Owner: Nomadic Narrative URL:www.nomadicnarrative.com Join Date: Mon, 19 May 2008 10:05:32 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Spontaneous narratives highlighting slow and responsible travel for contemporary nomadic women. Site statistics:Click here
My first travel feature 2008-05-16 10:15:00 A few weeks ago I posted a video of the tractor ride I took to reach the Rara Avis Rainforest Lodge and Reserve. I would have written much more about this unforgettable adventure into the heart of the Costa Rican rainforest, but I was focusing my writing energy on a travel feature
about it which was published today in the “Exploring Costa Rica” section of the weekly Tico Times English newspape
Nomadic women 2008-05-15 21:30:00 I was talking to one of my students about a recent trip I had taken to Panama. She asked me if I went alone. When I said yes, she gasped and shouted: “You are my hero!” Reactions to my solo adventures usually provoke a similar mixed response of surprise and admiration. Now, that’s not saying that I don’t think some people walk away whispering that I must simply be out of my mind! The inde
Whining about wine in Costa Rica (part 2) 2008-05-09 20:12:00 I was perusing the isles of one of the nicer supermarkets in town the other day. Unlike the usual half-shelf that the wine section takes up in other Costa Rica
n supermarkets, this one reserved an entire wing of the store for wine and spirits. Sherry, my roommate, pointed towards the floor and with a muffled laugh identified the boxed wine. You may remember my decision to cross over to boxed wine
When it rains… 2008-05-07 20:55:00 What do you do when it rains
on your tropical island vacation? You don’t see pictures of people frolicking on palm studded beaches in the rain — and I say, why not! I stood leaning over the hotel balcony watching a humming bird perched on a wire spread and shake its wings in the downpour. On the dirt road, people pedaled by steering with one hand, while clenching an umbrella in the other. Ta
Fun in the sun 2008-05-07 19:02:00 Then again, referring to a previous post, there IS still a lot of fun in the sun...Boca del Drago beach on Isla Colon in the Bocas del Toro archipelago in Panama
Sustainable SUPER BOLSAS 2008-04-29 23:36:00 In San Diego, I diligently toted my forest green, Albertsons reusable bag to the corner store. The handles were long enough to rest on my shoulder which made it comfortable to carry a heavy load. And, the bottom folded out so that you could easily pack the equivalent of four, full plastic bags. I actually had thoughts of bringing that Albertsons bag with me to Costa Rica. It was in my yes-pile mom Read more:Sustainable
Costa Rica's future is "uncertain" 2008-04-26 20:31:00 It’s not all fun in the sun. I visited the National Museum of Costa Rica
today. It’s always interesting to see what national museums choose to display as a representation of the country and its people — and, even more interesting, how they contextualize it. The museum is perched on a hilltop in what until 1948 used to be a military fortress — its turrets ridden with bullet holes. Like
The coal facts of barbecuing 2008-04-22 23:55:00 I picked up everything I needed to barbecue – coals, lighter fluid, matches and of course some items to grill. The last year I was living in the states, I switched to a gas grill. As stubborn as I was to remain authentic, I broke down in the name of convenience. The last thing I want to do these days is run out and buy a gas grill — I don’t care how much easier it is. And, let me tell you, i Read more:facts
Fresh fruit abounds 2008-04-20 13:44:00 Many people ask me if I’m enjoying all of the fresh fruit in Costa Rica. Without a doubt, the amazing selection of mouth-watering fresh fruits is one of the wonderful things about Costa Rica. Colorful fruits add a vibrant backdrop to even the most unexpected corners. You can find kiosks on almost every street in San José. Many sell fruit in addition to newspapers, cigarettes and candy. Superm
People watching 2008-04-19 21:11:00 There’s nothing better than finding a perfect people watching spot. I’ve found such a spot just south of the center of San José. It’s a great corner café with wide entrances that face a busy pedestrian walkway. It only has five tables in addition to three bar stools that line one of the window sills. They make a great cup of coffee — not that this is hard to find in Costa Rica. Outside,
Laughing to Rara Avis 2008-04-17 15:41:00 You may have noticed that I've been missing in action for a few days. Well, I was certainly on the road as a traveler this time. Following the old wisdom that getting there is half the fun, I braved the two and a half hour tractor ride from the small town of Horquetas in the northern lowlands to one of the first ecolodges in Costa Rica — Rara Avis. The journey from the city, to the farmlands, to Read more:Laughing
Are you a tourist or a traveler? 2008-04-08 22:47:00 First, I’d like to ask that you read until the end as I’ll be asking you for something! For years, either over a lunchroom table populated by a bunch of ESL teachers, or a beer-drenched table surrounded by fellow sojourners, I’ve been discussing the difference between a tourist
and a traveler. Looking at one of the resource pages at www.responsibletravel.com, I came across a set of tips for
Nomadic update (part 2) 2008-04-02 12:04:00 When I sat down to write a second nomadic update, the first thought that came to mind was no different, except for a very slight variation, from the first update. It’s hard to believe I’ve been on the road now for two months. So much has happened that it’s difficult to imagine just sixty days have passed! I’ve been sprightly, diligent, studious, a woman of action in my pursuit of: Mappin
