A Quest for Adventure

Pictures

2007-06-12T06:45:57Z

So its true. The only thing I regret bringing to Costa Rica was the USB connection for my camera. The reason I didn't bring it - I didn't know I had one. Ignorance is the North American lifestyle. As a result I have pictures on Flickr and I will post as many as they will let me on here.

Pictures remains copyright of the author thrashley, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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San Ramon - Fortuna - Alajuela - Vancouver

2007-06-04T06:59:03Z

In the morning we got up and went for a walk in search of the bus station to find a bus to Fortuna. I asked at a Libreria for directions and what do you know, first try and we found it. The next bus leaves at 1230. On our way back to the Hotel we stopped to use the computer. Then back to pack up our things and watch a little more tv. We've been tv free since we left Alajuela on the 24th of April. It was nice just to curl up and watch movies. The bus to Fortuna was beautiful, not the bus, but the scenery. The lush rolling hills, the sky was clear blue, the sun was warm. It was beautiful. In Fortuna we found a hotel, Hotel San Bosco. Classy place. Hotel San Bosco is a little more fancy shmansy then what we'd been used to for the past 4 weeks but now we were on vacation. Our first day we spent walking around town, checking things out and going for a swim in the pool!!! On the Sunday we booked a tour to see Volcan Arenal and then to Tabacon Hot Springs.

The tour was a 2 hour walk through a reserve near the volcano which was wonderful, though steep inclines. Then we went around the backside of the volcano to see lava. Lava we saw!! Nothing fantastic or overwhelming but we saw lava. After the lava we headed to Tabacon Hot Springs, something I have never done before. The hot springs were nice, I wish we had more time there, especially because when we got there it was dark. After we spent some time in a few different pools, it was time for our buffet dinner(I said we were on vacation). After dinner we were picked up and taking back to San Bosco.

The next morning we went back to Alajuela on a "direct" bus. We stayed at the Maleku Hostel again, its great there. We made it there without a hitch, and the bus even dropped us off about 5 minutes away. That night we went to our favourite Mas X Menos for some food and surprisingly great dinner. After dinner it was bedtime for me and up early the next morning.

Our last day in Costa Rica was spent souvenir shopping in Sarchi. We took a bus to Sarchi, it was about an hour. We bought some last minute things and had a wonderful lunch at a small nearby soda. Gallo Pinto for me and Casado con carne for Ali. Taaaasty!! After we took the bus back to Alajuela we dropped our things off at the hostel and went the the nearby mall. It was about the size of Brentwood Mall in Burnaby I'd say. One of the few "malls" in Costa Rica.

On the 30th we got up early to catch our plane. Just before we left I found out that our flight was delayed by 5 hours. It was a long trip home. When our plane finally left San Jose at 2pm we thought we were staying in the Dallas airport for the night. Because of the awful weather most flights were delayed thank goodness. In Dallas when we arrived, we found out that we could catch a direct plane to Vancouver, except we had to go on standby. Luckily after getting to the terminal in less then 35 minutes we caught our direct plane home. We were sooooooo happy because neither of us wanted to spend the night in Dallas, especially me. When we got to Vancouver, after waiting for ALL the bags to come out, both my bags were not there. They were in Dallas. Over the next two days they both arrived at my house.

It was a wonderful trip, I would have liked a week or two longer but it was great regardless. I can't wait to go back...

San Ramon - Fortuna - Alajuela - Vancouver remains copyright of the author thrashley, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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A Night in the Mountains

