29 March 2003
"I know it`ll be hard..."
...but with Jen and I leaving for nearly 2 weeks, try not to forward us any jokes, stories, riddles, pictures, etc. We love you, but honestly, do you think we will have time to read them all between our busy days at the beach and busy nights salsa dancing?
And if anything should happen, just write "URGENT" in the subject. Muchas Gracias!
Off to Utila......stay tuned for chapter 5!!!
...but with Jen and I leaving for nearly 2 weeks, try not to forward us any jokes, stories, riddles, pictures, etc. We love you, but honestly, do you think we will have time to read them all between our busy days at the beach and busy nights salsa dancing?
And if anything should happen, just write "URGENT" in the subject. Muchas Gracias!
Off to Utila......stay tuned for chapter 5!!!
0 Comments:
28 March 2003
"Scroll down for pictures!!!
(don`t ask why, I guess my HTML skills aren`t up to par)
Click HERE to see ALL photos!!!
(don`t ask why, I guess my HTML skills aren`t up to par)
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Click HERE to see ALL photos!!!
0 Comments:
26 March 2003
"It`s Hump Day on the Island"
Cindi`s Halftime Stats
# of weeks since I left SLC = 10 1/2
# of countries visited = 4 (Mexico, Cuba, Belize, Guatemala)
# of countries still planning to visit in the next 10 1/2 weeks = 5 (Honduras, Nicuragua, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama)
# of countries I´ve visited according the U.S. government and my passport = 3 (shhh..don´t tell)
# of oceans I`ve swam in = 2
# of spanish songs I`ve heard with the word ´corozon´ in them = every single one of them
# of feet I dove on my first `official` dive = 95 ft.
# of feet PADI regulations allow = 60 ft. (again, don´t tell on me!)
# of tacos I`ve eaten = thousands
# of robberies = 1
# of Mexican cab drivers on my hit list = the same damned one that stole my camera (no, I`m not bitter at all)
# of my best friends flying in to Costa Rica in 6 weeks = 8
How much fun we plan on having = obscene amounts
How much trouble we plan on getting in = obscene amounts
# of days until I post more pictures = 2 (I promise!)
# of days spent in spanish classes = 20
# of beds I`ve slept in since January 11th = more then a Hollywood hooker
# of spiders, mosquitos, beetles, and other `creatures` I`ve had in my room/bed = Too many to count
# of barracuda, dolphin, and shark sightings while under water = 30+
# of days I`ve missed my life of working from 8-5= not a single one!
# of volcano sightings = 4
How many shades darker my skin is = at least 10
How many shades lighter my hair is = at least 10!
# of times I`ve fallen asleep in a hammock = 7
# of books I`ve read = 4
# of times I`ve salsa danced = 2
# of times I stepped on the poor guys feet = infinite
Next time I`ll be able to post = unknown
Next destination = Utila (Bay Islands, Honduras)
Amount of fun I plan on having while there on a scale from 1-10 = 11
# of dives I will be taking in the next 2 weeks = 25 (at least)
# of sunsets I`ve watched = 30+
# of ancient ruins I`ve visited = 7
# of steps I`ve climbed to reach the top of a ruin = thousands
# of bus stations I`ve slept in = 1
# of bus rides = 25+
# of miles covered = thousands
# of times per day I tell myself how great my life is = 12+
# of weeks since I left SLC = 10 1/2
# of countries visited = 4 (Mexico, Cuba, Belize, Guatemala)
# of countries still planning to visit in the next 10 1/2 weeks = 5 (Honduras, Nicuragua, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama)
