Open Soul, Open Road

Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road. Walt Whitman


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She Taught Me to Appreciate My Birthday

I used to shy away from my birthday. It’s not because I felt anxious about being another year older, I just didn’t see the importance of celebrating my so called ‘special day’. (vom). I’m not really into presents and I don’t want a big ordeal made out of it. I have rarely requested the day off work. And last year, my friend and coworker Tomi was not pleased that I was at work on my birthday. Continue reading →


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Night Attack: Con Cuidado, Mis Amigas

It was Friday in Antigua. I just wanted to go out and dance. I didn’t want to drink, I just wanted to have a fun night of dancing. It was cold and rainy in Antigua, and I wished I had jeans. I debated what to wear. I took off my dress and slipped on my white shorts. I shoved my quetzales as deep into my pocket as it could go. I didn’t want the money to fall out or have somebody try to rob me. I put on my shawl, grabbed the umbrella my friend lent me, and I headed out the front door. It was a little before 8PM. Continue reading →


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Fiery Fruit From Hell

It is a beautiful, sunny day.  My Spanish teacher and I leave class early to walk to the open air market of Antigua.  She’s describing to me some of the fruits and vegetables grown in Guatemala.  She starts to tell me about the cashew apple that grows along with the cashew nut. MIND BLOWN.  I LOVE cashews.  I start walking faster.  I have got to try this fruit.  I walk up to my favorite fruit stand, and there she is.  Five quetzals for three cashew apples.  I happily pay.  I give one to my teacher, and I’m skipping home.  New fruit! Tra-la-la-la-la.  I am so so so happy.  I arrive home, and it’s lunch time.  I decide to save this fruit for a special treat later tonight.  This is totally going to make my Friday night EPIC.   Continue reading →


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Managua to San Salvador in One Day

My friend Jerry and I bought tickets for the Tica Bus from Managaua, Nicaragua through Honduras and into San Salvador, El Salvador.  We decided to stay at a hostel near the bus station since the bus leaves so early.  We arrived a the hostel and found the name was changed and the host was pissing in front of the hostel.  We decided to not stay there and walk a couple blocks to check out the only other hostel we knew of near by.  We arrived to find a large black gate completely shut.  Our hearts sank.  It must be closed.  I was so glad when the host opened the gate for us and welcomed us inside.  Apparently bus stations attract a lot of crime, and this station attracts more than the usual amount.  The heightened security here made it look closed, but I was thankful for it.  This was definitely not a neighborhood that we could explore, but we enjoyed relaxing in Pandora Hostel.  They served beer at a fair price and had an awesome lounge complete with a large flat screen TV and shishas.  We turned in early to prep for the next day.   Continue reading →


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Crossing the Border at Paso Canoas

After crossing into Panama at Sixaola, you can imagine my excitement to try the border crossing at Paso Canoas.  I wasn’t able to find out much information about it in advance.  Mostly what I read about Paso Canoas mentioned that both sides of this border can be a bit dodgy after dark.  I decided to leave early in the morning so I wouldn’t get stuck at the border or San Jose at night.   Continue reading →


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Crossing Over Into Panama

I haven’t done many border crossings by land in my travels, but Panama’s wasn’t my favorite.   I crossed from Sixaola, Costa Rica to Guabito, Panama. I anticipated some potential issues, and I thought I had prepared appropriately.  But, I had a few over sights.  So to anybody who may be traveling to Panama, you may want to learn from a few of my mistakes.   Continue reading →