31 May 2003
"I Know You Think I´ve Been Avoiding You, But....."
Really, sometimes a girl has too much on her plate in beautiful Costa Rica and unfortunetly islandindigo got the crap end of the stick. But alas, I am here with some time to spare (where are you toddler?) and it´s time to recap the most amazing 3 weeks of this trip.
First the bad news....Laura and I have attempted to upload her digital pictures, but did not have any success. But, thanks to Jenny back home who joined us for 10 days, we have some photos to share. Thanks Jen! Beautiful pictures.
The adventure began May 11th. Jen and I picked up the lovely Miss Shanks at SJO and stayed the night at Gaudy´s in San Jose. Bright and early Monday morning, we headed to Jaco. It was a long and winding road and poor Laura´s stomach wasn´t used to the bus rides and she spent half the ride with her head out the window and me trying to keep her hair out of the mess. When we arrived, we headed straight to the beach house, which wasn´t so close to the beach. We walked several blocks and found the place. Thanks to Alya for booking the house, as you can see in Jenny´s pictures, it was fabulous! The girls had yet to arrive, so we helped ourselves to the house by hopping the fence, changing into our suits and bikinis and taking a dip in the pool. Costa Rica is by far the most beautiful place I have ever seen. The rolling green hills are covered in palm trees, fincas, waterfalls, and flowers of every color. The house was lined in hibiscus flowers. The hammocks were just hung, the pool just cleaned, and the lawn chairs were so inviting. A few hours later the rest of the girls arrived. I was in paradise. Not only was I in the most beautiful setting, but I was with beautiful people. How I have missed my girls! And I am so proud of them for arranging this trip and getting down here to see me. I should also add a congratulations to Alya and Laura, as this was their college graduation trip!
We spent 4 nights in Jaco. We cooked dinner in the kitchen in our undies, played speed until the break of dawn, danced the night away at Filthy McNasty´s, took late night dips in the pool, among other things. The beaches there are breathtaking. They are lined in palm trees and to look in either direction you would see the green, lush hills. One afternoon we spent on boogie boards....once we got some tips from a local surfer, we were catching waves left and right. We decided to splurge a bit and take part in an infamous canopy tour. We went through Chiclet´s. Eight girls found themselves harnessed onto 13 platforms as we zip zagged our way across the rainforest. Talk about a rush!
After Jaco, we headed to the Quepos/Manuel Antonio area. Quepos was nothing to write home about, except for the pancakes. If you are there, go to the internet cafe on the main strip....the wait was worth it! That night, we found ourselves at "El Avion" a restaurant and bar in Manuel Antonio. It was Sommer´s last night, so we had to live it up. We were dancing out on the patio until the scorpion crawled up Becca´s bellydancing leg and the rainstorm hit. When they say it´s rainy season down here, they are not kidding. These rain storms last hours and it doesn´t just drizzle....it pours! Saturday we spent the day hiking around the national park and the afternoon on a pristine, private beach. That night was the worst rainstorm yet. We geared up in ponchos and braved the storm for some dinner and spent the rest of the night indoors playing more speed. Our hotel in Manuel Antonio was great. It was basically a garage with 6 bunk beds. But we were feet away from the ocean and there were crabs everywhere!
Becca and Jenny had to leave us on Monday, so the rest of us headed south to Sierpe. We went with hopes to make it to another national park, Corcovado. Upon arrival, we were told it would cost us $40 round trip to get there, plus $8 for entrance to the park. Our hopes were shot down as we are backpackers and living on a tight budget. We had decided to head to Panama the next morning. At dinner that night, we met a wonderful couple from New Hampshire (?) and they hooked us up with a ride to the park for $30 all inclusive. We took the chance and booked the ride. Let me say, it was WELL worth it. This park is unbelievable. We saw maybe 8 people the entire day. The beaches were peaceful and clear, the sand was white and the forest was filled with animals. Finally we saw monkeys! They were just hanging around near the beach so we watched them for a good 30 minutes. We also saw many white nosed coatis. It was my favorite park and I highly recommend it.
