Yesterday, we had our first water adventure: white water rafting. We thought we were getting class V rapids but the trip we were on only had class II and III. I'm still not sure we got the tour we originally booked (or thought we booked); nevertheless, we had a blast. We took a bus ride …
Author: Susan
Susan AKA Sue, AKA Aunt Susie: I am a former journalist and teacher at semi-loose ends who is still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I am restless and determined. I love a challenge.
Things I like: photography, yoga, mountains, a great book, exploring, music.
Things I am not so keen on: standing still, gray days, coconut
Don’t Lose Your Passport
But if you do, you really can get another one in one day--at least I know you can if you're within driving distance of Chicago. Tuesday: Yes, Tuesday night I realized my passport wasn't in it's usual spot. We are leaving this morning (Saturday) for Costa Rica, as you probably know. I hunted and hunted. …
A Visit to Korea a Few Miles from Home
Sometimes when you can't get away and the weather is just yucky (if you read this blog, you may have gotten an inkling that the weather in Chicago SUCKS!), you have to pretend to go away by experiencing a different culture at home. To that end, Steven and I went to one of the best …
I Love My Dog, But…
Who doesn't love their dog? Rosie has been part of the family for 9 of her 10 years. She's a little (little is not a word we should be using with Rosie - in any context) crazy in a German shepherd way, but she's loyal and she gets me out of the house even when it …
Knowing Where We’re Going
Everyone I have mentioned Costa Rica to has either said they had been there and loved it or really wanted to go. Of course, this makes me even more excited for the trip, but I realized that although we keep talking about beauty and adventure, we had not at all talked about history and culture. The …
Hablo un poco de español
As you probably know, we are going to Costa Rica in 5 weeks (not that I am counting). A few months ago, I decided that I should at least try to remember some of my Spanish and learn a little more. I never could really speak, but I could do touristy stuff like order food …
Cognitive Dissonance
Wow, it's tough to think about whitewater rafting, hiking through rain forests and up volcanoes, or touring a coffee plantation when you need five layers of clothing to walk your apparently-impervious-to-cold dog. I tried to pretend the crispy crunching of snow sounded like waves lapping on the shore, but I must admit, my imagination lacks …
Haiku You Doin’?
Snow We shoveled, sweating My mind on a jungle hike Costa Rica calls Beaches Sun, sand, surf, salt, sea Wandering, breathing, soaking it in, peacefully Arenal Volcano My thoughts erupting They bubble forth unbidden Flowing like lava Two Shovels Shovels on the deck Are we making sand castles? Rich fantasy life Now we write haikus? …
Life’s Travel Sonnet #1
Anticipating, planning, and dreaming Traveling expands past where you’re going The unknown rushing toward you, gleaming I’m not really here, that mindset flowing Constantly through my soul like white water Propelling me down the river of life Thinking always of places much hotter Where sunshine cuts my mind’s haze like a knife Or mountains where …
Why I Go Anywhere
As I sit here with my winter break waning, I turn my thoughts to hiking in Costa Rica. I can't complain about the weather here (it was above 50 degrees today!) but it won't last and I need to have an out in my head for when it temperature drops like a stone. I'm …
Doing It On The Road 