# of countries I´ve visited according the U.S. government and my passport = 3 (shhh..don´t tell)
# of oceans I`ve swam in = 2
# of spanish songs I`ve heard with the word ´corozon´ in them = every single one of them
# of feet I dove on my first `official` dive = 95 ft.
# of feet PADI regulations allow = 60 ft. (again, don´t tell on me!)
# of tacos I`ve eaten = thousands
# of robberies = 1
# of Mexican cab drivers on my hit list = the same damned one that stole my camera (no, I`m not bitter at all)
# of my best friends flying in to Costa Rica in 6 weeks = 8
How much fun we plan on having = obscene amounts
How much trouble we plan on getting in = obscene amounts
# of days until I post more pictures = 2 (I promise!)
# of days spent in spanish classes = 20
# of beds I`ve slept in since January 11th = more then a Hollywood hooker
# of spiders, mosquitos, beetles, and other `creatures` I`ve had in my room/bed = Too many to count
# of barracuda, dolphin, and shark sightings while under water = 30+
# of days I`ve missed my life of working from 8-5= not a single one!
# of volcano sightings = 4
How many shades darker my skin is = at least 10
How many shades lighter my hair is = at least 10!
# of times I`ve fallen asleep in a hammock = 7
# of books I`ve read = 4
# of times I`ve salsa danced = 2
# of times I stepped on the poor guys feet = infinite
Next time I`ll be able to post = unknown
Next destination = Utila (Bay Islands, Honduras)
Amount of fun I plan on having while there on a scale from 1-10 = 11
# of dives I will be taking in the next 2 weeks = 25 (at least)
# of sunsets I`ve watched = 30+
# of ancient ruins I`ve visited = 7
# of steps I`ve climbed to reach the top of a ruin = thousands
# of bus stations I`ve slept in = 1
# of bus rides = 25+
# of miles covered = thousands
# of times per day I tell myself how great my life is = 12+
0 Comments:
22 March 2003
Sorry I'm not there to celebrate, eat some cake for me and know that I'll be singing you the infamous family birthday song...
I love you
0 Comments:
18 March 2003
"sidewalk blues"
One first glance, the streets and sidewalks in Antigua give the impression of being all charming and quaint.
A few days ago I was sitting in the 'Funky Monkey Internet' when I overheard 2 people discussing this subject. The lady had recently fallen and broken her finger, and it wasn't her first incident. The guy? He said he'd fallen 4 times just that day!
The bay windows also seem charming. But they have placed them at such a level that if you walk down the sidewalk and are not paying close attention, you can smack your head on one of them. Jen has a phobia and will not walk on the inside 'lane' of the sidewalks. Which leaves me that much closer to having an accident. I have also learned, it is not safe to walk around the town in shoes without good tread. I have nearly lost it while wearing my flip flops around town.
Mind you, I have put my contacts back in and can see perfectly these days. When I couldn't see, for those miserable 8 days, I had no problems walking. But today? I became the next victim. Not only did I trip, twice (in front of large crowds of people), but I smacked my head on the corner of the 'Cinema Bistro' window (no one saw that one, thank goodness).
So now I have to figure out a way in which to walk where I can watch the windows AND walks simultaneously. Any ideas? Because my head hurts and I think I may have twisted an ankle. It just can't be this hard people!
One first glance, the streets and sidewalks in Antigua give the impression of being all charming and quaint.
A few days ago I was sitting in the 'Funky Monkey Internet' when I overheard 2 people discussing this subject. The lady had recently fallen and broken her finger, and it wasn't her first incident. The guy? He said he'd fallen 4 times just that day!
The bay windows also seem charming. But they have placed them at such a level that if you walk down the sidewalk and are not paying close attention, you can smack your head on one of them. Jen has a phobia and will not walk on the inside 'lane' of the sidewalks. Which leaves me that much closer to having an accident. I have also learned, it is not safe to walk around the town in shoes without good tread. I have nearly lost it while wearing my flip flops around town.
Mind you, I have put my contacts back in and can see perfectly these days. When I couldn't see, for those miserable 8 days, I had no problems walking. But today? I became the next victim. Not only did I trip, twice (in front of large crowds of people), but I smacked my head on the corner of the 'Cinema Bistro' window (no one saw that one, thank goodness).
So now I have to figure out a way in which to walk where I can watch the windows AND walks simultaneously. Any ideas? Because my head hurts and I think I may have twisted an ankle. It just can't be this hard people!
0 Comments:
13 March 2003
"speechless"
Miracles do happen!
Today I realized this when I opened my e-mail and read the subject from my sister "They found Elizabeth Smart alive today!"
