You know you're back in Summerland when...you stop at the 4way (en route to the Yates') and see 5 of your friends, all of whom are pretty stoked to see you.

so, how was your year?

May 10th.

Grand Finale

Not much going on. Since Little Corn I´ve been to 4 countries. Sorry I haven´t updated you all. From Nicaragua I headed to El Salvador where I tried surfing. For a day. It was really hard, one of those things you need to spend a month learning and I didn´t have the patience/time for it...next trip?! I chicken bused my way to Hondurus, through dry hot pine forests, it even smelled like home! I arrived in San Pedro Sula at 10pm, not a nice city to arrive in after dark, but found a hotel safely and got out real early to avoid the scary transients who were seeking shelter there. I went to Utila (a Bay Island) for some more diving. I met a couple girls from previous encounters and we spent about a week hanging out. I completed my Advanced Diver and decided to not go to Belize or the Yucatan because I´d run out of money too fast. So I went to Omoa (never ever ever stay at Roli´s Place. The Lonely Planet raves about him but damn he is the grumpiest man I´ve ever met...and angry too.) So I bolted for Guatemala and took a couple boat trips thru the Rio Dulce. It was Semana Santa so every single person was on holiday. And 90% were at the beach, so I headed up to Flores, the town near Tikal. During my 4 days in Flores I went to Tikal, Ya´xah and a couple other little ruins. At Tikal we hiked up every single temple (that you were allowed to actually ascend). It was stinking hot! From Flores I went to Coban to experience Semuc Champay. Semuc is a series of natural fresh water pools that glisten in the sunlight and are turquise coloured. When you sit in them the little fishies nibble on your toes. Then, I went to Antigua, to climb the volcano. Pocaya was probably one of the craziest things I´ve seen on my trip. It was a very very active volcano, we were walking on the hot lava (indeed they were melting shoes and even skin if you weren´t too careful) and razor sharp rocks. That was fun. Antigua to Lake Atitlan and the little town of San Pedro. I spent a few nights there and met a really fun couple, Jacobi and James. She´s from Sask. (somebody got out!! ) and James is from Oz. When I was getting packed up to head to Mexico, they decided to come with me. That was a week ago, we´re still chilling together (on the beach at Zipolite). We spent a horrible night at the border between Guat and Mex (to save money cause we´d not be going far and Mexico is more pricey) and then 2 at a beach (with 6am hammering wakeup calls). We then went to Boca del Cielo (mouth of heaven) and had a mozzie ridden night then a fun sleep in hammocks on the beach. So, now we´re in Zipolite and I´ll spend 2 more nights here. On Thursday night I plan to take an overnighter to Mexico City and spend a couple days exploring the giant city. I fly to Toronto on Monday morning. Can´t wait to see you all when I come home!!!!

Little Corn

Creole ...Coconuts... Crabs ...Cocaine -Welcome to Little Corn

What a wicked trip. Flying over Nicaragua you watch the flat, dry landscape transform into lush tropical forest and then fall into the Caribbean Sea. A short 15 minute plane ride off the coast (or a few fun hours on a boat) and Big Corn appears. Not many tourists stay on Big Corn, the reason...Little Corn is just so much better, and only half an hour away.
Upon arrival at Little Corn the passenger boat is greeted by the most enthusatic tour guide I´ve ever met. His name is Denis. More about Denis to follow.
I met up with a couple from Holland/Isreal and we decided to stay at the same ´resort´. My hut on the beach was $5/ night and relatively comfy, mozzie net included. I was also frequently visited by the millions of crabs that burrow in the sands outside.
On the second day there I went for a walk on the beach and was followed by a local guy who was very persistent. He claims to be ´studying singing´and so I was sung too, he was actully pretty good. After more interogation I found out that he, like all other habitants of Little Corn, is in the drug ´shuffling´business. And had enough money tucked away to take a trip for a year, or spend it on a dreadlocked Canadian girl...you get the point. So, I told him it was my bday the next day and he planned to get me something nice. Right.
On my birthday I started the openwater diver course, along with Annelies (my Danish friend). We went out in the afternoon on our first ever dive and got to see sharks. That´s right folks, I spent my 19th bday scubadiving with sharks! It was amazing.
The next day Raphel and Fred showed up on the island. They plan to stay there for a month, crazy Quebecois!
My least favourite day of the week was likely Friday when I was accompanied by both Denis and Daril (the singing drug dealer.) I was innocently reading my book when Denis showed up and 5 minutes later innocently talking to him when Daril showed up. Long story short then were not only fighting over me but the flames of jealousy were hot. I briefly excused myself, ran over to visit Raf and Fred for advice, returned to say goodnight and went to bed.
The next morning we went diving. Between dives we docked and low and behold who was at the beach by my hut? Both boys of course. I ignored them.
The rest of the week passed relatively lazily and problem free. The lifestyle on Little Corn is truly unique so when the Century 21 team showed up on Sunday you can imagine what a lot of the islanders were thinking. I hope they leave it alone.
I flew out on Monday, spent the night in Managua and am now in El Salvador. I am supposed to be surfing ..or attempting, but somehow I keep getting distracted. I will this afternoon.


One more thing about the Corn Islands, over half the population there has the last name Carlson, or is a decendent from. Otto Carlson, the Swedish sailor, jumped ship and decided to stay there. Sounds mighty familiar to Olli Carlson the Swedish sailor who jumped in Canada...so, I met a ton of long lost cousins, it was nice.

Corny Birthday

I´m off to the Corn Islands tomorrow afternoon. For those of you who don´t know where that is, it´s in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Nicaragua.
I will take lots of pictures so that when I return to Canada you can all see how spoiled I really am!

besos!

from the land of Ticas to the world of Nicas

I left Costa Rica on ....4 nights ago and got to Popoyo, a small surfing village in Nicaragua. I met some really cool guys we chilled there and partied with the locals as well as the other (including many a drunken Canadian) travelers. We bunked at Tica 2, a cozy place with a bar and resturant, where I ate some of the best resturant food thus far. The owners and employees were all so excitable and loved letting you run up a tab. Wednesday night (wednesday because Josh from Barrie told him that in Canada we party on Wednesdays) Alfonso (the owner) set up his system, and we`re talking system, it was huge and the noise was almost unbearable, so we danced and danced and danced. I was so lucky as to be accompanied by a 8yr old local boy as well as Eddi, the 15 yr old who spends his summer surfing and waiting on partying gringos. Good times at Tica 2.
A couple french canadian pickers were there too, and get this, one has worked at MY HOUSE. There we are in the middle of nowhere, Nicaragua, and there´s a guy who has not only been to Summerland but has sorted cherries (for Danniger eh Claire) and remembers it. He and his buddy live in Oliver, they might just show up this season.
So, after chilling in Popoya for 4 nights I (along with two guys from the Island and Josh) managed to snag a ride into town with an American guy who works for Century 21 out in the boonies (meaning that its all gonna be bought and sold to rich gringos in the next few years..) So he dropped us off near the terminal, which was full of ancient Canadian and American school buses, now used as the main means of transport in Nicaragua, where I was whisked onto a bus. A few people said..yeah this is the one for Granada..and a few said, no silly Canadian girl don´t come on this one it`s going to Managua. Luckily for me there was a very nice lady who was headed to Granada and was on the bus so I sat with her. After about an hour we hopped off at the junction and ran down the road to catch the bus to Granada, it was so kindly waiting for us. So, about half an hour ago I arrived in Granada, we got off school bus numero dos and hailed a taxi. So, my new Nica friend, Vilma, basically held my hand from Rivas to the front door of the hostel. I definatly didn`t expect it but was so greatful to have the help and experience sincere kindness. Now I´m hungry and must go explore.

Peace

Quebradas and Fudebiol

I went to Fudiebol yesterday and saw the work that we did 3 years ago. It was really neat to see the field all grassy as well as our ´bleachers´. There was alot more work done since we were there but I must say, the first 2 terraces of the hillside were definatly the best ones!

