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 …
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
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 …
A Long 12 Weeks A Comin’
Today is our last day in warm, sunny Florida. I'm trying not to think about the 12 weeks of Chicago winter I will endure before we head to Costa Rica. We spent a lot of time strolling in the sun. So nice to be outside without four layers of clothing between me and the air. …
The Joy(?) of Air Travel
For years I held a grudge against United Airlines because of an incident related to traveling with my then-preschool son. You have to give me credit because it's not easy avoiding United when you live in Chicago. I mostly managed it, and then realized that none of the other airlines were any better. A couple …
“Vacation” or Not, Florida Will Be Great
Now that I am down to one week before winter break, I am letting myself focus on Florida. It's sad to say that I don't really consider visiting family "a vacation," and it's not because I don't love family--especially my new, very lovely family. It's just that we're not exploring a new place, and I …
Wild, Wildlife
Today, I took the dog for a walk and I thought, "Wow, it's pretty nice out. I can unzip my coat." It's 29°F. Coat weather makes it pretty easy to dream about tropical Costa Rica. Instead of imaging myself immersed in the warm waters of the Pacific, however, I am thinking about all the cool …
Doing It On The Road 