Turning 30 - Younger than ever

 

There’s a time when we grow and a time when we grow up. Collecting experience, we become wiser and more understanding. Like 90% of my friends, I’m a child of divorced parents. Don’t feel it strongly influenced me, however maybe this is why I always was so serious. Always responsible, mature for my age, predicting and overprotective. With a passing time I became old. Mental pressure of what I suppose to do, what I suppose to become, what I suppose to achieve, brought me to a point when I realized how bitter, scathing and unhappy I was.

Old me wouldn’t swim in the ocean if there’s no fresh water shower.
Old me wouldn’t play on the sand because it gets everywhere.
Old me wouldn’t like to live with other people to have my own living space.
Old me wouldn’t go anywhere without a plan. 

Luckily I’ve made good decisions, met the right people in the right time.

So now, when I run along the beach like crazy, playing with a dog, build sand castles and spend most of my time in the ocean, I feel younger than ever in my life and I would love to share with you 20 things important in my life while being 30.

 

 1. Travel as much as you can before you get to old to do it.

2. Learn languages. Not to have a better job but to be able to communicate and learn other cultures.

3. Never forget your origin. Where you’re from is who you are. Share knowledge about your country and be proud.

4. No matter where you are, remember about your family. They love you and miss you.

5. Spend as much time as you can with your grandparents. Never know when will be the last time you see them.

6. Look after people you care about. Friendship is a precious and valuable thing these days.

7. LOVE. Don’t be afraid to love and risk to tell about it, even if it’s unrequited. You never know what the other person may feel.

8. Share your life with someone you feel good with. Don’t waste time for people who do not appreciate what you two have and who you are.

9. SEX. Do it well with pleasure or don’t do it at all. No point in wasting time for someone who cannot give you satisfaction.

10. Quit the job you hate. Not foolishly leaving without money to live but do everything to change it. We spend 80% of our lives at work. Make sure you’re in the one you like.

11. Care about your skin and hair, especially out on the sun.

12. Don’t be afraid to do crazy things. You can always overcome your fear and memories will be unforgettable.

13. Don’t care too much about what people say. You’ll never be everyone’s cup a tea.

14. Slowdown in life. Enjoy the moment. Appreciate good company, food, weather…

15. Don’t work more than you really have to. Time is the most precious value in life. Don’t waste it for overtime in a company that doesn’t pay you enough.

16.Appreciate life and be thankful for what you have. 

17. Do not envy.

 
18. Lear to thank.

 

19. Learn to cook.

20. If you have a problem and you know the solutions – stop worry. It’s only a matter of time when you solve it. If you have a problem and don’t know how to solve it – stop worry. It won’t change anything, except making you stressed.

Hasta Luego Las Palmas, Bom dia Santa Maria

Here I am in Cape Verde Island – back to the source, back to the place which changed my life entirely. From trivial aspects like job to more important like mental transition. It’s been 7 months since I was here last time. Nothing much has changed except maybe few new buildings, couple love affairs and most of all a fallus shaped plant in front of my “beach house” ;-)

In such a small community it’s hard to stay unnoticed, so already met dozen of guys who’s names I didn’t even bother to remember, however old and new friends made me feel very welcome from the first minute on the island.

Coming to the place of my rebirth I wanted to find out if it still has this magic I found here last November or maybe back then I was so unhappy that a third world country seemed to be a godsend.

Well, to be honest – both. Yes, I was unhappy and yes, this place is magical in any meaning of this word. Ordinary day-to-day life on the island is completely different from what I knew… different from what we all know while living in big cities. Starting from food, work, through architecture finally to spending free time.

BAR DE NOS

Food range is limited. Sure, you can get basic ingredients, however it’s not like going to Tesco for shopping. Work is either seasonal or remote, independent from Caboverdian economics. Apartment buildings are available only for people who can afford to pay at least 150 EUR monthly for studio. Therefore locals live in unfinished, usually roofless houses. What you would found as a building for demolition, here can be one of the busiest bars in town.

LOCAL BAKERY

SHOPPING ON THE PIER

And as it comes to spending free time – there’s always the ocean. Variety of water sports as well as games you can play on the shore brings locals, expats and tourists to one place – the beach.

La Cicer – Las Palmas surfer beach – was too crowded for me but here I could finally start my adventure with surfing. Sore and bruised body, hours in the water and only one thought – I want more.

Plan for next 3 weeks on Sal – physical and mental improvement. Plan for life – find a remote work and surf.

Roque Bentayga

Hiking again :-) I can’t help it, Gran Canaria’s mountains are amazing. The temperature encourages to outdoor activity during the day as well as at night.

El Warung Cave Hostel gained new mascot – Wilson. He’s made out of agave flower wood. Agave flowers once and then dies.

I took Wilson hiking one of the biggest mountain in Gran Canaria – Roque Bentayga (1404m).

It is without a doubt one of the most imposing sights in Gran Canaria and it the geographical birthplace of the island.

Couple photos from last trip.

 

Sometimes we sleep infront of the cave - all inclusive option

Wilson hiking roque Bentayga

Ms. Cloud and Ron Jr

Ron and Wei-Ju. International friends, overcoming frear

Roque Nublo in the backgroung

PS. THIS IS HOW I BEGIN MOST OF MY DAYS 

San Pedro Fiesta

The pre-colonial inhabitants came to be known collectively as the Guanches, although Guanches was originally the name for the indigenous inhabitants of Tenerife.

Despite Christianisation, Guaches were allowed to continue to celebrate their prime fests. On the night on 27 to 28 of June I had an unforgettable chance to celebrate one of it. Because of European catholic influence it has been combined with Saint Peter and Paul (name) day.

Manuel, the owner of the El Warung Beach house in Las Palmas and the cave hostel in Artenara, where I am currently, was so kind to introduce me and my friend Viktorija to his friends.

San Pedro Fiesta begins in the evening of June 27 and last through the whole night till morning traditional ritual. I was lucky to witness this in San Pedro village (Gran Canaria). Our trip started from bocadillas y cervezas (sandwiches and beers) with regional live music band playing on the street. At first it was hard to find in myself in a non-English speaking group, but after a while I got used to it and we all tried really hard to communicate. After 2 hour party, 15 minutes past midnight we started to hike “path of La Rama”. Over 1200 m asl, 8,5 km long trail in 3h surrounded by complete darkness only with head lights and billions of stars above our heads.

From +23⁰ to +10⁰. From clear sky and good visibility to walk in the clouds (literally in and above clouds). 25 minutes past 3 a.m. we sat in the cave. Natural, build by wind (volcanic rock erosion) and full of hikers notes. Quick change of wet clothes, pack of nuts, some homemade food and sleep on the hardest floor ever ;-) 3 hours later we were up, watching sunrise, sitting above the clouds in Tamadaba National Part.

So this San Pedro Fiesta is not only about all night party but mostly about the rain. There are years on Gran Canaria when there’s no rain and the natives prayed for it. The ritual goes something along like this: hike 1200 m high mountain, collect fresh cut branches and hike down to the ocean. Hit water with the branches and pray for the rain.

8 in the morning, we started to go back. Astonishing hiking trails, breath taking views and people cutting fresh branches of Canary Island Mint, eucalyptus and glomerate savory.

What we saw and experienced in the mountains at nigh will stay in our memory. The next day photos you can see below.

p.s. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to spend this summer on Gran Canaria