I have spent 2 nights with my Costa Rican family and will spend one more before heading back to San Jose in the morning. Then...I´m going to Nicaragua and hopefully will be able to take a couple surf lessons!

xoxox

living the tico life

Hola hola!
Yesterday I wandered up to the fanciest american owned hotel in Manual Antonio, Costa Rica, and sauntered through the front gate, hopped in the pool (for about an hour) and enjoyed the nicest view in the country (so far as I've seen). When I got out I was confronted by one of the pool boys/bartenders as to if I was alone and what room I was staying in. At first I thought he was gonna kick me out but then he told me that he had today off and ....I got outta there pretty fast.
I have lots of other things to write too but will miss my bus if I do it now. I am having a wonderful time in C.R. (it's a bit too touristy for me though, I plan to head off soon).

Off to Dominical and then to San Isidro/Los Quebradas tomorrow.

lots of love.

Lazy days in Uruguay

My first evening in Uruguay brought me to Colonia. This small port city was founded by the Portugese and tells most of Uruguays history\ has the most culture. The sun sets across the Rio del Plata, sorta like it's falling into Buenos Aires.
From Colonia, I hopped into a car with a Brazillian man named Gil and my aussie friend Jesse. We cruised to Montevido where the preparation for Carnival was (and still is) taking place. This dancing man was my favourite out of about 50 participants. There was drumming and congotype lines. Sorry, I haven't researched Carnival of Uruguay, so I don't know the proper terms.
These are my new Brazillian friends, Eduardo and Fernando. Also my aussie pal Jesse. I met them all in Colonia and ended up travelling for about a week with Jesse. The other boys headed back to Brazil.
Me, in Montevideo There was no sandy beach (at least we didn't find one) but it was hot and sunny none the less. Montevideo is likely the most calm and laidback capital city in the world. Cars stop for you to cross the street and on Sundays there are none (cars that is).
Between Montevideo and Cabo Polonio I went to La Paloma, and took 0 photos. Now, Cabo Polonio is a very very special place. To get there tourists pay to ride the army like trucks over the sand, and arrive at the most beauitful sandy beaches in Uruguay. The little village has no electricity and running water is very rare. It's all pumped by hand and stored. Jesse and I arrived at about 3:30 pm in the scorching heat. The sand was painfully hot and shade was hard to find (plus neither of us wanted to slurge on an umbrella rental) so we took shelter in the shade of a fishermans boat. Once it has cooled down a bit we hiked to the local hostel (I did it twice, the first time was just to make sure there was room). Walking through the sand dunes was very much like snow drifts. And the cabin\hostell reminded me of the ski hill, except there were piles of sand instead of snow and it was stinking hot.
While Jesse prepared pasta, I took pictures of the sunsetting over the dunes. Then 5 minutes later I turned to the other side of the cabin and shot the moon coming up.

It was truly spectacular! The hammocks were really comfy too. Also, I have never in my life been surrounded by so many house flies. They were everywhere. The frogs jumping around in the living room couldn't seem to keep the population in check. You'll have to flip this one around on your own. It's another shot out of the window at the cabin just as the sun went down and the moon came up. I left the paradise that was Cabo Polonio for the next best thing, Punto del Diablo. My arrival at the Devil's Point was delayed one day due to poor finacing and lack of banks ... with the equivalent of 5 dollars I had to go to Chuy and get more money. Chuy is the border town between Uruguay and Brazil, home to a million cambios and duty free shops. Not that nice but at least I didn't end up with no money (plus my survival food had dwindled down to a bag of dried lentals...my mom has taught me better but I guess I just kinda...ran out?). So, I spent the night in Chuy and then returned to Diablo in the morning. When I arrived at the terminal I met a German couple who invited me to share their bungalow for 2 nights, saving me many a mile to the hostel. And back to the beach afterwards. On Saturday night there was a small parade of people and drums (not uncommon for this part of the world) which I joined in and danced down the street with the hippies of Diablo. It might have just been the highlight of my Uruguay trip.

The morning I was set to leave (yesterday) it was ugggglly. Rain and wind mixed with fog made me glad to be off. It wasn't cold but I could just imagine how horrible a winter in Diablo would be. I took an early bus to Montevideo and hung around for a few hours waiting for the connection to Buenos Aires. I didn't get bored. Montevideo bus terminal is host to a complete shopping mall. You really could live there if you had no home. There was a food court, music stores, internet, clothing stores, heladerias (icecream stores) and supermarket. Plus, the option of storing your luggage while waiting for the bus. It also had a candy store, and being me, I ventured in and saw.....Canadian loonies!?!?You can't even find these in Canada! What are they doing in Uruguay?!

