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Time has stopped for me. I have gotten sucked into the life of Playa Tamarindo, its surroundings, their beaches and the various activities (or non-activities on the white sands).

I've been neglecting my blog for a while. For one, I've been waiting for them to install Internet in my condo since I arrived here 3 weeks ago. Even the Ticos know they're on Tico time, as that's what they call it. In the meantime, I've been taking my laptop to various places around town where I can steal unsecured wireless Internet.

Also, I've been enjoying my long-awaited time to myself (with the first wave of gringo friends now gone). I've been using this time to get acquainted with Tamarindo, the real estate here and the culture and people of this small beach town. I've already made quite a few friends here. Tonight, I hosted my first poker game at my condo in Tamarindo! Photos of that will be posted this week. And I think I'm going to start lessons with a private Spanish tutor this week. Only $18 per hour.

More later, when I can tear myself away from the beach and relaxation.

Here's one of my "workstations"...


Where in the world? Click here.

I have found Paradise in Tamarindo.

The atmosphere and layout of this small surfer beach town reminds me of Phuket, Thailand. And the condo I am now renting for a very good price is right smack in the center of town. Everything -- beaches, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, shops, casino, banks, post office, super market, laundromat -- is within walking distance. And to top it all off, they have a thriving and growing poker c0mmunity! I played a tournament at one of the local bars the very first night and met a lot of great people.

I could not be any happier.

Anyway, I'm back in San Jose at the moment, as my gringo friends, Tyson, Derek, Joel and Chris, are coming in to Costa Rica this morning (Thursday, 22 February). We will be spending a couple of nights in San Jose, then we are all going to my condo in Tamarindo for the remainder of their trip.

Photos of Tamarindo are coming soon.

I had been thinking about how to even begin to convey why I like Costa Rica and its people so much.

I could paint a written montage of moments that I will never forget during my first two weeks on this trip. Just the little things that tourists may take for granted and locals would never suspect is unusual. I may still do that, but for now, I will share some excerpts from IM conversations I have had over the past week or so with my friend Al Cota, aka Rev. Fred Starr, in Los Angeles. I think this is a better way to start relaying my experiences here than simply logging my day-to-day activities.

Please follow along to the end. You'll understand. Al has given me permission to post these excerpts in my blog. Gracias, Padre Estrella.

---

Session Start (Xianti:Al Cota): Tue Feb 06 14:06:19 2007
[14:06] Al Cota: buenas tardes Sr. Xianti! Espero que estas disfrutando tiempo bueno en Costa Rica!
[14:07] Xianti: Buenas tardes, mi amigo! Pura vida. Pero no entiendo "disfrutando"
[14:08] Xianti: it's freaking amazing that I can still keep in touch with my peeps in real-time from anywhere in the world
[14:08] Al Cota: disfrutando qiuere decir "enjoying"
[14:09] Xianti: ah.. yes
[14:09] Al Cota: yeah I was just thinking the same thing
[14:09] Xianti: weather is absolutely beautiful here right now
[14:09] Xianti: my phone actually works here, too.
[14:09] Al Cota: yeah... it's kind of warm here, it's 81 today
[14:09] Xianti: though, no signal in my hotel room.. havta to walk out to the courtyard
[14:09] Al Cota: awww... bummer!
[14:10] Xianti: wow.. it's probably about 77 here.. but with a constant, nice breeze
[14:10] Al Cota: must be nice!!
[14:10] Al Cota: you got there yesterday?
[14:10] Xianti: I'm going to get a CR sim card for my phone. I'm already getting a lot of ticos calling me and I'm calling them. Need to get a local number
[14:11] Xianti: yep.. yesterdya morning. A lot's happened already. I'll update my blog later tonight
[14:13] Xianti: I'm meeting Flor, one of my contacts at Absolute Poker for dinner and drinks tonight...
[14:14] Xianti: hey, man... I'm about to go jump in the pool...
[14:14] Al Cota: nice, enjoy!
[14:14] Al Cota: wear your floaties!
[14:14] Xianti: hahahahaa
Session Close (Al Cota): Tue Feb 06 14:16:48 2007