9 months! 9 months after her abduction and disappearance a mere 5 minutes from my home! "Hope is a miraculous thing". Last summer I remember countless hours of volunteers searching, infinite flyers passed out, TV interviews, pleads for this young girls life.
And last night she was back safe in the arms of love with her family. I never thought it would happen. It was a snowballs chance in hell that she would be found, let alone found alive....but I was proved wrong.
If there was ever a time I missed my home it is today. I wish I could give each one of you a hug and let you know how much I love you. Instead I sit here. Not even Jen is around: She has left me for 10 days. So I will continue solo Cindi style. Do me a favor and hug someone you love, because you really never know when it could be the last time you have that chance.
Miracles do happen!
Today I realized this when I opened my e-mail and read the subject from my sister "They found Elizabeth Smart alive today!"
9 months! 9 months after her abduction and disappearance a mere 5 minutes from my home! "Hope is a miraculous thing". Last summer I remember countless hours of volunteers searching, infinite flyers passed out, TV interviews, pleads for this young girls life.
And last night she was back safe in the arms of love with her family. I never thought it would happen. It was a snowballs chance in hell that she would be found, let alone found alive....but I was proved wrong.
If there was ever a time I missed my home it is today. I wish I could give each one of you a hug and let you know how much I love you. Instead I sit here. Not even Jen is around: She has left me for 10 days. So I will continue solo Cindi style. Do me a favor and hug someone you love, because you really never know when it could be the last time you have that chance.
0 Comments:
10 March 2003
"Urchin Update"
From time to time, we bloggers like to see just how it is that people find our websites???
Thank goodness for a little system called Urchin that allows me to 'tag' these keywords people use in google or yahoo to search for websites. I thought I'd share some with you because I have found some of them SO fascinating:
teen socks cindi
girlsgonecrazypicturespanamacity
community woodshop
pictures of betsy ross getting married
ortegas patio
motion-sickness threw-up
st. pattys day pictures girls savannah
pictures of naked girls gone wild in cancun
knitters anonymous
pictures fruit of the loom fruit guys
buying viagra honduras
pictures of carmen miranda with fruit on her head
childrens fear factor party games
west wendover high school pictures
and MY personal favorite...
portable potties in utah
Have I really typed all of these words on little ol' islandindigo.com since the beginning?
ANYWAY...back to bidness...I just returned from a fabulous weekend on the black sandy beaches of Montericco. It's a little beach village about 2 hours away from Antigua. It was just what Jen and I both needed. Me with all my eye problems and Jen with her back/sinus problems...we just relaxed, swam, watched the sunrise AND sunset, played with 2 darling Gutemalan girls, watched the baby sea turtles hatch and race to their new home, and felt the sun do it's work to maintain our hard earned tans.
And now....it's back to school time!
From time to time, we bloggers like to see just how it is that people find our websites???
Thank goodness for a little system called Urchin that allows me to 'tag' these keywords people use in google or yahoo to search for websites. I thought I'd share some with you because I have found some of them SO fascinating:
teen socks cindi
girlsgonecrazypicturespanamacity
community woodshop
pictures of betsy ross getting married
ortegas patio
motion-sickness threw-up
st. pattys day pictures girls savannah
pictures of naked girls gone wild in cancun
knitters anonymous
pictures fruit of the loom fruit guys
buying viagra honduras
pictures of carmen miranda with fruit on her head
childrens fear factor party games
west wendover high school pictures
and MY personal favorite...
portable potties in utah
Have I really typed all of these words on little ol' islandindigo.com since the beginning?
ANYWAY...back to bidness...I just returned from a fabulous weekend on the black sandy beaches of Montericco. It's a little beach village about 2 hours away from Antigua. It was just what Jen and I both needed. Me with all my eye problems and Jen with her back/sinus problems...we just relaxed, swam, watched the sunrise AND sunset, played with 2 darling Gutemalan girls, watched the baby sea turtles hatch and race to their new home, and felt the sun do it's work to maintain our hard earned tans.
And now....it's back to school time!
0 Comments:
06 March 2003
"Doctors Orders...