2007-05-26T15:53:15Z

Where I left off... somewhere near Wednesday, going to spend a night with a BriBri family. After picking up some gifts and stuff from the vendors in town we cycled back to the Bridge. Shortly after putting some laundry in the dryer, I bid farwell to Barry and Ali, and off I went with Alejandro, Willi and Maria (Niña) into the mountains. The walk which is what they call it and I call it hike, starts off pretty shortly after you leave the Bridge. They said I needed botas (boots) and they were right. We ascended and descended through rivers and muddy hills for about 30 minutes until we reached the last climb up to their house. Its incredible to believe that these kids walk this path every day to and from school, usually by themselves. When we got there we sat in the kitchen area for alittle while, until the kids went down to the river to wash dishes, which really means play in the river. The river is down another incredibly dangerous hill but I made it down and back up in one piece. The whole family goes up and down carry dishes, clothes, 4 bottles the size of Javex bleach full of water, barefoot. Its a feat though to them its normal. Mother Maria made the family dinner, fried chicken, rice and beans. Their meals usually consist only of rice and beans but as a part of my stay, I brought meat for dinner. After dinner night fell very quickly and off to bed we went. Unfortunately after dinner I got really sick, and spent some time in the bushes vomitting. I´m alive. After surviving the night of a feverish sweat, we got up and spent some more time in the kitchen. Niña took me back to the Bridge shortly after around 830 for Soup Kitchen, our last soup kitchen.

Our last soup kitchen was pretty slow, not a whole lot happened. On Wednesday Nanci took two girls in the car to Turrialba and on the way back on Thursday they had some hig car problems. Throughout the day Nanci called us with updates. The right axel broke and repaired by a mechanic. I helped Maria cut the vegetables for next weeks soup and then we left for the last time. Thursday night was mostly packing and getting ready to leave on Friday.

It´s different not being in Puerto Viejo, the air is different and there´s no ocean here in San Ramon.

Love
Ashley

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Only 11 Days Left!!

2007-05-19T16:50:13Z

So that is right, I'll be back in the country of Canada in 11 days. Quite sad indeed. I really like working at The Bridge, spending time with the famillies. Things are always exciting there, always something going on. Recently, theres been a bit of hmm... discussion about a problem with the school. Every week, one teacher always asks her students for money about evrey 2-3 days. It is illlegal in Costa Rica, but as with many other things it happens. One boy, Alejandro has been saving for a long time to buy a bicycle. They cost about $80.00, and he had almost that much money in the bank. (Note, that he is one of the few BriBri WITH a bank account) Over the school year, since Feb. because the Bridge doesn't have the money, and his family doesnt have the money, his family has been using the money to pay the school. At first it was $1 then 2 then 5 then $10. Around here, $10 is ALOT! Anyhow, Alejandros parents and Barry & Nanci are up in arms about this. As the saga goes on, the school isn't doing much about it and the teachers comment was "Don't send you're children to school if you can't afford it." Primary education in Costa Rica for children is mandatory.

Other then the joys of NGO work in peripheral countries, things are great! Nanci and I took a few kids down to Manzanillo and picked some Noni (a really disgusting fruit that grows on trees). The BriBri kids are a lot of fun, and they are the ones to ask if you're ever looking for animals. They can spot em, miles away. Manzanillo is really beautiful. Only a few steps from Panama is how far south we went. The trip was rather uneventful, we stopped at a small tienda and Nanci bought us all an apple. A wonderful very expensive treat. One apple costs about 310 colones.. so about 75 cents for one apple. Delicious.

Yesterday Nanci, Ali and I went to Limon to pick up some school books for the kids. Limon is a untouristy city. I like it, its not BIG like San Jose but more lively then here. We had lunch at a cafe, some great chinese food.. possibly better then anything I've had at home. Except maybe for Hon's. We picked up a few of the books we needed and came back. Its about an hours drive north of here, and thank goodness the roads are paved. Otherwise it would be 3 hours one way!

We've made travel plans for our last few days. On the 25th we're leaving for San Ramon, then up to La Fortuna to see Volcan Arenal and then back down to Sarchi for some arts & craft fare and then to Alajuela for our last day. Thats it for now, unless I can find money to pay for school in September, and I'll stay here for another month.

love,
ashley

Only 11 Days Left!! remains copyright of the author thrashley, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Blending In

2007-05-14T17:30:48Z

Back in town again today. We were supposed to go to Don Candido's today, but they had to take care of some "real estate" issues. I'm not exactly sure what they are doing or when we're going back. Whenever they give us the call. The weather has been pretty good. Its been raining, hooray! It keeps the temperature a little lower but more bugs to bite me. Last night after dinner we went down to the beach to catch the end of the storm. The lightening and thunder was incredible. It lights up the entire sky, the beach faces East, and there are no mountains, just ocean. I wish I could transport pictures in my mind for all to see.

