

Kick off your shoes. Let's swap stories.
Posted by
Jes
at
9:20 PM
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Labels: World Traveler
Posted by
Jes
at
9:05 PM
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Labels: World Traveler
Airports and airplanes have become no thing of consequence to me. Like an old hat, it has simply become second nature to check in, go through security, wait for hours in the airport, and then finally get on the plane - and then do it all over again several times during the day until I reach my destination. This last venture, however, was unique as it took me back to a place I love and have missed through the last few months of adventures: home sweet home.
As I walked up the familiar stairs in my home and surveyed the familiar landscape of mountains, alfalfa fields, barns and that beautiful blue sky, I found a note just waiting for me.
Posted by
Jes
at
12:26 PM
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Labels: Moments
Close your eyes. For just a moment, focus everything on your sense of smell.
Pineapple. Flowers. Sea.
The sound of sand squeaking as you walk down the path to the beach, and the Halloween Crabs scuttling by the dozens through the dead leaves that litter the ground on either side. The clouds threaten from a distance - more of a promise, really - to pour their contents out, but they are far away. There is plenty of time to challenge the waves before the torrents of rain chase you from the sea.
Welcome to my paradise - Nossara, Costa Rica, where I spent the month of May studying Spanish.
It was my first venture out of the country, through customs, passport control, and all the other devices governments have set up to keep themselves safe and to annoy tourists. Personally, I believe that the goal is more of the latter.
The country is beautiful, though, and completely worth the annoyance of international travel. The people are so friendly and open - welcoming us with smiles. Being blond was a bit if an experiance, for I had many Costa Ricans (Ticos, as they call themselves) shouting, "Te Amo!!" from down the street and believe that the bartender at the local bar and grill was firmly in love with me - or at least my golden locks.
Having Spanish class in the Tican sun was another fantastic experiance. We learned a lot, when we weren't interrupted by iguanas, which tended to sun themselves on the metal roof and then fall off - causing a horrific scratching noise and then a swoosh - or maybe a crash - as they fell into the bushes. Then the boys would jump off their stools and go flying through the Costa Rican jungle, Lord of the Flies style, and get themselves an iguana to eat at dinner time. I have to admit, though, iguana tastes wonderful. I like it better than chicken.
It was a life of mango juice, iguana meat, rice and beans, hammocks, ocean waves, sand, sun, and beautiful rainstorms. And I must admit, there isn't anywhere else I've been that has mango juice as fantastic as Tican mango juice.
Pura Vida!!
Posted by
Jes
at
2:23 PM
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Labels: World Traveler
To see the sun rise on three different countries in three different months has never been a goal of mine. I suppose I have never even contemplated the real possibility. To me, that was - at best - the whisper of a dream, manifesting itself like a morning mist and then vanishing with the sunshine of reality.
And yet, this whisper of a dream became my reality this summer.
May: Costa Rica
June: Texas, United States
July: Kenya, Africa
Until May 11, 2009 I had set foot out of the United States once. That was to Tiajuana, Mexico - a border city resting between Mexico and California. At 9 years old, Tiajuana was terrifying. I was relieved to find that world travel can be fun - and at most times, intoxicating. I may have found a new and thrilling hobby.
Posted by
Jes
at
11:44 AM
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Labels: World Traveler
Eight months. That's a long time to be away from a blog. And now, sitting here watching Shark Week on Discovery Channel, I am suddenly inspired to pick up my 'long-lost' hobby and grace you all with my presence once more, feeling somewhat compunctious for my abandonment.
And so with that - my friends - I have returned, with dozens of new stories to share with you - new experiances to bring to the table - a brand new layout, just for the heck of it - and perhaps, new photos to bestow.
Thanks, Shark....
Posted by
Jes
at
11:34 AM
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Labels: Musings