Simply getting away from the stress of everyday life was a crucial point for me and experiencing something new. You should take the opportunity to simply live freely without having to study or work directly.
A childhood dream came true for Paula, as she seized the opportunity to travel to the Caribbean coast of Mexico and get to know Cancún and many other places. She first volunteered there for two months in the Coral Reef Project, learning how to dive and how to protect the reefs. She then supported the animal shelter on the island of Holbox for a month.
I had always wanted to go to Latin America and after school it was just the perfect time to experience other places and cultures. At first I thought: "3 months is a long time and what if I don't make any friends there or don't like it?" But in hindsight, the 3 months went by very quickly and you generally always make friends. Everything went very well during my preparation and WanderWorld always supported me and answered my questions promptly.
When I first arrived, the tropical climate was a change for me, but I quickly got used to it. The country is very beautiful and the people there are all very nice. I got to know all the volunteers in Mexico on the introductory day and I met a few of them again over the next few months. My first few days on the project were relatively relaxed. As I was on the diving project, another participant and I learned everything we needed to know about diving and practised diving in the water over the next few days. It wasn't so easy at first, but over time it got easier.
Im Tauchprojekt habe ich ab und zu Mangroven gepflanzt, aber die Hauptaufgabe war es, die Korallen von Allergien und Dreck zu befreien, damit sie länger am Leben bleiben und sich fortpflanzen können. Die leitende Person des Projekts war sehr freundlich und ist mit aller Leidenschaft dabei. Er setzt sich für die Lebewesen im Meer und der einheimischen Bevölkerung ein. Durch seine Begeisterung hat man so viel Neues dazu lernen können.
Beim Tierheim auf Holbox waren meine Aufgaben bei der Pflege der Tiere zu helfen sowie das Tierheim sauber zu halten. Sobald Touristen kamen, habe ich bei der Übersetzung geholfen, da auf Holbox nicht viele Menschen Englisch sprechen können. Dazu habe ich je nach Nachfrage Hunde ausgewählt, welche die Touristen ausführen konnten. Aber natürlich war die Hauptaufgabe, mit den Hunden und Katzen zu kuscheln und mit ihnen zu spielen. Dazu habe ich mich noch um die kranken Tiere vom Tierarzt gekümmert und deren Gehege/Boxen sauber gemacht und frisches Essen und Wasser bereitgestellt. Alle Mitarbeiter waren wirklich so nett und ich brachte ihnen ein wenig Deutsch bei. Da sie nicht sehr gut Englisch gesprochen haben und ich ebenfalls nicht so gut Spanisch sprach, mussten wir öfters mal den Übersetzer benutzen, was natürlich gar nicht schlimm war.
I spent my free time either with others from the project or often on my own. In total, I spent my free time in Tulum, Valladolid, Cancún and Chichén Itzá. All the excursions were so beautiful, but I was simply fascinated by the city of Valladolid and the large beach promenade in Cancún. I had always wanted to go to Cancún as a child, so it was a childhood dream come true for me.
I will remember many moments. One of them is definitely Christmas, when we were all in the hostel and couldn't go out because it was raining so much. Well, but a few days later we all went on a boat to a very beautiful place where the water was very clear. In the evening, we drove back at sunset and then all jumped off the boat into the sea. Another highlight for me was my time on Holbox with the dogs. I was so close to adopting a little puppy. My other highlight was chugging around Cancún on the very cheap buses.
My hostels in Cozumel and on Holbox were really great. Everyone was really friendly. In Cozumel, I was in a dorm with another German girl, where we had a double bed. On Holbox I was in a shared room with 10 people, which sounds really bad at first, but the fact that you had a big black curtain around your bed meant that you had a lot of privacy there. Overall, this hostel was very modern. There was a large pool and a big roof terrace with artificial grass and some sports equipment. As the town of Holbox itself is not very big, you could reach everything very easily from the hostel.
Everyone must experience a stay in Latin America. The people there think very differently to us and nature is much more diverse. Getting away from the stress of everyday life was a crucial point for me and simply experiencing something new to free my mind. You should be open to new things and take the opportunity to simply live freely without having to study or work.
I definitely think differently now and it's important that the oceans and their reefs should be protected more. I also think that money alone is not enough to be happy, because family always makes you happy, regardless of whether you have a lot or a little money.
My tips for new travelers are simply not to be too scared and to get involved with new people and a new environment. Of course you'll be nervous, but you'll be fine. Get on the plane and off you go. I definitely want to travel to Mexico again to get to know the west coast. The people here are so happy with what they have. Because although there are people in Mexico who have money and a modern house, the majority of the population don't have that much money. But people love their families and are happy with everything they have, because family comes first for them.
Founder of Wanderworld Travel
Advice and travel preparation
On-site advice and support
Here we can plan your trip together and talk about your ideas.
Sign up now for our WanderWorld consultation. We look forward seeing you!
All without obligation and free of charge.
MO - FR 09:00-18:00
Or apply here for a consultation appointment by phone or Zoom.