Session Start (Xianti:Al Cota): Wed Feb 14 16:57:17 2007
[16:57] Al Cota: coma estas cabronsito?
[16:57] Al Cota: soy tu amigo, padre federico estrella!
[17:24] Xianti: LOLISIMO
[17:24] Xianti: como a estamos?
[17:25] Xianti: muchacho, ahorita tengo ir a una fiesta con mi amigo tico
[17:26] Al Cota: estamos trabajando bien duro con los picnhe lord of the rings, ya me metieron en la madre!
[17:26] Xianti: oh... y mi amiga tica, Karen, es una mentirosa... no ella necesito!
[17:26] Xianti: haah
[17:27] Al Cota: mentirosa!
[17:27] Xianti: pinche mentirosa! mierda!
[17:27] Xianti: hahahah
[17:28] Xianti: esta mucho otra ticas bonitas
[17:28] Xianti: no necesito un tica mentirosa
[17:28] Xianti: una
[17:28] Xianti: pura vida, mi amigo.. pura vida!
[17:30] Xianti: feliz dia de valentin, mi amor
[17:30] Xianti: :-*
[17:30] Al Cota: muchas gracias mi belleza, igual mente!
[17:30] Xianti: hahah
[17:31] Al Cota: vaya y encuentre unas viejas putas para que hases mal cosas con ellas!
[17:31] Al Cota: :-D
[17:31] Xianti: no entiendo cosas
[17:31] Al Cota: things
[17:32] Xianti: pero no me gusta viejas putas
[17:32] Al Cota: no seas mentiroso!
[17:32] Al Cota: ya llegaron Nate y Nicholas?
[17:32] Xianti: ah... si si
[17:32] Al Cota: estas con ellos ahorita?
[17:33] Xianti: Nate y Nicolas vamanos a Punta Leona en un bus
[17:33] Xianti: estoy solo en San Jose
[17:33] Xianti: ahorita
[17:33] Al Cota: encontrastes casa para rentar?
[17:33] Xianti: como se dice "yet"
[17:33] Xianti: ?
[17:34] Xianti: not yet
[17:34] Al Cota: espera un momento, tengo que empesar un render! ha!!
[17:34] Xianti: voy a Tamarindo en Lunes... solo
[17:34] Xianti: lol
[17:34] Al Cota: se dice "todo via no encuentro"
[17:34] Xianti: "render".. hahaha
[17:35] Xianti: ah.. si si si
[17:35] Xianti: en Lunes el encontro
[17:35] Xianti: encuentro
[17:36] Xianti: en la manana, yo upload fotos de Baia Drake en Peninsula Osa.. es en sur de Costa Rica... es muy lindo!
[17:37] Xianti: que bonita
[17:40] Al Cota: espero a verlos!
[17:41] *** Al Cota has received IMG_0093.jpg.
[17:41] Xianti: parque Corcovado es cerda de Baia Drake
[17:41] Xianti: una mas...
[17:41] Al Cota: no lo puedo abrir - yo creo que desmayo en el "transfer"
[17:42] Xianti: eh? como?
[17:42] Al Cota: couldn't open it, think it got f'd up in the tranfer
[17:42] Al Cota: transfer
[17:42] Xianti: ahahh
[17:42] Xianti: el "transfer".. hahah
[17:42] Al Cota: ahora si entiendes!
[17:44] Xianti: un momento..
[17:44] Xianti: yo transmito con email
[17:45] Al Cota: se me hase muy chistoso que stoy ablando con tigo, mi director del arte anterior, cuando mi director del arte presente, Miguel Quinnones, esta sentado en el segundo piso, arriba de mi.
[17:46] Xianti: bueno!
[17:47] Xianti: mi amigo.. yo necesito ir ahorita..
[17:47] Xianti: check your email in 5 minutes
[17:47] Al Cota: esta bien! okay. al rato vato!
Session Close (Al Cota): Wed Feb 14 21:27:59 2007

