Cleared for Departure

Author: L.K.D.

  • Economic Moves & Changes

    Gabriel mentioned several times that the economy in Costa Rica is changing.  My research tells a similar story.  Twenty years ago, coffee exporting was big, big business.  Today, the numbers are abysmal.   In the not too distant past, agriculture was a major sector of the economy.  Its importance has steadily declined since the 1950s.…

  • Coffee Time

    We started the day touring a coffee plantation.  Gabriel, the farmer, had so many interesting things to say I wanted to grab a camera and interview the man properly.

  • Welcome to Costa Rica

    Welcome to Costa Rica

    Good morning from Costa Rica.  The entire encampment is at the 8 AM yoga class.  Rebel that I am, I thought I’d write to you all.  

  • Our Ten Year Anniversary Trip to Costa Rica

    So as year ten of our length-to-be-determined marriage came up, we thought it’d be fun to go back to Costa Rica.

  • Goodbye, Taormina. Hello, 2019!

    Should you ever find yourself wanting a massive New Years Eve party, might I suggest Taormina? These people take welcoming the new year seriously.

  • Siracusa

    Siracusa

    We ventured into the car once more to drive to Siracusa.  With a better handle on the speed limits and road rules, or lack thereof, I am getting better at driving here.

  • A Castle in the Sky

    You can walk from Taormina to Castelmola.  They are only half a mile apart.  However, the walk will last about ninety minutes; it’s a 1000’ vertical climb.  We decided to cab it for 15 Euro.   Roads here are very circuitous, a gauntlet for those prone to car sickness.  Around and around we drove until…

  • Mt. Etna

    Mt. Etna

    Mt Etna dominates life here.  The locals refer to the volcano as a she.  I find it odd assigning a gender to a volcano.  Furthermore, a volcano in my opinion has more masculine characteristics.  Most women in my life don’t spew fiery gases and viciously erupt, killing scores of people.  That said, I don’t know…

  • The Valley of the Temples

    After surviving the Sicilian roads, we arrived at The Valley of the Temples, located beneath Agrigento.  

  • Driving Is Dangerous

    Driving Is Dangerous

    I rarely drive, since I live in Manhattan.  So when I do get into a car, the absurd danger of this activity shifts fully into focus for a few minutes.  Like, seriously, how do we let humans do this?