Sounds lovely!! It sounds like a wonderful country to visit--and yes, I have heard that San Jose is rather disgusting. My father knew some people who lived outside the city, and they locked everything inside huge walls every night, esp. the car. But he did love the rest of the country, and your pix of birds and animals are super!!
Les vacances de Sarkozy, à côté des tiennes, c'était vraiment rien. Continue de nous faire rêver, pendant qu'ici on grelotte sous la pluie, qu'on tousse et qu'on éternue.
Ciao,
Bernard
Enjoying your tour Hi Hilary,
I've enjoyed reading about your stay in Antigua and now Costa Rica!
My husband and I were just in Antigua in December for a few days. Then we went to Copan in Honduras and the island of Roatan, where the culture is much as you describe on the west coast of Costa Rica. Our December trip was in fact inspired by a very interesting trip 4 years ago to Nicaragua and the Corn Islands off the coast, where again the culture was Afro Caribbean. I'd love to swap stories with you some time. How fortunate that you're having these adventures!
Enjoy!
Michal
Green with envy Hilary, This is my favourite blog yet. It sounds simply fabulous. A much more civilized way to see crocodiles and exotic birds than way down here 'downunder'. Adelaide is in the middle of its longest heatwave ever recorded (and it is meant to be the start of Autumn!) and the poor birds hibernate all day in an effort to avoid the scorching temperatures (not sure what the crocodiles are doing - we don't have any in the river that I live on!). Can't wait to see the photos. Keep trecking, and keep safe.
Costa Rica Hi Hilary--
These are lovely pictures--what an interesting country! I was wondering how one goes about finding families to stay with? Is this a service of a language school, or are they listed somewhere?
Also, both my son and daughter have said that Costa Rica is simply a must-see. Both coasts and the mountains and rain forest in between (the Cloud Forest). Costa Rica has done a terrific job with ecotourism and is "safer" (so they say) than other Central American countries. And I have not been to Tikal, but have been to Chichen Itza. I think Tikal is larger.
Have fun, keep sending us your blog!
Shirley
Mayan Ruins Regretfully I have never been to South America so can't help you with any suggestions about the Mayan ruins, but boy are you wetting my appetite. I am pulling out my old Atlas and tracing your journey and dreaming of one of my own. Your adventures are inspirational. Keep safe.
Tu es une championne du voyage inorganisé (en fait très organisé).
J'ai une idée pour ton retour. Il faudrait que tu ouvres une agence de voyages "à la Hilary".
Le problème, c'est qu'il faut être une "Hilary" pour faire ce genre de voyage.
Bises,
Bernard
McGill Your photos remind me of when I took Claire there to visit in February 2003. It's a great university, and I'm so glad she has her degree now. My only other trip there was May 2007 for her graduation!
Your trip sounds wonderful. Do enjoy,
Sheri
ah, McGIll! Thanks for the wonderful pix of Quebec, especially of one of my alma maters, McGill U - a special place. I look forward to Guatemala y gracias!
a bientot de Paris,
Michele
Linguists Given that I could still not speak more than 6 words of French after being in Paris for 3 months, I am incredibly impressed with your increasing proficiency in Spanish. I heard a Professor of Linguistics talk on our local ABC radio this week - she spoke nearly 20 languages - you will be catching her up soon!!!!! Your volunteer work sounds inspirational. I am starting to make plans for another three months in New York in the middle of the year, including a week stopover in Paris on the way home. Will very much look forward to seeing you again and hearing more of your adventures. Remember not to fall off the mountain. Warmest regards, Sanchia
Hope you're enjoying yourself Hi Hilary. Our first venture to your blog. The address was in the newsletter and since the service is this weekend we just pulled it out for a look. Have not read all the previous entries but this sounds like a great trip -- material for another book perhaps? Hope to see you in the spring and to periodically catch up on your central american news. At least you'll not miss the regular nightly frosts here. Will light a candle for you. Hugs, Peter (and Claire)
thank you for taking us along on your wonderful journey hilary ... and as it has become quite cold again here in paris we have felt the warmth of the latin sun from your colorful and personal accounts of your days there so please keep them coming !... we miss you
great to be with a family Your program looks well structured with individual and group elements. How nice to be housed with a family.
Happy Valentines Day. Betty
boston photos This interactive site is fun to go to. I usually do not go to websites if I have to enter the information separately but this is so easy.
I hope I can transfer it to Reema who spent her university years at MIT and who will probably know lots of these sites.
Have a good time. Spring is in the air here in Paris.
Betty
Musician's Mums From one 'Musician's Mum' to another: it's great to see you out and about at 'live' music venues. Go girl!! Boston in winter dress looks magical.
Travel stories Your bus trip through the snow and ice sounds amazing. Glad you finally arrived safely. You certainly had some sagas getting in and out of Montreal - it is usually us 'Aussies' who have to endure such long travelling times. I just love you photos, keep them up - Boston must also be very beautiful covered in a layer of snow. Stay warm and have fun. XXX
vive le quebec ça a l'air sympa le carnaval sous la neige (ça change du hareng dunkerquoi ou de la samba bresilienne). have a nice trip and say hi to bro and marlo
Hi. I'm starting a new blog for this year's trip. First, I'll be leaving Paris at the end of January to go and see my son Marc and his girlfriend Marlene in Quebec City. The Carnaval will be going on while I'm there. Then, it's down to Boston for a few days and to catch my flight to Guatemala. Looking forward to writing about my experiences down there.... full info
Shirley
non-member comment
Sounds lovely!!
It sounds like a wonderful country to visit--and yes, I have heard that San Jose is rather disgusting. My father knew some people who lived outside the city, and they locked everything inside huge walls every night, esp. the car. But he did love the rest of the country, and your pix of birds and animals are super!!