Time for an everyday life in Montanita

Coming back to something that has been great, can be a challenge as the expectations are high. I came back to Montanita with the intention of a different experience than my first one in most aspects, so tried to make the expectations reasonable.
I returned to Montanita to get back to regular yoga practice, improve my surf skills, to work as volunteer, to be among the great people I know there, to make new friends and just be me in the same place for awhile. I had been moving fast and constantly since I left Montanita first time, a month earlier. Being on the move also includes a lot of expenses, so Montanita should hopefully be a time with lower daily budget.

Stepping into Casa del Sol once again, looking around and inhaling the calming and well known atmosphere my body started relaxing - and so much that I got ill my first 3 days with a cold/cough/flu thing. I listened to my body and took some good relaxing days before the job hunt started!

As often before life takes care of me, so it didn't take long. Thanks to a friend who had mentioned me, I got a job 20 meters from Casa del Sol. The owner of another hostel and also mother of three kids, had to go away for 2 weeks meditation training. So my job was to teach English and yoga to three brothers at 4, 7 and 11 years old, 4 hours every evening and in general take care of them, play with them, serve dinner and make sure their homework for school is done. What a challenge for me! And on top of that, all in Spanish of course!
First time I talked to the mother she asked: "So have you worked with kids before?" Me: "No"
She: "But you have taught English before?" Me: "Eh, no"
She: "Have you taught yoga before?" Me: "Very little?"
She: "Can you start on Monday?"... And she hired me on the spot!

There was a little more to the talk afterwards, but she was leaving in less than two days and said she had a good feeling about me. So I got busy googleling "yoga for kids", "teaching English to Spanish speaking kids" and a ton of Spanish words that I would need.
I was there every evening for 3 weeks, and not a single day went as I thought it would, and all of them learned me so much! I was fighting about dippers in Spanish, made cardboard axes for a school play, tried challenging the boys in football on the beach, was "the parent" at a kids birthday party, made bonfire in the backyard, carried a kicking and fighting 4 year old 100 meters to give him a shower he definitely didn't wanted and I had all the kids laughing hard of my pronunciation of "Guerrero" (Warrior) during yoga. And very often there would friends at the house and as the rumour spread more started showing up for the yoga classes.

Working 5-9pm gave me a private room with bathroom (not to mention nice hot water shower), dinner with the kids and the freedom to be surfing and doing yoga during the day and party, hang out or watch movies with my friends in the night. Perfect combination for me!

I managed to surf quite a lot and improve a bit. And I send a warm thought to Shreya, who inspired me with her consistency of going surfing daily, not caring about weather or waves and always left the water with a smile. I had many people helping me with advice regarding surfing, especially thanks to Mike and Manolo, and I appreciated it a lot. Still, I understand that in the end of the day it's about just going out there, feel the waves, go with the waves, smile and try to have fun. On my level there is no more rocket science to it than that. I might get wiser as I continue the practice.
For anyone knowing about surfing I started on a 9 feet longboard and ended 3 weeks later on 7,6 board, and on my last day of surfing I cracked the code of catching the green waves by myself, and I guess I finally had building up the strength to do it.

With the lovely yoga studio at Casa del Sol next door, I did yoga again as often as possible. A Saturday morning just before class the owner came with a bad shoulder. She said she would cancel the class, unless I wanted to step in. So with 5 minutes preparation, I sad down on my mat looking at 9 excited students and taught a 75 minute class, which might not have been the smoothest, but led to I got two more classes to teach in the studio and all students was safe and happy afterwards. It felt so good to be back at teaching and I hope I get the opportunity soon again or maybe finding a job as teacher somewhere out here.

It was great being back with people I knew from my first time there in June, and our friendships only grew and new friendships were made.
I had an everyday with two girlfriends Julie and Casey, who always would be ready for beach time, surfing, drinks and girls talk, which was so great.
I had the crew of Casa del Sol always helping me and serving me after work beer after a tough shift. And the lovely visitors at Casa always making a good atmosphere.
I had my great Venezuelan guys at Guadua, who would always be smiling, greeting me with hugs and be up for hanging out and having fun.
I have said it before, but traveling alone you're never alone, and being in a place for a couple of weeks can make friendships for life! I can't mention all names of all the lovely people, who is important to me after my time in Montanita - they know themselves, who they are, and I hope to cross paths with everyone again.

Living in a place for a while, it felt good just walking in town and recognising the venders and locals and over time, them recognising me. Having my favourite vegetable shop and knowing where to get the best empanadas! There is a special society feeling in South America and in Montanita, I got to see it even more. People care about who you are, why you are visiting exactly their place and curious to exchange views on life. There isn't any "Hello, how are you?" without an actual interest behind, and it's not related to sell you something. I'm happy to have learned Spanish good enough to have conversations with anyone on the street and it's obvious to me, that they really appreciate the talks as well.

In my 6 months travelling now, I have always experienced South Americans as warm, friendly and curious people and I really like it! I would wish it could be like that in my home country Denmark, where you would help people on the street, looking strangers in the eyes, sitting next to people in the bus, saying hi to your neighbours and always expect the best from everyone you meet on your way. I'm seeing a shift to always be suspicious what other people "want from you", staying private, not letting anyone in your life and not helping people by instinct anymore. I'm not saying it's all like that, but it's indeed a movement not only in DK but maybe also Europe, and with all the terror attacks we get more and more scared and forget to stand together.

This is a big motivation for me to find a way to stay travelling, living or working in South America as long as possible. To be a part of a society, where people care about each other in another way than I'm use to see and have a strong togetherness by heart, not by mind.
At this point I don't miss Denmark, the Danish society or the western world to be honest. And all news I read from back home just makes me want to stay away even more. Unfortunately! Because I do miss my family and friends. I miss them a lot, not in a sad way, but in an accepting way. Therefore I'm planning on staying out here as long as possible, as I might not be able to leave them again.
Let see what the future brings!