Soup kitchen on Saturday was wonderful. Maria and her children run soup kitchen on Saturdays to pay for their weekly grocery bag. They are a well oiled machine that group. After soup service ended, I went out to play with some children. Someone came down and brought a HUGE donation of kids stuff, clothes, underware, books, paper, and bubbles. We brought the bubbles out. Barry has said a few times and I believe its true, that at the heart of all the BriBri children, they are like any other child you've met. They love to laugh and play. However, there is something very different about them, then a "western" child. They will play for hours with a simple stick. Bubbles were even better. We ran in the street, seeing who could blow the biggest bubble and keep it on their wand. The little babies, would run and try and catch the bubbles. The only lame part - I forgot my camera. I won't do that again.

No plans for this week. Soup kitchen tomorrow, and possible Don Candido's sometime this week. The mosquitos have taken a liking to my legs, and feet. I think we've decided that I have about 100+ bites, some old some new. Some are itchy, some arent. So I'm off to the Farmacia for some dental floss and possibly new mosquito repellent. The OFF with Deet, is not working.

xox
Ashley

Blending In remains copyright of the author thrashley, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Long time no blog....

2007-05-14T17:22:27Z

Well it has been awhile since my last entry, mainly because i have been out of comission so to speak. I spent a lot of time in bed over the past few days, either there or extracting liquid from my body in the most inconvinient ways! In anycase, it all amounted to yet another interesting and educational experience with our friend Don Candido. I went to see Senor Candido on Saturday about my ailments. After the usual gleeful greeting, he took me into the back of his examination room where i experienced indigenous bribri diagnotic techniques. Let's just say it involves pressure points and if you think you have felt the pain of squeezing on those pressure points oooh times that by 5 and you'd have some idea of what it feels like. In the end though it was all worth while as the plants Don Candido gave me to make some teas with seem to be working rather well, although one of them tastes butt awful! =Þ

-Ali

Long time no blog...*.* remains copyright of the author lalji2000, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Friday

2007-05-11T19:05:29Z

Today its a little warmer then it has been. I've made my way into town today on my day off to pick up a few things, mostly fruit. Volunteering has been interesting, everytime I start to think its boring something happens. Someone dropped off a big hawk at Nanci's for her to look after for one night. He never came back so she took it to the vets, meanwhile, I was left to run the soup kitchen by myself. It's not an overwhelmingly difficult task, there was only about 20 people to serve. However, its all about maintenance. More galletas (crackers), sopa, jugo(juice) and cafe. It mostly involves me running back and forth from the kitchen with this and that.

The time spent at Don Candido's was fantastic. We spent time cleaning the medicinal gardens and making handicrafts. The medicinal garden is pretty cool, especially learning about what plants cure illnesses, like cancer, diabetes etc. We are going back on Monday though I am unsure of what our work schedule is. THere are plans to hike to a waterfall, about 2kms away to clean up the garbage, and then go for a swim of course. On another day were going to a nearby reservation to do something.. not really sure what exactly. That is kind of the way things work, one day its soup kitchen the next day something else.

When I find a place to upload photos I will. There are some great photos, especially of the bugs and strange animals. Oh yeah, the beautiful ocean as well. So far, so good. I think after we leave Puerto Viejo on the 26th, we are heading back to the central valley to spend our last few days in San Ramon, Sarchi, in the Alajuela province.

Love,
Ashley

Friday remains copyright of the author thrashley, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Everything's gonna be alright...

2007-05-04T18:40:55Z

Whatever Ali said, ditto that. Things are pretty good down here, lifes treating me well. My dorky side is out in full force. Lots of bugs and animals to look at. Two bats flying around our room and an iguana eating a moth would be two highlights.

Barry and Nancy have been good to us. Things at the Soup (said soooo-pa) Kitchen are really great. We made bead necklaces with the families in Tuesday, they were a hit. On Mondaý we'll be heading down to Don Candido, the BriBri medicine man.

