City v. Country

(Day 3 Friday) before leaving for Caribbean

70-ish “bug” (mosquito? Sand fleas?) bites later, miscellaneous cuts and bruises (from jagged coral, heavy backpacks, 18 mile bike rides and who knows what else), I finally escaped the city and tourism. It wasn’t without it’s haggles. But I digress, you will witness the transgression (right word?) in due time. There are gaps in between bustling city life and rural calm. In those few days I learned things about myself, Costa Rica and humanity in general.

Hostels, oh hostels. This is where I left off last. Don’t get me wrong, they serve their purpose. Quite well actually. I mean, a bed to sleep in for $12 is great. Even if you have to sleep in a room with 6 other people. There are drawbacks of course, like not realizing I’m probably the latest night owl ever. Upon return to a room that is quiet and dark and having to fumble through my shit in the dark I realize I should have had things ready before going out. Second note, I highly suggest hostels take my tip and ask people on arrival if they snore. They should put ALL the people that snore into one room. How unfair. It’s like giving priority for days off on holidays to people with children. I don’t know where I drew that parallel but shit, I don’t get to sleep because you snore too loud? Wtf? I was really tempted to pinch their nose, or shake their feet but was too lazy to get out of bed. Lesson #1 I am smart. Ha ha. There are about 5 or 6 things I brought with me on this trip that I am SO happy (pat myself on back) that I brought. Earplugs. Sleep mask. My pillow. A small blanket. And my water shoes. Humph. So instead of harassing fellow hostelers in their sleep, I put on my earplugs.

The next thing about hostels that didn’t really entice me is the party party atmosphere. You know I am a city girl and love a good party. Shit, I am known to be the first one to arrive and the last one to go home. BUT I did not come to Central America to party till the break of dawn with a bunch of college aged kids doing beer bongs and yes, it’s good to meet people from around the world but also not something I came to Costa Rica for. Additionally, everyone (even staff) speaks English, there is internet access galore, Americanized meals at the hostel restaurant, basically, staying at a hostel is nothing short of spring break in Cancun. A falsely created sense of paradise with the securities of home. Again, there is NOTHING wrong with that if that is what you are after. Everything has it’s place in this world (something I’m coming to terms with) but it is just not for me. At least not on this trip.

Our last night in San Jose was a preface to the division of people I began to meet in Costa Rica. It seems as if there are a distinct two types of people. The fearful, frightened, paranoid foreigners who will tell you to their dying breath that you can’t EVER trust a Tico and if you let them, would convince you to go and purchase a gun and have it under your bed at all times. On the flipside, there is a different kind of person that exists. In my humble opinion, the other side is a type of person who definitely has their eyes open, not naïve to the possibility of crime and bad people, but also is a person that recognizes the kindness, generosity and helpful nature of the majority of Costa Ricans. You have to understand, while it is paradise, it is also a very poor country, economically speaking. Some people only earn $200 a month, if that. And some of those people that earn meager pennies, are the nicest people in the world and would give you their last morsel of food if you were stranded and knocked on their door. On the other hand, which in my experience this happens all over the world, there are those who resort to stealing from other people to get by in this life. Luckily, I have been schooled in how to keep all my belongings in my possession and being a city girl my level of awareness is already many levels above say, someone from Nebraska who doesn’t think to lock their doors at night let alone be aware of the characters surrounding them on the street at any given moment. Anyway…so Dave and I literally walked like 6 miles Sunday. We visited the old cemetery. Then just kind of meandered about the city here and there. It’s interesting because apparently our hostel was in the red light district and yes, I saw hookers both female and transvestite, but really didn’t think much of it. Every time we left the hostel the guy working the door tried to tell us we needed to take a cab because of the neighborhood. I found not a single person bothered us. I’m convinced it’s a combination of street smarts and good energy. Not to say that people with good energy don’t get fucked with. Thus far I’ve met about five people who have been pick pocketed, stolen from or had some incident go down where they had something of value taken from them. As well as residents of Costa Rica that say they carry two wallets on them, a dummy wallet in case of thievery and their real wallet. But surrounding all of these incidents is something that could have been done to prevent. Every story of something being stolen from a room or from the person is either drunken carelessness in a bar late night, not paying attention to their pocket on a crowded bus while standing up to hold on, living in a building that is entirely foreign inhabitants (thus targeted as having money) so on and so forth. Just a few street smarts can go a long way.

