TravelStream™ news feed for member lizestes on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/lizestes en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:00:40 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/2/1235354400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/2/1235354400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/2/1235354400/tpod.html Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:00:40 -0400 Traveling Sola: Costa Rica to Arizona

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San Jose, Costa Rica

I left Puntarenas on the last Sunday night of carnival. The bus station was full of people trying to get back to San Jose and it was a complete disorder. Alex waited with me and I tried everything I could not to cry in front of 200 people. I was unsuccessful and bawled for about 30 minutes. I was ready to leave but it still was a bittersweet goodbye; not knowing if I would ever see Alejandro again or Costa Rica again for that matter. As the bus pulled away I instantly stopped crying because now my trip was beginning and I had bigger things to worry about. I was traveling all by myself through Central America. I was excited and nervous.

The bus pulled into the station in San Jose around midnight. The indirect bus that leaves Puntarenas at 9:00pm goes into Esparza and Alajuela so it takes forever!! At the station I hopped in a cab over to the Tica Bus station that is supposedly open 24 hours.... when I pulled up it certainly looked closed to me. The cab driver recommended I go and hang out at the gas station close by and wait until my bus check in time 2:00am. So there I was still in CR in the middle of the night at the gas station freezing my buns off. I did feel more comfortable because there were 2 security guards and an attendant. After I finished a book and a cup of coffee with my new friends I grabbed another cab (not a good idea to even walk 2 blocks in downtown San Jose, sola in the middle of the night) to the Tica Bus station. Come to find out the Tica Bus station is open 24 hours and they were just napping waiting for the next bus to roll in from Panama.

I took the overnight executive bus to Managua, Nicaragua. A great way to go and worth the extra $5; they provide pillows, blankets, a snack, coffee and a nice attendant to assist through the border. I arrived to Managua at 10 am the following morning after the 8 hour bus ride I was tired and a little bummed about leaving Costa Rica. I exited the bus station and took and right, I had heard that there were several cheap hotels right next to the bus station.

I chose Casa Venegas and cute little place with private rooms and Internet access. It was perfect and just what I needed to relax and get ready for the next morning and the next bus ride to San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1235343060/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1235343060/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1235343060/tpod.html Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:40:50 -0400 Costa Rica

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San Jose, Costa Rica

After 2 years of living in a foreign country, the little things really began to get to me. I knew it was time to go, when everything just annoyed me and I started every sentence with Only in Costa Rica... does every DVD scratch, everyone gets paid on the same day (can we say long lines at the bank), does it take 4 hours to go 44 kilometers, good cheese does not exist and people honk for absolutely no reason whatsoever. At first the game was funny and I would laugh over Michelada Imperials with other ex-pats and joke about the fact only in Costa Rica do you have a job if you own a yellow vest and other ass backwardness to the country's rhyme and reason. But then it just started to add up and it was not funny anymore. I developed AFS also as known as Angry Foreigner Syndrome. I said it several times that if one more crazy/never suppose to happen/weird thing happened to me I was out and then it did. Jan 20 I had to make the decision to come home....

I had 2 weeks to get my act together, pack, and move on. After 2 years in Costa Rica and 2 professions later I had certainly accumulated a lot of stuff. Rather than throwing it all away I tried setting up a yard sale. Yard sales in Costa Rica are not so common but I had a few dedicated clients who came back even days after I had closed up shop to settle debts and to see if I had anything else. The biggest hit were my cookies which I sold for 100 colones (about 20 cents) each. All in all it was a success and gave me some much needed spending money for my upcoming travels. I planned on taking a month to travel by myself all the way up to Arizona via bus and any other means necessary to enjoy an adventure. All my hard work planning trips and learning Spanish was about to pay off.

In my second year in Costa Rica I worked for a travel agency in San Jose that specializes in Central America. I immediately fell in love with the job and learned quickly. The first few months I struggled but when things quieted down I found my nitch and really started to like my job as a senior travel consultant. I worked in front of a computer 5 days a week but also got to see a lot of Costa Rica on trips around the country business and pleasure, I made good money which let me enjoy other things like a great apartment that I did not while teaching at the school.

