From soul-searching to van life to finding your life’s calling, this couple has found their travel sweet spot.
Gresprez and Mono Mexa are from Lázaro Cárdenas, a small town in Mexico. Four years ago, they decided to pack up their 1982 Volkswagen Vanagon to travel across Central and South America. As naturally creative individuals, they were both drawn to creating content and sharing their stories with their social media community.
Earlier this year, Gresprez and Mono joined us at the school. Here’s a glimpse into how they spent their time!
The art of #VanLife
SOTW: We’re so glad you decided to take a break from van life and spend a couple of weeks with us at the school! But, we’re dying to know: What made you decide to pack up your belongings and start living from a van?
Gresprez: We decided to fully embrace living in the van because Mono and I both believe that it’s the most free way to live. We love meeting new people, cultures, customs, and especially places. Living in the van allows us to travel without having a specific plan. It’s the truest form of adventure! While we don’t always know what’s coming next, we do know that we never want our journey to end!
SOTW: That is so awesome, and not to mention, BRAVE! So tell us, how did you learn about School of the World and what drew you to the school?
Gresprez: We actually found out about School of the World through social media! When seeking out our next destination, searching social media is one of the easiest ways to find places that match the vibe and offerings we’re looking for. Also, as content creators, it’s important to us that the places we stay at and visit have an active social media presence so that we can collaborate and promote each other’s content. We were drawn to School of the World through the content they were sharing on Instagram, and when we reached out, they were super responsive!
Life at the school and exploring Jacó
SOTW: We’re so glad you stumbled on our Instagram account, and that we were a good match for each other! Tell us more about your time at the school. What lessons did you enroll in, and what was your overall experience with them
Gresprez: We both decided to take surfing lessons, and I can say without a doubt that they were the best surf lessons I’ve ever received! Anthony and Juan were terrific instructors who taught us how to surf in the water and provided off-water lessons. I felt I got the most benefit from the off-water lessons. Learning how to improve my surf skills on land helped me better connect with the ocean once I was in the water.
I also enrolled in yoga with Cata, and it was the best! Cata is an incredible yoga teacher, knowledgeable about how yoga and surfing work together. She structured her classes and poses around pre- and post-surf lessons, allowing us to care for our bodies and minds!
SOTW: We’re so glad you found so much value in our lessons and instructors. We agree, we’ve got some of the best! 😉When you weren’t catching waves or unwinding on your yoga mat, how did you spend your time at the school and in Jacó?
Gresprez: We spent two full weeks at School of the World, and everyone, from the staff to the instructors to the other students, made us feel right at home. Maria is a fantastic cook who treated us to many homemade Costa Rican meals. Between her and Pedro, the school was kept sparkling clean and they were always there if we needed something. The instructors were always smiling, genuinely embracing the Pura Vida lifestyle by creating an atmosphere that made you feel like you were exactly where you were supposed to be.
Keeping up with Gresprez and Mono
SOTW: We are so thrilled that you and Mono had such a positive experience in Jacó! Any last words to share? Also, how can we keep up and follow along with your travels?
Gresprez: Here’s my advice for anyone considering spending time at School of the World:
Remember to bring your positive attitude and your eagerness to learn, connect, meet new people, discover new places, and discover things about yourself you never thought you could do.
If you come in with this mindset, I’m sure you’ll fall in love with the school just like we did!
Here’s where you can follow us:
