I found what that man at the Spanish school said to be quite interesting about how much the land has changed since foreigners have come to San Marcos to open restaurants and these yoga retreats catered to (often white and wealthy) foreigners/ tourists. Would love to see more content on locals and their perspectives like you did here and ways to ethically travel.
I agree, it is an important conversation. Often as travellers people don't think of the ways the locals are effected by tourism. I wonder if there are any plans for larger conglomerates like Hotels and foreign Business' to give back to the local community. Plus, tourism here appears to be a place that is about introspection and self-healing, but that includes community no?
If you think about it, white foreigners have destroyed most of the richest places agriculturaly in the world. And continue to do so. It's selfish and the only beneficiaries are themselves no one else.
Its happening all over Latin America. the land is getting unaffordable for us because it's getting more expensive as foreigners come and purchase easily at triple the price than what It used to be.
I’m sorry this one has been a little hard to watch. I just feel bad for the locals being displaced by hippies who might have good intentions but go about the wrong way. If the hippies really cared about the locals they would run their businesses as cooperatives at the very least. Or have them own the means of production of the land they live on.
DAMON, YOU DON'T NEED ANYBODY. Your RU-vid production allows you to say and do whatever the hell you want without having to cater to some exec's nonsensical requests- this is far and beyond some of the shit content out there and I for one am hella glad to be on this journey with you and to support you any way that I can.
i was thinking the same thing!!! i’m personally more likely to watch his channel than a professionally produced travel show. the editing, the personality, the places are all A+++
My first thought is how are all these yoga teachers, sOuNd BaTheRs and wellness 'advocates' giving back to the local community? would love to see you interview them about that instead of just asking locals about how their homeland has changed. I'm from Hawaii and see this type of behavior from the wellness folks that come in, take up space and don't really contribute anything to the real local community.
I totally agree. It presents as those squatting for their own gain. Not Damon but those living there and offering services to travellers who can afford that luxury. Of course, it is not positive for me to stand in judgement of people l do not know. They could be doing many noble things. I just hope that they give to the locals, provide free services and learn from local elders and give back. I wish them all well.
Yeah, it would have been an interesting opportunity to have that conversation, especially after hearing the locals' perspective. The sound bather folks gave off weird colonizer vibes lol 😒
This brought back memories! I love Guatemala and have spent quite a bit of time there. Mixed feelings about San Marcos - I ended up there by complete accident, and it was a lovely little village, but really not down with all the foreigners taking over. On the community page I have even seen foreigners advertising doing things like Cacao ceremonies and doing other Mayan traditions. I have no problem in foreigners learning about and experiencing these things, but they should not be creating businesses around and profiting off another culture's traditions. People think they're so woke all the while ripping off Mayan cultures. Sigh. There are so many other awesome places to see in Guatemala, highly recommend Rio Dulce area and Xela.
Exactly what I'm thinking. Getting big "white-hippie-spiritual-colonizer-gentrifyer-appropriater, seeing the ppl and culture as an "other", a tool to further themselves economically and I guess spiritually without considering the impact of their whiteness and western energy/actions on the land/ppl/land" energy from the foreigners. Nothing wrong w wanting to explore other places and be immersed in other cultures, but the whole foreignor-spiritual-"we're on a floating rock"-western energy trope is kinda exhausting me at this point after being around folks like that at my home in Mexico for so long
yes I totally agree, I feel like foreigners don't get it and think this is cool. Theyre using Mayan culture for profit while not having a single native person around. How are you gonna act like you know more about people culture and use it like that on their own land (used to belong to them?)
Do you think that jobs of any kind would just arrive in Guatemala if it weren't for tourists. Stop whining about profiting off of others traditions. At least those traditions are now getting some airing instead of being hidden away. Progress has to come from somehwere. I personally find all the hippies there kind of stupid, but otherwise I don't think anyone would come. Just look at Thailand. If it weren't for endless white tourists, no one would go there.
I love Xela! There were a lot of opportunities to support local business owners there. It’s hard to watch Europeans and Americans make huge profits while Guatemalans are struggling.
I really appreciate you showing what the teacher had to say. This is an issue happening all over Central America and for me I find it super sad. It’s like gentrification, locals are being displaced from their own communities. Locals can barely afford to eat out, live, and enjoy the activities offered in their home communities.
