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newplacestogo - Gary Bowman

After 36 years living in Minneapolis, living the "conventional" life, and taking the 2 weeks of vacation earned to get to somewhere quick in the US, it's time to find "new places to go"... new places to go physically - (never been to Ecuador or Panama, and only a week in Nicaragua in 2006), new places to go mentally- finding a new way of thinking about the world and my life, and hopefully financially - new places to go to earn a living and/or a way of making a living!

So, here we go...I saved the cash, rented out the house, and told my friends and family I'm ready to leave a lot behind (at least for a few months, and God knows how many more)...I'll look forward to hearing from you while I take this journey!

The New Places I've gone or am going!

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Joined on: February 10th 2008
Last Login: September 25th 2009

Blog Entries: 32
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Blogs & Travel Journals

by newplacestogo, order by Date newest first.

By newplacestogo
June 14th 2008

What's old is... North America » United States » Minnesota » Minneapolis

Fully paved streets, unexciting but standard chain restaurants and stores, Target and Wal-Mart, people looking seemingly distinctly "Midwestern", skyscrapers - what's old is new again. As you have likely now guessed, I am home! I know I have not written much in the last few weeks, and there is some reason behind it. Some of you who already know I am home will be aware but the reality is that my drive to keep exploring had started to hit a wall. This is, of course, on top of the reality that I was running out of things that I really wanted [View Full Entry]

By newplacestogo
June 4th 2008

On a Mission From God... Central America Caribbean » Nicaragua » Granada

Padre Sergio at the Entrance
Here is Padre Sergio at the entrance of the offices to the foundation.

It's been a number of days since I last wrote you, I realize. That said, if I have nothing worthwhile to say it doesn't make much sense to just ramble on pointlessly...I can do that often enough without my helping that cause... So...with that out of the way, I think I do have some to write about and share with you. I have returned to Granada in the country of Nicaragua. As far as sites to see, I am not sure there's much new to see. To be honest, in these closing days I am losing some desire to do a [View Full Entry]

By newplacestogo
May 29th 2008

It's My First Tropical Storm! Central America Caribbean » Nicaragua » San Juan Del Sur

Well...I know I haven't written in a short while, in part because the last few days haven't been all that interesting, at least to read about. I also am at a public internet source, so I'm paying to write this so it really will be short. Anyway, here is the quick recap... Since I last wrote you, I made it to the small town of San Juan de Oriente, to talk with some people on pottery. I brought along a bi-lingual friend who translated and the long and short is I have at least one contact for some interesting items to [View Full Entry]

By newplacestogo
May 24th 2008

Approaching the end of Granada area... Central America Caribbean » Nicaragua » Granada

Masaya Central Parque
In the parque, there is this large monument. I think at one time there was a fountain also, but didn't appear to be working anymore.

Okay, the title is admitted not very catchy. However, I figured it was time to do some writing to my friends and family via the blog. Today was going to be another trip to San Juan de Oriente, where most of the pottery that is sold is actually made. I was going to go with the person I met at La Merced church as he speaks Fluent English and think I can trust him some as he introduced me to the priest in the church for a while. However, the priest needed Mauricio for his own translation in Managua with some [View Full Entry]

By newplacestogo
May 19th 2008

To the Laguna, on a chicken bus Central America Caribbean » Nicaragua » Granada

Laguna de Apoyo
Here is the view from "el mirador". It was a great sight to see, though I have no doubt the picture won't show quite as well as you'd hope online.

While I'm sitting here laying low for a day in hopes the ATM's will figure out my account so I can have more of my money sitting in my account back home, I thought I would write. I think what is happening is the deposits are reporting a little bit slower so it thinks I'm broke. Now, nobody worry (especially you, Mom!) I still have cash in dollars and Cordobas, plus credit cards for those places that will take them - including private transport back to Managua and the airport.. Finally, when all else fails, I'll start setting up Paypal accounts [View Full Entry]

By newplacestogo
May 15th 2008

The Two Granadas Central America Caribbean » Nicaragua » Granada

The Crown Jewel...
Here is the Crown Jewel of Granada, the Cathedral. It was repainted in its current colors in 2001

It's now been a few days that I've been in Granada, able to see what changes have or have not occurred in this Spanish Colonial city in the country of Nicaragua. With this observation, I can say there are two Granadas...the one of hope and that INTUR (the Nicaragua Tourism Agency) and the one that remains much of what Nicaragua still is...waiting in desperate hope of a better tomorrow. The city of hope...Granada has the Calle de la Calzada. This is a large pedestrian street going from the central park to the lake. On the park, there is the city's "crown [View Full Entry]

By newplacestogo
May 13th 2008

Nicaragua, Round Two... Central America Caribbean » Nicaragua » Granada

Today started bright (well, it actually wasn't very bright when my cellphone alarm went off at 4AM) and early in San Jose. I had managed to find the Tica Bus ticket agency relatively close to my San Jose, Costa Rica hostel and had purchased my ticket previously. I got up and ready for the long journey to Nicaragua with the taxi picking me up promptly at 5AM as arranged. The taxi driver quickly became annoyed when he heard that I only wanted the Tica Bus Terminal as opposed to the airport as the San Jose airport is actually in the 'burbs [View Full Entry]

By newplacestogo
May 9th 2008

Do you know the way to San Jose? Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » San José » San José

Teatro Nactional
The National Theater, where various performances are put on. Some great architecture inside

About 3 seconds after reading the title, my friend that is following along from the offices of the City of Fridley should be getting quite a chuckle. She emailed me this morning saying she was remembering the Dionne Warwick song of that name... I've now been in San Jose for a few days, and thought I'd share some thoughts. Again, Costa Rica really was going to be more a pass-through country but ran ahead on my schedule, not needing as much time as I may have thought in Panama. Overall, San Jose is an okay city even if not the most [View Full Entry]

By newplacestogo
May 7th 2008

La Frontera...and on to San Jose Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica

I bid farewell to Boquete, Panama early in the morning on the 5th, deciding I would take the local bus from the small town of Boquete into David, the main transfer point on the northern part of Panama and where I had gone the previous day to purchase my Tracopa Bus ticket to San Jose. The hostel owner, who spoke good English and had lived in the States for a while saw me off in the morning and directed me to the bus on the corner. I was thinking I would fork over the cash for a taxi into David, but [View Full Entry]

By newplacestogo
May 4th 2008

To be a Modern-Day Tarzan, and Become More of a Coffee Snob Central America Caribbean » Panama » Chiriquí » Boquete

Our limo to the mountain
The old Army truck we're told was used in Vietnam. It actually wasn't too bad, though really bumpy.

I’ve been spending the last 6 days now in Boquete, Pamana. Boquete is a small town, with gringo influence, in the mountains of Panama. There is the main street, with some restaurants, a few small souvenir-type shops, small supermarkets, and other assorted stores. There’s also the small hotels or hostels around town. Finally, for those people ready to buy their second home (or relocate to a whole new life) - which will often be older gringos - there are plenty of real estate agencies ready to get you into a new house. Finally, being in the mountains, there are great [View Full Entry]

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newplacestogo - Gary Bowman

The New Places I've gone or am going!

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