Though I had plenty of sunscreen on, I managed to burn my back yesterday while snorkling. It´s not so bad...just warm on my back as I tried to fall asleep last night.
This morning I had coffee with a troop of monkeys. I´d been told by a local guide that monkeys appeared at 6:30am at the local bakery. I´d gone yesterday and was disappointed by the lack of monkeys and bad food. The cappachino though was good.
This morning I´d wandered down to get another cappachino. As I sipped away, a monkey bounced down out of the trees and began to pose. Really, the damn thing was posing in the branches. It made faces at other customers. It bounced around and finally a worker came out with a banana. I guess monkeys really do love bananas; this one stoled the whole thing...one chunk in his swollen cheeks, and another in each of his paws.
By the time I´d finished my drink, I counted seven primates jumping through the canopy. Pretty cool!
I´ve decided to finish reading a novel I´ve been cruising for awhile. It´ll be a day of swinging in one of the hotel hammocks and being lazy. The monkeys were a bad influence.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Joe Vs. the Volcano, Hot Spring and Wisdom Teeth
Sometimes I feel I need to be secretive. I guess it´s my stubborn nature. Maybe I just don´t want anyone to worry too much. I had taken this stubborn, secretive approach with dentistry. Yeah, crazy huh? I had planned the beginning my Costa Rica stay around a dentist appointment.
My plan had been to get my lower wisdom teeth pulled and move on to getting all of my teeth straightened. The costs in Costa Rica would in fact pay for my rt flight. It sounded smart...and even thrifty.
I tried to find my bus at the Coca Cola bus station (the station isn´t nearly as refreshing as the drink). After some wandering in a very rough crowd, I decided I could afford to take a taxi.
I got to the hospital complex and followed the directions emailed to me...building number two on the sixth floor. There were no numbers on the buildings, so logic said go to the one next door to the big building. I did. I wandered the sixth floor for a minute or two before figuring out it was the maternity ward. The babies didn´t mind.
Asking a desk person where I need to go she pointed out and beyond...one more building. I found the place. The office reminded me of a chain store hair salon. I sat on the white leather couch and listened to the elevator music as I rolled my tongue over my wisdom teeth...fully expected they had little time left in my mouth.
The dentist I was to see walked by waving in a princess manner to everyone...except me (another dentist would soon explain she expected me at 11:30 and not 1:30). So I sat and waited. I finally was directed in to a dentist chair. The dentist asked me about my teeth. Were they bothering me? Why did I need them pulled...and such. I told him I´d like to get them straightened and felt the only way would be to have my wisdom teeth pulled to create some room.
His response- your teeth are really good. Then he had an orthodontist come in to look at them. He felt they might be straightened without extracting any teeth. So, three days of waiting and 50$ later, I had my teeth looked at by a dentist. I guess I have mixed feelings about the whole damn thing.
Anyhow...tomorrow being my birthday, I decided to treat myself to a tour of a volcano and a visit to a hot spring (ends up it´ll cost me the same as my trip to the dentist). It´s true a vacation should never be mixed with a dental appointment. Off to find some grub!
My plan had been to get my lower wisdom teeth pulled and move on to getting all of my teeth straightened. The costs in Costa Rica would in fact pay for my rt flight. It sounded smart...and even thrifty.
I tried to find my bus at the Coca Cola bus station (the station isn´t nearly as refreshing as the drink). After some wandering in a very rough crowd, I decided I could afford to take a taxi.
I got to the hospital complex and followed the directions emailed to me...building number two on the sixth floor. There were no numbers on the buildings, so logic said go to the one next door to the big building. I did. I wandered the sixth floor for a minute or two before figuring out it was the maternity ward. The babies didn´t mind.
Asking a desk person where I need to go she pointed out and beyond...one more building. I found the place. The office reminded me of a chain store hair salon. I sat on the white leather couch and listened to the elevator music as I rolled my tongue over my wisdom teeth...fully expected they had little time left in my mouth.
The dentist I was to see walked by waving in a princess manner to everyone...except me (another dentist would soon explain she expected me at 11:30 and not 1:30). So I sat and waited. I finally was directed in to a dentist chair. The dentist asked me about my teeth. Were they bothering me? Why did I need them pulled...and such. I told him I´d like to get them straightened and felt the only way would be to have my wisdom teeth pulled to create some room.
His response- your teeth are really good. Then he had an orthodontist come in to look at them. He felt they might be straightened without extracting any teeth. So, three days of waiting and 50$ later, I had my teeth looked at by a dentist. I guess I have mixed feelings about the whole damn thing.
