First time visiting California and I am already in love with it. Let me tell you a little about my experience in San Diego, California. I have travelled here as a work exchange experience, for Hostelling International. Well sort of, let me explain.
I currently work as a Front Desk Officer in Reykjavik, Iceland. And so, I travelled to San Diego for a work exchange. The plan was for me to move to San Diego and work for HI San Diego Downtown. Unfortunately, because of visa complications, it didn’t work out. Anyway, it’s been already one week since I got here and I got one more left. Even though I promised I will enjoy everything to the fullest, a few evenings I just lay in bed, resting.
Living in Iceland, it was difficult to adjust to the 9-hour time zone difference. So, by the time I kinda got used to it, I shadowed the night shift. But since I get asked this plenty of time, I can tell you: I love it here. Of course, I do. Why?
- It’s not in the middle of the summer,
- it’s not too hot,
- there are not so many tourists,
- the city itself is not too crowded,
- there is light (Iceland is very dark in January),
- it’s cheaper than in Iceland
- it has a lot more variations of fruits and vegetables – this being one of the few things I miss ever since I moved to Iceland
However, there are some negatives. The city gets flooded since it wasn’t built for rain. And there are a lot of homeless people on the streets. The last part makes me feel a bit uneasy, especially at night. But nothing bad happened to me, so far. On the other hand, all the palm trees make me feel so alive! Oh, and the ocean, well the ocean is perfect.
This challenge of making a daily vlog it’s quite difficult. It would have been so much easier if I would have had any practice beforehand. But I’m learning as I go and I’m trying to be mindful of other people as well. This is the reason I can’t always comment or record the places where I am going.
I still have a lot to discover, since I haven’t been to any of the beach sides yet. Mostly because of the rainy weather and floods, but it’s still a bit of time left. I have to try Taco Tuesday, I might go to an open mic show. I will try some doughnuts and of course, I need to have some tequila shots.
The hostel experience is great. I can’t even say how grateful and happy I am about coming here. I’m learning a lot about hostelling and managing and it’s just a perfect combination of holiday and business. I will, most probably, go and check out the other hostel in Point Loma. I will spend one night in Los Angeles, in another HI hostel. My flight is departing quite early in the morning.
Have you ever been to San Diego? What were your must-see places? Tell us in the comments below.
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Originally posted on January 24th, 20017, updated on August 2022..