My place was in San Pedro, San Jose right off the main road in a cute neighborhood by an elementary school. I lived 2 blocks from 4 sushi restaurants, 10 mins walking to the mall (every fast food you can imagine), and 20 minutes by bus to downtown where I worked. My apartment was a one bedroom old art studio, there were beautiful murals painted on the wall by the artist Miliva. This place felt like home with a cozy garden and wood floors I loved it.

While in San Jose I also acquired a cat. Louie is a great big orange tabby that likes to attack unsuspecting feet. I really fell in love with him when a friend had to move back unexpectedly to AK and she offered him to me. We went through a lot including a nasty kick to his jaw by a mean stranger that put him in the kitty hospital for 2 weeks with a broken jaw. He recovered just fine and luckily did not venture outside the gate too much after that. The last 2 weeks were hard and he knew something was up but I found him a very nice home with my neighbors mom in the mountains.

I knew I was not going to be able to go easily but this was a little much...the day before I am scheduled to leave ( I am sending 2 suitcases home via UPS) I haul my suitcases in a cab all the way across town with my packing list, ID, account number ALL the information necessary to send my things back to AZ. Oh no I forgot where I was, the land where nothing runs smoothly, I was required to pay in advance... hmmmm I do not think so, let's rethink this. Let me speak to your supervisor, OK your supervisor, let me call UPS USA OK let me get out the big guns. 4 DAYS LATER I sent my suitcases back to the USA, where they are scheduled to maybe arrive in 3 days.

But all the stalling did let me spend some great time in Puntarenas, saying goodbye to good friends and making memories. The annual carnival was the very same week so there was a great concert by the Pericos and the carnival parades are always just wild. I really enjoyed my last few weeks in Costa Rica, eating patacones and ceviche almost everyday. Gearing up for my big solo gig up north.

I got on a bus at 9:00pm from Puntarenas to San Jose, yes I was crying but I was ready, to begin another amazing trip....

To be Continued on another blog "Traveling Sola: Costa Rica to Arizona"

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1232467200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1232467200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1232467200/tpod.html Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:50:50 -0400 Costa Rica

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San Jose, Costa Rica

This was the day I had to decide whether it was time for me to come home....
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1216563660/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1216563660/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1216563660/tpod.html Sat, 27 Dec 2008 11:21:51 -0500 Costa Rica

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San Pedro, Arizona, Belize

Long after my trip to Belize I still think about the great seafood and wonderful sunshine. I LOVE BELIZE!! So I thought it was about time to get it all down. I arrived to the Belize International Airport and proceeded to the Maya Island Air counter where I encountered some slight problems. After all my hard work and discounted flights through CA.com I forgot my new printed itinerary detailing the information. Luckily messenger is the best thing in the world and a co-worker from Costa Rica quickly faxed over the documents. I was good to go. I was escorted to the run-away by the pilot who wasn´t joking when he asked if I had ever been on a charter flight, the 12 seat jump plane was empty just me and the pilot. It was really awesome.

I can not even begin to describe the color of this water!! So beautiful my favorite color so bright turquoise in all different shades and all by myself on the flight just me and the pilot. Really awesome. So after a quick 20 minute flight we arrived to the island of Ambergris Caye, San Pedro. The airstrip is pure dirt and the airport is a shack. But the coolest people where there when I arrived. They took my bags and because I had to wait a few hours for my aunt and uncle. I went exploring. I was in awh. (sp) This little town with white sand roads was such an eclectic area. I heard Spanish and English and Creole and there were people of all shades. I remember literally having tears in my eyes looking at this town full of diversity. What could be better the hot sun, the clear water, Mexican food, Caribbean influences and just so many colors. Not to mention the people, they were so kind and caring and just nice. So different then Costa Rica where people bustle around the city scowling. I had a great lunch and made my way back to the airstrip to wait for Pat and Jim.

The accommodation was really nice, Captain Morgan´s only a short boat ride from Sana Pedro. Originally a one bedroom suite they opened the other bedroom for me and we had a huge fully equipped suite right on the beach and pool side. The following day we toured Altun-Ha a great little ruin about 1 hour from Belize City. I love Mayan history so it was really cool. We spent our days lounging by the pool and eating amazing food!!!! After Altun-Ha we ate in town and Uncle Jim and I both got the crab lobster plate special... HEAVEN!! it was so good!! So good, still dreaming about it. We had planned cave tubing but unfortunately due to the heavy rains it was canceled. :( But we went to Lamanai ruins and had a wonderful day and boat ride. but the heavy rains hit us on the way back. We were handed out rain jackets just in time, but we still were soaking wet. Good times!

My trip was short due to the fact I had to get back to work. But it was a short trip well spent. I LOVE BELIZE!! And I will be going back because I have a free cave tubing when i pass through. The trip was a huge success when I get back I got promoted to represent Belize as well as Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1184237160/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1184237160/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1184237160/tpod.html Thu, 12 Jul 2007 07:00:52 -0400 Costa Rica

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Phoenix, Arizona, United States

My vacation in the states was way too short. It seemed to be a whirl wind of lunches, happy hour, drinks out and errands. All in all a great trip. I did miss a few family and friends due to the time constraints of my stay, but even the more reason to come and visit Costa Rica.

The vacation began with dog sitting two dogs, Roxanna and Vader.. I stayed at my cousins home in Scottsdale and had a wonderful relaxing few days. Then the other two dogs showed up and things got a little hand. They pretty much ran the show until their owners came home.

While in the inferno they call the valley, I had to do everything to stay cool. I attended my mom's water exercises class, jumped in the pool frequently, enjoyed a leisurely day tubing on the Salt River and drove two hours north to dip into the oh sooo beautiful Oak Creek in Sedona.

I had a wonderful time catching up with everyone, seeing babies and visiting parents. I am thrilled to go back to Costa Rica with a new found energy and look on the place I now call home.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1184003400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1184003400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1184003400/tpod.html Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:16:16 -0400 Costa Rica

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Seattle, Washington, United States

It was well worth all the hours of traveling. I left Puntarenas at 10:00am on Thursday only to miss my flight to Charlotte by 3 mins. Which of course caused me to throw an incredible temper tantrum at the check in window, it was not pretty however successful. I was given another flight with one less stop and actually put me into Phx. 3 hours earlier. So my mother, Barb, picked me up from the airport and went and enjoyed a very American breakfast. It was wonderful!! I finally got to Seattle around 2:00pm on Friday ready for a serious nap. Then we were off again to a lovely rehearsal dinner of pizza and Sam Adams for Chris and Andrea. It was a lot of fun and I was able to meet a lot of my new cousins family. Went out after the reception with Matt, another dear cousin, and had a great time minus the free shot of Hookers or Bookers whatever it was called.

The cruise ship was magnificent. Due to the upgrade to the most amazing room I have ever seen, my family was given top VIP treatment. The wedding, Chris and Andrea's, was held in the lounge over looking the bay it was gorgeous, Andrea was gorgeous everyone was sooooo happy and the wedding was beautiful. Lots of happy tears, great food and dancing. But we all knew the day had to come to an end, so myself and about twenty other passengers disembarked and the others proceeded to a week long adventure to Alaska.

I walked around the Seattle area, the piers, Pike Place Market, and Seattle Center. And fell in love twice, first with the city of Seattle. I loved the calm hustle and bustle and the energy from the people, and secondly with one of the fish throwers whhooo was he good looking but in the end I decided he probably smells like that all the time, Ooofttta!!~! That evening I called Barry's brother Brian and they kindly picked me up in the city and brought me back to their home in the mountains. I awoke the next morning to discover the gazebo and pond in the back yard it was beautiful. I visited the Snoqualmie waterfalls and ate fresh bread from a 100 year old bakery and just relaxed. However I wanted to see more of the city.

