Testimonial: Marlene in Mexico

“I could write whole books about why Mexico is simply breathtaking. Rarely have I met such warm and hospitable people and you see everything in a much more relaxed and laid back way. I can definitely say that I fell in love with the country of Mexico and would go back anytime.”

Our participant Marlene strapped her backpack on her back in September 2019 and traveled to Mexico for six months. Among other things, she worked in a hostel in the paradise of Tulum, on the famous Riviera Maya. In her luggage: excitement, curiosity and the desire for adventure. Now she tells us personally about her time in the land of the Maya and tequila.

To be honest, I just let everything come to me. Of course, you should take care of the vaccinations early enough, also when it comes to medicines and generally the essential basics for the backpack. But I have to say that I never felt stressed, I was just happy to finally start! Packed I have then also only 2 days before departure and it all worked out great. The most important thing in my opinion is that you approach everything relaxed, because even if you forget something: You do not fly to the moon and in Latin America there is also everything you need.

Of course, at the beginning of such a long trip, you worry about what to expect there. I felt the same way and had no real idea about my new life in Mexico. But already after the first few hours in Playa del Carmen, where I spent the first night, I was able to get to know people and also in Tulum I always felt very comfortable. I was accepted directly into the hostel family.

I first worked as a tour guide or animator in my Hostel Experience program. My day started at 9 and I first told all the guests at breakfast about the respective tour of the day (for example, go to the beach, turtle watching or swimming in a cenote) and so I always “gathered” a group. With this group I spent the day (11 am to 3 pm). In the afternoons and evenings, depending on the day of the week, different activities were planned, for example Tequila Sunrise Class, Mojito Lesson and so on. Here, everything followed the same principle as in the morning: addressing the guests, motivating them or simply taking them by the hand – in the figurative sense. In the evening I often organized beer pong tournaments or general drinking games in teams. My day ended around 10 p.m., but I have to say that it never really felt like work, as long as you don’t have any trouble talking to strangers and you enjoy being out and about with new people.

I was particularly impressed by the small village of Sayulita in Nayarit. Not far from the city of Puerto Vallarta lies the Pueblo Mágico, directly on the Pacific Ocean.

I spent four days there with friends from Guadalajara and just enjoyed life. Even though there’s not super much to look at, it’s just a liberating feeling to just go to the beach in the morning, maybe rent a surfboard, and just let the day take care of itself.

What I liked most there, however, are the people. Just always friendly and totally uncomplicated.

I can definitely say that I fell in love with the country of Mexico and would go back anytime. Not only because of the beautiful nature, but especially because the people there “live more”. The mentality of the people is different and you see everything much more relaxed and laid back.

In addition, I have rarely met such warm-hearted and hospitable people. And don’t even get me started on the food! When I was in Mexico, I could eat tacos every day and still never have enough. And of course, there’s so much more. I could write whole books about why Latin America (especially Mexico) is just breathtaking.

I really thought long and hard about which was my best moment in Mexico, however, I absolutely can’t decide. I would say that there were maybe three to four moments or situations in my six months that were not so great – but the rest of the time was just breathtaking and incredibly worth living.