Working and Traveling in America is a chapter from my E-Book: Buddhist Monk Saved by Jesus. You can download it for free on my Home page ⟶ Buddhist Monk Saved by Jesus
Arriving in New York for the First Time
I arrived at the airport in New York and had to find my way to a small town on the coast of New Jersey. On the way, I asked people for directions. One of them said loudly and enthusiastically, “Welcome to the USA! This is the best country in the world. You’re going to love it here!” — after I told him it was my first time visiting.
Eventually, I reached my destination — a tourist town where people came to have fun and relax. Along the sandy beach was an elevated wooden boardwalk with an amusement park, an aquarium, restaurants, a nightclub, and many other attractions. I met students, mostly from Croatia, Poland, and Slovakia. Soon, we were working ten to twelve hours a day, six days a week. We got to know Americans and settled into our jobs.
At first everything seemed great, but after about a month I realized that even the most beautiful place can feel stressful when you work almost all day and have very little time for yourself. I was hoping to have my best experience of working and traveling in America.
Work, Parties, and Learning the Language
We had parties late into the night on the porch of a big wooden house. Soon I learned to speak fairly good English and Croatian. Every Saturday I had a day off, and we went to clubs together. Sometimes we went out with Americans who had cars. They were happy to show us around and get to know us better.
Once we went to someone’s house, played beer pong, enjoyed the jacuzzi, and joked that it all felt just like in the movies — typical American scenes.
I often went to New York with the Croatians since it was only two hours away by train. Wherever we went, we were amazed by the surroundings and the American way of life. Some even said they would like to stay longer. We visited the Croatian neighborhood in New York to look for work opportunities and other possibilities.
Beginning the Journey Across America
After the summer work in New Yersey ended, it was time to travel. I went first to New York. The most fascinating thing for me was exploring the city; I spent almost entire days walking around and seeing everything I could. Sometimes I met people online who let me stay with them for a few days, and otherwise I stayed in hostels.
I thought it would be an interesting adventure to travel from New York to San Francisco by bus. On the way, I spent one night in Chicago and a week in Las Vegas. I spent my days walking through the city, sightseeing, and meeting people.
One day, while walking down the street, I heard loud screams from above — at first, I didn’t understand what it was. Later I found out there was an amusement park on top of a skyscraper. I had to go up immediately.
San Francisco — Rooftop Evenings and New Friends
In San Francisco, I stayed with two girls for a few days. I didn’t see much of the Russian one because she was working. The American girl was free, and we explored the city together. In the evenings, we talked and drank on a flat rooftop, watching the sunset and the beautiful view of the city.
Los Angeles, San Diego, and Heading Toward Mexico
In Los Angeles, I stayed with a very kind Asian woman. Every day after work she texted me to say she was on her way home and asked where I wanted to go. With her car, we visited many parts of the city. She was very friendly and cheerful.
Then I went to a hostel in San Diego, where they organized trips to bars and karaoke nights. There I met an Italian who planned to go to Mexico, just like me, and he spoke Spanish. We decided to travel together.
Traveling Alone Through Mexico
Soon I continued traveling alone, as it gave me more freedom. I learned basic travel phrases in Spanish. Despite the language barrier, I always managed to communicate without trouble.
In the capital, I visited Teotihuacan. While climbing one of the pyramids, I met a couple from Slovenia. In the evening, we met in the city center, shared experiences, and drank beer.
At the hostel, I met many people from all over the world. Together we went to celebrate the Day of the Dead. There was music and food in the cemetery — some people sat and remembered their loved ones. An Englishman told me he was a spiritual person and needed some time alone, then walked off among the graves. At that time, I didn’t really know what it meant to be “a spiritual person.”
Beaches, Hostels, and Cuban Music
Next, I went to Cancun, where there were hotels and private beaches. I briefly explored the city and quickly moved on to Playa del Carmen. As soon as I arrived, I went up to the hostel’s rooftop terrace. The view was one of the most beautiful I had ever seen — palm trees over white sandy beaches and crystal-clear sea. I thought to myself how amazing it would be to live there. Everything looked perfect.