So after our romp around the city, we are craving a Guiness and I noticed the expat bar next to our hostel has Guiness. Naturally we go there. Turns out, the man that owns the place is from Rockford, a city right outside of Chicago. We meet a couple, the man from New Hampshire and the woman from Scotland. They seem nice enough, but in my perception (perception being another big topic in the grand scheme of things on this trip…more on that later) a bit jaded and slightly askewed on their view of the world, or of Costa Rica. Apparently have traveled around the world, scouting out the cheapest places to live. They’ve found Thailand to be the cheapest but ventured to Costa Rica. Upon arrival they only had been two places when we met them. Quepos and San Jose. Both very touristy. They were complaining that it was too expensive and while Dave tried to convince them of his world views and engage in discussion, the woman was having no part of it, insisting that

(I'm running behind in my posts. SO much to say. These past four days have been a rollercoaster. I'm going to catch up tonight but had to post at least this much. Sorry there's no pics and it just kinda runs out at the end. I'll finish up after a few Guinesses ;)

La Farmacia

So I went to the pharmacy today. Can you believe I can walk into a farmacia, tell them what is wrong and they will give me antibiotics. Not only that...but the health care system here is amazing. If I go to the hospital...a doctor visit of about and hour plus two prescriptions is only around $40. I know because a roommate at the hostel had to go to the hospital because he had an eye infection. Chalk another one up to Costa Rica. The people here are amazing. We continue to meet Tico's y Tica's and they're just a really happy friendly people. Which of course, there are people like that everywhere but in general at least in Chicago, people get weirded out if a stranger approaches them and starts to talk to them.

Today we walked probably about six miles all over the city. We went to this large cemetery which was gorgeous. A beautiful view of the mountains in the background...oh I can't wait to get into the mountains. Here's some pics of the cemetery.







The plaza's here are an example of what is lacking in the States. Everyone gathers in these huge plazas and parks everywhere. There are street performers and kids and adults and lovers and just all sorts of people enjoying the day. I suppose there are parks in Chicago but nothing like this. Of course I love the food stalls with fresh fruit and veggies and spices and I found a quaint little cheese shop today. Queso Uralba (spelling?) is what I'm after.







San Jose gets a bad rep sometimes but it's all in your idea of perception. People are so scared to step outside their comfort zone and as Americans the media and society have hammered into our psyche that people are dangerous and out to get you. I've not had that experience. People are the same the world over. I hope I can find some couchsurfers to stay with. I'm really itching to cook. I'm loving these little soda stands and good cheap eats but I want to cook damnit! (This hostel ended up not having a kitchen. I love a good communal meal and several bottles of vino. ;) Also can't wait to give it a go with surfing again. Don't worry mom, like I said, healthcare here is basically free. I'm going to get an instructor this time. I'm really going to be in shape after this trip. Walking everywhere. I love it. Can't wait to play tennis on the Caribbean too. Getting out of the city will do wonders for me. Can't wait. Might head down to Panama for a day or two. Not sure. You can't imagine what it feels like not to have an agenda. I don't want to pigeon hole myself into anything...just going with the wind...or the stars...or whatever...lol. Life.

I am exhausted but that's good. Need food. Love u all. Keep it real.

*Meet Vincent*Good Eats*First Hostel Experience*

I've been feeling a little off since I got back from Florida. But brushed it off cuz I didn't know what it was. I'm not going to get into details but you know when it's midnight on a Saturday night and I'm in the company of good people and beer....it's out of the ordinary that I have to go home. Pretty sure it's a bladder or urinary tract infection. Yes, treatable but still doesn't help the matter at the moment. Hurts to move. To top it off, I forgot that I have vicoprofin and took something else much less effective to numb the pain until morning. Figures.