Anyhow...tomorrow being my birthday, I decided to treat myself to a tour of a volcano and a visit to a hot spring (ends up it´ll cost me the same as my trip to the dentist). It´s true a vacation should never be mixed with a dental appointment. Off to find some grub!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
My Big Loop
As with most of my travels, I arrived in Costa Rica without much of a plan. I´ll be here in San Jose for two more days. I will go to the Quaker meeting this morning and then visit a museum or two in the afternoon. Tomorrow will be a morning of museums and an afternoon of visiting with a local dentist. So, those are my big city plans.
On celebrating my 45th time around the planet, I hope to go to the volcano area north of San Jose. After that, I want to get to the Monte Verde area for Christmas-fellow Quakers- and the Cloud Forest. The next stop will be via bus and ferry...I´ll go over to Montezuma for beaches on the Nicoya Peninsula. Another bus ride and I´ll be near the Manuel Antonio National Park in Quepos...and more beaches. Then my plan is to pursue more info on the mysterious prehistoric rock spheres found near the Osa Peninsula. Finally, I will loop back to San Jose for my final days and flight back.
Plans can change. That´s the best thing about traveling alone...it always plenty of freedom. I´ll try to keep my blogging rolling along. Maybe next I´ll share some ideas related to the giant stone spheres.
On celebrating my 45th time around the planet, I hope to go to the volcano area north of San Jose. After that, I want to get to the Monte Verde area for Christmas-fellow Quakers- and the Cloud Forest. The next stop will be via bus and ferry...I´ll go over to Montezuma for beaches on the Nicoya Peninsula. Another bus ride and I´ll be near the Manuel Antonio National Park in Quepos...and more beaches. Then my plan is to pursue more info on the mysterious prehistoric rock spheres found near the Osa Peninsula. Finally, I will loop back to San Jose for my final days and flight back.
Plans can change. That´s the best thing about traveling alone...it always plenty of freedom. I´ll try to keep my blogging rolling along. Maybe next I´ll share some ideas related to the giant stone spheres.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Getting to Costa Rica
The night before last, I was taking care of last minute concerns in my apartment in Teec. My packing was finished, I´ll put a full crock of beans on for the FACE potluck, I´d watered the bonsai Christmas tree brother Chris and wife Jane had given me, and I´d finished my rewrite of Chicken Scratch Yazzie. Unlike past travels, I actually slept well. I got into my morning routine of working out before I have my morning coffee and loaded up the truck. All was smooth.
I was concerned about the weather. There were all sorts of rumors out there...Albuquerque was socked, the weather would be getting worse, and the roads were slick. One of the rumors was correct. The roads around the Four Corners were incredibly slick...I slid out to my truck on the thin sheet over my sidewalk...and took the driving slow. I got to school at my normal time...but most of the teaching staff was delayed. An 18'wheeler had tumbled off into a ravine and traffic was held up. I watched over the kids in the teacher resource room until the other teacher arrived.
I had asked for some leave so I could get to Albuquerque without any troubles. My principal was accommodating. She told me to get going.
My drive was very smooth except for one thing. My truck died in Shiprock. Evidently, my battery died right there at the gas station. I guess if it had to got...that was the perfect place. I managed to get some help from a couple of mechanics. With my new battery in place, I drove to Albuquerque. I can only say it was a little weird. I listened on the radio of weather getting worse and worse...but I seemed to be riding within a bubble of sunshine...you know, Jesus rays and all. I took it as a good sign.
The flights were smooth. I had no panic attacks. I did have my Xanex in my pocket but didn´t need it...I do think all of my panic was a product of too much mercury in my system. So, this was good. I most enjoyed looking down at lava flows off from the volcanoes of El Salvador. The jungles, jagged mountains and wild pristine waterways were pretty impressive too. The air smelt funny...kinda like near the coal burning power plants. As I waited for my final flight in San Salvador...a police officer did a little show with his drug sniffing dog....really, a show...after he had the dog sniff around every ones bags, the dog chased after a tennis ball and did several impressive belly rolls. The most life threatening situation was taking a taxi drive through San Jose to my hostel. Obviously, I lived.
I was concerned about the weather. There were all sorts of rumors out there...Albuquerque was socked, the weather would be getting worse, and the roads were slick. One of the rumors was correct. The roads around the Four Corners were incredibly slick...I slid out to my truck on the thin sheet over my sidewalk...and took the driving slow. I got to school at my normal time...but most of the teaching staff was delayed. An 18'wheeler had tumbled off into a ravine and traffic was held up. I watched over the kids in the teacher resource room until the other teacher arrived.
I had asked for some leave so I could get to Albuquerque without any troubles. My principal was accommodating. She told me to get going.
