Andy’s First Trip With Friends

By: Andreas Lindholm Berringer

My name is Andreas Lindholm Berringer. I have ASD. I like that I am healthy and strong as an ox, and I like that I am well educated, well developed, independent and highly functional.

To get support with my living and learning, I do I-thrive on Wednesday’s (on occasions) and Thursday’s at Garden. I also like to travel, so when I saw an opportunity to travel with my Garden friends, I went with the Traveling Gnomes to Costa Rica. 

It was a lot of work to get ready to travel with the group. I packed my stuff in two to three days in advance. The plane rides were long and I ate some food on one of them. Once we got there I kayaked, snorkeled, hiked, did yoga, swam, and ziplined. I really liked trying new foods and cuisines, learning different cultures, site seeing, watching and looking at the wildlife, and shopping for gifts and souvenirs.

I learned so many things on this trip. I conquered my fear jumping off high platform to jump in the water. The most challenging thing for me was, being in or on the ocean and handling the motion sickness while on the water.

The people in Costa Rica I met, were welcoming and friendly. They created an inclusive environment for me and my friends. The guides and the people in the shops, restaurants, and our destinations were super helpful and so happy we were visiting their country.

This was my first trip with friends. I really liked the independence of being away from home and enjoying all the new things that Costa Rica had to offer. I am considering traveling with the Gnomes again next year. My favorite part about Costa Rica, was all of it.