When I was little my sister forced me to sit down one Saturday afternoon and watch Jaws with her. Typical big-sister-little-sister torment (she also made me watch Killer Clowns From Mars around that time). Ever since I've had an irrational fear of sharks, as have many others (yet I'm okay with clowns).
Well, Tony and I came to San Jose in hopes of goint to San Francisco for a few days before returning home. They weren't able to change our flight, unfortunately, so we've been trying to find stuff to do in the meantime.
This brought us to the movies where we saw a documentary (in english) called Sharkwater. It was about one man's struggle to end the illegal shark-finning industry. Shark-fin soup is considered a delicacy and a sign of wealth in various countries, and fins go for ridiculous amounts of money on the black market. However, the act of finning is incredibly inhumane-sharks are pulled into boats, alive, their fins are cut off, and they are thrown back into the ocean to fall to the bottom and die. These mysterious creatures have been around for 400 million years. Longer than dinosaurs, longer than humans. Some breeds are becoming endangered, and if sharks disappear our entire eco-system could crash. It's pretty scary, and very sad for the sharks. If you'll recall, a couple months ago I made mention that more falling coconuts kill people each year than sharks do. WELL, as proof, a gigantic coconut fell inches from my head in Puerto Viejo, yet I didn't see a single shark. The film depicted sharks as a gentle creature. They only bite humans when they mistake them for an injured otter (which make the same bubbles that humans make when they're swimming). The documentary was filmed primarily in Costa Rica, which made it that much more interesting. Go to www.savingsharks.com to get more information about what's going on and about the movie.
In other news, I think we're going to try to go white water rafting tomorrow as one last hurrah before coming back to the states.
Brandee
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Almost 3...Which is, of course, the magic number.
2.75 days of sun and a sunburn to prove it!! YES!! Yesterday was spent exploring the coast behind Rocking Js and playing in the ocean for what seemed like forever. We finally get a break from being drenched, and we go ahead and get ourselves soaked anyway...it was very fun. THEN (JORDY, amazingly we did this before I saw your comment-great minds think alike) we went to a super inexpensive all-you-can-eat-sushi place up the street from the hostel. It was good, I think. A dog killed a bat in the restaurant, which was not as good.
We came back to the hostel, hung out and went to sleep in our tent ($12 a night). After a 3rd sleepless night and awaking to a bug colony that had set up camp IN our tent, we decided it was time to bid Rocking Js farewell and move up the street to a new place. Gotta switch it up.
Tomorrow...body boarding or snorkeling... :)
It is almost over...which is hard to believe. See you in one week, Denver.
Brandee
We came back to the hostel, hung out and went to sleep in our tent ($12 a night). After a 3rd sleepless night and awaking to a bug colony that had set up camp IN our tent, we decided it was time to bid Rocking Js farewell and move up the street to a new place. Gotta switch it up.
Tomorrow...body boarding or snorkeling... :)
It is almost over...which is hard to believe. See you in one week, Denver.
Brandee
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Still alive
We're still alive in Costa Rica.... Pretty waterlogged, but alive. Got our first break of sunshine today for the entirety of Costa Rica, which was much needed. We're in Puerto Viejo at a hostel that came highly recommended, Rocking J's. It's a great place, plenty to do in the rain!
Puerto Viejo is very laid back, friendly and green, so we can't complain really...but we're barreling through our novels pretty quickly...so do a no-rain dance for us!
Toying with the idea of leaving a bit early and spending some time in California...we'll let you know. See you soon!
Brandee
Puerto Viejo is very laid back, friendly and green, so we can't complain really...but we're barreling through our novels pretty quickly...so do a no-rain dance for us!
Toying with the idea of leaving a bit early and spending some time in California...we'll let you know. See you soon!
Brandee
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Pura Vida
I´m moving to Costa Rica and I´m never coming back...
Okay, that isn´t true (yet) but Costa Rica is amazing, for lack of a better word. We arrived in San Jose with just enough energy to eat food and pass out. A van came and got us at 8am (after we accidentally forgot to change the time on our clock and woke up entirely too early...) A scenic four hour drive got us to La Fortuna, the town surrounding Arenal, one of the most active volcanoes in the world! We are staying at a great, friendly, quiet place called Cerro Chato lodge...which eerily resembles the Fiji Beachouse, minus the beach.
Yesterday we decided to be brave and try a canopy tour/zip line nearby. Now...I´m not a...FAN of heights, per-say...I mean I understand their neccesity in certain instances, but I don´t really..LOVE them. So when Tony and I snuck off before gearing up and I took a glimpse of the gigantic ravine I would be gliding over (after jumping off of a 150ft platform), I recoiled. I told Tony I wasn´t sure if I could do this. But there was no turning back, so...I did it. 10 times. The longest zip line was about 3000ft long, lasting 45 seconds! I´m happy I did it and as soon as it was over, I wanted to go again. Zip line is the way to travel. After our last zip line location, we visited a little village shop and rode horses back to the van. It was an amazing day.
Today is nothing but rain. We were going to go hike Arenal, but canceled our plans at the last moment (maybe tomorrow). Instead we´re going to the Baldi hot springs early, and I can´t wait! We´re pretty sore from yesterday...
Hot springs! Hot springs! Hot springs! (and a buffet. And I freaking love buffets).
Just two more days in La Fortuna before we head to the Caribbean side for (hopefully) some quality nothingness. We´re still looking for a good volunteer opportunity...keep your fingers crossed that we find one!
Much love,
Brandee
Okay, that isn´t true (yet) but Costa Rica is amazing, for lack of a better word. We arrived in San Jose with just enough energy to eat food and pass out. A van came and got us at 8am (after we accidentally forgot to change the time on our clock and woke up entirely too early...) A scenic four hour drive got us to La Fortuna, the town surrounding Arenal, one of the most active volcanoes in the world! We are staying at a great, friendly, quiet place called Cerro Chato lodge...which eerily resembles the Fiji Beachouse, minus the beach.
Yesterday we decided to be brave and try a canopy tour/zip line nearby. Now...I´m not a...FAN of heights, per-say...I mean I understand their neccesity in certain instances, but I don´t really..LOVE them. So when Tony and I snuck off before gearing up and I took a glimpse of the gigantic ravine I would be gliding over (after jumping off of a 150ft platform), I recoiled. I told Tony I wasn´t sure if I could do this. But there was no turning back, so...I did it. 10 times. The longest zip line was about 3000ft long, lasting 45 seconds! I´m happy I did it and as soon as it was over, I wanted to go again. Zip line is the way to travel. After our last zip line location, we visited a little village shop and rode horses back to the van. It was an amazing day.
Today is nothing but rain. We were going to go hike Arenal, but canceled our plans at the last moment (maybe tomorrow). Instead we´re going to the Baldi hot springs early, and I can´t wait! We´re pretty sore from yesterday...
Hot springs! Hot springs! Hot springs! (and a buffet. And I freaking love buffets).
Just two more days in La Fortuna before we head to the Caribbean side for (hopefully) some quality nothingness. We´re still looking for a good volunteer opportunity...keep your fingers crossed that we find one!
Much love,
Brandee
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Close proximity to a Denny's = Close to the USA
After a day of travel from Cusco, Peru we are now in COSTA RICA! Our last country before we go home. It's strange to have such an enormous build up to an event and then have it almost be over. So much planning, saving, anticipation. It was all worth it and Costa Rica is just going to be the icing on the cake.
Cusco and the Sacred Valley were amazing. After a week in the area we pretty much had it memorized. The people are friendly (especially the little boys trying to sell you their wares), the food is great (alpaca, trout, stuffed avocadoes, guinea pig, etc) and the atmosphere is unbeatable.
Halloween was fun, I almost got trampled by kids when I started passing out candy in the main Plaza (it was a ridiculous mosh pit of masks, hands and parents), we "partied" at a bar (ran out of money after one drink) and were asleep by 10. Ha. I like how Cusco gets down, though. The kids were out hustling for candy till all hours.
The day after Halloween Tony and I decided to make a food item as close to a Chipotle Burrito as possible (he had been craving them for days). We ventured over to the open-air food market to see if we could find everything we would need. We did and the end result was a very tasty food item somewhat resembling Chipotle. We were very proud of ourselves.
Costa Rica looks promising, and we're excited. We leave San Jose (after just one night) for Arenal (one of the most active volcanos in the world) and the hot springs for a few nights, and the rest is up in the air.
I can almost smell the turkey now...
see you in 18 days!
Brandee
Cusco and the Sacred Valley were amazing. After a week in the area we pretty much had it memorized. The people are friendly (especially the little boys trying to sell you their wares), the food is great (alpaca, trout, stuffed avocadoes, guinea pig, etc) and the atmosphere is unbeatable.
Halloween was fun, I almost got trampled by kids when I started passing out candy in the main Plaza (it was a ridiculous mosh pit of masks, hands and parents), we "partied" at a bar (ran out of money after one drink) and were asleep by 10. Ha. I like how Cusco gets down, though. The kids were out hustling for candy till all hours.
The day after Halloween Tony and I decided to make a food item as close to a Chipotle Burrito as possible (he had been craving them for days). We ventured over to the open-air food market to see if we could find everything we would need. We did and the end result was a very tasty food item somewhat resembling Chipotle. We were very proud of ourselves.
Costa Rica looks promising, and we're excited. We leave San Jose (after just one night) for Arenal (one of the most active volcanos in the world) and the hot springs for a few nights, and the rest is up in the air.
I can almost smell the turkey now...
see you in 18 days!
Brandee
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Old Mountain
On Sunday we journeyed by way of rickety old bus to the market at Pisaq. We found some wonderful hats wich featured Llamas and even experimented with some local cuisine...Coy, or in English, Guinnea Pig. I had a pet gp growing up, so while the experience was a little traumatic, it was rather tasty! The cute, fury, still living pets next to the giant wood burning stove almost kept us from enjoying the meal though.
