rachaelrose

Orosi a San Jose a Quepos Somehow, I’ve managed to get sunburned despite the misty rainy nature of today. I have mad skills, I tell ya! But, to start where I left off: So, last night we headed back to Montana Linda (the hostel) after dinner. We had already discussed changing accommodations b/c of the teeny tiny “double” room, no towels or hot water, no wifi or public computers, the abundance of free-roaming smelly dogs & the general dirtiness and weird vibe of the place. Interestingly enough, there was Orosi Lodge, not two blocks away, which promised spacious rooms with wifi, private bathroom (w/hot water), kitchenettes in the room, etc., etc. It was twice as much, but still under $50. When we squeezed back into our room, we were literally standing back to back as we ... read more

Today was amazing! It's funny how a 7am wake-up call is no problem if there's amazing adventures on the horizon & palm trees out the window! :) I ordered breakfast (eggs, toast & gorgeous fruit platter) and ate while playing on the computer. We met two awesome girls named Kylie & Kristie Chupp from Montana. They're totally fun and we went white water rafting together. None of them had breakfast before we we went and then it was raining so we didn't stop until after the trip, so I felt very superior. ;) I also drank like a liter of water and felt very healthy. Can still get "coca-cola" (yummy bit of home) but am drinking less of it and eating super fresh...vacations make me so healthy! It took us an hour to get to the ... read more

My vacation has officially started, but I haven't left the country yet, so it doesn't feel like it. :) I spent two days in D.C. before Rachel and I left for Costa Rica. It was very helpful for me, though, because I realized I forgot my camera cables & was able to go to Best Buy and get a memory card reader for cheap. Also had a chance to eat at Chipotle's - yummy. I know we have them in Seattle, but Rachel is the one who introduced me to the chain when we both lived out here so it was quite nostalgic. The funniest (read: stupidest - and don't get on me about the grammar, either!) thing that happened was using Google Maps to help me navigate the Metro. It worked for me in Chicago ... read more

Here, in no particular order (probably!) is my Top Ten List for Japan. 10) Toilets - the most multi-tasking toi-toi's I've ever seen. They played music, had seat warmers, bidet function and even had a button for "flushing sounds." Like, don't waste water because you're bashful about being heard, just hit the flushing sound. AWESOME! Sad to say, we had fun with toilets everywhere we went! Each was a little different & some had super special functions. 9) Taxis - self-opening doors, super clean interiors, knowledgeable (but silent) cabbies & no tips! 8) Trains - I've been everywhere, man, I've been everywhere. By train. With EASE. 'Nuf said. 7) Shops - All over the place, all kinds of stuff. No shoes in my size & very few clothes (but there were some, dagnab it!), but they ... read more

I said Narita (where the airport is), but technically I'm over the Pacific! :) We just crossed the Int'l Date Line. So, on my flight today, I have left Narita at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16th and I will land in Seattle at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16th. It's doing something funky to my brain. Rachel & slept in a bit today. Check out was officially at 11 a.m., but you could buy extra time at 1000/hour...so we did! We thought about pushing to do one last thing, but decided against it. Instead, we cruised through the mall that our hotel is attached to (such a great feature!), went shopping in an actual grocery store (No photos, please.) the last thing on Rachel's to-do list, and stopped at the local post office for the ... read more

Well, I'm really tired but we had such a great day today I have to share! It'll mostly be pictures, but that's good, too, right? Especially after my venting yesterday? :) Today worked out just about perfectly...like it sometimes does after a storm. Maybe we were just in a place to be appreciative and happy? At any rate, Samia & Alice decided to go to Kamakura. Rachel wasn't interested & I already went with the tour group. So, we split into two groups. Rachel and I weren't sure what we wanted to do, but we definitely wanted to take it slow. She hasn't been feeling 100% and I'm just tired...pretty typical, actually. We knew from before that there was a Grand Sumo Tournament starting today, but we didn't have any details. We couldn't get tickets online, ... read more