Blogs from Costa Rica, Central America Caribbean - page 462

I am not sure I can actually express how amazing Costa Rica is. Despite being a believer that short-term periods of being abroad can have incredible impacts on people, I am still thrown by how much I got out of only 10 days. I'll give you the personal, rather than professional version of this site visit to the land of plantains, coffee and cacao.... San Jose I only got a glimpse at what San Jose has to offer. We were there less than a day - mostly driving the Avenida Central, and spent the first night at the Airport Hampton Inn. Nicer than the US ones by the way - big thick white duvet covers. I know - not expecting heave blankets in a Central American country, were you? Our short time in Costa Rica brought ... read more

Just what is a typical day? A friend recently asked about our typical days. I had to think long and hard about this one. I talked to Bill and Callista, the consensus is we do not have typical days. We wake up when our bodies tell us to, eat a good healthy breakfast (ok, sometimes more good than healthy) and start our day. That’s where typical ends. There are days we ‘have to’ do things. Either we have to buy groceries, have dental appointments, have meetings with attorneys, as well as days we have to get out of the house. I made a photo journal of a couple of days in our lives to help you get a better sense of our way of life. Monday was a have to day. We had to go to ... read more

Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore! Or at least, we're not in Round Rock Independent School District in Austin, Texas anymore! This week, I had the opportunity to visit the elementary school here in Playa Samara as well as interview the principal. It was something I've wanted to do since last summer so when my Spanish teacher gave us the homework assignment to interview someone in town, write a paper on it, and then do an oral presentation of what we learned, I jumped at the chance to visit la escuela AND have it "count" for my homework! Instead of sharing with you my very butchered Spanish version of what I observed and concluded, I thought I'd relay what I learned in a slightly different manner. Thus, I have compiled the following synopsis of my experience: ... read more

This past Thursday (June 8th), I was suprised to see a parade in the streets of Palmares. There was also a line of artists set up across from the church selling their products, similar to the festivals in Chelsea and Manchester. I think there was some 20th aniversary for something, but I don't know what. Oh well. Check out the photos!... read more

No one likes to go to the dentist, least of all me. In my twenties I lacked dental insurance so dental care was non-existent. I was young and invincible. No need for dentists, I’m sure I went but for the life of me can’t remember who I saw in which state. The twenties were fluid years for me. I improved my dental care in my thirties but apparently not enough. I’m now paying for it in my forties. A little advice to those younger than I…FLOSS! It will save you much pain later. Knowing our move was a short six months away we attempted to see our regular dentist in the fall before our insurance ceased. I made appointments for Bill and Callista first. That left my appointment down to our last couple of weeks of ... read more