Session Start (Xianti:Al Cota): Thu Feb 15 08:21:02 2007
[08:21] Al Cota: you're definitely not in LA anymore -
[08:21] Al Cota: I got your pics and qt
[08:21] Al Cota: suave!
[08:21] Xianti: que rico suave!
[08:21] Xianti: te gust eso pelicula de QT
[08:21] Xianti: ?
[08:21] Xianti: gusta
[08:22] Al Cota: is that where you're staying? that little bingalow?
[08:22] Al Cota: si me gisto
[08:22] Al Cota: gusto!
[08:22] Xianti: that was where we stayed the past 4 days.. Drake Bay in Osa Peninsula... south of Costa Rica
[08:23] Xianti: I'm in San Jose now, while Nate and the others went to Punta Leona without me... mid-Pacific coast of CR.. near Jaco
[08:23] Al Cota: are they staying there for a few days?
[08:23] Xianti: yeah...4 days. When they return to San Jose on Sunday before departing CR, I will see them again.
[08:24] Xianti: I'll be posting lots of new pics and updating my blog this afternoon.. get everyone caught up on what's happened in the past week-and-a-half
[08:25] Al Cota: nice. how's you're chic down there?
[08:25] Xianti: la mentirosa? who cares... I'm gonna tell her to never call or write me again. After a few days of hanging out here, I didn't even want her to monopolize my time anyway...
[08:26] Xianti: last night, she was supposed to come pick me up at 6:00pm.. she didn't call me until almost an hour later and said she's going out with her tico friends instead. Whatever
[08:27] Xianti: she's hot and all.. was fun, but she's high maintenance.. don't need a fuckin' girlfriend
[08:28] Xianti: with my language getting better and Roy, my Tico friend, showing me around and giving me tips, it's been getting easier to meet new Ticas
[08:29] Xianti: the first night Roy took me to a dance club last week, he pointed out how all the Ticas (normal Ticas, not working girls), were all looking at me. He confirmed what I had heard from other Ticas before... they like Asians here
[08:29] Xianti: he told me so
[08:29] Xianti: that first night, I danced with 2 Ticas... language was not much of a problem.. I know how to dance.
[08:30] Al Cota: sweet, Xianti shakin the booty with the ladies!
[08:31] Xianti: hahaha... I was kinda learning their local dance... Cupisa... it's kinda like salsa, but with more exaggerated leg movements.. really beautiful when you see a couple that knows what they're doing.. it's native to the central american area
[08:32] Al Cota: oh damn, it's all sensual - yeah I do love watching "salseras" move, it's a beautiful thing!
[08:32] Xianti: ay dios mio si!
[08:33] Al Cota: so what's a typical day for you like?
[08:34] Xianti: hmm... dunno.. every day's been different, really. Haven't really had a chance to just settle and chill. I have 3 days in San Jose to do that, alone, then fly to Tamarindo to look for rentals. I'm hooked up with a nice gringo real estate agent up there who's going to help me
[08:34] Xianti: today, I might go to Del Rey to go meet a girl.. or maybe a massage parlor.. $30 for an hour..
[08:35] Xianti: maybe take a nap, as I'm still recovering from 3 days of hiking with little sleep....
[08:35] Xianti: then go play some NL Hold'em at my gringo friend, Russ's poker room at the Clarion here
[08:36] Xianti: Clarion is just outside the door of my hotel, across the street... Del Rey is just a few blocks from me.. walking distance
[08:36] Al Cota: that's a nice little set up you got down there!
[08:37] Xianti: hahaha... NO SHIT! No es una broma!!
[08:38] Xianti: Russ, the poker room manager, when I walked over there last week, remembered me right away from last year and the previous year
[08:38] Al Cota: nice place, poker, cheap massage - wow it's like you're retired or something.
[08:38] Xianti: when I told him I'm staying in CR for a few months, his eyes lit up and...
[08:39] Xianti: ...he asked if I want to run his poker game a few days a week.. he's looking for help
[08:39] Xianti: lolisimo!!!!!111uno!!
[08:39] Al Cota: your adventure keeps getting better!
[08:39] Xianti: I told him I'm not looking for a job, but it might be interesting later, if I get bored
[08:39] Al Cota: yeah, something to do
[08:40] Xianti: man.. you don't even know the half of it.. so much has happened.. all unique experiences... I don't even know where to begin with updating my blog
[08:41] Xianti: every day, something cool happens
[08:41] Al Cota: sounds like it... sounds like you're living a whole different life down there
[08:43] Xianti: man, I feel like rockstar here
[08:44] Xianti: not that I was doing too bad in LA, but the vibe here is so different.. .I love it!
[08:44] Al Cota: no shit man, you should make a short while you're down there, documentary style
[08:44] Xianti: haahhahh
[08:44] Al Cota: focus on the girls, lots of girls on camera!
[08:44] Xianti: my blog will be worth millones!!
[08:45] Al Cota: hahaha
[08:45] Xianti: more slow-mo en las Ticas
[08:45] Al Cota: close ups!
[08:45] Xianti: zoom zoom!
[08:46] Xianti: uh-oh... Tatiana, one of the Colombianas I met at the Del Rey just sent me an email with her cell phone number
[08:48] Xianti: que rica!
[08:49] Xianti: aiight, Padre Estrella... necesito banar..
[08:49] Xianti: hasta luego... ciao
[08:50] Al Cota: aye te guatcho!
Session Close (Al Cota): Thu Feb 15 08:58:05 2007

Session Start (Xianti:Al Cota): Thu Feb 15 13:32:21 2007
[13:32] Al Cota: nice, that camera you got is pretty sweet
[13:32] Xianti: yeah, man... I love it!
[13:32] Xianti: the videos are sweet... the colors of the photos are sweet
[13:32] Xianti: very few of these have been retouched in photoshop
[13:32] Al Cota: are you compressing those videos at all, or are they straight from your camera?
[13:33] Al Cota: they look really good
[13:33] Xianti: just a few, to compensate for overexposure when I'm pointing toward the sun.. to get the details up
[13:33] Xianti: the original vids are very large.. I'm using cleaner to bring them down in size for Web viewing..
[13:34] Xianti: the original vids are crystal clear... like the photos, but in motion
[13:34] Xianti: turn your volume up... the audio is fantastic too
[13:34] Al Cota: yeah, I saw the one of the plane taking off, sounds good
[13:35] Xianti: yeah.. I'm really thrilled with this camera.. es maravilloso
[13:42] Xianti: when are you going to come visit me?
[13:42] Al Cota: let em know when you get settled and get a place!
[13:42] Xianti: one trip here and it will change your life
[13:42] Xianti: the people are beautiful
[13:43] Al Cota: I'm sure it will - I probably won't want to come back
[13:43] Xianti: I'll have a place in Tamarindo next week... rental for a month, maybe two, if I like it there. Already got a lead on a place.. gonna go look starting MOnday
[13:45] Xianti: bbl.. gonna eat and go play some poker
[13:46] Al Cota: hell yeah
[13:46] Al Cota: later Xianti
[13:46] Xianti: hasta
Session Close (Al Cota): Thu Feb 15 13:46:25 2007

