The Worst Van Life Experience Ever in Costa Rica // Hasta Alaska // S02E03

I've literally almost packed my bags and I'm done with this Kombi. Despite the rebuild, I'm going to a mechanic for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day for most of December. The engine has just seized. I don't know what's blown up this time but it needs to come out again for the sixth time. I'm ditching the Kombi and I'm going to go and have some fun. There was a woman who put the ocean rolling, rolled them from the new world. Who you call but you know, he's only breaking the law. They said there came a day when they broke away from all their chains. In country tempers run like Caribbean sun. And the water froze jazzy when he went home. There was a woman who gave out her purse. The ocean rolling, rolled them from the new world. And who you call but you know, he's only breaking the law. I started to fall in love with Costa Rica almost immediately. But travelling with Alaska wasn't allowed on public transport. And at over $70 an hour in a taxi, I knew I'd have to start thinking about Capito again. So I went back to assess the damage and decide if this was the end of the trip. This is the best equipped garage I've seen in Latin America and I've seen a lot. We had all this space. We had everything we needed. And Alaska loved it, so we moved in. Many cars have been abandoned due to costly work and we couldn't afford the repairs either. We had one option. If we were going to get Capito out of here, we'd have to learn to do the work ourselves. Engine rebuild number 6, this time Costa Rica. Unfortunately there's nothing else I can do with this engine, despite having spent thousands of dollars on repairing it many times. Now I have to buy a second hand engine which is of unknown quality. And I have to get that engine from wherever I find it back to this little town. It's not going to be easy. Buying a complete replacement engine was supposed to get us straight back on the road. But over one month later we were still having problems. But I found strength in one man's story. In 1951, Dick Weber and the entire family left the safety and comfort of the USA and embarked on an epic journey of their own. Being one of the first road trippers in Central America, and would break down some flat tyres almost every few miles, they encountered international borders that were little more than a fence in a field, crossed roadless jungles with wit and ingenuity, and arrived to start the first mechanic shop in this region. This is where I developed my determination, where I learned to be a mechanic, and where our stories intersect, their journey south and our journey north. But no matter how many hours I put in, our despair was increasing. Luckily the next generation of Weber's was as kind as the first, inviting us out on family picnics, birthdays, meals, and even letting us sleep on their sofa. Little by little, in our road trippers nightmare, we started to fall in love with the Tico's. Finally, we got our wheels rolling. Uh oh, smoke! I don't have enough breath in my body to sigh enough. I'm so over this. I'm not really happy with the situation, but I kind of want to leave as well. I don't want to take the whole thing apart again, it was a nightmare putting it together. Okay, I'm going back while I still can. What the crap was that? Looks like I'm not going anywhere for a while. You can't see the quality of the oil on this video, but it's shiny, there's metal bits in it, and there's a clunking noise, it's just started. I have to take the engine out again, and open up the case and see what's inside. So after a month, I'm basically back where I was. Oh, and the good news is, I phoned the guy that sold me the engine, and he said he's not going to help me, and there's no guarantee. Which is pretty much difficult. I have to take it apart, take it out again, and rebuild it. Again. For the seventh time. And possibly replace it. At what point do I give up? Here we go again. I started the day thinking it was my final test run, and I was going to be hitting the beach tomorrow. And I ended like this. It's basically another engine rebuild. It's the darkest moments, I can see no eye, I can see no eye. And all of the ghouls come out to play. That everyone wants is pound of flesh. But I'd like to keep some things to myself. I'd like to keep my issues strong. It's always darkest before the dawn. And I've been a fool and I've been blind. I can never leave the past behind. I can see no way, I can see no way. I'm always dragging that horse around. I'll always question such a mournful sound. Tonight I'm gonna bury that horse in the ground. I'd like to keep my issues strong. It's always darkest before the dawn. Shake it off, shake it off, shake it off, shake it off, shake it off. With the devil on your back, so shake him off. Faceless heart, so tonight I'm gonna wish you was wrong. It's always darkest before the dawn. Shake it off, shake it off, shake it off, shake it off, shake it off, shake it off. It's always darkest before the dawn. It's a shot in the dark and right up my throat. Cause looking for heaven for the devil in me. Usually a family visit to your home is a predictable affair. But when my brother called round this year, my home was on wheels. I was living in a combi in Central America and nothing about it could be considered ordinary. Show yourself, give me what you need from me. For the trees wanted to be haunted. Show yourself, take away what you need from me. For the trees wanted to be haunted. Butter is warm, buds and knees shiver. A baby is born, crying out for attention. Memories fade, like looking through a fog. Decision to decisions are made in love. This wouldn't hurt a lot, guess not. Show yourself, take away what you need from me. For the trees wanted to be haunted. I've just come out from my sixth surf in two days. I'm getting more surfs than I am meals. And I'm parked right at the beach. Life is perfect. Show yourself, take what you need from me. For the trees wanted to be haunted. Costa Rica was almost the end of this after Alaska dream. But through renewed determination, we grew an even bigger appetite for adventure. As we head towards the northern frontier, we were reminded that every journey is unpredictable. And all we can do is open our hearts and our minds and make the best of the world that faces us. We will be seeing you in Nicaragua. In Costa Rica we were astonished by how many people came to our aid. Not only did people contact us from all around the world with advice and information through the Samba, but they rallied together, shipping parts and books to get us back on the road. Thanks to all you guys, Ian, Stuart, Doug, Bow Wow, Autovice, Bus Daddy and everyone else who supported us. And let the mechanics, Dick, Jose, Robert and Bin, for letting us live in your garage and not getting frustrated with our bad Spanish. To Michael, for making me believe there's a solution to every problem. To Karen, Wendy, Megan, Juarez and Ebenezer, giving me a taste of Tico family life. And most of all to Alan Weber, for everything. The tools, the space, the time, the support, the patience, the meals, the friendship. Two months I was with you and you charged me nothing. Thank you for making this dream possible. Pura Vida!