The next day we passed through David City, Panama for the night and the next day arrived in Bocas Del Toro. We stayed at Pargo Rojo, owned by a wonderful man named Bernard who took us under his wing. We had some ATM problems and whatnot and he was so willing to help us out. He booked us a tour and we went snorkeling the next day. Our first stop was Dolphin Bay. It is called that for a reason. We saw SO many dolphins and they loved showing off for us. We dove in the water and tried getting close. They didn´t cooperate, but we still had a great time. We then were dropped off at a great snorkeling spot where we saw a stingray, a lobster, a sea urchin, many fish and starfish, and a barracoda bigger than Laura! Our last stop was an island called "Caribbean Dreams" where we spent the afternoon on another private beach and then saw small red frogs leaping about everywhere. One night we sat on the dock of Pargo Rojo and a man who we called D´Adio came and played his guitar and wooden flute and we sang along. I remember feeling so content and happy. The only thing that made our trip to Bocas a downer was the Belgium guys from the Purple House in David City who followed Laura there. Gregory couldn´t quite understand the word "No" and Dominique spent those days asleep in our room. It was slightly creepy, but we just went on our merry way and made the best of it.
UPDATE: Sorry to Andrea who wanted me to report that these Belgium guys were not FROM the Purple House...they were just guys staying there. I highly recommend staying at the Purple House as Andrea is a fabulous host and very informative. In fact, she's the one who referred us to Pargo Rojo! Thanks for a great night in David City Andrea!
We crossed back to Costa Rica and spent Alya and Ambers last couple days in Puerto Viejo and Cahuita. After visiting these cities, I am almost convinced Bob Marley is alive and this is where he resides. Everyone looks like him, everyone listens to him, and everyone is smoking like him. It was insane! It was a very chill place and the beaches were quite nice. On the way there though, someone went through all our bags on the bus and took some of our things. Someone thought they were hitting gold when they stole my camera bag with all my software and battery adapters for my digital camera, but too bad for them, someone had already stolen my camera 4 months ago! On Monday Alya and Amber decided they did not want to go home and we started our quest to keep them with us until June 8th. On Tuesday Alya got word from her boss that an extension of leave was not possible, but Amber had hope. Amber´s phone card cut out and she never confirmed that her flight had been changed. She figured it hadn´t and took the morning bus with Alya to San Jose to catch the plane. Jen, Laura, and I headed to Tortuguero. Yesterday morning Jen and I went on a canal ride through the national park and we saw toucans, caymans, a golden eyelash viper, some herrons, lizards, and many monkeys. We spent the rest of the morning fighting with the girl at the lodge trying to swim in the pool, and after losing, we spent the afternoon lying on the beach. I also should add that Tortuguero has an insane population of beetles and right at sunset they come out. They hit the lights, fall to the floor and die. And literally there are hundreds! They cover the streets and somehow made their way into our room. I don´t know how I lucked out, but Jen and Laura spent 2 nights trying to keep beetles our of their mouths and beds. I had no beetles and got plently of rest.
Little did we know, our little toddler....aka. Amber....was trying to get to us in Cariari. Today we arrived in San Jose and checked our e-mails. There was no internet connecion in Tortuguero. I had a dream last night that Amber was able to stay in Costa Rica and I was not at all surprised to see an e-mail from her wanting to know where we were. She has no money, doesn´t speak much spanish, and is alone out there! Tomorrow morning we are heading back to Cariari to get her unless she can get to us first!
So there you have it....long winded....highly unorganized....yet a complete update of my last few weeks. Now can you see why I haven´t been updating? Only one more week on this once in a lifetime voyage. No more promises on photos or updates. You may not hear from me again until I return...but know I will have much more to report when I get back to the land of internet in homes and showers without shoes!
Really, sometimes a girl has too much on her plate in beautiful Costa Rica and unfortunetly islandindigo got the crap end of the stick. But alas, I am here with some time to spare (where are you toddler?) and it´s time to recap the most amazing 3 weeks of this trip.
First the bad news....Laura and I have attempted to upload her digital pictures, but did not have any success. But, thanks to Jenny back home who joined us for 10 days, we have some photos to share. Thanks Jen! Beautiful pictures.