Session Start (Xianti:Al Cota): Fri Feb 16 09:48:14 2007
[10:12] Xianti: played poke for 4.5 hours last night, made $800
[10:12] Xianti: poker
[10:13] Al Cota: oh damn - which tables? 1/2, 2/4?
[10:14] Xianti: 1/2 NLHE.. bought in for $400, left with $1250
[10:15] Al Cota: is it a casino? or a poker club type place?
[10:15] Xianti: of course, I lost $400 last week, but I had just gotten to CR and was just having fun... was playing drunk and sloppy. Last night, I drank only water and played my a-game
[10:16] Xianti: Casino Paradiso.. I'm looking at it now, just outside my window
[10:16] Xianti: it's at the Clarion acros the street
[10:16] Al Cota: do you need to convert money down there, or are you good with dollars?
[10:17] Xianti: USD at the poker table
[10:17] Al Cota: what about everywhere else?
[10:17] Xianti: the exchange rate is easy.. roughly 50,000 colones = 100 USD
[10:17] Xianti: colones everywhere else
[10:17] Al Cota: I see
[10:17] Al Cota: pinche colones
[10:17] Xianti: you get used to carrying around wads of colones
[10:18] Xianti: some of the cajero automaticos (ATMs), you can't even get 200 USD out... Ticos just don't take that much out.
[10:19] Xianti: some of them are limited to 25,000 colones per transaction, which is only 50 USD
[10:19] Al Cota: that's crazy
[10:19] Xianti: I'm used to taking out $400 whenever I go to the ATM in the states
[10:19] Al Cota: damn you must be considered very wealthy down there
[10:19] Xianti: dude.. average ticos live on $500 per month
[10:19] Al Cota: wow
[10:19] Xianti: I made $850 in 4.5 hours
[10:20] Al Cota: that's a nice hourly rate!
[10:20] Xianti: of course, their lifestyle is very modest.. none of the comforts that we take for granted
[10:20] Al Cota: yeah I imagine it's very different
[10:20] Al Cota: I imagine a lot like mexico
[10:21] Xianti: yeah
[10:21] Xianti: por supuesto
[10:21] Al Cota: cracks me up that I'm talking to you in spanish
[10:21] Al Cota: I don't even talk to my parents in spanish!
[10:21] Al Cota: eres loco Juan!
[10:22] Xianti: no sabes chinos a habla espanol?
[10:23] Al Cota: no conoscso chinos que hablan espanol - pero si conosco chinos que pueden cocinar comida mexicano.
[10:23] Xianti: hahahahahaah
[10:23] Xianti: roflamos!
[10:24] Xianti: que divertido
[10:24] Al Cota: so you're in SJ right now?
[10:25] Xianti: posted some more photos in our gallery this morning.. both in the San Jose gallery and the Drake Bay gallery
[10:25] Xianti: check out the airport in Palmar Sur
[10:25] Al Cota: send me the link again, por favor
[10:25] Xianti: si.. ya estoy en San Jose
[10:26] Xianti: SJ: http://www.flopturnriver.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=22
[10:26] Al Cota: what's tamarindo, like? less touristy? is SJ more of the tourist joint
[10:26] Xianti: DB: http://www.flopturnriver.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=23
[10:26] Xianti: both tamarindo and SJ are tourist meccas
[10:26] Al Cota: I see
[10:26] Xianti: Drake Bay, where I got back from a couple days ago, is pristine.. not even many ticos go there
[10:26] Xianti: pure nature
[10:27] Xianti: Bahia Drake
[10:28] Xianti: after tamarindo, I will have gone completely up and down the Pacific Coast... I may check out the Carribean side later next month or after
[10:29] Al Cota: that little shack is the airport in Drake BAy?
[10:29] Xianti: Palmar Sur, but yes
[10:29] Xianti: San Jose to Palmar Sur, then a 30-min bus ride into Sierpe, then a 40-min boat ride to Drake Bay
[10:30] Xianti: that's the only way to get to Drake Bay.. hotel at Drake Bay is nestled up in the mountains, in the rainforest
[10:30] Al Cota: that's dope
[10:30] Xianti: Hotel Aguila de Osa
[10:30] Xianti: Bear Eagle
[10:32] Xianti: those chicos at the Palmar Sur airport are the luggage attendants. They help with your bags, you tip them a half dollar or a dollar, if you're generous
[10:33] Xianti: the "office" has 2 light bulbs.. no computers or PA system.. just pen, paper and cell phones
[10:33] Xianti: the restroom is across the dirt road at a snack shop/shack
[10:33] Xianti: the "lobby/lounge" is some wooden benches set up under the outdoor patio cover
[10:34] Xianti: the plane is a Cessna Caravan.. just two pilots and 12 passengers
[10:34] Xianti: that flight is FUN
[10:34] Xianti: I need to write about all this shit in my blog
[10:34] Xianti: it's so cool
[10:36] Xianti: man.. see, what I love about places like CR and Thailand is the pure simplicity of everything.
[10:38] Xianti: big difference from my occasional experience in dining out in L.A. I've been to places where I'm holding a printed menu, and the waitress is there, but she's telling me she can't take my order because the computer is down... WTF??
[10:38] Xianti: and here, they're running an airport with pen and paper
[10:38] Al Cota: it sounds like I'm in for a bit of a shock - I'm so used all the tech we have at our fingertips. I don't think I'll mind being in a beautiful land without tech for a while!
[10:39] Xianti: no render farms here, muchacho
