Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. – Coach John Wooden

Today, I awoke feeling a bit saddened to be leaving a place that I have called home for close to 10-months–a place where friends became more like family; a place that has helped me to grow to be a stronger person; a place that has taught me that I can be stronger than ever by examining more closely the value of genuine friendships that is without limitations–and with this realization I have decided like many other travelers, there comes a time to move on. It was no secret to anyone, especially Marc, my former business partner and Co-Manager of The Surfing Donkey hostel, as well as everyone in town that my last day in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua would be August 12th, which is just a few days after my friend Taylor is expected to arrive, and I am trying to enjoy each day with both local friends and those that are working at hostels and/or planning to stick around a while.



If you look at what you have in life, you'll always have more. If you look at what you don't have in life, you'll never have enough. – Author Unknown

"Hi Marc,
Since we did not have a chance to speak because you were constantly avoiding me for the entire week prior to my departure, I just wanted to drop you a message and tell you that I truly miss the friendship that we had, but I feel that you have changed dramatically over the past several months. I was hoping to have this conversation in person, but feel as though you were avoiding it. While I am still curious about where exactly the profits from our business went while I was in South America for a month that I am entitled to as one of the co-founders and co-owners of our business, I feel the more important question for you to answer is the one concerning your slipping integrity and character. I have other entrepreneurial business dealings in the works now, and feel that if you would have continued to be truthful and honest with me as we agreed at the beginning having all decisions to be split equally (50/50) and communicating all decisions together, that you would have had the opportunity to be a part of these.
I do not say these things to hurt you, but I feel that as a friend I just want you to take a very close look at what you have been doing and how it has affected your standing within the community that you are planning to live in for several years. Towards the end of my time in SJDS your reputation has become very negative around town in the business dealings and the way you have gone about it.
I feel that since I do not want to see any harm come to you that you should know I had several local guys search me out and talk to me about how they really do not like you, actually borderline hate you, and feel as though you have placed a rather large target on your head and I want you to be safe and tread lightly because of this.
I also have to tell you that the breakdown of our personal friendship was when I was wearing a Naked Tiger hostel hat back in February that was given to me for free from Megan (both a friend and one of the owners at the time) knowing we had strong friendships and relationships with the other hostels, including PachaMama, it was when you confronted me by demanding that I choose between, 'my head or my stomach.' Unsure what this meant, you then proceeded to tell me that you wanted me to choose, because of the hat I was wearing while being a co-manager of the Surfing Donkey at the time, and that I was to choose which body part (my head or my stomach) because you then said, "I am going to hit you as HARD as I can, so choose!" When this situation occurred and there was ABSOLUTELY no humor WHATSOEVER in your complete intentions in the moment, and I could see the pure malicious hatred you had in your eyes wanting to inflict personal injury to me crossed the line SO FAR that I was extremely disappointed in you as not only a friend but as a human-being.....over a hat!
I try and think back to all of the great conversations we've had, and the excitement and passion we share and just hope that you will continue with what you set out to do in the first place, which is working with the organization that you started, and while some of us lose our sights along the way, of anything I hope that this message helps you to take a very close look at your life and put you back on the path of achieving your goal and your dream that you set out to do. I am sorry to write this because at one point we were great friends, but I feel as though I need to not have negative people in my life and therefore the reason for removing you as a friend on Facebook. |
So again Marc, I wish you the best in life and hope you will return to achieving your dream of making it to South America and completing the work that makes you feel alive and passionate about. Cheers Troy."