Where did I leave off? Oh, right. Meet Vincent.



So much went on today...all compilations of moments that add up to the sum of its parts.

Had another amazing meal, this time it was a Colombian meal. If anyone knows me they know I love that shit and cook some really tasty South American meals. for $2.50 this is what we got...plus a juice made from a fruit called Maracuya. Kinda tasted like cross between pineapple and pear juice. yummy! And the place was really charming. The pics were supposed to be posted in reverse order. Guess blogspot does last pic posted first. Will have to figure that out.







Here's a clip of the awesome downpour that happens every day....just as Wyllys indicated...around 2 p.m. Crazy.



We met another local whom *smoked* with us and took us out and we had some beers and he was a really cool guy. Unfortunately I started feeling really funny and had to go home as previously mentioned. However, we learned about the political conditions in C.R. and how the economy and weakening of the dollar has affected this country which is largely dependent upon tourism. I have a six hour bus ride tomorrow so I'm going to catch up with the rest of my thoughts and probably have a few random thoughts thrown in there. Going to shower and spend our last day in San Jose alcohol free and wander around I'm headed to the cemetary to take some pics and go to farmacia for some antibiotics. Till next time bitches!

*Minimize*Art*Tropicality*

After my entire bottle of vino was gone last night and I successfully posted an entry (it's rather difficult when my mind is experiencing so many new and different things every moment of the day...to try to sit down and process it all and get it written is nothing short of a miracle.) It's easy to slip into a new place with new faces and opportunity. Anyway...right now I'm waiting to check into our hostel, which is bad ass by the way. And there is a tropical rainstorm outside. I love the sound of rain. So yea, there's a mechanical bull at this hostel and some AMAZING artwork.

Anyway...woke up this morning and Dave and I strolled along this street that is cobblestone and only for pedestrians. San Jose is a city much like any other city. Payless Shoes...department stores...seemingly a LOT of zapaterias. They love their shoes here. I like the styles I'm seeing in the street. I've heard a lot about the dangers of San Jose but I gotta say, it's not much different than my hood in Chi. Beggars, homeless, wealthy, poor, etc..so we went to a probably tourist cafe for breakfast and I had the most delicious salad. You know I'm a nut about food so pardon me for being in Central America and speaking of food. lol. But it was lettuce, avocado, refried beans, tomatos, tortilla chips, chicken strips, cucumber,
corn, cheese, and crutons. Topped with a vinaigrette of cilantro, lime, maybe some avocado....fucking delish. I know it's not Costa Rican but it really was delicious. And I had a banana juice with milk. Divine.


The graffiti here is cool as shit.









The street vendors are clever. It's illegal to set up shop on the avenue but they do it anyway. When the cops come, one person lets out a voice signal and they quickly pack it all up in a sheet and get out of the street. My idea to burn dvd's and sell them as one part of a way to make money, sadly, has already been taken. Dave and I think we're going to get holiday decorations cheap and sell them here. Saw a blow up Santa that was only about two feet tall and it was $40.00. Jesus Cristo!

It's raining like crazy right now but it's pretty spectacular. Going to the market later and I really want to cook but there's no kitchen here. Sucks. But I think I'm ready for some real Costa Rican food. Gallo Pinto and soda stands here I come. Tonight we're meeting up with a local I met on Craigs List so it should be fun. I checked out an English school to meet them and see if they hire English teachers. I have no idea what's next in my life...it's a blank canvas. I desperately desire to go to grad school so perhaps I shall put off my stay in a foreign country for a couple of years but it's fun to check out what's possible. It's been a busy two days and I'm not conveying nearly enough but I'm lucky to even have been able to post this much. I really wanted y'all to meet Vincent. If I see him again I'm totally going to follow him around with video. This guy from Pasadena Cali who has been here for six years. Hustlin...we paid him to take us to get wine yesterday...as he undressed me with his eyes about fifty times. But he was good people. He was going to get us our mota but we were not wanting dirt so we opted to wait until we got to Caribe. But Vincent is a character and I would love for you to meet him. Too much rambling and seriousness, a good laugh will do you well. ha ha. Here's pics of the hostel.






