Shauna Gayle

Come to Costa Rica!

shaunagayle — Sun, 8 Feb 2015 04:44:00 GMT

I have been at Peace Retreat for 7 weeks now. I have witnessed profound positive shifts and changes in both fellow volunteers and guests alike. These shifts occur because of this place, Peace Retreat, there is something magical here. Maybe its the fact that it is in the jungle, so close to the ocean, or maybe it's the yoga...whatever it is, it is working for people. It is working for me! Since being here I have been fiercely dedicated to living in the moment, being healthy and developing myself. I have never been happier, healthier and free. I want you to experience this too!

I am thrilled to announce I am hosting a retreat with my teacher, Kevin McQuillan, HERE. I invite you to spend 6 nights, 7 days with us in the place that has become my temporary home; located in the jungle of a tiny beach town, where a piece of peace awaits you. "Ready. Shed. Glow: Embrace your body's beauty!" is what it is called and the topic, so close to my heart.

This week is dedicated to you! It is structured in a way that allows you to define and recreate your relationship with yourself, food and exercise. You will: do a 3 day detox, dig into yourself through daily facilitated group discussions and journal work, do a lot of yoga, see the surrounding areas of Playa Negra through local excursions of Stand Up Paddle Boarding, and hiking to a waterfall!

Be adventurous and travel. Invest in yourself for your happiness and well-being. I promise you will have such an amazing time!

I hope to see you soon!

check out: peaceretreat.ca

To work for $10 a day or not...

shaunagayle — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 07:45:00 GMT

I was given the option to either Volunteer or work at this lovely hostel I stumbled upon in San Cristobal, Mexico. Volunteering consists of working 4 days a week at the reception, in exchange for food and accommodation (other volunteers have different responsibilities such as cleaning the rooms, cooking, bar-tending and night time shifts at reception). The working position would be 6 days a week at reception for 8 hours a day, for 100 pesos a day (under $10 Canadian), including food and accommodation.

After a few days of consideration and a couple trial shifts, I decided to accept the volunteer position. The realization that led me to accept the volunteer position instead of the paid one, is that at this moment in my life, my time and freedom are worth more than 600 pesos a week. Who knows...maybe in 4 months, 600 pesos a week will be very much appreciated! However, I feel that I just spent the last year working my ass off, in order for me to be here, right now. While money is always an important factor in the travellers mind, in all of our minds, it is not the driving force behind my decisions, back home or abroad. Volunteering appease's that part of my mind however, it allows me to save money on accommodation and food, which in turn will allow me to travel further and longer, which of course is important to me. However, the biggest factor right now is that I need freedom to feed my soul in anyway it demands, for my highest good. It took a week of, may I dare say it...uncomfortable adaptation, to settle in. But I am here, settled for the month and I am very grateful to be here, truly, for so many reasons:

The people that I work with are amazing; especially the owners of the hostel. They have created an environment that is welcoming, warm, and safe.
I am sharing this experience with a dear friend of mine.
This town is a holistic hub, which is nurturing my body, inner and spiritual self with all the organic vegan food, yoga classes, and other alternative health options they offer.
I am experimenting with different dynamics in my relationships.
I am learning a whole new set of skills (Hostel operations, reception and languages).
I am free of commitments and obligations, which feels absolutely amazing.
I am in a space where I am nurturing my creative and instinctual self, free to express myself is anyway that I choose.

I am happy and grateful.

Nesting in the Mountain

shaunagayle — Fri, 7 Nov 2014 10:14:00 GMT

I found the perfect hostel! After trying out two different hostels and poking my head in about 25 different places, I finally found the place that I will call home while in San Cristobal.

Ever heard of 'Work Away'? (workaway.com) Neither have I, until I came here. It is a site that allows for hosts and travellers to exchange labour for accommodation and food, all over the world. As a host, you register what you are offering in detail (where you live, the job you are offering, how many hours is required, and what they are offering as an exchange), which all depends on the hosts discretion. As a 'workawayer', you also make a profile, and can send messages to the hosts to start a dialogue regarding the exchange. If its a fit, off you go. This is how I found this perfect little hostel.