Updates early next week. Its nice to be away from the daily news of life.

Everything's gonna be alright... remains copyright of the author thrashley, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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notes from viejo

2007-05-04T18:35:30Z

So Barry and Nanci of the Bridge--El Puente are proving to be very interesting people as is their organization, mainly because of all the things they've committed themselves to...which invariably means giving up a variety of other things, some might call those other things luxuries, others would consider them nescessities...speaking of which the best part of volunteering with el puente are the BriBri. I've now had the chance to meet with various bribri families through soup kitchen and try to converrse with them using my very limited spanish..they're amazing even in their simplicity, especially the children! I expected as much from a people with a culture that has survived for as many thousand years as their's has...its also a cuture that is slowly being wiped out. On the note of bribri culture there is many valuable aspects...like Don Candido's knowledge of 1000's of plants and trees that cure all types of ailments from mosquito bites to cancer and diabetes!!...yeah tell me we wouldnt want a piece of that in our 'developed' countries...it all makes you appreciate the diversity of our world.
And then there are the BUGS...the things you witness in costa rica...what happens in costa rica, stays in costa rica...beetles bigger than a twoonie or 25 colones coin and lizzards that eat moths larger than their own head and thats inside our room at casa mar y tierra--which by the way is a very nice place to stay...

notes from viejo remains copyright of the author lalji2000, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Overlooking the Carribean in Puerto Viejo...

2007-04-29T19:02:11Z

Alas in Viejo, I miss Orosi's small town charm with it's almost nonexistent tourist community...Viejo is not too touristy but it is enough to make things around here more expensive. The beach is really nice and for most of it there are few people ever roaming it. There just somethings you appreciate over looking the endless sea on a seemingly endless beach...
Town is about 2km from Casa Mar y Tierra, not too bad really unless you've got a few days of groceries with you...the place we are staying has its issues as does any but thats alright, it's sorting itself out...anyways met with barry and nanci from the bridge, they're good people, I look forward to working with them.

Overlooking the Carribean in Puerto Viejo... remains copyright of the author lalji2000, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Puerto Viejo

2007-04-29T19:00:41Z

The weather is changing for the better. Its been rainy since we arrived, I think we brought it with us from Orosi. The bus ride here was alright, other then my left leg - I seem to have some sort of bug bite that swelled up really big and its getting smaller now, but its bruised. I think it was a spider or something weird. Other then that weird thing, I'm pretty well though I look like I have chicken pox.

Puerto Viejo is an interesting place, lucky us were staying further out about 2kms away from town, which is a nice walk if there is no rain. We're in to pick up some groceries and take care of some other business. Highlights so far here probably the fruit, wonderful everything which makes what we have at home taste like crap. We are going to pick up some bikes on the way home as well, we need those to make getting around a little faster, not easier. The roads here, if you want to call em that, are bumpy - similar to a road in vancouver after our winter this year. They arent paved here, its just compact gravel. You just have to becareful when the cars and trucks go by to get out of the way so you don't get splashed by the muddy puddles.

After the rain stopped yesterday we went over to Barry and Nancy's to say hello. We talked for a while, I'm not sure how long, time seems to be a forgotten concept here. We start volunteering tomorrow, though what we are starting is still up in the air. Im excited, they are warm and wonderful people full of great stories to tell.

Time to head back out, for our walk back home.

xox
Ashley

Puerto Viejo remains copyright of the author thrashley, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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hola from orosi

2007-04-27T00:15:14Z

yay we made it to orosi, which believe it or not was a lot more difficult than catching 3 planes in 12hours (avoid san fran airport at all costs, seriously the worst airport EVER!). anyways, orosi is great, a nice valley in the mist of rolling jungle hills...they grow lots and lots of coffee, bananas, patatos etc here. Its really small town though and few backpackers come out this way, which is really unfortunate because it is really worth the trip even though finding the bus from cartago to orosi may be a bit challenging! I have definately had fun here, largely because of the great people at the Montana Linda hostel, they also got a spanish school and they organise tours---went on a tour to volcano iruzu today and of the entire orosi valley, it was pretty cool and definately worth the trip, got some wicked photos! unfortunately, those wont be loaded till later but it´ll be worth the wait! they say the volcano, which it´s really active anymore may have an erruption soon, there have been some pretty good signs..
hm, so tomorrow we head out of orosi and continue navigating costa rica, going down south on the carribean side to puerto viejo talamanca (sp?), that´s where we will be volunteering and hanging out for the duration of our trip.

will write more soon...ciao

-Ali

hola from orosi remains copyright of the author lalji2000, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Sitting in the Rain..