The adventure began May 11th. Jen and I picked up the lovely Miss Shanks at SJO and stayed the night at Gaudy´s in San Jose. Bright and early Monday morning, we headed to Jaco. It was a long and winding road and poor Laura´s stomach wasn´t used to the bus rides and she spent half the ride with her head out the window and me trying to keep her hair out of the mess. When we arrived, we headed straight to the beach house, which wasn´t so close to the beach. We walked several blocks and found the place. Thanks to Alya for booking the house, as you can see in Jenny´s pictures, it was fabulous! The girls had yet to arrive, so we helped ourselves to the house by hopping the fence, changing into our suits and bikinis and taking a dip in the pool. Costa Rica is by far the most beautiful place I have ever seen. The rolling green hills are covered in palm trees, fincas, waterfalls, and flowers of every color. The house was lined in hibiscus flowers. The hammocks were just hung, the pool just cleaned, and the lawn chairs were so inviting. A few hours later the rest of the girls arrived. I was in paradise. Not only was I in the most beautiful setting, but I was with beautiful people. How I have missed my girls! And I am so proud of them for arranging this trip and getting down here to see me. I should also add a congratulations to Alya and Laura, as this was their college graduation trip!
We spent 4 nights in Jaco. We cooked dinner in the kitchen in our undies, played speed until the break of dawn, danced the night away at Filthy McNasty´s, took late night dips in the pool, among other things. The beaches there are breathtaking. They are lined in palm trees and to look in either direction you would see the green, lush hills. One afternoon we spent on boogie boards....once we got some tips from a local surfer, we were catching waves left and right. We decided to splurge a bit and take part in an infamous canopy tour. We went through Chiclet´s. Eight girls found themselves harnessed onto 13 platforms as we zip zagged our way across the rainforest. Talk about a rush!
After Jaco, we headed to the Quepos/Manuel Antonio area. Quepos was nothing to write home about, except for the pancakes. If you are there, go to the internet cafe on the main strip....the wait was worth it! That night, we found ourselves at "El Avion" a restaurant and bar in Manuel Antonio. It was Sommer´s last night, so we had to live it up. We were dancing out on the patio until the scorpion crawled up Becca´s bellydancing leg and the rainstorm hit. When they say it´s rainy season down here, they are not kidding. These rain storms last hours and it doesn´t just drizzle....it pours! Saturday we spent the day hiking around the national park and the afternoon on a pristine, private beach. That night was the worst rainstorm yet. We geared up in ponchos and braved the storm for some dinner and spent the rest of the night indoors playing more speed. Our hotel in Manuel Antonio was great. It was basically a garage with 6 bunk beds. But we were feet away from the ocean and there were crabs everywhere!
Becca and Jenny had to leave us on Monday, so the rest of us headed south to Sierpe. We went with hopes to make it to another national park, Corcovado. Upon arrival, we were told it would cost us $40 round trip to get there, plus $8 for entrance to the park. Our hopes were shot down as we are backpackers and living on a tight budget. We had decided to head to Panama the next morning. At dinner that night, we met a wonderful couple from New Hampshire (?) and they hooked us up with a ride to the park for $30 all inclusive. We took the chance and booked the ride. Let me say, it was WELL worth it. This park is unbelievable. We saw maybe 8 people the entire day. The beaches were peaceful and clear, the sand was white and the forest was filled with animals. Finally we saw monkeys! They were just hanging around near the beach so we watched them for a good 30 minutes. We also saw many white nosed coatis. It was my favorite park and I highly recommend it.
The next day we passed through David City, Panama for the night and the next day arrived in Bocas Del Toro. We stayed at Pargo Rojo, owned by a wonderful man named Bernard who took us under his wing. We had some ATM problems and whatnot and he was so willing to help us out. He booked us a tour and we went snorkeling the next day. Our first stop was Dolphin Bay. It is called that for a reason. We saw SO many dolphins and they loved showing off for us. We dove in the water and tried getting close. They didn´t cooperate, but we still had a great time. We then were dropped off at a great snorkeling spot where we saw a stingray, a lobster, a sea urchin, many fish and starfish, and a barracoda bigger than Laura! Our last stop was an island called "Caribbean Dreams" where we spent the afternoon on another private beach and then saw small red frogs leaping about everywhere. One night we sat on the dock of Pargo Rojo and a man who we called D´Adio came and played his guitar and wooden flute and we sang along. I remember feeling so content and happy. The only thing that made our trip to Bocas a downer was the Belgium guys from the Purple House in David City who followed Laura there. Gregory couldn´t quite understand the word "No" and Dominique spent those days asleep in our room. It was slightly creepy, but we just went on our merry way and made the best of it.
UPDATE: Sorry to Andrea who wanted me to report that these Belgium guys were not FROM the Purple House...they were just guys staying there. I highly recommend staying at the Purple House as Andrea is a fabulous host and very informative. In fact, she's the one who referred us to Pargo Rojo! Thanks for a great night in David City Andrea!
We crossed back to Costa Rica and spent Alya and Ambers last couple days in Puerto Viejo and Cahuita. After visiting these cities, I am almost convinced Bob Marley is alive and this is where he resides. Everyone looks like him, everyone listens to him, and everyone is smoking like him. It was insane! It was a very chill place and the beaches were quite nice. On the way there though, someone went through all our bags on the bus and took some of our things. Someone thought they were hitting gold when they stole my camera bag with all my software and battery adapters for my digital camera, but too bad for them, someone had already stolen my camera 4 months ago! On Monday Alya and Amber decided they did not want to go home and we started our quest to keep them with us until June 8th. On Tuesday Alya got word from her boss that an extension of leave was not possible, but Amber had hope. Amber´s phone card cut out and she never confirmed that her flight had been changed. She figured it hadn´t and took the morning bus with Alya to San Jose to catch the plane. Jen, Laura, and I headed to Tortuguero. Yesterday morning Jen and I went on a canal ride through the national park and we saw toucans, caymans, a golden eyelash viper, some herrons, lizards, and many monkeys. We spent the rest of the morning fighting with the girl at the lodge trying to swim in the pool, and after losing, we spent the afternoon lying on the beach. I also should add that Tortuguero has an insane population of beetles and right at sunset they come out. They hit the lights, fall to the floor and die. And literally there are hundreds! They cover the streets and somehow made their way into our room. I don´t know how I lucked out, but Jen and Laura spent 2 nights trying to keep beetles our of their mouths and beds. I had no beetles and got plently of rest.
Little did we know, our little toddler....aka. Amber....was trying to get to us in Cariari. Today we arrived in San Jose and checked our e-mails. There was no internet connecion in Tortuguero. I had a dream last night that Amber was able to stay in Costa Rica and I was not at all surprised to see an e-mail from her wanting to know where we were. She has no money, doesn´t speak much spanish, and is alone out there! Tomorrow morning we are heading back to Cariari to get her unless she can get to us first!
So there you have it....long winded....highly unorganized....yet a complete update of my last few weeks. Now can you see why I haven´t been updating? Only one more week on this once in a lifetime voyage. No more promises on photos or updates. You may not hear from me again until I return...but know I will have much more to report when I get back to the land of internet in homes and showers without shoes!
0 Comments:
23 May 2003
"Postcard World"
This past 2 weeks have been the perfect finale to a perfect trip. I have been to places and seen things that I will never be able to fully explain. I am so lucky my friends have been here with me so they have a taste of my past 4 months abroad. I would never have found the words to truely give this place the glory and justice it deserves. I will fill you in about it more in the next couple days....but for now I will let the words of John Mayer do the explaining. It´s a song that has gone through my head a thousand times since January.
3 x 5
I'm writing you to catch you up on places I've been
You held this letter probably got excited,
but there's nothing else inside it
didn't have a camera by my side this time
hopping I would see the world with both my eyes
maybe I will tell you all about it
when I'm in the mood
to lose my way with words
Today skies are painted colors of a cowboy's cliche'
And strange how clouds that look like mountains
in the sky are next to mountains anyway
Didn't have a camera by my side this time
Hoping I would see the world with both my eyes
Maybe I will tell you all about it
when I'm in the mood
to lose my way but let me say
You should have seen
that sunrise with your own eyes
it brought me back to life
You'll be with me next time I go outside
just no more 3x5's
Guess you had to be there
Guess you had to be with me
Today I finally overcame
tryin' to fit the world inside a picture frame
Maybe I will tell you all about it
when I'm in the mood
to lose my way but let me say
You should have seen that sunrise
with your own eyes
it brought me back to life
You'll be with me next time I go outside
just no more 3x5's
no more 3x5's
Pictures coming SOON!!!!