This is so true and I always love watching Damon travel to see the local culture rather than the tourist spots which foreigners open on the native lands. It can be done right, but sadly a lot of the time the foreign owners exploit :/ I hope to travel to support and learn about locals one day like he does.
@@isa.belle.alison exactly. there 100% is a right way to do it. I always tell people if you wouldn't do this in your home country/ it would be illegal you shouldn't do it in the country you've relocated to.
Holy shit this was SO good. Your channel is such a blessing, Damon. I feel so trapped in my life right now with a chronic illness and for 40 minutes, I was just able to travel, escape, “meet” interesting people and experience an entirely new culture. P.S I can lucid dream sometimes but I just use it to get with my celebrity crush whenever he shows up 💀
Same. I’m dealing with some physical ailments that haven’t allowed me to travel so it’s nice to see videos that show a realistic view of traveling. My celebrity crush for lucid dreaming is Chris Evans 😂🥰
The locals seem like good, grounded people- its a shame that a bunch of hippies move into any 'exotic' country and run the locals out of work. This whole vlog, although beautifully shot- was like watching a really bad parody of those sub-religion/not really a religion white girlies get high for an entire month and claim they know more than everybody around them. not even faulting their beliefs, but all the non locals here have a weird kinda out-of-it vibe to them and it just doesn't seem like they know whats rlly going on around them. kinda scary.
this!! u put what I was thinking exactly into words. so over these hippie types w their western energy going into "exotic" places to get "enlightened" and profiting. nothing wrong with wanting to explore other cultures and be immersed, but just like u said there's something rly off about their energy, presence, and the space they take up. very scary and i'm kinda exhausted of it at this point
C'mon y'all! They too can be good people who wanted a different life, packed up everything they knew and moved abroad. That takes courage, and is in many respects, the point of life (going after what you want for your life). Of course there are downsides to tourism, but there are also downsides to staying put somewhere where you aren't happy. Are people from more developed countries only allowed to ever move to developed countries? That's also not helping. At the end of the day, it's the people who are living in the town, locals and foreigners, who are spending their money day in and day out in the local economy anyway. There is no magic answer here!
@@damondominique its fine if people want to move. but it becomes a problem when you start to hurt and exploit the people and land you move to. the locals can no longer access their own beach due to white foreigners buying the land
@@damondominique the problem is that some of these places profit off of indigenous culture & rituals (in Guate, mayan culture) but its all done by foreigners to foreigners. Native people are the ones who sold the land to these people out of necessity and theyre not involved at all, maybe only as service workers. People sell it out of poverty, but then selling to foreigners has also made the land more unaffordable to locals while affordable to extranjeros. I think the teacher explained things very well, that yes there's tourism but its not completely benefiting the locals. A lot of people who go to these places don't go out to truly explore real local culture and other towns, and theyre there for this private world that honestly excludes a lot of the reality of the people who are actually there. In fact, a lot of places are dealing with the privatization of beaches, lake sides because of these types of things. This is the perspective of local people. They aren't themselves growing from this. It's not that people can't ever more to developing countries, or that people can't move where theyre happy, it just depends how and where you do it and what you support, what you allow yourself to experience. Local opinions are really important when it comes to this.
This! So many western hippies go to south asian countries then take the cultural things back to their country just to repackage and market it off at an inflated prices, paying the locals peanuts while treating them like sub-humans. Far more common than not.
Welcome to my country, even tho you went to the very not Guatemalan part of Guatemala as it has been filled by hippies and its rituals, but hopefully you enjoyed it! It's cool to see one of your favourite youtubers dropping by in your own country, so nice to know you were around!
the way you get everyone to open up about their thoughts and experiences is amazing. i love how thoroughly you always immerse yourself in the culture of every place you visit. manifesting that netflix deal for you! your work is incredible, visually stunning, and always interesting. also from a new zealander - would love to see you come here :)
Sad reality of these communities being paid little and losing access to normally public spaces in their home country. While also serving / working for / performing for those exploiting the system all in the name of - enlightenment, yoga etc.