San José Cow Parade 2008-03-30 16:52:00 There are about 120 cows currently roaming the streets of San José. They arrived last week and will be making the Costa Rican capital their home until August. In keeping with the tradition of this world-famous public art event, each cow carries a design created by a local artist to reflect some aspect of the host culture. Even though there are signs saying “no las toque,” which means “don Read more:Parade
Whining about wine in Costa Rica 2008-03-26 21:15:00 I broke down and did something I thought I’d never do. I had always resisted, if anything, out of pure snobbery, which I used to cover up saying that I had an allergy. In the name of Dionysis, it had to be done. MSNs recent survey of the ten most exotic and affordable places to retire surprisingly doesn’t list the famed retirement destination of Costa Rica
. For Costa Rica to be placed on the
Where the wild things are, part 2 2008-03-22 17:43:00 Every night this week, I've sat at the edge of the rain forest waiting for the transformation from dusk to dark. The trills, croaks and whines reach a crescendo as the sun sets and the curtain rises on a dark stage. Orange balls of light the size of grapes begin to blink and dance. The fireflies flicker on and off trailing blue light across a charcoal backdrop. Their movements are random and suppl Read more:things
Where the wild things are 2008-03-21 01:41:00 I pulled out my damp notepad after crossing the suspension bridge over the Sarapiqui River into the Reserva Biológica la Tirimbina. I rested at an outlook over the river before continuing on the trail. I wrote about how I hiked in a downpour during my first run on the trail earlier in the day with two Germans, and how I was heading off for one last loop in the reserve by myself now that the sky Read more:things
Theft in Costa Rica 2008-03-18 02:22:00 I keep hearing about how careful you have to be with your things in Costa Rica
. Having traveled a great deal during my life, I feel lucky that I’ve only been robbed once. That one time happened in front of my apartment in Madrid, Spain. I saw the person and I thought, he looks like a drug addict, so maybe I should wait before closing the door behind me. For a moment, I let my cynicism leave me,
Jacó Beach brings memories of home 2008-03-18 02:17:00 Don’t go to Jacó, everyone warned. It’s so overdeveloped; the beaches are dirty; there are hoards of crazy people on drugs; prostitutes frequent every locale. I thought, it sounds just like Pacific Beach
, San Diego. I have to go! It always boils down to perspective. When I arrived in the center of Jacó, I was surrounded by little shops, restaurants and bars as well as a couple of upscale res Read more:memories
Tomorrow voy a merecumbear! 2008-03-12 23:38:00 I’m excited and nervous at the same time. Tomorrow, I start classes twice a week to learn the “danzas populares.” Just a couple of blocks from my house, there’s a well-known dance studio called Merecumbé . When I signed up, I was assured that these were beginning classes. We’ll see!Just gyrate! Dance class, day 1 “All of the newbies follow me!” shouted Alexander, my new dance instr
Good connection speed will come to those who wait, and wait, and wait 2008-03-11 00:56:00 Day 1: Until recently, I’d been frequenting internet cafes. They’re all over the city, well-equipped and cheap at around 300 colones an hour, which is about 65 cents. Wanting to use my laptop, I decided to get a connection
at home. My roommate had service through the telephone line, but that would mean dragging a cable from her room to mine. Thinking that would be terribly inconvenient, I visi
Chemical warfare in Costa Rica – 100 percent natural 2008-03-09 16:25:00 Last night, I got that tingling feeling right after crawling into bed alerting me to a sound sleep ahead. In the distance, I heard a whine that sounded like someone stretching the mouth of a balloon and letting out the air. The noise got louder, stopped and returned at intervals. It got louder, and louder. Then it stopped, and I felt a tickle on my chin. I cupped my right hand and swiped my face. Read more:Costa Rica
The challenge of learning Latin dance: A woman’s perspective 2008-05-20 12:01:00 “It’s the men who give the orders around here,” blustered Alexander. He was demonstrating Salsa moves with a classmate who evidently was “trying to lead.” As they spun around, he looked at her firmly in the eyes, but as always with a sense of humor, and exclaimed, “Es ella que manda!” She’s giving the orders! That’s probably one of the most difficult parts of learning the danc Read more:Latin
, woman
Nomadic Update (part 3): applying lessons learned 2008-05-26 17:14:00 I’ve been pretty busy this month. I picked up an extra class one day a week and I took an online writing course. Somehow, I was also able to cram almost an entire week’s vacation into the month. Towards the end of my week-long Panamanian island holiday, I got an “urgent” email from work. Yes, it was hard not to pop into the internet café in town — if only for a blast of AC. Since it w Read more:Update
Thanks ContemporaryNomad.com! 2008-05-28 21:25:00 My good friends Tony and Thomas, authors of the informative and visually spectacular travel blog Contemporary Nomad, highlighted a fellow traveler who recently took the plunge and went Nomadic — me! Read the interview HERE. Tony and I met years ago teaching English as a Second Language in California. We became friends after finding out that we had many things in common. To name a few, we went Read more:Thanks
Women-on-the-Road and Nomadic Narrative support fearless women travelers 2008-06-01 21:53:00 Welcome Women-on-the-Road readers! A few weeks ago, Leyla asked me to share some personal experiences about teaching English abroad on her Web site, Women-on-the-Road. It’s dedicated to sharing great tips and resources for women who love to travel on their own. You can read the article HERE. There are endless ways to support your world travels. Go nomadic women!
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