Minimize. oh minimize. I brought too much shit here so I had to minimize and pack my hiker backpack so we can leave my other bag here whilst frolicking in el Caribe but it's teaching me a lesson. Grrr....I will not go down without a fight though. I still proclaim I NEED all that shit. ha ha. I'm sure I'll change my tune in a week. Might not be able to post as much in Caribe...need to get away from civilization and BE in Costa Rica. It's easier now because I'm in a city. Might check out for a few days after Monday but I'll be around today and tomorrow. Much luv. Hold down the USA for me and don't do anything I wouldn't do....which is not much so....

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men....

Whew. Where do I begin. I'm sitting in San Jose, Costa Rica....ok...so suffice it to say I've had a lot on my mind pre-Costa Rica. The things I've always wanted I don't really care so much about anymore and likewise the things I thought I didn't want, I kind care more about now. But that's neither here nor there at the moment. Things are happening at an accelerated rate and I'm tuned into what's happening and why it might be happening. Maybe I think too much about all this stuff but hey, to each his own right? So my dear loved ones were over my house on Wed. night to see me off. It's not like I'm going to Mars but it IS a big step for me and even as I sit here now, completely comfortable and at ease, I know there are big changes on the horizon for me. This might bore you as my reader but perhaps you can identify...we've all had times where life is just amplified in every way due to situations or circumstances so on and so forth. So everyone was over...stayed up late...got up early....nothing unusual with that. Got to the airport in record time (12 minutes) and got on the flight with ease. Yes, I probably packed too much but whatever, I'm here for three months and my agenda is everything from backpacker style to Cancun proper and I've even already worn my heels (even though it was just to walk to the store to buy a bottle of wine ha HA). I wish I could convey more of what is going on but there just isn't time right now for the hustler from Cali named Vincent or how I was feeling before I left or even for my amazing Florida trip which I will never forget. *swoon* & soul. SO....Dave arrived from Denver...my besties were over to see me off. I didn't sleep until like 1:30 and had to wake at 3:30....ended up not getting up until like 4:15 but made it to airport by 4:30. Which was perfect. Everything was perfect. Got on the flight to Ft. Lauderdale...crowded pinche spirit airlines with your knees in your face seats kinda sucked ass but whatever, I was going to Costa Rica. With my mind in a million different places it actually allowed me to just let go...and be. Being the structured person I know myself to be, structure kinda went with the wind. This was my first indication of things to come. Touche to myself. As I'm on the flight from Ft. Lauderdale to C.R. I even muttered some random comment about my affinity to Florida and JOKINGLY commented about how I didn't want to leave Florida. BIG mistake. Coincidence or not, I got halfway to C.R. on the plane and realized my passport was NOT on my person. Dave tried to tell me it was in one of my bags. I knew if it was not in my purse, it was gone. I went through so many thoughts in one hour and mind you I couldn't even reach my bag to search it because this flight was literally a human pretzel. I got cramps trying to finnagle my bag from under the seat. Looked seventeen times through everything I had. My passport was gone. I told the flight attendant who called ahead to Costa and also back to USA to try to find my passport. I was LITERALLY praying to God, the universe, my mind....whatever the fuck is real and exists as good karma in this world that my passport was SOMEWHERE I could find it. Landed in Costa Rica....took a few pictures from the airplane window and in the hour I was on the plane...went through the thoughts that I just might have to go all the way back to the Chi and deal with a lot of drama I would be very unhappy about. But in the back of my head, I trusted in the way things were meant to happen. Hijo la madre. And they did. I literally took about five steps