kismet, I’m not sure if I do, but shortly after getting home from that trip I received an email from Falcon Murty. He was recommending a guest of the podcast, but his email address caught my eye, falcon@schooloftheworld.org. “School of the World, that sounds familiar”, I thought to myself. So I looked them up on instagram and Natalie already followed them. That’s when it clicked! Natalie had been to School of the World before. She had gone 6 years ago on her first solo international trip.
School of the World is in Jaco, Costa Rica and they offer classes in surfing, yoga, photography, AND Spanish! I took this as a sign and an opportunity to start fulfilling the two goals I made for myself, to learn Spanish and spend more time in Latin America. So Falcon and I started to make plans and 6 months later Natalie and I met up with Falcon to stay at, and learn from, the School of the World. While we were there Falcon took us on some bike rides that included mountains (montanas), tropical climates, beaches (playas), and dipping our bike tires in the Pacific Ocean.
As I embark on a new chapter of my personal journey of international travel I will be taking you along for the ride. We will learn together. We will grow together. This first stop in Jaco, Costa Rica was a moment that I believe, and hope, will alter the trajectory of my life.
I will be writing more about Jaco, the School or the World, and my personal thoughts on international travel soon. For now, please enjoy this chat with my new friend, Falcon Murty.
EPISODE SPONSORS
Wren Sports – They’ve been hard at work on their new Perseverance Bars, which now come in Flat bar, Drop bar, AND aero pads are available as well. Check them out at Wren Sports and save 15% when you use the code “BOD15”.
Stans No Tubes – Stans has been protecting tires for 20+ years. For the past 15 years they’ve been perfecting their Race Sealant and it’s now available to the public! Top of your tires with their Race Formula if you want extra protection on a bike trip or a race.
School of the World – Located in Jaco, Costa Rica they offer Surf, Spanish, Photography, and Yoga classes. The owner is a bikepacker and he’d be happy to put a route or two together for you as well. Just tell’em Bikes or Death sent you 🙂
🎉 New Patrons 🎉
None this week, but you can change that!
Join them won’t you? Find out more at www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath
