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 …
Category: Travel
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 …
This is not ‘Nam…There are rules.(*)
I was meditating on what we should do around the Arenal Volcano and my conclusion is that we should honor the gods and toss a virgin into the volcano. However, Sue informs me that this is against the rules. I am very disappointed. (I hope no one is thinking of taking Steven seriously--ever.) Instead we …
Oh The Things We Will Do & See
We (read Sue) did quite a bit of planning for Costa Rica this weekend. Usually we try and organize quite a bit of our excursions before we go, or at least we sketch out what we are doing. For this trip, we decided to plan what we wanted to do but then pretty much try …
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 …
It is Getting Kind of Late
We seem to be off to a slow start with our Costa Rica plans and I am not sure why. Sure, we have our flights and hotels. We have generally planned where we want to be and when, but no real firm plans. Perhaps this week we will get down to brass tacks and figure …
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? …
Getting through the Winter
I hate the winter. Chicago is cold, windy, gray, and snowy. I am miserable from the beginning of November until the spring comes...in July. This year, I have been particularly miserable; I am not really sure why, it hasn't been very cold, there has been almost no snow and while it has been very gray, …
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 