To sum it up... (in the words of the great Raul..and I'm sorry this picture is a tad bit disturbing but he's a wacky drunk Canadian man with an illegal hut in Cabo Polonio so he deserves to be posted..no?)

And now I'm back in the busy city doing the touristy things and hopefully will go enjoy some of the night life in Bs. As. ! Also.... feel free to email me if you don't want to leave a comment! (e_r_i_n_99@hotmail.com)

Please hold...

Uruguay blog coming, I PROMISE! I have to find a really good computer first, hopefully it`ll be today or tomorrow.

PAZ

Next Move

I`m in Buenos Aires and I`m going to Uruguay tomorrow morning.

Playas y Penguinos

Here I am in Puerto Madryn, the fishing and whale watching hub in Atlantic Patagonia. The other day I did the tour to the Penninsula and animal reserve. The Argentinian government figured out how to take tourist dollars, its 35 pesos to enter, if you`re from Argentina it`s 10 pesos and if you`re in the province, only a measly 1 peso. Hundreds of people pass through those gates every day, meaning they have really really nice bathrooms (you can even flush the paper!)

It`s mating season for the Sea Lions. The noise on the beach was audible a long ways away. Tiny pups were everywhere and the occasional mating pair too. They are also very aggressive, fierce and territorial. More than one poor old guy lay dying on the sand :( but that`s nature I guess.






Futher along the beach there were Elefants del Mar (sea elephants). They were not nearly as noisy as the Lions but very very laidback, lazy and fat. This guy was giving a round of applause.




The hush hush nurse remided all the tourists to be quiet. It`s an intersteting comparison as well as translation.







My favourite part of the day was seeing the penguins. I didn`t venture to the giant penguin colony but the ones I saw were enough to suffice my Patagonian Penguin needs.






I am off to Buenos Aires tonight on an overnight bus, a good 19 hrs. Then I`m going to Uruguay! For a visa renewal and maybe some nice beach time.

Nos vemos!

I wrote this so fast I couldn`t be bothered to think of a title. Enjoy

It occurs to me that I`ve done a poor job of keeping you all informed. Internet time is hard to come by because I`m living outside of town and hate burdening people to drive me around, therefore this is being written in a notebook and will be typed at lightening fast speed when I find a functioning computer (which would be now).
I spent Christmas with the Tomassinis` in Epuyen, Argentina. I recived soces, a clock and a teddy. I spent New Years with another family. After Xmas I went to Bariloche for a few days, craving the touristy lifestyle and funky hostels, it was pricey! Explaining where I was travelling to/from to other travelers proved to be difficult so i resorted to....no, that`s too long to type as well and doesn`t really matter.
When I returned to Epuyen I went out for New Years. Here the end of the year is celebrated soley with family. They all gather at the family chacra (farm) and eat heartily then pop the champange ... noone can decide who`s cellphone clock is right so you end up with about five different midnights! The champagne is accompanied by pan dulce, which is a somewhat icky verson of already icky fruitcake, and other sweets. Fireworks go off and people dance. At this point I was tuckered out so before 1 am rolled around I was fast asleep. In the morning everyone sleeps in because, well when youpre out at the chacra there really isn`t much to do so sleeping till 10 is acceptable. Outside the men were preparing an asado for lunch. For those who don`t know, the asado is a traditional Patagoinian event that happens every Sunday, as well as all holidays. Basically it`s a huge meat roast, including an entire lamb done over the campfire. I`ve been to about 6 now.
Currently I am in Trevlin. It is a small town, settled by the Welsh. The other day I spent my day fishing on Rio Grande. It is likey one of the most beautiful places in the world and the sun shone all day. There were millions of fish all biting, but we let everything free.
I am living at a family cherry orchard and working about 3 hours a day becasue it`s small and the work is slow, this means I spend alot of time reading books and studying my spanish.
Yesterday we went to a friend`s swimming pool to cool off because, well it`s stinking hot here. Middle of summer, shorts, teeshirts, and sun tans. Sorry to rub it in!

I hope that fufills some inquiries and everyone is doing well at home. Enjoy the 2007, hopefully it`s as full of adventure as 2006 was!