My drive was very smooth except for one thing. My truck died in Shiprock. Evidently, my battery died right there at the gas station. I guess if it had to got...that was the perfect place. I managed to get some help from a couple of mechanics. With my new battery in place, I drove to Albuquerque. I can only say it was a little weird. I listened on the radio of weather getting worse and worse...but I seemed to be riding within a bubble of sunshine...you know, Jesus rays and all. I took it as a good sign.
The flights were smooth. I had no panic attacks. I did have my Xanex in my pocket but didn´t need it...I do think all of my panic was a product of too much mercury in my system. So, this was good. I most enjoyed looking down at lava flows off from the volcanoes of El Salvador. The jungles, jagged mountains and wild pristine waterways were pretty impressive too. The air smelt funny...kinda like near the coal burning power plants. As I waited for my final flight in San Salvador...a police officer did a little show with his drug sniffing dog....really, a show...after he had the dog sniff around every ones bags, the dog chased after a tennis ball and did several impressive belly rolls. The most life threatening situation was taking a taxi drive through San Jose to my hostel. Obviously, I lived.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Plenty Going On
The weather in the Four Corners has been wintry to say the least. Yesterday we had a two hour delay at school. The drive over this morning was slick. I ended up filling the back of my truck with boxes of books from storage to get some weight over the back tires (I knew those books would come in handy some day).
Today, I'll make the 4 1/2 hour drive to Albuquerque. There's more snow expected...so it looks like I'll take a personal day (better safe than not) and make the trip.
I usually stay at a hotel in downtown. It's affordable and not sleazy like so many up on Central (if you know Albuquerque). In the morning I'll be up early for a 9 am flight.
Yes, I'm excited about my coming travels. Jungles, beaches, and all...who wouldn't be excited. Honestly though I've been so busy I haven't had much time to think about what I'll do when I get there.
There are days in my life that feel like landmarks. This is one. I finished my rewrite of the novel I've been working on last night at about 8pm. I'll print it out when I get back and read it out loud to catch any major glitches. I've a set of goals for the year listed next to my desk. Finishing the rewrite last night was a major one.
This morning I finished reading the first of my collection of Sherlock Holmes novels. I really enjoyed it! Man, Doyle definitely did not like the Mormons! I'll continue with my collection when I get back (a good winter read I think).
I've beans cooking for a potluck. I best go check on them.
Adios, Joe
p.s. If I can figure out how to upload photos, I thought I'd do this onto my FACEBOOK account.
Today, I'll make the 4 1/2 hour drive to Albuquerque. There's more snow expected...so it looks like I'll take a personal day (better safe than not) and make the trip.
I usually stay at a hotel in downtown. It's affordable and not sleazy like so many up on Central (if you know Albuquerque). In the morning I'll be up early for a 9 am flight.
Yes, I'm excited about my coming travels. Jungles, beaches, and all...who wouldn't be excited. Honestly though I've been so busy I haven't had much time to think about what I'll do when I get there.
There are days in my life that feel like landmarks. This is one. I finished my rewrite of the novel I've been working on last night at about 8pm. I'll print it out when I get back and read it out loud to catch any major glitches. I've a set of goals for the year listed next to my desk. Finishing the rewrite last night was a major one.
This morning I finished reading the first of my collection of Sherlock Holmes novels. I really enjoyed it! Man, Doyle definitely did not like the Mormons! I'll continue with my collection when I get back (a good winter read I think).
I've beans cooking for a potluck. I best go check on them.
Adios, Joe
p.s. If I can figure out how to upload photos, I thought I'd do this onto my FACEBOOK account.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Dogs are Men, Women are Cats
I remember as a child believing all dogs were male and all cats were female. In fact, I thought they were the same species (as a preschooler I didn't think species...I thought animal). Maybe this was the effect of too many Saturday morning cartoons explaining animal gender.
I've thought this could make a decent topic explaining relationship dynamics...a new twist on Men are From Mars Women are From Venus. While John Gray has some grasp on relationships, I could never take on such a project. Honestly, I'm too dumb.
Isn't that the point though? Dogs really do come off as dumb. Even the "smart" ones are typically driven by a Scooby Snack after rolling over and playing dead.
Cats are so intelligent. One of my ongoing challenges with my former feline friends was finding a toy they actually liked. I would scan the shelves of feathery, bright, jingly toys and go for whatever I found appealing. Typically, I return home unwrap the toy "All Cats Love", toss the wrapper along with the alien object on the ground and always the cats would chose to play with the wrapper (maybe I needed to search the local dumpsters and not the closest pet store).
How does all of this play into my life today? I did get a kind call from my "Friday Night Dance Partner". She explained she was sick. She asked me to forgive her. She told me she would treat me to coffee after I return from my travels. I was glad to hear from her.
Another thing I believed in as a preschooler was that a road with the sign "Dead End" lead to a giant cliff where all cars drove off and joined the wrecked vehicles at the bottom. Kinda morbid.
I've thought this could make a decent topic explaining relationship dynamics...a new twist on Men are From Mars Women are From Venus. While John Gray has some grasp on relationships, I could never take on such a project. Honestly, I'm too dumb.
Isn't that the point though? Dogs really do come off as dumb. Even the "smart" ones are typically driven by a Scooby Snack after rolling over and playing dead.
Cats are so intelligent. One of my ongoing challenges with my former feline friends was finding a toy they actually liked. I would scan the shelves of feathery, bright, jingly toys and go for whatever I found appealing. Typically, I return home unwrap the toy "All Cats Love", toss the wrapper along with the alien object on the ground and always the cats would chose to play with the wrapper (maybe I needed to search the local dumpsters and not the closest pet store).
How does all of this play into my life today? I did get a kind call from my "Friday Night Dance Partner". She explained she was sick. She asked me to forgive her. She told me she would treat me to coffee after I return from my travels. I was glad to hear from her.
Another thing I believed in as a preschooler was that a road with the sign "Dead End" lead to a giant cliff where all cars drove off and joined the wrecked vehicles at the bottom. Kinda morbid.
Friday, December 12, 2008
This is Good
So, I've read everything I can about positive attitudes. I've learned to say "This is good" even when a situation seems less than perfect.
Case in point- I just recently reconnected with a lady friend from long ago. We went for coffee, she mentioned dancing. I responded-dancing? Yes, dancing! There's open dance at the studio on Friday nights. Okay-says I.
So, while I'd like to completely believe I'm a man of the world and could never be taken for a chump. At this very instance, I feel like some little ant with a giant foot just inches over my head and about to squash me. I feel chump-ish.
Let me back up- go in reverse- hind step. I had a busy week at work. One thing that was getting me by what this potentially romantic evening of dance I had understood would be happening. I even made arrangements to sleep on a friend's couch.
Dancing would be from 8 until 10. In the meantime, I went out for pizza with my friend and his wife. Good pizza. By 7 I was already tired. I took a 10 minute power nap, got up, brushed my teeth and headed off for the dance studio.
When I found the place, I expected to see my coffee companion/female friend/fellow dance enthusiast. She was nowhere in sight. I paid my 5$ and looked some more. I asked the lady sitting up front. "Oh, yeah, she was here. She said she was going to a party." I sat on the couch and watched 5 or 6 couples dancing. Of course, I felt like shit.
But, hey, it's 9, I'm tired and I got to do just a little bit more of the blog thing right?
This is good.
Case in point- I just recently reconnected with a lady friend from long ago. We went for coffee, she mentioned dancing. I responded-dancing? Yes, dancing! There's open dance at the studio on Friday nights. Okay-says I.
So, while I'd like to completely believe I'm a man of the world and could never be taken for a chump. At this very instance, I feel like some little ant with a giant foot just inches over my head and about to squash me. I feel chump-ish.
Let me back up- go in reverse- hind step. I had a busy week at work. One thing that was getting me by what this potentially romantic evening of dance I had understood would be happening. I even made arrangements to sleep on a friend's couch.
Dancing would be from 8 until 10. In the meantime, I went out for pizza with my friend and his wife. Good pizza. By 7 I was already tired. I took a 10 minute power nap, got up, brushed my teeth and headed off for the dance studio.
When I found the place, I expected to see my coffee companion/female friend/fellow dance enthusiast. She was nowhere in sight. I paid my 5$ and looked some more. I asked the lady sitting up front. "Oh, yeah, she was here. She said she was going to a party." I sat on the couch and watched 5 or 6 couples dancing. Of course, I felt like shit.
But, hey, it's 9, I'm tired and I got to do just a little bit more of the blog thing right?
This is good.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Pondering Religion
I woke up at 2am. I'd been dreaming about going to a high school reunion. For some reason, I had to make a speech to all of my class of '81 peers. It sucked. I laid in bed and my brain started pumping out thoughts on religion.
Religion is an interesting topic. I guess we all have our reasons for believing what we do. For some it's like politics.."I'm (fill in the blank) because my parents were". Others have had a life altering experiences figure out where they fit it. For myself, I spent some of my college years trying out different religions. I felt and continue to feel Quakerism, fits me best. So, I'm a Quaker.
I try to keep religion out of the picture with friends. I think it's wrong to tell others what they should believe. So, I have close friends who are (in no particular order) Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Atheist, Agnostic, Native American Church...and so on. It's a good mix.
If there is one group I have problems with and find freaky, it's the Right-Wing-Christian-folk. I guess there are extremist in each of the major religions...and even the minor ones.
In my summer travels, I happened upon a monastery just outside of Granada, Spain. The patron saints were burnt alive in a cave sometime in the 1st century(the catacomb is located below one of the main chapels). With the bodies were a number of lead tablets written in Aramaic, Greek and Arabic. The "books" described the foundation of Christian, Islamic, and Judaism as the same. I found this fascinating (the guide leading me around did mention the Vatican had labelled these heresy. ..and that they couldn't be authentic as the Arabic language didn't exist in the 1st century)!
With the Christmas season here, I also like to consider the role of annual holidays. Easter, Christmas and Halloween all correlate well with Celt holidays. The summer solstic in Ireland is called St. John's Day (complete with large bonfires on every hilltop). The history of holiday dates and names (Easter for example) is pretty mind opening.
In the end, we each believe what we do. A meditation I find myself doing whenever the stars are out is first to remember how small I am in this Universe. This is followed by reminding myself I'm personally connected to the light coming from a million light years away. It's humbling and empowering. I like it.
Believe what you believe.
Religion is an interesting topic. I guess we all have our reasons for believing what we do. For some it's like politics.."I'm (fill in the blank) because my parents were". Others have had a life altering experiences figure out where they fit it. For myself, I spent some of my college years trying out different religions. I felt and continue to feel Quakerism, fits me best. So, I'm a Quaker.
I try to keep religion out of the picture with friends. I think it's wrong to tell others what they should believe. So, I have close friends who are (in no particular order) Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Atheist, Agnostic, Native American Church...and so on. It's a good mix.
If there is one group I have problems with and find freaky, it's the Right-Wing-Christian-folk. I guess there are extremist in each of the major religions...and even the minor ones.
In my summer travels, I happened upon a monastery just outside of Granada, Spain. The patron saints were burnt alive in a cave sometime in the 1st century(the catacomb is located below one of the main chapels). With the bodies were a number of lead tablets written in Aramaic, Greek and Arabic. The "books" described the foundation of Christian, Islamic, and Judaism as the same. I found this fascinating (the guide leading me around did mention the Vatican had labelled these heresy. ..and that they couldn't be authentic as the Arabic language didn't exist in the 1st century)!
With the Christmas season here, I also like to consider the role of annual holidays. Easter, Christmas and Halloween all correlate well with Celt holidays. The summer solstic in Ireland is called St. John's Day (complete with large bonfires on every hilltop). The history of holiday dates and names (Easter for example) is pretty mind opening.
In the end, we each believe what we do. A meditation I find myself doing whenever the stars are out is first to remember how small I am in this Universe. This is followed by reminding myself I'm personally connected to the light coming from a million light years away. It's humbling and empowering. I like it.
Believe what you believe.
Monday, December 1, 2008
New Writing
My new mini trampoline has had an effect on me. I must admit I like bouncing. I bopped around as I edited yesterday. I bounced through the evening and just before I went to bed. I dreamed I was bouncing. The floor feels way too solid when I finally step off.
I have hopes to finish my current writing project before I leave on winter break. I may write something while I'm in Costa Rica (in part to make it tax deductible)....but have started to consider my next BIG writing project.
I want to finish writing a novel on William Latham (ancestor and Mayflower stowaway). I also started a novel on a Mer-boy (who will go in search of a mermaid). They both offer exciting possibilities. I have a cryptozoologist friend who is try to get permission from the Scottish authorities to dig up a mermaid's remains (killed by a local boy and the funeral was attended by the whole town...in the 1920s I think)....maybe this could somehow be tied in? I like writing about the offbeat. If it keeps my interest, it should keep the readers. Right?
Time to get back home for a bounce.
I have hopes to finish my current writing project before I leave on winter break. I may write something while I'm in Costa Rica (in part to make it tax deductible)....but have started to consider my next BIG writing project.
I want to finish writing a novel on William Latham (ancestor and Mayflower stowaway). I also started a novel on a Mer-boy (who will go in search of a mermaid). They both offer exciting possibilities. I have a cryptozoologist friend who is try to get permission from the Scottish authorities to dig up a mermaid's remains (killed by a local boy and the funeral was attended by the whole town...in the 1920s I think)....maybe this could somehow be tied in? I like writing about the offbeat. If it keeps my interest, it should keep the readers. Right?
Time to get back home for a bounce.
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