Monday we traveled by car through the Sacred Valley to Ollaytatambo, where we caught a train to Machu (Old) Picchu (Mountain). Which brings us to our experience today (Tuesday) which was quite incredible. We expected this knowing it was one of the 7 marvels of the modern world, but pictures don't quite do the experience justice. After waking up before the sun, we spent about 6 hours wandering the ancient ruins. We did a little evesdropping on some of the guides (we didn't know how to hire one), but mostly just trekked on our own path. After a day of heavy rain yesterday, the weather was perfect and even a little too warm at times. We probably took 200 pictures, so we might remember it. Back to Cusco tonight for Halloween tomorrow.
Tony
Monday we traveled by car through the Sacred Valley to Ollaytatambo, where we caught a train to Machu (Old) Picchu (Mountain). Which brings us to our experience today (Tuesday) which was quite incredible. We expected this knowing it was one of the 7 marvels of the modern world, but pictures don't quite do the experience justice. After waking up before the sun, we spent about 6 hours wandering the ancient ruins. We did a little evesdropping on some of the guides (we didn't know how to hire one), but mostly just trekked on our own path. After a day of heavy rain yesterday, the weather was perfect and even a little too warm at times. We probably took 200 pictures, so we might remember it. Back to Cusco tonight for Halloween tomorrow.
Tony
Saturday, October 27, 2007
I'm going to eat Guinea Pig...
There's something about a lack of oxygen that makes me feel right at home... hmmm.
Either the Incas were really patient or really really fit...because man, they love stairs. It's possible that they foresaw that millions of white people would come visit and undoubtedly be relatively out of shape, and that this would be some big joke that they could laugh about from their spot in the afterlife.
Luckily, Tony and I are in pretty good shape, but my heart hasn't pounded SO HARD in quite a while.
We got to Peru on the 23rd (? I think...I spent all day thinking it was Monday and wondering why none of the kids went to school here). We spent 3 nights in Lima in the Miraflores neighborhood, which was great! Visited a museum, ate great (really cheap) food, etc. Lima is a regular city and doesn't require quite the athletic endurance that Cusco does, which is where we are now!
I LOVE CUSCO.
Cusco is what I pictured when I imagined South America as a whole. It is quite a bit more indigenous and rural than anywhere we have been thus far, which is a welcome change. The architecture is great, I love the cobblestone streets and the small size of the town.
We are staying in a great hostel called Piccola Locanda. Aside from the 80 stairs (they're those stairs that are made for tall people and are really 1.5 stairs...) that it takes to get to the front door from all directions, it is AWESOME. The staff is great, the rooms are beautiful and it is super reasonable in price. BUT the best part is that part of the proceeds from our stay go to 2 local children's organizations. We are going to try to visit the organizations to learn more about what they do and say hi to the kids.
We are staying here for a week, minus one day before Halloween to go to Macchu Pichu...which I am beyond excited for.
Tomorrow we are taking the bus to the Sunday market at Pisac. Out of the MILLIONS of hats we've passed by i am still waiting for the right one to jump out at me...which lucky mud flap beanie will be mine??? I'll find out tomorrow.
xoxo
Brandee
Either the Incas were really patient or really really fit...because man, they love stairs. It's possible that they foresaw that millions of white people would come visit and undoubtedly be relatively out of shape, and that this would be some big joke that they could laugh about from their spot in the afterlife.
Luckily, Tony and I are in pretty good shape, but my heart hasn't pounded SO HARD in quite a while.
We got to Peru on the 23rd (? I think...I spent all day thinking it was Monday and wondering why none of the kids went to school here). We spent 3 nights in Lima in the Miraflores neighborhood, which was great! Visited a museum, ate great (really cheap) food, etc. Lima is a regular city and doesn't require quite the athletic endurance that Cusco does, which is where we are now!
I LOVE CUSCO.
Cusco is what I pictured when I imagined South America as a whole. It is quite a bit more indigenous and rural than anywhere we have been thus far, which is a welcome change. The architecture is great, I love the cobblestone streets and the small size of the town.
We are staying in a great hostel called Piccola Locanda. Aside from the 80 stairs (they're those stairs that are made for tall people and are really 1.5 stairs...) that it takes to get to the front door from all directions, it is AWESOME. The staff is great, the rooms are beautiful and it is super reasonable in price. BUT the best part is that part of the proceeds from our stay go to 2 local children's organizations. We are going to try to visit the organizations to learn more about what they do and say hi to the kids.
We are staying here for a week, minus one day before Halloween to go to Macchu Pichu...which I am beyond excited for.
Tomorrow we are taking the bus to the Sunday market at Pisac. Out of the MILLIONS of hats we've passed by i am still waiting for the right one to jump out at me...which lucky mud flap beanie will be mine??? I'll find out tomorrow.
xoxo
Brandee
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