I don't recommend the yoga retreat place tho, there's a lot of controversy with it and they base things off mayan traditions while no one around them is native and they land theyre on used to be owned by indigenous people. many lands in Latin America and in Guate are being taken over by like these spiritual places that somewhat profit from native traditions/rituals while its all run by foreigners (often white, wealthy) and locals aren't involved:(
Damon, hearing you speak Spanish reminds me of me speaking French in Paris. It’s so rewarding being able to use what you learn to speak to natives even if there’s an accent or not knowing exactly what something is called & finding other words to describe it. I love this channel. PS you need to go to Puerto Rico next, por favor!
your videos offer something no bigger production ever could (the authenticity, the connection with other people, your art... it feels natural and real) dw you have everything you need to make great content. ofc I hope you get to accomplish your dreams, but in the meanwhile, just saying.. this is great on its own
Well Damon dear, if you want to make a small contribution to the people of Guatemala you must start buying those necklaces... one necklace a day and in the end you give the necklaces back so the locals can sell them again or you gift them to each of your friends...
I feel like Guatemala is gonna be the next hot spot for influencers. I hope ppl are conscious travelers and pay local hotels, local restaurants and give money to the local communities to benefit the land your visiting. I wish the locals owned their lands or kept it free instead of foreigners buying it up.
I love learning about lucid dreaming -- I have never been able to do it, but I do have reoccurring dreams , and I recall many of them in the morning; because I think it important to acknowledge the subconscious. Often, it reveals certain truths or anxieties I might have and are hiding. My sister lucid dreams sometimes, and she says that often the people in her dream will try and convince her that she is not dreaming. I guess, that is the ego-sense trying to regains consciousness. SOOO cool. To see all the struggles that come with not having internet... like imagine travelling in the 80s. My dad tells me that he would make plans to meet up with people abroad, and if they didn't show up... it was like oh well... move on to the next place, and that is how he met my mum. Crazy, the consumption of time that are devices take from our lives, but also the usefulness of having them is an interesting conversation.
I'm tellin' you: this trip felt like summer vacation when I was a kid. I didn't even *care* about a device ... hence why I've been a bit absent (sowwy bout that)
i'm someone who only lucid dreams & sometimes it can develop into sleep paralysis, the latter makes me kind of hate it but most other dreams are fun. it has also helped me in making decisions in real life, solve problems & have insight into what life has to present. surpisingly i often dream of situations (that seem irrelevant when i have them) but months or years later that thing actually occurs; almost like a deja vu except you know when you dreamt of it. its a very sparse field as of now but i hope you get to experience it, just make sure to be safe & prioritize your mental health/gut feeling if things feel off.
I love your edits, i can't imagine how hard is to do it by yourself, to imagine and put in practice. Keep going!! And come back to Brazil one day, saudades ❤
Is it just me or did it seem like schlepping all the way to Guatemala for some sort of hippie-reunion wasn't really worth it? At least we know where some of the hippies ended up. Guatemala is beautiful but it seems you missed all the history. Such a long way for a "retreat" you could have found closer to home in Europe - like Finland?
I just decided to stop pursuing medicine as a career. I've been watching you for a while and travel has always been something I've pursued at every chance I get because I am a very restless person and I have go on a trip to get this out every couple of months. I just graduated college last year, and I wanted to go into medicine, but I just realized that doing this means that not only will I be stuck in one place for many, many years, but I'd practically have to work myself to death as well. Thank you for sharing your content/experiences through your unique lens. It genuinely helps me so much to realize what I believe is important.
If you feel medicine is your thing, maybe look into alternative, natural medicines (ayurveda, whole foods, etc.). Maybe those could allow you learn on the road + travel!
Guatemalan here, dogs non-stop bark all across the country lol so hearing that lady say San Barkos was funny but very white lol. I admire people wanting to experience a spiritual journey, but when it pushes the locals out it does more harm than good. Very neo-colonizer... These classes are mainly out of price for locals, but foreigner's money converts better so they're the only ones who can enjoy these spiritual practices. (which goes with how u and the store guy were having 2 different conversations). I'm curious on how many foreigners bothered to learn and practice the language. I 100% love that u even went to take a few more classes. It's frustrating because I see the pros of working on your spirituality but as a Guatemalan the cons are too much, I personally can't support what the foreigners have done to sacred land. Land sacred to the indigenous groups of Guatemala. It just has a bad taste in my mouth, can't swallow it.