[10:39] Al Cota: NICE!!
[10:40] Xianti: see the water buffalo?
[10:41] Al Cota: oh yeah - I'm wrestle one while I'm there!
[10:41] Xianti: hahaha...
[10:41] Al Cota: I think he'll kick my ass
[10:42] Xianti: well, Roy, mi tico friend, told me last week that when ticos take photos, instead of saying "Cheese," they say "Whiskey"...
[10:42] Al Cota: man I hope Gadow goes, said he needed to "think about it more"
[10:42] Al Cota: I'm over being tentative about traveling -
[10:43] Xianti: so, when our boat driver pulled over to the riverbank so we could take pics of the water buffalo, I said "WHISKEY!!" before snapping those photos... he was rolling! L0LISIMO!!!
[10:43] Al Cota: I know I have a job and all that stuff, but I'm not going to let it stop me from seeing more of the world.
[10:43] Al Cota: that's funny
[10:43] Xianti: job schmob
[10:44] Al Cota: I know, I know, but I'm not retired like you are so...
[10:44] Xianti: more to life than a job. Your job's not going anywhere, but you're running out of time to travel
[10:45] Xianti: I'd rather die poor and having traveling enrich my life than die rich and not having seen anything
[10:46] Al Cota: I know, that's why I'm going, because I'm not going to let opportunities pass me by anymore, I did that too many times in my 20's, but not anymore, I'm starting this year with a trip to Costa Rica!!
[10:46] Xianti: niiiiiiiiiiiice
[10:47] Xianti: from my experience from traveling, the poorest people with modest lives are the most content people I know. Rich people worry too much about meaningless things. Mo' money, mo' problems
[10:48] Al Cota: yup, biggie said it!
[10:48] Xianti: mos def
[10:48] Xianti: es verdad
[10:48] Al Cota: are you in your room right now?
[10:49] Al Cota: what are you doing today?
[10:49] Xianti: yep.. see the photo of my laptop on the desk looking out the window? I'm sitting there now.. check out that view, man.. that's what I look at while I work/chat/watch TV on my laptop
[10:49] Xianti: in the San Jose gallery
[10:50] Xianti: muy tranquilo
[10:50] Al Cota: I saw that, that's sweet!
[10:50] Xianti: do some FTR work.. maybe go to the mall, though, it's too late now, since I've been chatting with you (no problem at all)...
[10:51] Al Cota: what time is it there?
[10:52] Xianti: at 4:00pm (CR is 2 hours ahead), the poker game starts across the street... play for a couple hours, meet up with Xiomara (Tica that plays poker... she plays poker for income.. one of the few lucky Ticos that can make a living playing poker). She remembers me from 2 years ago in the poker room. I taught her some things, she took them to heart, and I noticed her game was better last night.. She likes me because I have a good game, but she has a boyfriend. She's a doll.
[10:53] Xianti: then, I'm taking Flor at Absolute Poker and her two sons out to dinner after she gets off work at around 6:00pm
[10:54] Al Cota: check you out - making friends with all the locals
[10:55] Xianti: hahaha.. ticos are VERY friendly and they remember people for a long, long time. The dealer remembered me from last year. It's very common, as they meet gringos that come for a short visit, but return over and over again
[10:56] Xianti: I'll try to get a photo of Xiomara..
[10:57] Xianti: she was in a major car accident 3 months ago.. was in the news and everything.. car was totaled, so she's saving for another car... will probably take her years
[10:57] Xianti: she almost died, apparently
[10:57] Al Cota: damn that's crazy
[10:58] Xianti: it's very humbling when you hear how these people live
[10:58] Xianti: now you see, I don't even know where to begin with my blog.. so many stories to tell... would take me forever to get caught up. Don't think I can do it.
[10:59] Xianti: and it's only been 11 days here!
[11:00] Al Cota: I can believe that - I've got family in mexico that live very different that I do - not that my 1bdrm apt is plush, but I do alright, they're very loving, humble people that live on the poor side.
[11:00] Xianti: poverty makes you appreciate the things that really matter
[11:00] Xianti: money makes people forget
[11:00] Al Cota: yeah i understand your deal a little more now - I'm really looking forward to this trip man - it'll be nice to unplug and become a local for a bit
[11:01] Al Cota: YES IT DOES
[11:02] Xianti: it took us half a dozen chat sessions just to give you an inkling of what it's like and why I like it. Couldn't possibly explain this stuff to people back in L.A.
[11:02] Xianti: how can I? where do I begin?
[11:03] Al Cota: you'd have a LOT of writing to do. I mean it be almost like writing a short book
[11:03] Xianti: seriously..
[11:03] Xianti: maybe I will write a book someday... I dunno.
[11:04] Al Cota: while sitting in another remote location
[11:04] Xianti: haaha.. how cool would that be?
[11:06] Xianti: I might just post excerpts from our chat convos in my blog.. it'd save me some time
[11:06] Xianti: if you don't mind
[11:07] Al Cota: I don't mind
Session Close (Al Cota): Fri Feb 16 11:24:36 2007

Session Start (Xianti:Al Cota): Fri Feb 16 11:35:11 2007
[11:59] Al Cota: hey do I need an int'l plug to charge stuff like my camera, ipod?
[12:00] Xianti: where we'll be, no
[12:00] Xianti: actually, they're on the same voltage, but some of their plugs are shaped different
[12:00] Al Cota: esta bien
[12:00] Al Cota: you haven't had any trouble
[12:00] Al Cota: obviously
[12:00] Xianti: where we'll be staying, you don't need to worry.. besides, I have a universal power adapter if you need
[12:01] Al Cota: alright cool
[12:01] Xianti: i take my power adapter everywhere I go.. works for all continents
[12:07] Xianti: in my laptop backpack, I have all kinds of USB, ethernet, firewire cables, power adapter, mini powerstrip, extra earbuds for my ipod, USB reading light, portable surge protector for my laptop, computer/monitor cleaning kit, and even a travel wireless router, so I can set up my own little wi-fi hotspot. All in mini versions for portability.
[12:08] Xianti: I'm a walking office.
[12:08] Al Cota: I thought the point was to get away from technology!
[12:08] Xianti: hey... I gotta get work done, too. Pays for me to be here.
[12:08] Xianti: the only thing I don't have with me is a printer. I can use the hotel's printers if I need to.
[12:08] Al Cota: I know, I was joking
[12:09] Al Cota: that's pretty cool that you can be in such a remote area and still remain "connected"
[12:09] Xianti: it's amazing
[12:10] Xianti: actually, that jungle hotel in Drake Bay does have Internet, usually, but they were having trouble with it while we were there, so it would come-and-go. The owner was on the phone with their ISP, but it could take days to get someone out there to help.
[12:11] Xianti: cell phone coverage was flawless in that remote area. The hotels in that area generate their own power. And they must have a cell tower in those hills somewhere
[12:11] Xianti: amazing
[12:12] Xianti: outside of the hotels and little villas, no streets, no power, no water, no nothing
[12:12] Al Cota: I think my only gadgets I'm taking are my camera and ipod and my phone but I doubt I'll be using it much
[12:12] Xianti: no cars.. they get around from place to place by boat
[12:12] Al Cota: tight
[12:14] Xianti: your phone will be useless unless you have a GSM phone. My PEBL (GSM) actually connected to their local cellular network, ICE, as soon as I landed in Costa Rica. But with me making and receiving so many Costa Rican phone calls, I had to get a local SIM card right away... hence, the CR phone number for me.
[12:14] Xianti: there's a story about how I got the SIM card, too... I'll blog it
[12:17] Xianti: you can use my phone if you need. Local calls with the CR SIM card, international calls with my US SIM card. Swapping it is easy.
[12:18] Xianti: bring aloe vera lotion.. you WILL get sunburned no matter how often or how much sunblock you use at the beach
[12:18] Al Cota: so what would I need to get for my phone - a different SIM card?
[12:19] Xianti: you can't. They've run out of phone numbers in Costa Rica.
[12:19] Al Cota: you're serious?
[12:19] Xianti: they're working on adding another digit to everyone's phone numbers next year sometime to alleviate the problem.
[12:20] Xianti: si.. en serio
[12:20] Xianti: which is why my getting a SIM card is an interesting story
[12:21] Xianti: Only one area code for all of Costa Rica, (506)... I don't know why they don't just add more area codes.. maybe they're networked with all of central america... that'd be my guess
[12:22] Xianti: so ticos can buy new cell phones here still, but they can't get a phone number to go with it.
[12:23] Xianti: tech infrastructure is quickly catching up with the States, but they're a few years behind
[12:23] Al Cota: so they can call out, but can't receive calls?
[12:24] Xianti: you need a phone number to call out.. don't think it works like that. No one is buying new phones right now because they're useless... the phone number problem is a big deal
[12:24] Xianti: only buying new phones to replace broken phones
[12:26] Al Cota: crazy
[12:26] Xianti: at the rentals, they're charging gringos $100 US per month for phone rental (from which you can take the SIM card out).. and that doesn't include any minutes (or hours, as they bill by hour).. you have to pay for time on top of that.
[12:26] Al Cota: found themselves quite the racket
[12:27] Xianti: I'm paying a Tico $35 per month plus the time I use.. I think it's just cents on the hour.. who knows. Don't really care. It's a deal to me. Ticos pay about $20 per month plus time. Of course, that's if you are fortunate enough to have had a phone number before this crisis happened this year
[12:29] Al Cota: well I'll probably want to make a couple of calls just to check back with my parents and T so they know I'm cool. So I'll just ask you at some point to make a call.
[12:29] Xianti: si.. claro
[12:29] Al Cota: gracias
[12:29] Al Cota: eres muy amable
[12:30] Xianti: it's incredible the amount of stuff I've learned in just my first week here.. soaking it all in. Really feeling like an ex- pat already
[12:31] Al Cota: ex-pat
[12:31] Al Cota: I like that
[12:40] Xianti: bbl
[12:40] Al Cota: aiight!
[12:40] Xianti: en un rato vato!
[12:40] Al Cota: simon carnalito!
Session Close (Al Cota): Fri Feb 16 12:45:14 2007

Just uploaded a few more photos. 3 new ones in the San Jose gallery. Lots of new ones in the Drake Bay gallery.

Look! Water buffaloes!

Still haven't gotten around to sitting down to update the blog (that will take hours to get caught up), but I have now uploaded the first set of photos and videos in the FTR Photo Gallery.

San Jose (and surroundings):
http://www.flopturnriver.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=22

Drake Bay (and surroundings):
http://www.flopturnriver.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=23

For the video clips, you will need QuickTime installed on your browser.
I'll post some details of the photos and videos a little later. In the meantime, if you have any specific questions about anything you see, please ask and I'll be sure to include the explanations when I post next.

Estoy muy bien.

I'm still here. I hadn't been neglecting my blog intentionally. There was a technical problem that denied my access to update my blog. Nothing to do with access in Costa Rica. I was able to access any site except for FlopTurnRiver.com. The problem has been fixed now (obviously), thanks to Eric and our server host.

Anyway, so many interesting and enriching things have happened in just this first week of my stay here in San Jose that I don't even know where to begin. I'm trying my hardest to remember everything (have been hand-writing some notes while going about) so I can update my blog when I get a chance. Being that I'm a few days behind, I hope I don't forget anything.

Mis amigos Nate, Nick and Eric just arrived this morning (actually, yesterday, as it's after midnight now), Saturday, February 10, in San Jose. We are leaving for Sierpe in the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica early tomorrow morning. This is a lush, tropical, mountainous Paradise in the southern Pacific tip of this beautiful country. We're flying into Palmar Sur from San Jose airport. From there, we take a taxi ride into Sierpe. Then, it's a boat ride to get to where our hotel is, nestled in the jungles. Not too many tourists or locals ( "Ticos" ) visit this part of Costa Rica yet, so it's about as pristine a tropical Paradise as you can find anywhere. Everyone I've talked to around here that have been there say it is absolutely amazing.

Anyway, I'm not certain what my Internet access is going to be like in this remote area. So I may not be updating until I return to San Jose on Wednesday, February 14.

But I promise you, I will fill you in on my first week's adventures (last week) when I can.

Photos coming soon.

Hasta luego.

Juan


Oh.. here's a random joke.


El doctor llama por teléfono a su paciente:

- Vera, tengo una noticia buena y otra mala.
- Bueno... dígame primero la buena.
- Los resultados del análisis indican que le quedan 24 horas de vida.
- Pero, bueno, ¿eso es la buena noticia? ¿Entonces cuál es la mala?
- Que llevo intentando localizarle desde ayer.

LOLÍSIMO!!!11!!!1!!!11!!!uno!!111!!

Just so everyone knows, I arrived in San Jose safe and sound Monday morning. I'm somewhat fatigued from the multiple time zones I've been in during the past couple of weeks. But I'm excited to be here. After a couple more nights of rest, I should be alright.

I've been looking for a rental since I arrived here. Something I can call home for the next month. I plan on staying in/near San Jose for the first month, then find a rental closer to one of the beaches for the next month or more. This search has been keeping me very busy during the day and I find that I'm not able to sleep much at night. Once I get settled, I am going to sleep like a baby.

Anyway, I'm about to get ready and go looking around for rentals again today. There's actually a lot more to write about. A lot's happened already since I arrived a couple of days ago. Good things.

I'll write again when I have the time and energy.


Pura vida.


Where in the world? Click here.

It's 12:35am on Monday, 5 February 2007.

I am sitting at Gate 23 at LAX. I board my flight to San Jose, Costa Rica, in about a half-hour. I've scrambled the past 4 days since returning from London to get last-minute things in order for my extended stay in Costa Rica.

I think I will be out there for two months. But who knows? Anything goes at this point.

This will be my third time in Costa Rica. I can't wait to get out there. More so than that, however, I am eagerly looking forward to getting settled in and assimilated with the life and culture. Perhaps I won't feel satisfied after just two months. Or I might get tired of it. I really don't know. But as my friend Jason says, "YOU DON'T KNOW UNTIL YOU FIND OUT!"

Well... they're calling my flight. Gotta go board my plane.

Hasta luego.

I've been home in Redondo Beach, CA, since Wednesday night. Still a bit jet-lagged. Mostly just tired.

Tyson and I ended up doing a day-trip of the City of London. For those that have never been to London, the "City" is the name of a part of London, not the entire city itself. It's the commercial and historical center and life of London. We didn't do a guided tour. In our travels, we've learned that the guided tours don't really do much for us. We prefer to explore and discover on our own. Besides, I borrowed a "Daytrips of London" book from my roommate, Nate, that had planned walking routes that point out historical landmarks and tell a little bit about them.

We checked out the Tower of London. Stunning. We did a free Yeoman Ward-led brief tour of the key aspects of this amazing place, then spent a lot of time exploring on our own. The Crown Jewels were cool, of course. As for the other towers, I only wish that they had more old torture devices. That shit fascinates me. They needed more of that grisly stuff you might see on a Halloween special on the History Channel.

And walked along the Thames River, saw Tower Bridge and, of course, the London Bridge.

St. Paul's Cathedral. Breathtaking. It was 100-some-odd steep steps to get up to the first gallery level. At this point, the blisters on the balls of my feet were making me limp slightly in pain as I walked. I wasn't sure if I could do the steps (no turning back once you start). But what the hell. 10+ hour flight to the UK and I wasn't going to let the blisters stop me from exploring further. It was worth it.

Tyson snapped a lot of great photos on this day. Watch for them in our Photo Gallery at a later date.

This final day of experiencing London reminded me how much Europe has to offer and why I fell in love with traveling in the first place. We'd been doing the tropical thing the past couple years -- Thailand, Costa Rica -- but prior to that, we had done France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. We're talking about going back to Europe later this year. Maybe Prague.

One thing that struck me about the UK and its people is how beautiful the accent really is. Of course, I've laughed along when the British are lampooned on American TV and film with their "quirky," snobbish-sounding speech. But after a few days of being around it, I picked up on something. It's much more expressive. The more varied intonations and the rhythm in the way they speak their sentences is much more lively and warm. The American accent, in comparison, sounds very flat to me now. Almost cold. A simple sentence like "I like flying," spoken repeatedly before departure by a wee British girl in the seat behind me on the return flight sounded musical to me. I'm gonna miss hearing it.

Well, Tyson and I slept most of the day today. We've been partying hard and late every night since we got here, only to get up early every morning to attend the sessions at the conference. We were completely exhausted.

We walked about a bit late in the afternoon and found a cool little pub to relax. Tyson brought a portable Scrabble game and we played for hours, getting in 4 games at the pub. I haven't played Scrabble since grade school, but Ty's been playing it a lot with another friend lately. I am thoroughly hooked. I had no idea how much strategy is involved in a Scrabble game. Much of it is odds, math and third-level thinking... like poker!

Anyway, he beat me 3 games to 1. Bastard. It's after midnight now and we got some food. I'm going to demand a rematch after we eat.

We plan on getting up earlier tomorrow to catch a tour of the Tower of London, the Thames River and St. Paul's Cathedral. Should be fun.


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I'm sitting here in our hotel room in London at the moment. It's 9:45 in the morning. I've been up since 8:00. I couldn't sleep, though I went to bed at 5:00am. So I decided to finally start my blog.

I've been meaning to do this for a long while. Mine won't really be about poker, however. I'm going to keep a journal of my travel experiences. I've been to many parts of the globe in the past few years and have seen and done some interesting things. Some places I've been to have changed my life. It's a shame I hadn't kept a travel blog sooner.

Tyson, Eric and I have been here in London these past few days for an online gaming conference at the Olympia Conference Centre. Eric leaves this morning, as he has a family at home to look after. Ty and I are staying a couple extra days to do some sightseeing. I've never been to the UK, so there's still quite a bit I'd like to see. The blisters on my feet may prevent me from getting around too much, though. I forgot to pack my comfy walking shoes.

I return to the States on the 31st. I will be home in L.A. for just 4 days. I leave for Costa Rica on the night of 4 February. I have no return flight from Costa Rica and no planned return date at the moment.

More on that later.


In the meantime, here I am in front of the Prime Minister's official residence, 10 Downing Street:



We'll be putting more photos of our London trip in our Photo Gallery later on.

Oh, and I would just like to say how much I hate having to ask for "still" water practically everywhere you go in Europe to get plain, thirst-quenching non-carbonated water! If you don't specify, you get sparkling water. Don't they know that carbonated water contains sodium?!?! When I'm the most desperately thirsty after a day of hiking around, I sometimes forget to specify and I find it quite annoying that I am given sparkling water which makes me even thirstier. At least they have ice here in the UK, unlike in France. It was near impossible to get ice in drinks in Paris.


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