There have been MANY mornings on my trip when I wake up with one...or both of my eyes BRIGHT red.
Today I had it!
I went to the Guatemalan eye doctor and it was there that I was informed that I have an eye infection in both eyes and my right cornea is scratched. Now I went through this in 9th grade and I had to wear a patch and be called a pirate for a week (I know how you feel Grandma!) and I was not prepared to do that again. Instead I have been banned from wearing my contacts for 10 days!!! I am not a happy camper, mostly because the glasses I have are the same pair I had to get in 9th grade when this happened, so you can imagine how the times (aka. style) and perscription have changed.
Anyway, $210Q later...I am back on the streets and will be putting some crap in my eyes 4 times daily. If my e-mails or blogs come across a little bas-ack-wards...it´s only because I can´t see 2 feet in front of my face.
Lovely!
There have been MANY mornings on my trip when I wake up with one...or both of my eyes BRIGHT red.
Today I had it!
I went to the Guatemalan eye doctor and it was there that I was informed that I have an eye infection in both eyes and my right cornea is scratched. Now I went through this in 9th grade and I had to wear a patch and be called a pirate for a week (I know how you feel Grandma!) and I was not prepared to do that again. Instead I have been banned from wearing my contacts for 10 days!!! I am not a happy camper, mostly because the glasses I have are the same pair I had to get in 9th grade when this happened, so you can imagine how the times (aka. style) and perscription have changed.
Anyway, $210Q later...I am back on the streets and will be putting some crap in my eyes 4 times daily. If my e-mails or blogs come across a little bas-ack-wards...it´s only because I can´t see 2 feet in front of my face.
Lovely!
0 Comments:
04 March 2003
"Well, well, well...."
Look who has decided to grace you with her presence....ánd let´s try to keep the "I-hate-Cindi-with-short-hair comment to a minimum, shall we? (and YES I do realize how cheesy I look...can you blame me? I AM in Guatemala!!!)
For you non-computer literate people out there....click on the photo and it will magically become gigantic!
A special thanks to Cesar and Francisco for the photos!
Look who has decided to grace you with her presence....ánd let´s try to keep the "I-hate-Cindi-with-short-hair comment to a minimum, shall we? (and YES I do realize how cheesy I look...can you blame me? I AM in Guatemala!!!)
For you non-computer literate people out there....click on the photo and it will magically become gigantic!
A special thanks to Cesar and Francisco for the photos!
0 Comments:
03 March 2003
"Gringos"
One thing I've learned abroad is that people (aka. other travellers) do NOT like Americans.
Why you ask?
I think Sol says it best...
"I have at least a blog or two on "THE UGLY AMERICAN". Why the big, bold, cap letters? Funny, this may be a shocker to a lot of you *it was to me*, but traveling, in general, is a most shameful, head-hanging, red-faced, dust-kicking experience for Americans. The plain fact is, we are ignorant people. And, everyone knows it....except for us. A favorite game of many un-Americans is "Quiz The Dumb American". It goes a little like this:
"What´s the difference between Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Holland?"
"Who´s the Prime Minister of France?"
"Name one significant issue of your neighbor Canada?"
"On what continent is Bolivia?"
"Can you say anything besides "beer" in another language?"
Always followed by the stinging, "Wait....silly me. Sometimes we too forget that a world exists outside of the States". Yeah. Ouch. The people of Central America have even more founded bitterness. I´ve quickly learned, that many simple, hasty (and almost always completely self-motivated) decisions on the part of OUR government have, for instance, thrown Guatemala and San Salvador into YEARS of civil war and social unrest. It´s ugly peoples. Displaying a red-white-blue flag on your body or baggage is pretty much an open invitation to scowls and spit. You can spot a Canadian from a state away, with their flag patches and body tattoos screaming out in declaration, "I may look like an American, but I´m NOT, NOT, NOT!"
I have been humbled. Now I just play the game, take the punches, and try my damndest to break the stereotype. I consider every, "hey...you´re the first American I´ve met that..." a small conquest in repairing the bad name. It´s an important warning to other travelers though. When we´re on the road, we represent everything that is the "USA". Also, as a "American Traveler", we have to do everything possible to break that pretty image of the frat boy in his "Tommy" t-shirt, passed out, in his own puke, on the street. Which, I´m so sad to report, I have seen on the road...more than once."