This past 2 weeks have been the perfect finale to a perfect trip. I have been to places and seen things that I will never be able to fully explain. I am so lucky my friends have been here with me so they have a taste of my past 4 months abroad. I would never have found the words to truely give this place the glory and justice it deserves. I will fill you in about it more in the next couple days....but for now I will let the words of John Mayer do the explaining. It´s a song that has gone through my head a thousand times since January.
I'm writing you to catch you up on places I've been
You held this letter probably got excited,
but there's nothing else inside it
didn't have a camera by my side this time
hopping I would see the world with both my eyes
maybe I will tell you all about it
when I'm in the mood
to lose my way with words
Today skies are painted colors of a cowboy's cliche'
And strange how clouds that look like mountains
in the sky are next to mountains anyway
Didn't have a camera by my side this time
Hoping I would see the world with both my eyes
Maybe I will tell you all about it
when I'm in the mood
to lose my way but let me say
You should have seen
that sunrise with your own eyes
it brought me back to life
You'll be with me next time I go outside
just no more 3x5's
Guess you had to be there
Guess you had to be with me
Today I finally overcame
tryin' to fit the world inside a picture frame
Maybe I will tell you all about it
when I'm in the mood
to lose my way but let me say
You should have seen that sunrise
with your own eyes
it brought me back to life
You'll be with me next time I go outside
just no more 3x5's
no more 3x5's
Pictures coming SOON!!!!
0 Comments:
13 May 2003
"Pura Vida"
"The Pure Life", simple as that. My friends are here and I am beaming!!!
Costa Rica is the most beautiful place I have been. I can't wait to share photos soon, thanks to Laura and Jenny and their digital cameras.
I will try to keep you posted, but with 8 girls here, you know we are staying busy. Beach today, canopy tour tomorrow.
:-)
"The Pure Life", simple as that. My friends are here and I am beaming!!!
Costa Rica is the most beautiful place I have been. I can't wait to share photos soon, thanks to Laura and Jenny and their digital cameras.
I will try to keep you posted, but with 8 girls here, you know we are staying busy. Beach today, canopy tour tomorrow.
:-)
0 Comments:
11 May 2003
"Para Mi Madre"
I thought about writing a poem, but let´s face it, I am no writer...let alone a poet.
So I will just say, Happy Mother´s Day to my mom! A mom who has given this girl everything she has ever needed. And a lot of things I didn´t really need. A mom who was at every single dance competition, piano recital, and soccer game. A mom who cooked dinner everynight, cleaned up after me, and ran me around to every appointment imaginable! A mom who takes me fishing every summer and makes the best biscuits and jam in the universe. A mom who puts up with me, even on my ´not so nice´ days. A mom who stayed up with me on nights I was sick, bring me soup and juice, and sings me "You Are My Sunshine".
I hope you are recovering well today and know that even though I am not with you, I am thinking of you.
I love you mama! Happy Mother´s Day....
I thought about writing a poem, but let´s face it, I am no writer...let alone a poet.
So I will just say, Happy Mother´s Day to my mom! A mom who has given this girl everything she has ever needed. And a lot of things I didn´t really need. A mom who was at every single dance competition, piano recital, and soccer game. A mom who cooked dinner everynight, cleaned up after me, and ran me around to every appointment imaginable! A mom who takes me fishing every summer and makes the best biscuits and jam in the universe. A mom who puts up with me, even on my ´not so nice´ days. A mom who stayed up with me on nights I was sick, bring me soup and juice, and sings me "You Are My Sunshine".
I hope you are recovering well today and know that even though I am not with you, I am thinking of you.
I love you mama! Happy Mother´s Day....
0 Comments:
07 May 2003
"Rollin'"
Not much new and exciting here at islandindigo.com these days. Jen and I have been taking it WAY easy because "Come Monday" (I just had to add something for the man) there will be 8 crazy SLC women roamin' around Costa Rica!
