Parque Chirripo has the highest peak in Costa Rica, and usually takes about two days to summit and climb back down (time I did not have). Fastest round-trip has been just over 3 hours.  Aha; like I was gonna do that!

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A conversation, in Spanish, translated to English.

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Note to self: Don't be scared to constantly ask chofers and ticket staff whether each new bus arrival is the bus I need to take.

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My first blog entry related my awesome encounters with Latin Lovers.  Why not continue the theme with a more detailed update?  I missed my early morning bus this past Monday; the snooze button doesn't work on my cheap travel alarm, unfortunately.  So I ended up in La Fortuna realizing that I had to wait 7 hours to catch the next bus to Tilaran.   With my heavy backpack that screamed "tourist" (sometimes I can blend in given my half-Hispanic background), I decided to try to get a cell phone. Unfortunately, pre-paid cell phones do not exist here.  While waiting, I met an old man who started talking to me about Costa Rica and his past.  Let's call him Don Nacho for now (mmm; I could use some tasty guac and chips).  He told me he was also on his way to Tilaran and he would show me around the town.  Given the fact that I lacked friends during my first week in CR, I thought why not.

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I have no idea why I am so scared of dogs.  Many are cute.  They stick out their tongues, run around and play catch.  But you never know when a dog will not be one of the nice ones.  At least I know most people will not bite me (except for that three-year-old who had yet to learn that words are better than teeth).

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Traveling as a solo woman can be tough on the road.  And no, it is not because I have to carry my personal products for that time of the month.  Though I have lived and traveled through Latin American countries before, always with another companion, I am still not used to the men. I am not talking about any men; I'm talking about those men: you know, the ones that talk to you.  I know other females can handle these advances with grace, but I still have yet to figure out the rules of the trade. I am also not the best liar, so when asked if I am married, I have to tell the truth (the answer is no by the way). Maybe wearing a ring that looks like a wedding band will prevent these types of conversations.  Or maybe I just need to get used to the fact that social interactions occur between the two sexes.  Maybe.  At least I know that if anything gets bad, I mastered my defense class.  Karate chop, hi-ya!

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