I booked a room at the Green Tortoise Hostel and had a great time. I went out on the town with some Canadians on Canada Day. That was a little crazy we also rode every pig on the way home (pictures attached). The following day I was hardly feeling 110% and took a very long nap. But I was back up and running by the end of the night and rode up to the Space Needle to watch the sunset (9:45pm) and the city lights.

The weather was beautiful in Seattle. I really wanted to stay, I feel as if I missed so much of the city. But at least now I have an excuse to go back!!!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1179887220/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1179887220/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1179887220/tpod.html Tue, 22 May 2007 23:03:24 -0400 Costa Rica

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Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Long time no write to, Well things have been just been moving right along. Yes I am an illegal alien, in this crazy, nothing ever gets done, country. But really what can you do. My classes are doing ok. I kind of had a Revelation today. I have been getting all worked up about everything, the report cards and tests and the BS pretty much. Once again thanks to Barb, I realized they are just kids, they are seven years old. Ohh god the relief that came to me today. Why stress who cares, I get love letters slipped on my desk, my students come and talk to me and ask me questions, when they are in Spanish class. And just a little secret, i heard through the grapevine today that my counter part. Ya know the Spanish second grade teacher that has not graduated college yet, I can not understand a word of Spanish she says, and anyways the point is a very wonderful teacher may be filling her place. No sé, vamos a ver. Other than that things are good. Lots of distractions at the school assemblies every week, exams, half days. Lots of distractions outside of school, traveling, concerts at the beach, meeting new people, speaking Spanish. Good times, all in all. No crazy stories this time around, loving life and I can not wait to visit and see everyone in July. I miss hugs and love and food and sun. Oh yeah, the rainy season has began we are on day 13 of rain only 5 months más o menos to go. Wahoo!!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1177640100/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1177640100/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1177640100/tpod.html Thu, 26 Apr 2007 22:24:19 -0400 Costa Rica

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Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Good news, I dream in Spanish!!!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1175990580/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1175990580/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1175990580/tpod.html Sat, 07 Apr 2007 20:49:06 -0400 Costa Rica

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Montezuma/Santa Teresa/Mal Pais, Costa Rica

What an amazing week of traveling!! I am so exhausted and perfectly content all at the same time.

Last week we had exams at school, I know crazy second graders taking exams (hard ones too), and my kids did OK. I know they say that when a student fails it is really the teachers fault, but really they have never taught my class. Only joking, I definitely have some things to re-evaluate when I get back into the classroom on Monday.

Friday was Sports Day so after my students finished their Science exams, we all went out to the playground and played numerous games put on by the sixth graders and also had a mean soccer match against the other second grade class. We tied 0-0 My kids all dressed in yellow and were very well behaved, surprisingly. My family, Pat, Jim, and Wiley also came by the school to witness first hand what I do on a daily basis. They were throughly impressed by my class and the rest of the school, well? The day ended with the sweetest little girl, Valeria falling into a medal rod on the playground and pretty much stabbing her leg to the bone. Very scary for everyone, but she never shad a tear. Then I went with the fam. to San Jose where Wiley caught a flight home and I spent a quiet evening with Pat and Jim. Topped up with a much needed Gringo dinner at Outback!

By Sunday I was back at home, with my bag already packed. The other teachers had left the day before for the other side of the peninsula, Malpais. So bright an early on Monday I got ready to take the ferry over. Then came a knock on my door, "We've been robbed!" You can guess my reaction.? I went down to Jewel's apt. to find everything had been ransacked and her TV was gone. So I quickly left the house to go tell her, she was in Malpais. I got to the sleepy town and checked my e-mail. Apparently the girls had left Malpais and went like 6km. away to stay in another little town called Montezuma. So of course I just went to Montezuma. To meet them there. I grabbed a quick breakfast and waited at a small cafe right downtown Montezuma (downtown, really the town is like 1/2 block wide and has maybe ten establishments, beautiful beaches though). And I waited, and waited, and waited, went to the beach and waited, waited some more, and some more, going on like 6 hrs. now. So I checked my e-mail, called home and nothing. So I got a little room, (picture attached) and decided not to wait anymore. I went for a walk on the beach and met a dad and daughter duo, Big Mike and Alison. They invited me to have a beer and we chatted about the states and Costa Rica. Alsion is a teacher in North Carolina and therefore we had a lot to talk about. After dinner, I tried the apt number again and finally Karie answered. Apparently they had called after I left to catch the ferry and Martin (our maintenance man) told them all about the robbery so they came right home. We surely crossed paths.

