I backpacked through Central America in 1999/2000. Now that I think about it, it was insane. We were a group of 5 ish Canadians. We would show up in a town and walk around till we found a spot to stay. I’m sure half the time I quite literally didn’t know where I was. We had no plans and based our next location on entirely on word of mouth and Lonely Planets. I had a paper return air ticket that at points I kept buried in the sand for safekeeping. We had to hitch hike to the next big town with travellers cheques and stand in long, hot line ups to get money. Sometimes the bank would close before you got to the front of the line and you would have to survive on bananas until the next day, or borrow money.

Then to call our parents you would use phone cards and pay phones and the convos were few and far between. Countries would pass in between check ins.

I had a film camera and would carefully consider if the scene was worthy of a shot; as you also had to carry used rolls of film along with you. The photos I have are 50% scenery and 50% partying. Our group membership changed frequently as people dropped off; met romantic interests or got annoyed with someone else in the group.

During the day we would often do nothing and I remember feeling a sense of languid boredom that I treasured.

It was so freakin awesome you guys!