South of the Border

Is it the cities that teaches... or the experience? Either way, I'll give the credit to Granada. **Disclaimer** Sorry no photos Today I have learned several things. Granada is hot and humid.  The streets smell like everything, EVERYTHING.  Pali is here, and still sucks.  You can buy bag of natural cashews (no oil and unsalted) for less the $4.  Things are cheaper.  Tona is better in bottles. Hostel are filled with all types of people.  Taxi's are SUPER CHEAP.  Shoeshines are everywhere. Men cat call,. . . but, ''It's my fault, I wore shorts''.  Its nice to travel alone.  People still ride bike, more americas should.  Almost everyone has facebook, young and old.  One of my taxi driver of the day (there were two in count) has a personal vendetta against Jimmie Carter, He said, ''Ayy Jimmie Carter, si lo veo no mato'' then he moved his hands as to strangle... if you look, you can find great hummus anywhere.... Thank you Granada...

Fourth time in Nicaragua.  Second time in Granada.  In a sentence, Granada is a visual and olfactory overload. There are people everywhere.  Children, women with huge baskets on their heads (a real talent by the way), taxi's and their car horns, men and their shoeshine stations, even a man selling cheese that asks ''Do you want cheese?''  - Just like that.  I replied, ''Sorry Sir, no cheese for me''.   I enjoy my  tri  monthly trips to Nicaragua or several reasons, one things here are cheaper and two its a mini vacation.  Although the distance from Costa Rica to Nicaragua so no greater then state to state in the USA, the simple act of border crossing (a whole another topic if you ask me) and stepping to another country is incredible.   My brother getting is hair cut. San Juan del Sur 2011 Now if you have visited both Costa Rica and Nicaragua will you know this, but if you haven't you are in for a real surprise.  These coun...

On my route to work the other day, I decided that my coffee would be just a little smoother with some milk.  So I decide to swing into the neighborhood pulperia (small typical convenience store in just about every neighborhood in Costa Rica- abarrotes o mini supers in other countries) for a small box.  On my way in I wish my vecinos a good day, and all the while smiling at the beautiful day I have ahead of me. Things get better once there because today is the day the clini is open, so there are tons of people in the neighborhood (WAIT, don't get confused, Im not happy because there are sick people or people that need to visit the clinic... keep reading) Im happy because that means that other people bring their wares to sell. ANNNND  It just so happens that while I am shooting the breeze with the son of the pulperia owner, who is obligated to work at the family store, in walks a Colombia man selling arepa con queso.  Obviously I have to buy one.  I love homem...

I am shocked and amazed that a year has gone by.  I remember starting this blog in Oct 2011 like it was yesterday.  I was sitting at my moms kitchen counter, trying to figure out what my blog was going to be about.  Then I hit the rode and zipped around with my homie Hayley. Then a little volunteer, some rodeos and adventures along the way, a trip to Peru and Colombia and now... Im a Director of a Supplemental Education program in Costa Rica.  How fly is that? I actually think about this little blog and I feel slightly sorry.  I wish I would have kept things up to date... but my relaxing time in Colombia was spent well, relaxing so it was a rude (but welcomed) awakening when I got back to Playa Samara and went RIGHT BACK TO WORK! Had to go to the states for a besties wedding! I have truly had an amazing year of travel, work play and more.  Friends got married, surf torneo were held, 10ks were run, futbol games were watched, programs flurished, N...