Stay true to yourself because at the end of the day you can't lie to yourself. – Patrick Grant

The smell of burning garbage that includes a mixture of plastics and poo paper can be thanked to our surrounding neighbors, as billows of smoke fill the air throughout the day. Awe, the joys of traveling and living in third world countries that are part of living the so-called dream. In spite of the stench from the daily smoke stacks, the slow pace lifestyle has left little excitement over the past several weeks as many of the backpackers and tourists arriving have come to an almost screeching halt. The barren streets tend to ward out unfamiliar faces leaving behind the locals and long-term resident foreigners that for whatever reason have come to make SJDS their extended home. Daily walks around the town have caused me to appreciate more of the beauty that is often accompanied with the boredom that is my freedom from the stresses of a previous life. Passing through central park where the large green church stands as a staple overlooking the children that play in the courtyard in front of the large wooden doors and park benches that are occupied by old men deep in conversation, I cannot help but think how simplistic life can and should be, but somewhere along the way it has become a tangled mess of legislation and personal gain. Strolling along the busted sidewalks and uneven cobblestone streets, there are constant smiles and waves from almost everyone you pass. Pressing on with a frugal lifestyle as most backpackers do, one of my favorite free activities that I tend to indulge in frequently is walks along the beach. I love the scent of salt water in the air and the sound of the surf as is rolls up on shore.