For the next month, I will be volunteering here, in exchange for a comfortable bed and three meals a day. Volunteering includes, reception, light cleaning, helping with cooking, and bar-tending. Not bad...

I also have an opportunity to actually work here. It's a reception gig, 6 days a week, 8 hours a day. Again, accommodation and food is included, plus 100 pesos a shift. 100 pesos= less than $10 Canadian dollars.

I know what you are thinking... It's basically slave labour in the western world. But to be honest, I am considering it. Let me tell you why... I will not have to touch my bank account. The chump change that I will be earning will be my spending money. Which just allows me to continue travelling further and longer, which feeds my soul. Also, I will be forced to speak Spanish. I will learn faster than when I try to learn on my own, and at my own comfortable pace. I need this! I see the benefits of this commitment. Of course, I also see the negative. The most important thing to me; is my time and my health. My time is worth A LOT to me back home... The question is how much is it worth to me abroad when the value of the dollar is less. This is the question that I am struggling with. Do I give up my time and freedom for less than $10 a day.

Either way, I will be submerged into the culture of San Cristobal, as well as the sub culture of this hostel world. My spanish will improve regardless, and I will learn something from this experience.

I will keep you updated with the decision that I make.

Photos: San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas

shaunagayle — Sun, 2 Nov 2014 14:09:00 GMT

Exploring San Cristobal de las Casas

San Cristobal de las Casas

shaunagayle — Sun, 2 Nov 2014 11:39:00 GMT

I am in a mountain town called San Cristobal de las Casas, in the Chiapas of Mexico. It is a small city of 250 000 people, elevated 1940m into the clouds surrounded by lush mountains. It is chilly up here! Every street is cobble stoned, with the tiniest of side walks, filled with tiny little Mayan people. This unique town is at the heart of the most populated indigenous areas in Mexico. The variety of people that it attracts is quite spectacular, ranging from traditional Mayans to Hippie travellers, and everything in between.

My experience of this town has been pleasant so far. The people are friendly, the town is interesting with lots to explore, the food is cheap and good, and it is beautiful.

Call me Dora. The past few days I have been in serious explore mode; trekking around this city, back pack on, camera ready. My favourite part about this town so far has definitely been its local Market. It is huge, clustered, cheap and interesting things happen there. For example, I watched a child pet a dead chicken.... "Ew. Aw. NO! Run!" These were all the thoughts that went through my mind at this moment. What is cool about it, is it really gives you a feel for the culture. You get to interact with the locals who own the shops, all of their 100 children, you get to see how hard they work, and everything you could possibly need is there; from live chickens, avocados, shoes, to cell phones. I purchased: 5 avocados for under $1, 2 oranges for $0.10, and a box of crackers for under $1. This makes me very happy.

The weirdest part about this experience so far as been the fireworks, twice a day; 6pm and 7am. It begins with church bells, then fireworks, which are so loud it makes your inside jump. I have yet to find out why they do this. I am not sure if they are doing this because of the holiday 'Dia de las Muertos', or if they really just like fireworks.

The plan is to stay here for a couple of months, if I like it. The reason I have found this cute little town, is because of my friend, Tom. He got a gig working for a hostel which he committed to working at for 3 months. Tom and I, met in the Dominican Republic 2.5 years ago. We shared a flat for about 2-3 months with 2 other people, since then we have kept in touch. And now...here we are, in Mexico. This also makes me happy.

The thing is, I have no idea what I am doing here. I mean, other than exploring, which is great. But, I have no idea what my purpose here is. One part of this journey is exciting, the unknown can be oh so exciting! I know that in a few months, the rewards of this experience will be life enhancing and priceless. On the flip side, at times it feels overwhelming. I understand that as time goes on, as I explore more and meet more people, my purpose will reveal itself. I believe this. But, I am not the most patient person in the world. I want to know NOW! Right now, I am exploring, which is fun, but it also exhausting. I am tense, on guard, and tired with my brain working double time with constantly trying to learn a new language, and reorient myself while I explore my boundaries of this new place. I am also hostel hopping at the moment. I am committed to finding the most perfect gem of a place to post up for the next couple of months. So while this experience is exciting and rewarding, it is also at times uncomfortable and tiring.