After about three weeks of beaches, meeting people, and exploring the area, things began to feel more ordinary.
I met an American who had lived a long time in Cuba and along that part of the Mexican coast. He didn’t drink alcohol, spoke Spanish and Italian, and was learning several dances at once. He was constantly meeting women — one after another. We went a few times to Cuban live-music events and clubs. He invited me to Cuba, where he was renting an apartment. At first, I didn’t plan to go, but since we got along so well, I decided to. It was never boring with him.
Cuba — A Unique Experience
Cuba is a very unique country. At the bank, you usually have to wait at least three hours; you can even pay a Cuban to stand in line for you. In a restaurant, I once waited nearly an hour to be served.
You actually spend less money if you pay for locals all evening and go around the city with them in a local taxi than if you take a tourist taxi alone.
In one club, two women came up behind me and each took me by the arm. Everything there has two prices — for Cubans, who earn very little, everything is extremely cheap; for tourists, much more expensive. A single night in a hotel cost about as much as an average Cuban monthly salary.
Guatemala — A Step Back in Time
Guatemala felt like stepping far back in time — and it was incredibly cheap. Toward evening, we wanted to take a van to another city. The driver looked at us in surprise and explained that there was no transport between evening and morning because it was too dangerous.
The most interesting place was around Lake Atitlán, where you could only move between towns by boat. We went to a beautiful town called San Pedro. Stunning views, nature, the lake, a volcano, and old but charming colorful streets. Children sold bread and freshly squeezed orange juice on the streets. The town had no police and plenty of drugs, yet it was popular among retirees and foreigners starting businesses there. I heard it was also a paradise for hippies.
Originally, I had planned to travel through all of Central America, but I realized I wouldn’t have enough time. So I left Guatemala for Colombia just before New Year’s.
Colombia — Beaches, Parties, and New Encounters
There was always something happening — I had to take at least one day a week to rest from constant sightseeing during the day and parties at night.
I met a girl from Taiwan, and together we visited Cartagena, Santa Marta, and my favorite place — Taganga. Before I even rented a room, a worker had already offered me cocaine.
During the day we swam and relaxed on the beach, and in the evening we sat around a fire where a local man played guitar while tourists brought him whiskey and cocaine.
Dangerous Journey and Local Encounters
Night Bus to Venezuela – A Risky Adventure
With a half-broken bus, I took a night ride to Venezuela — the most dangerous journey so far. There were only two foreigners, and most passengers looked suspicious. From time to time, we had to get off at military checkpoints for luggage and passport inspections. We stayed awake all night, carefully watching everything around us. I felt this trip was a big mistake, but fortunately, it all ended well.
Exploring Mérida – Cable Car and Local Hospitality
In Mérida, I rode the world’s highest and longest cable car. Before leaving for Brazil, it was Sunday — all banks were closed, and I couldn’t withdraw money from an ATM. I asked a local man for help. When he realized withdrawing money wasn’t possible, he invited me to stay at his home and promised to take me to the bank the next day. He had a wife, a son, and a daughter, and they were all very happy to meet me. The next day, we said goodbye at the bus station.
Immersing in Local Life
I increasingly enjoyed meeting local people and exploring parts of the city away from tourist zones. Many tourists come for a few weeks but never experience real local life because they stay in small, artificially created areas. Seven months of intense traveling had passed — I experienced more in that time than in my entire life before. I became addicted to constantly seeking new experiences. Sometimes I wished someone close could see and feel what I did.
Meeting Matthew and Learning Portugese
On the bus to Brazil, I met Matthew from Ireland. We were the only two foreigners traveling to Manaus and started hanging out. During the day, we visited street bars, met locals, and in the evenings, went to parties. I was amazed at how often girls approached me — some stopped me on the street or sat next to me in a bar. I had barely learned some Spanish, and I already had to start learning Portuguese. Locals were always delighted to hear foreigners speak their language.
Working and Traveling in America is a chapter from my E-Book: Buddhist Monk Saved by Jesus. You can download it for free on my Home page ⟶ Buddhist Monk Saved by Jesus