off the plane in C.R. and they were like "this plane leaves for Ft. Lauderdale in about ten minutes. You have to go back to Ft. Lauderdale and they found your passport in the seat you were on the last flight" Blessing and a curse. See, it cold have been worse. It can always be worse, unless you look at the bright side of things. I had been traveling for 6 hours and had to literally turn right back around and go back to U.S.A. leaving ALL of my belongings except the bag I had with me (originally I had my backpack with me with all of my clothes in it but checked it last minute due to a full flight...they let me check that bag for free because flight was full) so all I had was a pair of flip flops and a lot of chargers and magazines...all except the charger for my laptop. The ironic part of that still to come. So I turned back around...all five steps....sent Dave to San Jose with a telephone number of a hotel and said, I'll be back tomorrow...same time, same place. I admit, I shed a few tears....that this shit was even happening. But what happened after and since is nothing short of believing in the course of life and going with the flow and just really laughing in the face of adversity. Got back to Florida (what is it with Florida these days? *smirk*) and had a gaggle of shit to take care of. Get another flight tomorrow, eat, find some deoderant, book a hotel or make decision where to stay, get my passport (sorry, that was first and foremost.... I kissed my passport when it was back in my hands.) and just process all that had just happened...all on like 2 hours of sleep. So I smelled, hadn't showered, was all alone, and after two hours finally sure that I was going to C.R. the next day thanks to Spencer at Spirit Air (it really helps to be a girl....for the record) it was time to have a Guiness and a ciggarette and just chill the fuck out. After that, the hilarity ensued. Guess what...I wanted to be on the internet....tell my peeps and family (mom and sisters) that I was ok, kinda frazzled. but ok. When I realized the charger for my laptop was in Costa Rica. Not only that but I had downgraded my cell phone plan the day before so I didn't have the ability to text or get online. Truly I think it was preparing me for Costa. The everything happens for a reason thing. So I did what I could Twon was an angel....booked me a hotel through hotwire.com...shit, this post is really long and I haven't even gotten to the best part about the kindness of strangers. People in Ft. Lauderdale were amazing. The flight attendant offered to let me stay at her house if she wasn't on call (which she end up being on)...a random older gentleman who had to take the train back to Miami offered to drive all the way back to pick me up and take me to a hotel if i was stranded was nothing short of amazing. I like to think that my generosity in all I do comes back to me and this proved that I was right. People were SO kind. But I didn't want to make someone drive an hour back to take me somewhere so I got a hotel. As I was standing at the shuttle stop two guys were asking questions about how much hotels were and such. They got on my shuttle to go to Red Carpet Inn. We got to chatting and they were from Colombia. Piqued my interest as I have a fascination and adoration for Colombia. Next thing you know we are drinking Jameson and Guiness and making new friends and speaking a lot of Spanish. Again, pre-cursor and happening for a reason before C.R. Which by the way, since being here I've been told that my Spanish is commendable. I wouldn't say fluent but everyone understands what I'm saying and I'v even been the translator. this post is too long and it's late. there's so much more here there and in between that I haven't even conveyed....let alone the photos.....I met Eduardo who is a cool ass cat and with most of the people journeying into my life.....I hope that I can keep up this blog and I hope that you all appreciate my lengthy stories. I need a devide connected to my brain that just automatically transcribes my thoughts. I got so much luv for y'all. so much. more than you know. I'm gonna continue this stream of thoughts tomorrow....because you have to know all about getting back to C.R. and the possibilities that lie ahead. Vaya con last estrellas.

Seasons Change

Never fails right? When the seasons change, (well at least for those of us that have a distinct four seasons) we all tend to get that weird feeling. Change is on the horizon. I'm unable to describe it. And events in our lives unfold and create new paths and we look back to past years and reflect. I'm convinced of the mind-body connection and what thoughts you harvest have, in some way-shape-or-form, an impact on your reality and the outcome of your life. Quantum physics and Buddhism and other schools of thought support such theories. Face it people, the mind is a very powerful thing. We don't even use but a small percentage of it. I won't get all deep down the specifics of all of that because I have before. But I feel it. I feel the change, but this time I have a feeling it's a bigger change for me. I mean, yea, duh, I'm leaving the country for three months. One could consider that a big change in and of itself. But it's more than that. And being the tried and true Capricorn female that I am....although it has gotten a LOT easier over the years to ride the wave, go with the flow, what have you, it still feels weird and I'm anxious of the outcome. I used to fear the outcome....but now, I'm anxious in a good way. Like a kid waiting for Santa to come. Eager anticipation. Impatient anticipation. I'm ready to get on with the next phase of my life. I could sit here and try to speculate what that looks like, or what I WANT it to look like, and that's important to put those thoughts out there...but that's only half the battle. The other half is being proactive and doing it. Can't wait to see what experiences I will have in C.R. Who knows, maybe I have to fulfill some life destiny in Costa Rica or just get back to calm...living in a big city is anything but calm, not that I'm complaining...chaos and confusion are good friends of mine. But calm is something I need right now. Hopefully I'll find my mentor in a field where I finally decide that's what I want to do with my life. Because I have so many ideas of what I want to do....some people don't have any clue, I have too many clues. lol. Here I go speculating again. It's what I do best. What I am sure of is my willingness and fearlessness to do the unthinkable. Be fearless. Blaze trails. I already manage to do things that most people consider outlandish. But I am willing to stop at nothing to get what I want. But first I have to decide what I want, which is the hardest part of all. Anyway...I'm feeling a bit emo today. Life's most important issues on my mind. Family, friends, love, nature, blah blah blah.

Enough seriousness already! SO, I got my ticket and the date is November 5th. I'm lame and haven't written since I got laid off. This is a repetitive cycle, me saying I'm going to write more and then not writing. I've had so many wonderful experiences this summer too! Alas, I will try harder because I'm really trying to push my goals to success and also try to at least moderate some bad habits I've got. I had a really good time this weekend with my sister and Karl and Mel n J and Vanessa and Tavo and T, someone I met through some crazy fucked up in a good way 6 degrees of separation. And Angela! ha ha. Love love love family and friends to the point it makes me sentimental. ha ha. I'll post some pics when I get the chance. And I gotta post some pics of the T.J.'s Michigan trip with the wifey. Those cats are pretty awesome too. Much luv!

Anything With Bacon

The man wanted anything with bacon for his birthday. Really, that was his response when I asked him what he wanted me to bring. He said "Anything with bacon". So I gave him what he wanted and as usual (not to sound immodest...) it was a success. Asparagus wrapped in bacon baked in the oven for 20 minutes. I'm sorry I don't have pictures to encourage salivation or grumbling stomachs. ;)

I'm watching the Mad Men series right now. It ties into my personal studies at the moment. I can't believe I came this close to entering the world of mass consumption via public relations and advertising. I'm not going to evolve into an extremist of the sort...you know, the ones that give up their life of living on the radar, those who are brave enough to completely erase government propaganda, media control of the mind, and leave the societal systems that were created over the time span of humanity...no I'm an American born and raised in the 20th/21st century. What I'm good for is being conscious of the lies we are fed on a daily basis and to basically talk about them. Because lord knows I can't give up everything I know about myself. That's an interesting statement though. If anyone is reading this and you still know me in 20 years and you remember this at all....ask me if I know myself to be the same person I was in 2009. ha ha. Anyway...Mad Men, for what it's worth, allows me to peek inside the past. I would die if I had to be a housewife in the 50's. I'm certain I would have been the single girl shacking up with the unhappily married men. And really, the whole advertising industry...what does that mean? I get it that people created this monster of consumption through this industry that was created called advertising. So how do we create a paradigm shift around media and advertising? I don't want to take down the industry. Or picket the big guys. Just asking for a paradigm shift around the industry and the public's perception. Is that too much to ask?