I’m back from my first ever Haywire Weekend! If you stayed up to date on last week’s post, you’d know that I went to Costa Rica. But to be honest, don’t ask me how that country is, because thanks to Haywire weekend *whispers* I have no clue. I have A LOT to share about my experience, recommendations if you’re considering Haywire, and whether or not I’d go again. Let’s get into my Haywire Weekend Recap:
Side note: If you don’t know what Haywire Weekend is, that’s why their website exists… No but seriously, check out their website and social media for a formal definition of what Haywire Weekend actually is. But seeing as this is my personal blog, I’m just here to tell you my personal Haywire Weekend Recap.
The Formal Stuff: Food & Housing
By the mid May, I had finalized everything from payment to flights, which aren’t included in payment for the trip by the way. A few weeks before the trip, we learned that our villas would be in a city about two hours away from the airport. The type-A planner in me was a little anxious that I didn’t know exact housing details (you don’t learn until the day of for safety concerns) but I told myself to go with the flow.
Everyone on the trip is split into villas across the city. Ultimately I was assigned to the largest, livest, and most LIT villa of the trip which was called CASA PONTE (if you know, you know). It was absolutely beautiful. See for yourself:
In terms of food, Haywire provides an add-on food package option. I opted not to get the food package, because I know myself. Being the picky eater that I am, I didn’t want to commit to a $200 package if I wasn’t convinced that I’d like the food…which I didn’t. On top of that, there were some hiccups with people getting their food in a timely manner or at all (yikes…) so it may not have been worth it after all.
The Cultural Stuff: “Pura Vida”
I was very excited to go to Costa Rica because the IG fiend in me was like, “I’m going to get SO many bomb photos!” I had heard a lot about the beauty of Costa Rica’s rain forests and hot springs. Needless to say I was excited to partake. First of all, I didn’t get more than like 5 photos on this trip. Unfortunately, I’ll be the first to say, if you’re truly trying to see a country, Haywire isn’t the trip for all of that. The trip does provide options for excursions to see the city. The ones this trip included ATV riding and a Waterfall tour. Still, those are only a few hours of a four day trip and most people don’t even make it because they took place early in the morning, and at an additional cost.
If you’re truly trying to see a country, Haywire isn’t the trip for all of that.
I’m not usually one who’s eager to visit a country for a second time, but because I was only able to see a little of Costa Rica, I know for a fact that I will make another trip back soon. If I were to do it all over again, I’d probably arrive in Costa Rica a few days early to do all the wholesome cultural stuff and then end the week with Haywire.
The Stuff You Go For: The Turn Ups
Whew. Where do I begin. Let me start by saying it took a solid 5 days after I got back from Haywire for my body to recover. Keep that in mind if you’re considering going and think you can head straight to work the day after—rookie mistake.
I really don’t know what else to say other than you need to experience it for yourself.
Haywire parties do not disappoint. Despite the hiccups and various logistical issues that arose over the weekend, I can’t deny that those parties were the best I will ever go to perhaps in my entire life. I had never seen a beach brunch or pool party like the one I went to that weekend. I really don’t know what else to say other than you NEED to experience it for yourself.
The Stuff You Don’t Expect: Come As Friends, Leave As Family
I’m a shy person and I lowkey, or maybe highkey, hate meeting new people because I just don’t like being in new situations. Of course, I knew 10 other people going into the trip. I personally wouldn’t do a Haywire trip solo, but shout out to the people who did. That being said, there were about 190 other people on the trip and it would have been a waste of a trip if I didn’t leave without making new connections and friendships. Shoutout to the villa fam, shoutout the NYC fam, and shout out to everyone else I met on the trip that gave good vibes.
The Bottom Line: Would I Do It Again?
Yes. Absolutely. Period. And you should too. I definitely can’t force my body to muster up the strength to go until 2020, but hopefully I’ll find a way to fit another haywire trip into my law school schedule. I know I’d want to do it again, but here are some things to consider if you’re thinking about going on a Haywire Trip.
- Who/What Haywire is not for:
- Someone who wants a relaxing vacation laying on the beach
- Someone who does not want to meet or interact with new people
- Someone who wants to knock various tourist sites off their bucket list
- Someone who can’t hang with the NONSTOP turn up vibes
- Someone trying to be stingy with money (Haywire is not a budget friendly trip)
- Who/What Haywire is for:
- Someone who can get HAYWIRE (don’t worry, even if you only have a little of it in you, the energy of everyone else on the trip will pull the rest out)
- Someone ready to meet new people
- Someone willing to go with the flow of an already created itinerary
- Someone who is about good vibes and drama-free situations
BASED ON MY HAYWIRE WEEKEND RECAP, WOULD YOU GO ON A HAYWIRE TRIP?
“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble” Proverbs 13:20