So I decided to make the most of it, I was planning on meeting another friend in Santa Teresa and Big Mike and Alison were headed there in the morning so I rode with them. We took a very long a scenic drive down to the bottom of the Nicoya Peninsula, Cabuya and Cabo Blanco National Forest. Absolutely breathtaking scenery there!! I loved it, I plan to live there at some point if that is the path I chose to take.

I spent most of the day with Big Mike and Alison, constantly looking for my friend whom needless to say never showed up!! So Mike was gracious enough to let me crash with them and they left early in the morning. I hung around the beach awhile longer and watched the surfers, (I was hoping to be able to surf in Santa Teresa). I finally took a few buses and a ferry back to Puntarenas on Wed. and mentally prepared to pack my bag again.

On Thursday I hopped on a bus headed towards Tamarindo, well waited for like 3 hours then hopped on a bus. It was Kevin's birthday so I stayed with him and all his friends at there Coastal Spanish Institute. We had a bonfire on the beach and I finally got to surf. I didn't get up exactly put I certainly went under, several times. I actually got pummeled twice. Literally in the water saying "Liz, do not worry you will not die, you will be able to breath soon." Then the board comes crashing into my head. But I was able to knell and ride in a few white waters. Which made up for the semi-concussion. It was a great day sunburn and all!!

I just returned to Puntarenas a few hours ago, Saturday. When I got to Liberia there were absolutely no buses today or tomorrow to San Jose or Puntarenas. They stopped all transportation Thursday and Friday, they sold no alcohol in observance on Good Friday. Seriously practically no one in the whole country worked on Friday. But I still had to get home today, so I had to practically interrupt traffic to beg a bus driver to let me stand the whole way to Puntarenas 4 hours. It was worth it, because I took turns sitting with a very nice gentlemen and I am finally at home!!!!!!

Looking forward to starting school again, kind of? and am already planning the next trip. NICARAGUA, yes I have to get my passport stamped next weekend, has it really been three months?
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1175127060/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1175127060/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lizestes/lizincostarica/1175127060/tpod.html Wed, 28 Mar 2007 20:25:27 -0400 Costa Rica

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Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Well I am still doing great. School is just getting to be absolutely unbearable. thank god we have a week off next week. Semana Santa. Wahoo. I plan to take a ferry across the peninsula and travel up to Tamirindo to take some surfing lessons. This is probably the longest week of my entire life. Is it really only Wednesday evening.

I met my Uncle Wiley in San Jose on Sat. and we toured the city and did some shopping and then met Pat and Jim at Avis. We rented a car and drove down to Puntarenas and checked into the Hotel Fiesta. Which by the way is like a fortress they barely let you in or out. It is crazy. but very very nice. The following day we headed out early to the acclaimed Arenal Volcano. It was amazing, the drive there was very serene and quaint. We toured the rain forest via aerial suspension bridges and it was very beautiful. The hot springs were not what we expected but we opted for a nice dinner instead directly in front of the Volcano. Where we were able to see the red glow just waiting to erupt. Very cool.

I started back at school on Monday starting with testing week, AGHGHGHGH! Pat, Jim and Wiley went sightseeing across the bay and enjoyed the sights of CR. I wish I was traveling everyday withe them but I am stuck at the school all this week.

Friday is sports day and we plan on beating the other class in a good old game of soccer. Well I am so happy to be back writing and am able to share pictures, give y'all something to look at. Everyday is a new adventure.

Pura Vida
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