How I will find my purpose starts with enjoying the vegetarian restaurant and yoga studio I found. This also makes me very happy! As well as, purchasing a spanish book from the english book store I just discovered, and a lot of conversations with people at my hostel. Baby steps...

Muskoka 2014

shaunagayle — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 03:19:00 GMT

What an experience...

Never have I ever...loved and hated a travel experience equally as much as I have this one. Spending the summer in Muskoka was supposed to be all fires, boat rides, sunshine and all things amazing! In reality, for three out of the five months I was not "happy" with the situation I was in. I attended five bonfires and went on a total of three boat rides. It rained EVERY SINGLE DAY for the month of July and every other day in June and August. In fact, every time I called home, or visited, my grandmother expected that I would tell her I was coming home. Why I stayed...I honestly have no idea.

Typically, my travel experiences have had a pattern. Once I arrive in a new place, I instantly connect with amazing people and the geographic location. For the remainder of my trip, I am either head over heals for the place, a person/people, or a newly adopted activity. Upon departure, I am a hot blubbering mess due to the difficult good byes. This experience however, has not followed this pattern.

I ate, breathed, and played with work. It was all encompassing. Living on the property of my place of employment was truly a challenge for me. At first, I thought I would enjoy the two minute commute. I quickly realized that it would feel like I never left. I thought it would give me more time to play in the wilderness and to be one with nature. However, the reality of our rainy, cold summer, in combination with working 12-14 hour bar tending shifts resulted in completely losing my personal/work life balance. Every day blended into one, and one experience into the next. Working left me feeling drained and anti social, where by I then hibernated in my room.

Though I make it seem that for three months I didn't smile; this is not true. Throughout the discomfort of self-growth this summer, I found the beauty in the simplicity that Muskoka offers. The calming effect of living on a big beautiful lake, the nostalgia of hearing a loon call, the peacefulness that quiet offers, the changing of seasons, the changing colours of the leaves and of course, the invigorating effects that beautiful landscapes has on my soul. Throughout my hibernation I learned to play the Ukulele, which has completely fed my soul in a way that I have been longing for my whole life, cheesy I know...but it's true. This trip, I hosted more friends than I ever had in previous travel experiences, which helped to keep my grounded and sane in this work bubble I was living.

In month four, something happened... I started to surrender. I surrendered to my location, my employment, and myself. This meant that I let go of the expectations that I may previously had. It also meant that I stopped trying to fight how I felt about the experience I was having by accepting it. Of course, naturally, once I did this, my whole experience shifted. My perspective on my daily life changed. My interactions with people became different, more meaningful, and fulfilling.

As this experience comes to an end, I find myself feeling grateful and reflective on the lessons learned. Here is what Muskoka has taught me:

-Music is one of the biggest parts of my life, sharing my admiration and love for it with someone is really special and important to me.
-Making music alone, or jamming with other people can be a transcending experience.
-The most beautiful connections come from the most unexpected places.
-Beer pong and flip cup, is not the sport for me.
-Perspective is EVERYTHING, it can be changed, and can make or break your experience.
-The people who you butt heads with the most, are most likely the people who you are most like, and in tern are pretty awesome, because you are awesome.
-A good roommate is a gift from the universe. A good roommate who you become real friends with, is almost like winning the lottery.
- It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission (Take that as you will...I am still processing this one)

The amount of self growth that this summer has allowed, is quite remarkable. As you may know, self growth is not an easy process. It often feels uncomfortable and weird at first, but once you reach the other side, it all makes perfect sense and it totally worth it. I leave Muskoka, feeling grateful and ready to embark on a new journey; Central America.