2007-06-12T06:47:25Z

If I were the little bit homesick, I cannot be anymore. Sitting here in PC Orosi an internet cafe not too far from where we are staying at Montaña Linda. The clouds just parted and a rain storm has just started as I write this. Thunder and all its quite nice, not like cold and wet Vancouver rain. The only thing I´m thinking about right now, is the walk-run back to the hostel. The rain is good reminds me of Vancouver in the summer when it just starts to rain.

Our adventure to Orosi on the 24th was an adventure. Three buses and we made it. And a lot of walking around San Jose, looking for the bus to Cartago. My spanish got a good workout asking for directions every couple of blocks. There are no signs in Costa Rica, pretty much anywhere, so figuring out exactly where you are and which way is North is a tad challenging.

Today we went on a wonderful tour of the area. We stopped at the top of the valley into Orosi, its a beautiful view, and chatted about some of the problemas here in Orosi. Then off to Volcan Irazu one of the active volcanoes in Costa Rica. It has three craters, one is still active. At the bottom of it, there is a large green pool. Its incredible, one of those gotta see it to believe it. After we finished walking around the volcano, we went back down to Ujjaras and Cartago to see a old church and a new church. When we were in Ujjaras, it was warm and wonderful, the ruins of the church were massive and still intact. The church in Cartago, Los Angeles, was more of a cathedral with large ornate stained glass windows. Shortly after, back to Orosi for some lunch and then a nap, 6 am was a little early.

Tomorrow we are off to Puerto Viejo by bus and possibly and hopefully taxi. If we do take a taxi it will only take about 6 hours, depending on how long the storm lasts. If we don´t take a taxi, we´ll be up somewhere around 8 hours or more. That will be another adventure.

Pictures and updates soon.

xox
Ashley

Sitting in the Rain.. remains copyright of the author thrashley, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Alive

2007-04-24T05:02:16Z

After three planes and a awful connection in San Fran, we made it. The airport in San Fran is not what I would call organized by ANY means. Lets just say I had some choice words as we pretty much ran through the airport. After we left San Fran things improved - our flight leaving Dallas was delayed by 15 minutes - lucky us - we had some time to spare at the airport to take a moment and a breath. The other great thing about the airport in Dallas was no security check!! Everything else went pretty well, were at the hostel in Alajuela. Made it to the Mas x Menos and back with some groceries.. off to bed soon.

xox
Ashley

Alive remains copyright of the author thrashley, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Sleepless anticipation...

2007-04-23T10:58:35Z

Only a few hours to go, I cant wait to get on that first plane...actually i cant wait to be in Costa Rica. Getting there hm that's a bit of a different story. Afterall, nothing is more stressful than having one hour between connecting flights! well ok, maybe there are a few things but lets not go through the list...hm have a stop over in Dallas...not sure if that's a good idea right about now who knows they might be lynching canucks fans...all jokes aside we will be in Costa Rica soon, better brush up on my spanish phrase book!

Sleepless anticipation... remains copyright of the author lalji2000, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Departure is creeping...

2007-04-17T21:56:30Z

We're leaving next Monday - April 23rd - for Costa Rica. I am unsure how our journey will unfold or where we will end up. The plan so far is to travel to Orosi near Cartago, then move on to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca for 4 weeks. In Puerto Viejo we will be volunteering at El Puente - The Bridge, a not-for-profit that works with the local indigenous BriBri. A few days later - May 30 - we'll be back in San Jose getting on a plane to warm and wonderful summer.

-Ashley

Departure is creeping... remains copyright of the author thrashley, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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