El Salvador was somewhat of a bust. We spent our first night in the capital. Our hostal was one of the worst yet, and to top it off, I got some sort of bug that left me hanging on the bathroom floor praying to the porcelin god. After I felt good enough to stand out, we headed for the coast. Another big mistake....if we would have checked our guidebook we would have realized May 1st is Labor Day down south. Half the population of El Salvador must have been on that particular beach (Costa Del Sol) last Thursday. Too top it off, our hotel room had no fan, which made our room at least 100 degrees. After 2 nights spent drenched in sweat, we left, returned to the capital for round two and got the heck outta dodge! We headed to Nicuragua Sunday morning, 5 AM, and arrived in Managua at 5:30 PM. Nothing takes it out of a girl then sitting on a bus for 12 hours, so we found ourselves a room and passed out. This week we have been extra lazy (as I mentioned...). We walked around the capital, hit the beach (and will go back tomorrow), went to Lake Nicuragua in Granada today and Friday we will go to a National Park.
I promise my updates will be full of excitement once I enter Costa Rica as I wind down this amazing 5 month journey with my best friends.
Thanks for the money.....you know who you are. I really couldn't make it without you! Donations still being excepted....
As for the 'family emergency' so many people have asked about, Jen's grandmother passed away last week. I would like to express my sympathy to her mother and the rest of the family, especially with Mother's Day approaching. And to my own mother...good luck tomorrow! I love you and everything will go smoothly, I know it will.
Not much new and exciting here at islandindigo.com these days. Jen and I have been taking it WAY easy because "Come Monday" (I just had to add something for the man) there will be 8 crazy SLC women roamin' around Costa Rica!
El Salvador was somewhat of a bust. We spent our first night in the capital. Our hostal was one of the worst yet, and to top it off, I got some sort of bug that left me hanging on the bathroom floor praying to the porcelin god. After I felt good enough to stand out, we headed for the coast. Another big mistake....if we would have checked our guidebook we would have realized May 1st is Labor Day down south. Half the population of El Salvador must have been on that particular beach (Costa Del Sol) last Thursday. Too top it off, our hotel room had no fan, which made our room at least 100 degrees. After 2 nights spent drenched in sweat, we left, returned to the capital for round two and got the heck outta dodge! We headed to Nicuragua Sunday morning, 5 AM, and arrived in Managua at 5:30 PM. Nothing takes it out of a girl then sitting on a bus for 12 hours, so we found ourselves a room and passed out. This week we have been extra lazy (as I mentioned...). We walked around the capital, hit the beach (and will go back tomorrow), went to Lake Nicuragua in Granada today and Friday we will go to a National Park.
I promise my updates will be full of excitement once I enter Costa Rica as I wind down this amazing 5 month journey with my best friends.
Thanks for the money.....you know who you are. I really couldn't make it without you! Donations still being excepted....
As for the 'family emergency' so many people have asked about, Jen's grandmother passed away last week. I would like to express my sympathy to her mother and the rest of the family, especially with Mother's Day approaching. And to my own mother...good luck tomorrow! I love you and everything will go smoothly, I know it will.
0 Comments:
03 May 2003
"ain`t too proud to beg"
Here it is....week 16 of 21. I have been through 6 countries (we leave El Salvador tomorrow)....I have kept you posted on all the ins and outs of how to travel with nearly nothing (if you need more info....cindi@islandindigo.com is the place to reach me)....but I still have 3 more countries and 5 more weeks to go.
I am sure at some point I have entertained or helped some of you.
If you feel so inclined to see this girl home safe and sound in 5 weeks....I am gonna need your help. ANY donations of any size would be greatly appreciated! If you just click at the very bottom of this page where it says, "Make A Donation", and in the message include your address I will send you a postcard to thank you.
I will update all about El Salvador in a few days when we get settled in Nicuragua.
Here it is....week 16 of 21. I have been through 6 countries (we leave El Salvador tomorrow)....I have kept you posted on all the ins and outs of how to travel with nearly nothing (if you need more info....cindi@islandindigo.com is the place to reach me)....but I still have 3 more countries and 5 more weeks to go.
I am sure at some point I have entertained or helped some of you.
If you feel so inclined to see this girl home safe and sound in 5 weeks....I am gonna need your help. ANY donations of any size would be greatly appreciated! If you just click at the very bottom of this page where it says, "Make A Donation", and in the message include your address I will send you a postcard to thank you.
I will update all about El Salvador in a few days when we get settled in Nicuragua.
0 Comments:
