Solamente mi en San Jose

Hola de San Jose!

Traveling alone is now my equivalent of a worthwhile therapy session. I like to think of myself as an independent woman (and I am!), but my life is so full of moments with others that I freak out slightly when faced with alone time. In fact, even when I am home alone I have a dog who provides my sounding board, a phone that connects to whomever will answer and this blog that...well, whatever it is that this blog does.

Since arriving in San Jose, I have impressed gringos with my Spanish (which is far from impressive to those that speak Spanish), traveled both successfully and unsuccessfully by taxi (the unsuccessful story will come soon), and have been staying at the BEST hostel in town. My hostel has not only provided me with a safe place to stay, but more importantly with knowledgable Ticos willing to share their culture and knowledge con una gringa.

Yesterday, I walked around town alone after having desayuno with a couple of new friends here. I did want to lure my new friends into spending the day with me (see the sentence # 3 above), but knew that that was imposing and contrary to my purpose of solo travel. So, I ventured around town alone and was constantly reminded how pretty my eyes are...but, Ticos are much smoother than most men. Nobody touched me, made me feel uncomfortable, or copped a feel. I can't say that about most places I know (including home!).

So, I ventured about and found a great vegetarian restaurant and coffee house. The coffee here is truly to die for, plus the meal I had for cena was worth way more than US$2! The veggie restaurant is named Vishnu, if you are ever here.

Now I am about to embark on another fun solo morning. I have been convinced to take the local bus to the airport to meet Liz and Kristen. The hostel owner and a couple of new friends have told me numerous times how to accomplish this mission and we have even done a few role plays over cervecas! So, I am empowered, ready to speak more Spanish and ready to have some familiar faces by my side!

Wish me luck!

Up, Up & Away!

With nerves and a new pair of shoes, I am flying away for the rest of the summer. My first stop is here to present at this, then back to this spot for 25 hours of girlfriend-time, and finally off to here for weeks.

That will be a bit stressful, but the type of stress I thrive on. Then, this place with three of my closest friends will be the exact opposite of stress. Ahhh...

Save Darfur!

Please click on this link to take action:
Let's not forget!

Beauties on the Beach

Salted Hair and Sunkissed Skin on Assateague Island

This has been one of my favorite places in the world since I can remember. If you ever find yourself close to Ocean City, MD stop by this gem of a shoreline and say "Hi!" to my mom. She quit her stressful job and now works in the Camp Store at Assateague. And on Assateague, the biggest stress is whether to hike with the wild ponies or go jump in the waves.

Explor-a-bike Day!

Before Breakfast, After Long Run

Among many other things, I adore playing the eating game. Those of you close to me know that my "feedings" are serious times. Most days, my minutes are so budgeted that "feedings" sneak up on me. Far too often, time escapes me and hunger pains strike down. Those pains leave only a small window of time before I m..o..r..p..h...

At the beginning of the m..o..r..p..h.. process, I lose focus and the ability to form sentences, begin to stare while biting my fingernails, then comes the sudden and consuming thoughts of fried tofu or fresh fruit. (Easy to see where my vitamin deficiencies linger, eh?). In spite of the force of the m..o..r..p..h.. and with age, I have learned to avoid the quick fix of sugar, value local organic goodness and love slow five course meals with my friends.

My attention to organic living renders me a quizzical and serious eater. I am a borderline-vegan (thanks to Inga Muscio for legitimizing this term). Meaning I am a strict lactose-intolerant vegetarian, but am not always in-the-know enough (or with enough minutes to spare) to know about every morsel entering my digestive tract. Thus, I do not claim to be vegan. My wonderfully wacky vegan friends like to debate the validity of someone like me joining their clan, but regardless of who wins the argument that day, I abstain. But, like my vegan friends, I actively learn more about my body and diet every day.

For example, here is info illustrating an obstacle I face (and calling this an "obstacle" is weak on my part, no doubt) when it comes to committing to a true vegan lifestyle.

Check out the vegan-friendliness:
Beers
Wine
Liquor