A 38-min video with you is like being on a phone call with a friend that you haven’t spoken to in a while. I’m moving back to an island and this is calming me down 🌴
I've been following you since you started out on RU-vid years ago, and this is one of my favorite videos you've ever posted. the way you connect with people all over the world and share your experiences with us is so special. You've always had such a unique voice and I've loved seeing you and your work evolve over the years. Sending you so much love!!
I found the topic about how tourists affect the culture really interesting and I think you should continue showing us how to travel ethically. Quatamala has some kind of spirituality and calmness and people seem so chill, hope I have the chance to go there one day😄
Thank you so much for including that part where the guy talks about gentrification cause it’s becoming a serious problem for everyone🥺. I hope you come here more often ❤️❤️
I can't believe I get to watch this for FREE. Damon's travel series is so much better than most shows I've seen on TV. Now I want to go to Guatemala lol
I so adore your videos, Damon!! Unlike any other travel show, your content transcends from the viewer. It is as we were there, and that its authentic it does not shy away from the illusions of life; like the main reason why people watch nowadays is to escape but you content provides meaningful gist that starts dialogues. And the way you connect to ppl, that for me iz the best thing ever !!
Yooo the dogs and the random explosions kept me up constantly in San Marcos! But Jaibalito was my jam - also more locally-owned places, though the extranjeros taking land along Atitlan is a problem all over there for sure.
You've got to be kidding me. This is AMAZING and, as cliche as it sounds, ENLIGHTENING. Thank you for your non-stop dedication towards art and education Damon.
Great video as always! I'm always sad when they end. I love your curiosity and your drive for adventure/trying new things. You're an inspiration to me :)
When Amber talked about the days of silence, it really captures how I felt after I completed my first Vipassana course. I essentially had to learn how to self soothe in days of silence and meditation! Loved this vlog, miss guatemala.
@@amulyasubhash7764 it is scary! I think the key is to sign up whether you're ready or not. I think like many life changing events (getting a new partner, buying a house, marriage, death), we're never really ready. At least you took that step to start thinking about attending Vipassana! 3 biggest tips I can give you: 1. Do your best to follow the schedule they give you so you can get the full experience of trying this one meditation technique 2. Trust that when you come out of vipassana, something in you will shift. Throughout the entire course, I kind of questioned if life was going to be different after.. if my anxiety will lessen, reactivity will lessen, insecurities will lessen. Somehow, all of those things shifted when I came back to real life. Truly miraculous to have a quiet, peaceful mind because I never thought it to be possible with the amount of anxiety I have. 3. Deep meditation days = lack of sleep or tumultuous dreams. This is something a lot of people experience, including myself but no one told me about this until day 6 or 7, Goenkaji talks about it in the evening discourses. Not to worry, you will be okay with little sleep as long as you notice any random sensations on your body (hot, cold, tingling, soreness, itchy).
I NEED to learn Spanish it’s honestly getting to point where it’s just rude of me that I haven’t yet. Your videos always put me on the right track again 😍💕u da best!
Arghhh BLISS ! I miss these sort of travel vlogs !! This whole trip was a vibe, definition of ‘off the grid’ 😍 I friggen love it ! Thank you Damon !!!!!! I want to go to these places so beautiful ✨
Lovee your videos ❤ I feel like I’m experiencing it through you. I love how you travel through the lense of a personal journey by exploring the places around you, it makes me wanna explore (more) the area I’m living in now. Travel really opens us up to ourselves and the world.
I have been a fan of yours for yearssss and have loved all of your solo videos so far but I have to say, with great power comes great responsibility and I can’t help but feel a little let down by this video and the voices that you choose to highlight. I would have loved to hear more from the locals such as the man and women at the school. If you did have those conversations or you did have a chance to learn about the significance of cacao and other traditions in the Guatemalan culture (from Guatemalans) or about how gentrification is impacting the community, I would love to see that! (Coming from someone who has family from Guatemala and has been there, I wish influencers used their power to share the beauty of the country I love and not appropriated practices taught by westerners) It’s one thing to be a tourist that partakes in the gentrification of these communities, but it’s another thing to be an influencer with a platform and not explain thoroughly the impact of the tourism you’re promoting
Many things can be true at the same time! For example, while there are negative effects to tourism to San Marcos, at the same time who is the locally-owned Spanish school gonna teach Spanish to if there is no tourism? They cater specifically to tourists. Secondly, I actually did have this social justice angle in mind when asking the Spanish teacher "What do you think of all the tourism, specifically white American tourists like myself, to San Marcos!?" and she said "There are advantages and disadvantages. It's been great for my economic income." I actually cut the clip though cuz I didn't think it helped their case, but now I see it makes me look like I *wasn't aware.* Now, of course...she's one person and perhaps she is not educated on the long-terms effects of gentrification, but sometimes I feel like there's a disconnect between what the internet wants the locals to think and what some locals are really thinking. Anyway, I just try to show my real, natural experience in countries - what or who I'm drawn to - and not a super-scripted interview style documentary! There were other clips with other people, but to be honest, sometimes the conversations aren't that interesting. I also tend to highlight expats/immigrants who have moved abroad because I think their stories are really interesting too (leaving a culture they know to live abroad takes guts and there's almost always an interesting backstory that drives it). Lastly, I had traveler's diarrhea, so the shots I got were the shots I got 😂
I work with TV platforms (not for them) and let me tell you that good ideas alone don't sell anymore. You need names attached that will elevate the valuation of your pitch, which is unfortunate but that is the business now. But to be honest, what you're doing is far more liberating than being attached to any contract. They will control your creativity, your autonomy and put a bunch of conditions over your head. You will not own your project 100% and that defeats the purpose of what you've created here, including the community that you've built. Not sure if that's what you want. It's like what Alain de Botton says about relationships: what you're seeking for can be found in every type of relationship, not just in romance. Likewise, you already possess the creativity, the community, the influence, the recognition, the freedom gained by sharing your work on RU-vid. TV platforms do have a wide reach but it is not the end-all-be-all. Just my opinion. Lots of love ❤
Honestly it's interesting to have a different perspective on my country. I feel like we tend to focus a lot on the negative side and forget that other people see it very differently
Really? Most of the other extranjeros that I met there also loved it. All the Guatemalans I met were also super smiley and happy to be alive. And I went to Antigua, Pana, San Marcos, San Juan, San Pablo, and Guatemala City!? Anyway, we love y'all!
@@damondominique it’s the truth! Maybe add a cultural anthro book to your backpack next time. I think it’d really speak to a lot of what you’ve experienced already ;)
the level of imprv in life when Damon decided in one click to fly to Guatemala!!! hahahhahaha. I hope I can have a gut to live like you Damon!!!!! watching you has been an enchanting experience!!!!! I feel like I could hang out with you by only laughing at your humor. sense of humor is matched!!!! if this filmed in conventional vlogging, t won't as good as this!!! Love you Damon....
San Marcos is quite literally a vortex. I went to volunteer for 2 weeks and stayed for 3 months. Bless all the intergalactic-ness that occurs. Not much has changed.
Lucid dreaming is a trip. I'd have a nightmare, then realize that the circumstances weren't realistic. Then I'd test it, then I'd fly away. It was amazing.
I love your videos so much! Because of you I stared traveling. I’m now 1 year in traveling in Latin America. I love it when you post a new video. I thought I was going to make video’s when I stared traveling but for me it’s hard to life in the moment when thinking about making video’s! I have so much respect for you. Keep doing what u doing. Xoxo
In a league of your fucking owwwwwn, DamonD! What a stunner this video is. Every time you put one of these exemplary videos out I think mannnn it can't get any better. AND THEN IT DOES!
I feel like Damon is like a animal crossing character who like makes new friends and new places and if he needs help he can always go back and talk to them, and then they have really good conversations, LOL
Thanks for all your wonderful content Damon! Been watching you since the Shut Zup & Go days and you’ve only gotten better! I just want to say thank you for the inspiration; I’m considering traveling this summer and maybe even the year, trying to do it full time maybe, though I’ve only been out of the country (U.S) once. I’ve just felt this unending restlessness, unsatisfied, at times unmotivated, depressed energy, the need to keep going and not really knowing why I feel that way. I just moved to a new city, San Francisco, from the East Coast, in late September and I’m already feeling the urge to move on, I love my job, I’m an Early Ed teacher,but whenever I go, in the day to day, I just keep picturing newness and otherness and longing for more and I can’t say why exactly. Travel to some extent scares me, I tend to be a creature that likes my habits, but also I want to break them and just live freely without boundaries. I want to exude the energy; of being open to others and that can be hard for me, but I’m hoping that if I push myself and travel, maybe that’ll help. I just thought this would be the place to thank you for your inspirationsl vids, they keep me wanting to go out and see the world and give me hope that I’m not the only one who experiences this feeling of unending need to leave and seek other places and new connections. If anyone else has amazing travel stories or similar experiences, I’d love to hear them! Thanks again Damon! So excited for your next adventure! This vid was one of my favs. 😊♥️✌🏻
Awww that man confirming the bad side about foreigners opening businesses in countries like Guatemala. Honestly, thanks for leaving that part in. It’s important for people to understand theses things. It makes me so mad too, that foreigners turn things private and inaccessible to locals, having taken advantage of their situation and buying land, cheaply, that the locals had to sell due to their circumstances. SMFH
Nobody: Damon starting conversations with locals: tHe DOgS 🐕🐶🐩 Really tho - your content is unmatched! Every video is like a mini and light-hearted documentary in the best way
had go a write a separate one for this: Damon you're, and I'm not just saying this, probably the most prolific content creator on the platform right now. Not even just in the traveling lifestyle part of youtube but overall. The editing, the music, YOU. You are so entertaining, you could word vomit and still have something super interesting come out. I know it's been hard for you but honestly you're no doubt at your peak content wise. I'd pay for this any day
I love this channel but this is not it. When I went to Lago Atitlan, we booked a hostel but realized when we there that it was run entirely by english-speaking foreigners and hippies and everyone there was pretty much American or European. We asked for places to eat around the hostel and were told that there wasn't really anywhere besides the hostel itself. The next day we walked up to the village that was up a verrry steep hill and stumbled on a nonprofit kitchen dedicated to training and empowering local women. Of course we ate there but it was really upsetting to me that we had been lied to and had almost missed on supporting a local cause. We left that day and found a hostel across the lake run by a local indigenous woman and her mom and it was the best--she showed us around, took us to a secret local swimming hole, and much more. When traveling, please support locals!!
I'm surprised someone that travels so much like you still travels with a suitcase and not one of this big backpacking things. I feel like it would be handier. Definitely not the only thought this video sparked in me but I guess this is the one I decided to comment about haha
It is odd that so many people from Guatemala are coming to the US for a better life and now Guatemala is becoming the next Costa Rica or Panama which both have gotten expensive. The place reminds me of Chang Rai in northern Thailand which is where I think you ought to go to next. I would also like to see you in China and many other places around the world. Just think of it - Damon's travel channel and this time it is all you. You should also think about writing some travel books. Some people love to read.
I loved this video! So many gorgeous shots. Got me thinking we can practise silence in our daily life. I know the full experience of going silent for 60 days is going to weld different results but even to try in our own way could be beneficial. I’m in a time of dissatisfaction until a certain date. (Saving money to move back home) not suppressing my emotions but being more inward for the next 3 months would be super interesting to see how I can handle these stressful months alone working in the peak season of tourism in food industry. Sort of like my final struggle here before levelling up and letting go and moving forward. As always Damon thank you for sharing your unique experiences and outlooks with us all.
I used to lucid dream every night as a kid with the exception of nightmares but it stopped once i got older and needed meds for insomnia!! Would love to try a retreat like that...
I'm huge advocate for binural beats. Like she said, it's hard for me to shut my brain up but I allow myself to be in the moment. It really does help with headaches, stress/anxiety, etc.
Central Americans are incredibly friendly are hardworking honest people. That is why I don't understand why many Americans are so upset up immigration from Central America. These people will work much harder and be on time to jobs, unlike many Americans especially certain minorities. I wish we could swap some of our lazy thugs for kind Central Americans.
The point of the planet is for you to explore it and to make awesome videos so we can watch your masterpieces. For where do you hurry boy? Sometimes the brain if it's too free will torture us. Give it good meditation and enjoy what you create for yourself and every each moment. Gratitude!
