Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one. — Bruce Lee

Silence. Tranquility. The absence of guests at the Surfing Donkey, has brought together the characters that make up this relatively new hostel that has only been open since December of last year. The current staff is an array of characters that has grown to become a mixed family of personalities over the past several weeks; Claudio, our stereotypical Italian that needs only a thick moustache and a pair of red overalls to complete his ensemble on his quest for Princess Toadstool, but instead sticks to a daily unchanging uniform of black high-cut shorts that is free of any upper garment, and, his signature prized possession is his fanny pack that is worn even while sleeping. Hilarious in nature, we tease him constantly, but due to slight language barriers and sarcasm he often feels lost but understands our good nature sense of humor towards him. Sharing the staff dorm with both Marc and Claudio, we have come to enjoy the brief moments as he sits on his knees while on his bed gazing intensely into a small circular mirror while blowing drying his hair. Yes, this could not be a fictional or exaggerated occurrence even in my wildest imagination, but causes us to laugh at the pride he takes in traveling with such a luxurious item. Even with all of the girls I have traveled with or met in hostels, I have never met a single backpacker that has brought with them an equal item that they feel is a necessity during their time away from home. Salud, Claudio for all of the hilarious sayings and eccentric perspectives you bring to the group and the copious amounts of Raptor energy drinks you consume at an unhealthy rate.

