This weekend I went to Arenal Volcano, one of Costa Rica's active volcanos. On thursday before we left I was stupid enough to catch a cold. Everyone in my class is, or has been, sick. The training room is just a giant petri dish with a wide choice of diseases available. My body choose the basic "sniffle, cough, mucus overload" cold. One interesting thing about Costa Rica is that it has univeral health care. It's interesting to see how that changes the dynamics of the culture. In the US the first response to any illness is to "watch" and make sure you are really, REALLY sick before going to a doctor. We even have little rules for when we should see the doctor... (I was raised on the mucus color monitoring system... let's not go there though... kay?)
In Costa Rica things are COMPLETELY different. Since health care is universal they don't have any inhibitions about going to the doctor. My first sniffle in class and my students were prepared to drive me to the hosipital. They will consult with pharmacists who will prepare medications for them. The slightest cold sends them packing to the doctor and they always seem to be getting a shot for something. It's just a very intersting cultural difference when you see men going to the doctor over a cold or allergy. It makes me long for a day in the US when parents won't have to weigh the cost of a weeks groceries over the cost of their childs heath. Generally I try to stay away from the politics of things but seriously... I would love to stop trying to determine if something is yellow or green... if you know what I mean! ;)
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Isla Tortuga...
So on Saturday I went on a tour to Isla Tortuga. First we were picked up at the Crown Plaze and boarded a bus (those that remember my tour in India... It was air conditioned and very comfy). After a brief tour of the various hotels in San Jose as we picked up passengers we headed out on the road. It's about 2hrs to the Pacific coast and the town of Puntarenas. We stopped for breakfast about 1/2 way there and had a typical Costa Rican breakfast. Beans and Rice, Eggs, some fresh fruit and 2 measly peices of fried plantain (DARN IT I want more). After breakfast we had a few minutes to wander around the gardens, say hello to the pet toucan and, of course, shop in the gift shop.
After another 1hr on the bus we arrived at Puntarenas. It's hard to imagine the difference from San Jose. The weather was warm, the sky blue, and the water clear!! There were a few clouds in the sky but they mostly huddled around your peripheral vision as if unwilling to intrude on the great big blue sky. It's about a 1 1/2 cruise to the island and on the way you pass beautiful green islands. On the boat we got drinks (non alcoholic included) and fresh fruit.
Once we got to the island we disembarked and had a hour until lunch was served. Those of us that wanted to could spend the time snorkeling (which was included in the cost). It was my very first time snorkeling!!! Overall I did fairly well, considering I wear glasses and they kept the mask from making a good seal. I did get 4-5 minutes of snorkeling at a time towards the end. I saw parrot fish, clown fish, and other brightly colored fish. It was great just being out in the water.
After that we returned to the beach lunch was in full swing, with musicians and all. We had a nice Ceviche to start follow by a selection of salads. For the entree we had tropical chicken. The menu was a step up from most of the meals you receive on tours. Considering they have to unload all the items for the meal from the boat, set it up and cook it in one hour it is quite amazing.
After lunch we had a little time to wander around and lay in the sun before the next activity, the Banana Boat ride. That is just what it sounds like. A giant inflatable Banana shaped boat that you sit on while it's pulled behind a bigger boat at a break neck pace. It was quite fun except they made me take my glasses off (in case we got dumped in the water) so all I saw was large blurs going by.
After another hour of lazing on the beach in a hammock we had to get back on the boat for the trip back. They time it perfectly because as you cruise back they sun is setting dramatically making for a perfect finish to the day.
It was a fun Cruise. If you want to see the Tour group we were on their webiste is: http://www.calypsocruises.com/.
After another 1hr on the bus we arrived at Puntarenas. It's hard to imagine the difference from San Jose. The weather was warm, the sky blue, and the water clear!! There were a few clouds in the sky but they mostly huddled around your peripheral vision as if unwilling to intrude on the great big blue sky. It's about a 1 1/2 cruise to the island and on the way you pass beautiful green islands. On the boat we got drinks (non alcoholic included) and fresh fruit.