Now I wish I could have said that all myself, but really...I'm not a writer...I'm not pretending to be. I only wanted to keep a website to keep my family, friends, and anyone else that comes across this site and loves to travel informed. People (mostly other travelers...not from the US) DO think these things about us and I too am trying my "damndest" to break this stereotype...although, sadly, there are many out there that make it impossible.
ANYWAY, sorry about the tangent....let's move on...
This weekend we went to Jen's spanish teachers soccer (fotbol) and took many chicken buses, including a ride to Chichicastenago. Chichi is a HUGE Guatemalan market and every Sunday and Thursday people gather to buy goods. And believe me, I bought! I got many good deals and gifts for you all....and in 3 short months, I will hand them over.
On the bright side of things....my VISA card arrived and I am independant once again. No more, "Um, hey, Jen....I am out of cash, can we go to the ATM..." I am FREE! So thanks Jen, I love ya babe!
And a HUGE thanks to Julia for donating to my travel fund! YOU ARE THE BEST! And yes, I will teach your children spanish.
One thing I've learned abroad is that people (aka. other travellers) do NOT like Americans.
Why you ask?
I think Sol says it best...
"I have at least a blog or two on "THE UGLY AMERICAN". Why the big, bold, cap letters? Funny, this may be a shocker to a lot of you *it was to me*, but traveling, in general, is a most shameful, head-hanging, red-faced, dust-kicking experience for Americans. The plain fact is, we are ignorant people. And, everyone knows it....except for us. A favorite game of many un-Americans is "Quiz The Dumb American". It goes a little like this:
"Who´s the Prime Minister of France?"
"Name one significant issue of your neighbor Canada?"
"On what continent is Bolivia?"
"Can you say anything besides "beer" in another language?"
Always followed by the stinging, "Wait....silly me. Sometimes we too forget that a world exists outside of the States". Yeah. Ouch. The people of Central America have even more founded bitterness. I´ve quickly learned, that many simple, hasty (and almost always completely self-motivated) decisions on the part of OUR government have, for instance, thrown Guatemala and San Salvador into YEARS of civil war and social unrest. It´s ugly peoples. Displaying a red-white-blue flag on your body or baggage is pretty much an open invitation to scowls and spit. You can spot a Canadian from a state away, with their flag patches and body tattoos screaming out in declaration, "I may look like an American, but I´m NOT, NOT, NOT!"
I have been humbled. Now I just play the game, take the punches, and try my damndest to break the stereotype. I consider every, "hey...you´re the first American I´ve met that..." a small conquest in repairing the bad name. It´s an important warning to other travelers though. When we´re on the road, we represent everything that is the "USA". Also, as a "American Traveler", we have to do everything possible to break that pretty image of the frat boy in his "Tommy" t-shirt, passed out, in his own puke, on the street. Which, I´m so sad to report, I have seen on the road...more than once."
Now I wish I could have said that all myself, but really...I'm not a writer...I'm not pretending to be. I only wanted to keep a website to keep my family, friends, and anyone else that comes across this site and loves to travel informed. People (mostly other travelers...not from the US) DO think these things about us and I too am trying my "damndest" to break this stereotype...although, sadly, there are many out there that make it impossible.
ANYWAY, sorry about the tangent....let's move on...
This weekend we went to Jen's spanish teachers soccer (fotbol) and took many chicken buses, including a ride to Chichicastenago. Chichi is a HUGE Guatemalan market and every Sunday and Thursday people gather to buy goods. And believe me, I bought! I got many good deals and gifts for you all....and in 3 short months, I will hand them over.
On the bright side of things....my VISA card arrived and I am independant once again. No more, "Um, hey, Jen....I am out of cash, can we go to the ATM..." I am FREE! So thanks Jen, I love ya babe!
And a HUGE thanks to Julia for donating to my travel fund! YOU ARE THE BEST! And yes, I will teach your children spanish.
0 Comments:
