I am back in the U.S. of A.

Everything feels so off...more so than when I went to Europe. It is like an American culture shock.
Near the end of our trip I missed home and my dog, but now I am home and I miss the dirt streets, spanish filling the streets, cheap beer, fruit sold in cardboard boxes, large money, people constantly having their houses open to all who pass, kids playing soccer, howling monkeys, not flushing toilet paper, darkness at 6pm and day light at 5am. I miss the rice and beans, fresh fish, and the lush green undeveloped land. I miss the community small village feeling.

The second half of our trip was amazing. We went from rural coastal villages to more touristy places. Even though there was less wildlife and more developed lodging it was much needed. We enjoyed soaking in thermal springs near a volcano, riding horses through pastures, many hikes through cloud forests, going to way cute and expensive art galleries in the mountains and buying equally cute art/paintings. The flight back was a rush. We had an hour delay. Our layover in Texas was only an hour and twenty minutes, so with the delay we had twenty minutes to get through the airport, customs, get our bags, re check our bags...it was a rush. I have never been through an airport at such high running speeds. I can't believe we made the flight- all ten of us. Although two bags were left behind in Houston and didn't make it to Sacramento until the next day.

Now I need to adapt to the American way: the money that feels small in my hands, the clean grocery stores, the closed house doors, the inclusive people, constant cars, light skies into the night, and late mornings.

I am now at a Resort in the mountains of costa Rica' Termales del Bosque. We will be here for two nights. There are these natural thermal pools in the middle of the forest that are relaxing.
Yesterday we left Tortpguero a little village on an island that you could only get to by a boat. We were there for four nights. I got my hair braided and look like a full blown Jamaican now. You will never believe how dark my skin is. I don´t think I have ever been this dark. THe little village had small paths to walk between shops, restaurants which were really people´s homes, and the beach. You could stand in the middle of the island and see the beach on one side and the river on the other. THere were lots of little kids and families which made it feel more safe. My dad bought a soccer ball and started a pick up game with all the little costa rican boys. One little boy took charge and divided the teams the gringos or us. It was really fun to watch. When we left my dad gave the little boy the soccer ball and his face lit up. He started turning to each person that passed him and show off his soccer ball saying look what the white man gave me. It was just so nice to truly experience the culture and the small village we were in. It was really hot and humid though and Lisa wasn´t doing too well' also probably because she is really affected still by the robbery. I am trying to talk her into getting a massage here at the resort, but all she wants to do is sleep. I feel so bad and sorry she had to go through that. It poured rain last night and I got soaking wet because the thief has my rain jacket. It was not fun.
It is so odd here because I wake up every morning at 5am. It is so bright out by then. Even though we are only an hour ahead it will be hard adjusting schedules.
Oh at the small village we also watched a green sea turtle come out of the ocean and lay eggs. it was amazing.

Boy oh Boy....let me tell you....a vacation with me is an adventure. We have had a calm relaxing day today and last night which was really needed. Sunday thru Wed. we staying in the Rasta village of Cahuita. It had beautiful white sand beaches, monkies everywhere (I thought I was in a zoo) and good soul food. I got to take my little sister out drinking to bars, I got sick one night...too much rum.
THe water was so warm in the ocean. I was playing in the waves one day and was taken out, spun upside down...I hit my head pretty hard on the bottom, chipped my front tooth, and now I have a bump on my head. I knew I was ok, because my first thought was oh no I don{t want to go to a hospital. If I am thinking that logical then I knew I was ok. Just a headache and a tiny chip...just a v shape between my two front teeth. The family is now calling my Chippy.

Our last night in the Rasta village was terrible. Our huts were in this beautiful garden a little out of town. Maybe 100 meters.Lisa was feeling really sick from the maleria medicine so she went to our hut so she could go to bed. I stayed out in the kitchen hut about 30 feet away with my parents and sister. Around 10pm at night Lisa is screaming. So we run out there and find out someone crawled through the window stole all her money, about 500 bucks, put on my rain jacket and stole it, took my camera charger, and her camera. THe worst part of it all is he was wearing a mask so she couldn{t identify him and he pointed a gun at her head. So she was really trauamtized and I had to give her a zanax. We were really shooken up, I couldnt go to sleep until it was light again outside and then only slept an hour. I felt so bad for her and mad that I let her go to the room alone. But it could have been worse. At least he didnt do anything to her. It was all really scary and we were happy to get out of there. I am mostly pissed about my battery charger because now when I run out of battery power no more pictures.


Now we are in a safer place with tons of kids, good food, and we are staying right by the police station. IT can only get better from here on out.

I am finally here. Costa Rica. The flight wasn't as bad, because I had one and a half zanax and I felt completely relaxed. We spent half a day in the city so far. Our hotel is so cute, but the city is pretty dirty. There are also so many street dogs, which makes me feel so helpless and sad.

My blonde sisters etract everyone. It feels so odd walking down the street and having guys pasted at their windows staring and hooting.

We did have amazing food tonight though. I had a grilled sea bass with black beans, rice, and plantains and two beers...amazing. It feels like only a preview to the tasty carribbean food that awaits us.

My spanish is all coming back. People speak to me and I answer. I feel more comfortable here with the language than when I was in Germany after taking three levels!

Even though it is only 8pm I am tired after a red-eye. I am off to bed in our eco hotel with a garden in the middle of a city. I sit in my hotel with free Internet, smoke a tasty Costa Rican cigar with rum and enjoy the luxury before the village life tomorrow.

then a four hour drive to Cahuita tomorrow!

Chao until next time

here is the plan in case I disappear into the jungles....

Arrive San Jose August 9th- 12noon

Stay at Hotel aranjuez in San Jose for one night

Leave August 10-travel to Cahuita

Stay 3 nights in Alby Lodge August 10-13

Travel to Tortuguero August 13

Stay 4 nights in Casa Marbella August 13-17 (watch turtles hatch and go into the ocean)

Travel to Ciudad Quesada/San Carlos August 17

Stay 2 nights in Termales del Bosque (relax in hotsprings )

Travel to Monteverde/Santa Elena August 19th

Stay 4 nights in Arco Iris August 19-23

Tentative Schedule

August 9^th- Arrive in San Jose, check-in to hotel. Possible activities: Outdoor market, Old town (shops), Museums and shopping in downtown

August 10^th- Drive to Cahuita in the morning arrive afternoon. Explore town

August 11^th- Cahuita National Park/Beach/Swimming

August 12^th- Sloth & wildlife tour (pick-up at hotel 10:30am) tour will start at 11am and last 3 hr

Lunch in town then shopping in town or beach relaxing

August 13^th- travel to Tortuguero, check in, explore town

August 14^th- Wildlife tour with Daryl Loth in the boats

August 15^th- Beach/hiking national park and Turtle tour

August 16^th – Nothing planned

August 17^th- Travel to Termales del Bosque (relax in hot springs) or if more time hike in national park

August 18^th- Horseback riding? Or Orphan Zoo (one mile from hotel) or hike in national park

August 19^th- Travel to Arco Iris/Monteverde and possible town exploration or craft center

August 20^th- Hike in Monteverde National Park

August 21^st- Pick up at hotel at 10:30 to go to La Selvatura for hanging bridges and zipline, afternoon can explore town/craft center/butterfly house. Pick up again at 5:15 pm for night time tour

August 22^nd- Ecological Park/ Coffee Tour/ Butterfly House/ More hiking (Nothing planned or scheduled)

August 23- Drive to San Jose and Fly home

These past five days I've been in Mendocino at a writers conference. My first conference and it was a great experience. I seriously learned so much. I guess after a full year of working with the same students and professors you feel a little stumped about where to go with your work, but after talking to new people that are passionate about writing and offer a whole new perspective, I feel positive and full of new ideas. I couldn't have asked for a better conference- it was low-key and not as intense as I heard conferences can get. I was def. one of the young'ens, but I really learned alot from talented and serious writers.

Here are the things I think I have learned:

- I can write a novel. I don't feel as scared anymore and I have to stop saying I don't know how...because I do know how.

- I can pitch my books as young adult with all my kid narrators

- I can't get published on my own, I need an agent.

- I have more confidence about one day being published. I know it is still hard, but at least it's not like grad school that tells me it will probably never happen to most of us.

- I met the most wonderful agent that is interested in my work and wants me to send it directly to her.