Once we got to the island we disembarked and had a hour until lunch was served. Those of us that wanted to could spend the time snorkeling (which was included in the cost). It was my very first time snorkeling!!! Overall I did fairly well, considering I wear glasses and they kept the mask from making a good seal. I did get 4-5 minutes of snorkeling at a time towards the end. I saw parrot fish, clown fish, and other brightly colored fish. It was great just being out in the water.
After that we returned to the beach lunch was in full swing, with musicians and all. We had a nice Ceviche to start follow by a selection of salads. For the entree we had tropical chicken. The menu was a step up from most of the meals you receive on tours. Considering they have to unload all the items for the meal from the boat, set it up and cook it in one hour it is quite amazing.
After lunch we had a little time to wander around and lay in the sun before the next activity, the Banana Boat ride. That is just what it sounds like. A giant inflatable Banana shaped boat that you sit on while it's pulled behind a bigger boat at a break neck pace. It was quite fun except they made me take my glasses off (in case we got dumped in the water) so all I saw was large blurs going by.
After another hour of lazing on the beach in a hammock we had to get back on the boat for the trip back. They time it perfectly because as you cruise back they sun is setting dramatically making for a perfect finish to the day.
It was a fun Cruise. If you want to see the Tour group we were on their webiste is: http://www.calypsocruises.com/.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Give me back my Plantains!!!
Trying new things is one of the greatest benefits of travel. One of the saddest things about travel is trying something that you know you will never get at home and becoming addicted to it. When I went to India I developed an addiction to Masala Dosa. Masala Dosa is a South Indian breakfast food that is just heavenly. This trip I am addicted to a great Costa Rican breakfast food (why I develop these foriegn breakfast food addictions I don't know) of Fried Plaintains. Plantains are like bananas and they fry them up (in what I don't know and don't care) and they are FABULOUS. The hotel breakfast spread has had them every day since I have been here EXCEPT for the last two days!!! I have been eating whole platefuls of them... perhaps there is now a Plantain shortage in Costa Rica because of me. I want them back. Please Marriot... bring back my Fried Plantains... or if you can't do that I will take Masala Dosa...
Tomorrow I am off on a cruise to Isla Tortuga (or Turtle Island in english)... for fun in the sun and some snorkeling. Later.
Tomorrow I am off on a cruise to Isla Tortuga (or Turtle Island in english)... for fun in the sun and some snorkeling. Later.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Hola from Costa Rica!
Well i have been in Costa Rica for one week now. I wish I could say I have been trekking thru to the jungles but I haven't seen much YET but I have PLANS. This week seemed to be a series of days where I seemed to be running to catch up with things. Now that I have things in motion I have plans to go on a tour this weekend. Nothing much just a tour of the Isla Tortuga on a yacht.
One of the great things about Costa Rica is that San Jose is very central and the county is small enought that everything can be reached easily. Costa Rica chock full of adventure activities. Ziplining, Bungie Jumping, White Water Rafting, Snorkeling, and other activities engaged in by thrill seeking junkies. I really look forward to checking out some of these activities. Hopefully I won't end up on some reality show like "When Americans do stupid stuff" or something.
The weather is interesting. We are at the end of their "Wet" season so it frequently looks like it's about to rain but what confuses my little "Portlander" brain is that even when it looks like it's about to pour rain it's still a balmy, humid 80 degrees out. My PDX brain sees the clouds and says 50 degrees. The weather is very changable... it never rains for more than 5 minutes.
One of the great things about Costa Rica is that San Jose is very central and the county is small enought that everything can be reached easily. Costa Rica chock full of adventure activities. Ziplining, Bungie Jumping, White Water Rafting, Snorkeling, and other activities engaged in by thrill seeking junkies. I really look forward to checking out some of these activities. Hopefully I won't end up on some reality show like "When Americans do stupid stuff" or something.
The weather is interesting. We are at the end of their "Wet" season so it frequently looks like it's about to rain but what confuses my little "Portlander" brain is that even when it looks like it's about to pour rain it's still a balmy, humid 80 degrees out. My PDX brain sees the clouds and says 50 degrees. The weather is very changable... it never rains for more than 5 minutes.
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