Days 63-66: Home Sweet Midwest

After a long day in the airport on June 7, Lisa and I finally made it home. Thank goodness too, as we had the 8th Annual Walk with Rachel on Saturday!

Over $8,000 was raised to benefit Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, all in memory of our dear friend Rachel, who passed away on February 23, 2004. 

Later, Lisa cheered on the Blackhawks with the family, while my boyfriend Chris and I headed to the far off land of Wisconsin for a Zac Brown Band concert. 

Today, Lisa and I have been quite productive around the house. The productivity ends for me tomorrow, however. The next five days will be filled with rest and relaxation as the beau and I travel to the Caribbean island of St. Martin. Pictures of beautiful beaches to come!

What We Learned in Costa Rica

- Stop signs are optional.
- There are 25,000 coffee producers in the country.
- Free housing is given to coffee plantation workers.
- Talk about loving coffee, they use the coffee root for rotisserie chicken.
- 64 percent of the population is Catholic.
- Nine percent of workers' paychecks go to the hospital.
- When you go to a pharmacy/drug store and ask for pills, they ask you how many pills you want. You don't walk away with a box of pills, when you may only need three or four pills.
- There are 112 volcanos in the country; 5 are active.
- Driving reminds Chris of dune-bashing in Dubai, without the comfort of knowing that it's done for entertainment purposes.
- No matter where we roam, the hand dryers made in Berkley, Illinois, remind us of home.
- We saw stores named "USA Part 2." We don't know what they are, but we're curious.
- They no longer tour the Arenal area to view the volcano at night, as two years have passed since any lava has flowed on the outside.
- Lisa can't help but say "Danke," no matter which country we're in.
- You have to pay to exit the country. Each person has to pay a departure tax of $29 before even getting to the airport's ticket counter.
- They'll accept both dollars and colones for currency.
- CAT is everywhere (Europe, too). As Bradley grads, I think we're wired to notice it more than most.

Day 62: Escanzu, Costa Rica

If yesterday was the epitome of endless sight-seeing, today was the yin to the yang.

After a wonderful, yet long, first day in Costa Rica, we awoke this morning feeling a bit sub par. Much of it, I'm sure, is simply due to the amazing, yet weakening, effect of constant travel. Not that we are complaining! Unfortunately, Chris took the brunt of it as her slight allergy to water (truth) didn't appreciate yesterday's long visit to the hot springs.

So, we toured the surrounding area, enjoying fresh juice and chatting it up with the helpful local pharmacists. Then, drugs in tow, we made our way back to the hotel for a dip in the pool. Now, yesterday's pools were hot, but doable. This icebox was impossible. It wasn't even deep enough to buck up and cannonball into. No, sir. So we sat. And read. And enjoyed the sun (perhaps a little too much for me, giving my Eastern European skin more credit than it was due).

Thankfully, we were able to enjoy the outdoors before the "rainy season" showed its true colors. We're going on eight hours straight now. All the more reason to cozy up with a good book.

If I have rediscovered one thing on this trip, it is my love of reading. I always knew I loved traveling, so that doesn't count. However, I never feel like I have time to read at home, or there's always something more active to do. Yet here, traveling, there is nothing better than getting lost in a good thriller. It's a beautiful way to rebalance the yin with the yang.

That's right, I brought it back for the closure. There's more to yin and yang than the jewelry (or pogs - heyo!) we rocked out in the early 90's.

Day 61: Northern Part of Costa Rica

Soaking in natural hot springs while overlooking a volcano was a great introduction to Costa Rica!

By the time our full-day tour came to an end, we were on the road for 15 hours, touring the northern part of Costa Rica. The environment was lush, the roads were winding, and the narrow bridges looked ancient... all making the experience feel more authentic. :)

Our morning included touring towns as we made our way up the country. Lunch and dinner were enjoyed in the fresh air with the Arenal Volcano looming in the background. Of the 112 volcanos on the island, five are active, including Arenal.

Our afternoon was spent at the Baldi Hot Springs. We learned quickly that they don't call them hot for nothing. The springs were therapeutic and calming, but not what you (or even WE) would call refreshing. The temperatures ranged from "cool" (used loosely, basically warm), to hot, scalding, and even up to, "People go in this?!"

As luck would have it, we enjoyed almost every pool by ourselves for the first two hours. By the time the teeny boppers raided the springs, we had already found a nice place to kick our feet up and read.

While I tried to sleep on the three hour ride back to our hotel, the rocky terrain refused to lighten up. Neither did our driver, Marlo, who I believe to be a distant cousin of Mario Andretti. The dense fog only let in light from the oncoming headlights, as well as the silhouettes of the trees on the road. Throw in some rain and lightning, and you have a horror movie set. Lisa slept soundly on my shoulder throughout most of this, because life's not fair.

On that note, an exhaustive "Buenas noches" to all!

Day 60: Chicago to San Jose, Costa Rica

Hola from Costa Rica!

Not much to report, as today was simply dedicated to getting from O'Hare to Costa Rica. We did get to fly on United's Dreamliner though. Truthfully, it didn't wow us. It had higher ceilings, tinted green windows, and black marble countertops in the bathroom. Those are pretty much the highlights.

We did get a nice surprise in Houston's airport as we waited for our connection to San Jose - an impromptu reunion with one of my AIU colleagues, Dr. Greg Washington! Thank you, AIU, for holding the board meeting in Houston this week. Small world!

Other than that, we had a turbulent flight into Costa Rica, a rocky taxi ride, and regrets on not having brushed up on our Spanish. Lisa is reflecting back on her years of classes, and I'm trying to remember how to count to ten :).

Tomorrow, we'll be out all day touring the northern part of the island, namely a volcano and hot springs!

Days 55-59: Home!

Vivian: "I forgot where I was."
Edward: "Occupational hazard?"
- Pretty Woman, 1990

For the last two months, this quote has frequented my brain every morning when I wake up. This weekend was no exception.

After a memorable trip, Chris and I successfully made it home from Dubai. Our longest flight yet, we were airborne for 13.5 hours - in middle seats. Thank goodness for makeshift tray-table "pillows" and built-in TVs in every seat.

Handy tip for those traveling internationally: when walking to customs and passport control, always pass the escalator and take the stairs. No, not for health reasons - that's just an added bonus. The stairs are a lot faster; taking them will put you ahead of more people in line. Passport control is the DMV of the airport.

This weekend, Chris and I were both in the Midwest. She was at home, and I was in Michigan for a wedding.

Flight loads willing, our current plan is to leave for Costa Rica tomorrow!

What We Learned in the United Arab Emirates

- Everyone drives like they have a pregnant woman going into labor in their front seat. The speeding is terrifying.
- At first, we felt a great culture shock when we arrived at the airport. By the end though, we felt very comfortable.
- On each train, there is a "Women and Children Only" section, which women may choose to travel in. (There is not a car designated for "Only Men".)
- The Dubai Mall holds several Guinness World Records.
- All the astounding buildings and structures are adolescents! Most were built in the last ten years.
- Despite the conservative nature of the country, the beaches are far from conservative.
- Only the elite are allowed into the "world's only 7-star hotel." Tourists can't simply tour around.
- If you are out in public (mall, beach, anywhere), you will hear the Call to Prayer that is sung out to the country.
- Camels have their ankles lightly tied to prevent them from running (quickly!) away.
- Taxes are not pulled out of your paychecks.
- You can't wear shoes inside mosques.
- Ford Tahoes are converted to dune-bashers once the tires are deflated. By the way, dune-bashing is driving recklessly over sand dunes.
- The Islamic day of faith is Friday. Ergo, the work week over there is Sunday through Thursday.
- The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle.