Pura Vida

Puerto Viejo has got to be my most favorite place in Costa Rica... I don't know why it is, but I just love the Caribbean Coast.
Everything is really chilled out here, although a little expensive. Me and the boyz are camping at Rocking J's a really cool hostel right o the beach.
We have managed to hook up with Geoff (Sean's friend from San José) again which is really nice, and the four of us have been hangin' out here for the past few days.

Heading to Panama tomorrow, which means another boarder crossing but also the last of my Central American countries, and farewell to the lads.

Guess the next update will be from Panama, somewhere.

Take it easy and Pura Vida from Costa Rica

xx

p.s. Happy Birthday Akshay

Costa Rican Compadres

After a long week of hanging out on the beach, fishing, swimming and eating the most awesome food, not to mention laughing our asses off, me and the boyz have ended up in Montezuma (on the Pacific Coast). We had the most amazing week hanging out with Uncle Charlie. Cycling around MalPias gathering and eating coconuts, making rum punch, staying in a cool cabanas right on the beach, exploring, star gazing and generally acting like big kidz... well you know what they say... 'When in Rome'.

We had a big send off last night at a reggae bar with a great live band, and of course a few beers followed by a farewell as Uncle Charlie left us to head back home. (It was a welcome break from techno I can tell you).
We like it here in Montezuma so we have decided to hang here for another night before we hit the Caribbean Coast.

Internet here sucks so I appologise for the recent lack of photos... They are on the way I promise!

From Costa Rica

x

Not so great Nica

Ok so it wasn´t that bad but after spending the past week in paradise, we all had to admit that Nicaragua was slightly disappointing.
After a hop skip and a jump across the boarder, involving a squirrel, the most interesting but not so romantic St Valentines day (thanx Sean... and Jesse, you´re the best) and yet another chicken bus, the boyz and I arrived at the Bearded Monkey... That would be our hostel in Granada.
We spent a couple of days in Granada taking in the sights, climbing the bell tower (where I hit my head on a bell!!!), running into Trevor (The Ozzy from Copan)and having a play in the park before hitting the road again.
Granada reminded us a lot of Antigua, except on a much smaller scale and not so much fun... There was only one bar for pete sake and I´m figuring I probably won´t be able to show my face there again considering I spat my drink out all over some lady... (by accident... well Jesse was making me laugh).

Ok so we shot across the boarder pretty quick ´cos we had to be in San José (Costa Rica) in time to pick up Uncle Charlie (Jesse´s uncle from The States.
We spent a crazy night in San José dancing our asses off with Geoff (Sean´s mate from school whom lives in the city) and a lot of drunk but friendly locals. It was great, it´s been ages since we hung out with locals and it was a great night.

We left the next day to rendezvous with Uncle Charlie and headed straight for the Pacific Coast. We´re basically chillin´ out which is cool ´cos I need to straighten out my back... I use the phrase ´chillin out´ in the loosest possible term. Aside from hittin the beach, we have been to a Rodeo Carnival (where we danced some more) and explored the National Park in Mal Pais on our newly rented bikes... (we saw some Howlers).

Anyway the plan for the next week is just to chill here with Uncle Charlie and then maybe head into Panama together.

I guess I´ll update you when needed, but rest assured that the guys are watching out for me and I´m in good hands.

Adios for now

xx

The Three Amigos

Call them what you will...
Laurel n Hardy, Tweedle Dumb n Tweedle Dee, Jekylle n Hyde or simply ´Yanks´... Jesse n Sean are awesome!!!
There is no other way of putting it. They are shining examples of what humans and Americans :o) should be like. For this reason I have decided to dedicate an entire blogg entry to them, and because I need to patent ´The Shoulder Groove´.
Now you may ask yourself... "What exactaly is the shoulder groove"? Well I wish I could explain with words, but unfortunaly I do not have the words to be able to explain, so you will just have to trust me when I say that its mesmorising and if you are ever trying to pick up... its a sure thing. I was skeptical at first, but I have witnessed Sean, ´The Shoulder Groove´ Master at work, and it truly is a wondrous sight to see. The guy is a genius. I have some video footage and as soon as I can work out how to upload to flickr, you can take a look for yourself!
On a more serious note... I have to personally say a MASSIVE THANX to both the guys for EVERYTHING that they have done for me. In my moment of need they were there to take me to the hospital, changed their plans so that they could hang around for me while I was fixed up and have been carrying my bags around for the past 3 days (and most importantly have been making me laugh when all I have wanted to do is cry...) just so that I wouldn't give up on my trip and so I can carry on!!!
I´m going to be spending the next couple of weeks with ´The boyz´ as they have kindly invited me to join them in their travels. I´m sure we will continue out wrath of mischief throughout the rest of Central America, I just hope that they are ready for us!

from Nicaragua

A recovering Sity

xx

Oh forgot to tell you... we are in Nicaragua now and my hotmail is back online... yippee!!!

Hondurez Highlands

Its been go, go, go since Salvador...

Sucesfully managed to make it into my next country... but couldnt get as far as I needed to, resulting in a not so pleasent pit stop in La Entrada... Not recomended. The chicken bus journey the next morning was eventful, cramped, but breath taking. Hondurez has got to be the most beautiful country in Central America yet.
Its tropical and humid, but the scenary more than makes up for that.

Visited Copan Ruines, a beautiful town and the jump off point for some more Mayan Ruins.
Got a new team tohether and the 4 of us set off for the Bay Islands where we planned to dive and I was hoping to catch up with Sean and Jessy.

Took 10 long hours to get to Utila, but at least it gave me a chance to bond with my new buddies... May and Daniel, we settled in for the long haul, finding the island to be extreally chilled and welcoming... once again being too too easy to get stuck on!
Much to my amazment Jessy and Sean were camping out under our dorm room!!! so the 3 amigos were reunited.

The last 4 days have been debortorous and me and the gang have been working had on leaving our stamp on the island... Im sure we wont be forgotten in a hurry.

Sean, Jessy and I are heading to Nicuragua now... We have had to make a bit of a detour to the hospital as yours truly has damaged her back again... waiting on results... will let you know what happens. (May have to cut my trip short... yeah I know it must be pretty bad).

Anyway the reason I havent written for a while is because, well, basically there was no useable internet on the island... Im back online, but I still cant access my hotmail... hopefully they will sort it soon.

OK Kiddies... take it easy

xx

Gastronomic Guatemala

The last 3 days have been awesome.

I managed to get myself stuck at Lake Attilan after running into a friend (Claudio) from Antigua. Claudio has a beautiful house in San Marcos on the lake and kindly invited me to stay with him. I also met Dave and Lil there who I had a great time hanging out with... The lake is stunning.

Arrived back in Antigua just in time for my hike up Volcano Pacuya, much to my (pleasant) surprise I found Jessy & Sean were on the same hike (2 hilarios yanks from my hostel). I haven´t laughed so much in ages... all the way to and up the volcano to the stumble in the dark down and the fun packed journey back to Antigua where we had to stop to carry out some road side assistenace.

Also managed to catch a show with the ´real´ Bueno Vista Social CLub... bloody fantastic.

All in all I have some fantastic memories from Antigua, and the fun continues...

I met Hok... My first ever Lithuanian encounter! We hung out in Antigua for a couple of days and have now decided to travel together for a while.

After leaving GUatemala we arrived in sunny El Salvador passing through Santa Ana and into San Salvador. We are not quite sure what exactaly we are doing here, but we are having some laughs and probably gonna hit the beach.

Hok is an interesting character, a famous, fantasic, musician, journalist and relife worker... the list is endless and if I could find the right words to describe him, I would. Maybe you should check out his myspace and see for yourself...

www.myspace.com/hokshila

Anyway for some reason I cannot access my email account? Does anyone know what is up with hotmail? Or is it just me? (relplys posted on my site would be appreciated or to sitypatel@gmail.com)

ok amigos... adios from El Salvador

xx

Awesome Antigua

I think I’m going to be stuck here for a bit.

Its absolutely beautiful, besides which I have enrolled in Spanish class ‘cos, I fell like a social reject and I wouldn’t mind getting to know this place and the people a bit better.

There’s loads to do around the city too... Have been to Coban and am heading to Lake Attilan tomorrow which is supposed to have stunning view of 3 awesome volcanoes and then I’m off to climb Guatemala’s very own active volcano on Friday, so fingers crossed. Have to have an armed guard with us for security?!

Have met some cool people here and the hostel is really chilled out... one of the nicest places I have stayed yet... Feels like home already, which ironically is making me feel a little home sick. Oh well, I guess I will get over that as soon as I am faced with molten lava... :o/

From Sunny Antigua... (one of my favorite places top date)

a Very chilled out Sity ;o)

xx

Gangsta Guatemala

I can tell you that crossing the boarder from Belize Cayo to Guatemala was a ´special´ experience indeed.
I fought corruption and refused to pay the ´entrance fee´ into Guatemala. I can tell you that the boarder guards were not impresses with my behavior, but the rest of the tourists were, after a lousy threat and the safe return of my passport, I was sent on my way 10 quetzales better off.

I did however have my camera stolen later on in the day, but hay ho, what´s a girl to do.

Never the less, I really like Guatemala. It´s beautiful, the people that I have met are kind and they seem to have a good sense of humor. I´m staying in Flores which is beautiful and I visited the Tikal ruins today which were breath taking.

Heading to Antigua tomorrow to take some Spanish lessons and check out some volcanoes... not quite sure how that is gonna work out, but I guess I´ll let you know when I do.

Catch ya lata crazy kidz...

p.s. Have to say a big thanx to Bob for lending m,e his camera today... cheers mate

p.p.s. I was right about the Lamanai Ruins in Belize, there were a lot of Mozzies, but worst still bees. I got stung for the first time EVER!!!

Caribbean Caye Caulker

After the strangest bus journey yet, I arrived in Belize City.
Coincidence of coincidences, Tim the Ozzy lad I met in Playa Del Carmen, just so happened to get on the same bus as me, accompanied by 2 additional Ozzys, Paul and Steve, so the four of us decided to combine forces and travel together for a while.

We ended up in Caye Caulker, a small island off the east coast of Belize. More than anything I loved the people and the life style there. Everyone was super friendly and chilled out, and it was easy to get caught up in the 'sitting around doing nothing rut'. Aside from doing just that me and the boys did manage to organise a party at out shack and after a hard days fishing the guys came back with the grub and set up a mean BBQ... all in all a success... If I remember correctly?!

I did also however manage to get some more diving under my belt... Dive the Cenote at the world famous Blue Hole where I had my deepest dive yet... 40 meters... I have to admit that I felt a little narced not necessarily a bad thing. Anyway it was some of the best diving I have done to date!

One thing that strikes me most about Belize is their modes of transportation here... from strobe lit buses in the dark, to crazy ass boats not to mention the cars, aka Gold Buggies... anything seems to go.

Ok so at the moment I'm in Orange Walk, heading to The Lamanai Ruins tomorrow via the jungle river, should be mosquito infested, just the way I like... mmmmm?! :o/

Anyway watch this space..

will upload photos next chance I get

From Belize

XX

Cosmic Cozumel Diving

Ok so have spent the last couple of days diving, hanging out on the beach, drinking margaritas, and making punch... life couldn't´t get much better except for the fact that I am also nursing some hideous mosquito bites...

Yes once again I forgot how much I suffered them, and the fact that they come hand in hand with the beach existence that I worship sooo much.

Anyway this is just a quick note to say that the diving has been amazing... world class, and that I´ve met some great people that have been watching out for me... a few that are going my way eventually, so who knows...?

and that...

I´m heading to Belize tomorrow (via Chetumal). I have heard some mixed stories about how dangerous it is, so I´ll keep my fingers crossed that it all works out..

Watch this space..

From Mexico...

Adios

xx

Peaceful Puerto

Ok so I have a little more time now, but a doggy Spanish keyboard, so excuse the lack of puntuation.

So....

Mexico was cool.. soaked up the Spanish and Myan culture and tried to become syncronised with the pace of life although citys and towns varey greatly. Getting on the Metro has got to be one of the scariest and funniest tings I had ever done... I pretty much had to launch myself into the crowd of poeple bulging out of the train doors. I swear the locals looked at me and thought that there was no way that I was going to try and squeeze on like them, and that I would just stand back and watch as train after train passed me by without any space to breath... sod that... I was gettin on. Im sure that some people were impressed so much so that I had an old dude grab my arse, several times... can you belive it... I wont go into gory details, but I can tell you that I am emotionally scared by the experience.
And Michael wasnt much help... he just lauged... Thanx Mike
I have to admit though that it was kindda nice to have someone that spoke Spanish around for my first few days in Mexico, I was a bit shell shocked and it really helped, so thatx anyway Micheal.
Took in some Aztec ruiens before heading to Oaxaca were spent the day strolling around the beautiful city and some awesome art museums before hitting the beach at Puerto Escondido... it was absolutly beautiful and exactally what I needed after being in the cold of Chicago... They are having ice storms at them momeent, sounds like I left at just the right time... its 28 degrees in Mexico now... perfect weather for the beach.
Im in San Cristobal a laid back arty town in Central Northern Mexico... Heading up towards Cancun and Playa del Carmen next... itching to dive again and I hear that it is up there on the MUST dive list, so guess the next time you hear from me will be from the East Coast, where I am also hoping to enroll in a Spanish class. Watch this space...

Till then

xx

p.s. Bye Michael.. had a fantastic time hangin out with you, thanx for everything, and nothin... missin you already

xx

Manic Mexico

So I don´t really have that long, but just wanted to let you guiys know that I am safe and sound...

In Mexico at the moment. Escaped the hectic city 2 days ago to hit the beach. Don´t get me wrong the city is beautiful and packed with history and culture, but mostly with people. Two days was enough!

Will update you more on my going´s on when I have more time...

Adios Amigos

xx

p.s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKEY

Eeeating is Cheeeating

I've had loads of fun hangin' out with J....

We've been partying hard as usual and reminiscing about the good old days.
Went to 'Toast Masters', which I have to admit was a seriously 'interesting' experience... Met the most awesome people there though... (Michael and Angelica). Adam also got hold of some (foreign) 'Jaffa Cakes' which I was missing so that was pretty cool :o)

Had dinner with J's folks and caught a Bull's game as well as wondering aimlessly around the City and taking in the sights...

Chicago has got to be my favorite city by night... it's soooo beautiful when it's all lit up.

I'm gonna miss it... The people, the place, the food.
Guess I'll have to come back, especially now that I have made some new friends too.

Anyway I'm off to Mexico tomorrow :o/

Guess I'll catch up with you guys from there.

Have to give J a shout out for being his usual FANTASTIC self... Thanx once again for everything.

xx

Three feet from the wall

First and foremost...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope everyone had a good one.

I'm in Chicago with my old buddy Jason (Thailand). We've just been chillin' in Chicago, cooking some great Thai food... going to comedy shows and hangin' out with some of J's friends that are in a band... went to watch then play and I have to admit (although I wouldn't like to tell them directly... sorry Bill & Adam) they were GREAT!!!

Went to a house party in Madison for New Years with lots of Jason's crazy (but cool) friends... They made me feel very welcome so I have to say a big THANX!!! Especially to Megan.

Not sure what the plan is for the rest of the week... John Hancock building, Sears Tower, Bulls Game, but generally chilling out before I hit Central America!!!

Will keep you posted

From the 'Windy City'

xx

Terbulant Toronto

Been cruising around Toronto for the past 2 days with 2 buddies from Montreal (Nat & Pen). Hired a car... was awesome to drive again, one thing that I miss a lot!
Drove to Niagara on Xmas eve, was bitterly cold, but worth it, have always wanted to go to the falls and I was soooo excited to be there, it was everything I imagined it would be.... wet!? ;o)

Christmas day was a lazy one, everyone was nursing a festive size hangover but spirits were high and having Xmas dinner with over 30 people was emotional. Felt rather home sick, and boo-hoo'd a bit, but was surrounded by great people that looked after me.

Chilling out in Toronto, doing the touristy thing... you know how it it... Clubbing, CN Tower, Art Galleries... Shoe Museum...???!!! lol, killing time before I head back to the States and Chicago where I'm gonna be hangin' out with my old pal Jason (Thailand), gonna spend New Years there... Can't wait!!!

Guess that's where you will hear from me next.

Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays

xx

p.s. - Shout out to the Global Village Gang... Thanx for making it a great Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Just wanted to wish everyone a fantastic Christmas... Drink lots and make merry.

Thinkin' of you and missin' you all like crazy

x

Magical Montreal

Wow...

Montreal is beautiful!!! Everything about it is beautiful... The streets, the buildings, the cafes, the bars and the people.
Spent my first couple of days here doing the touristy thing and really getting to know my way around the city. It's easy to navigate around this place and there are sooo many hidden gems that there is a massive chance that you may miss something great if you're not on foot.
Managed to catch up with an old friend, Micheal from Basingstoke, if you can believe that!
Was nice to see him after almost 5 years!!! He's changed lots and I hardly recognised him. He's modeling here in Montreal so is quite well known... he's been taking me to some swanky bars and restaurants and we seemed to get hooked up everywhere we go... handy!
I'm meeting up with Jean-Phillipe (from Vegas) and his girlfriend tonight... they want to take me to a lesbian bar.. should be interesting... :o/
I think I am going to head to Toronto tomorrow, I'm worried about being on my own for Xmas...
The place that I am staying at the moment is great, but I really don't have that much time left in Canada and need to keep moving. If I get to Toronto asap I can try and make some new friends to hang out with over the festive period ;o)
It's snowing here, so I am still keeping my fingers crossed for a white Christmas!!!

Ok kidz, guess I'll catch up with from Toronto

xx

Down 'n Dirty Dallas

Actually Dallas itself is pretty, well... pretty, as far as city's go.

The people however are another story... ;o)

I spent the weekend hanging out with Michael and it was fantastic... It was nice to have a couple of days of normality... using the word 'normality' very loosely, taking consideration of the fact that I compare it to the past 3 weeks!!!

Anyway we ate some great food (true "Tex-Mex", or so I am told!), partied & talked politics with the locals and hung out on 'The Grassy nole'... lol, oh and I got attacked by the smallest dog you have ever seen... well actually it didn't even attack me, it just kindda barked at me, and I freaked out much to the amusement of everyone else, namely Mike!

I was sad to say goodbye to Dallas & Mike. I have to admit that Dallas came as a pleasent diversion to my trip. I feel as though I just didn't get enough time there, so hopefully I'll be able to swing back by there again soon.

Thankx for making me stop over Micheal...

p.s. - I was going to discuss ways in which you could improve & tell everyone how terribly you misstreated me, but I haven't got all night ;o)

Hope you and Catharine have an awesome time in Mexico, have a fantastic Christmas and New Years

xx

Beautiful Banff

I said a teary farewell to Chris and Jason and the rest of the Samsun gang, leaving Vancouver well and truly behind me. It rained a lot the last couple of days so to be honest I was glad to be going... Plus I got my foot caught in a bus door while I was there, which has left me emotionally wounded, I don't know if I will ever be able to return there again?!

I headed out to Banff for brighter sky's and fresh powder... I mean snow... idiot!

Don't worry though, I wasn't heading out alone. Met Chrissie (True Essex Chic) and Mark (Ozzy boy... surprise, surprise) and the three of us set out together! We arrived safe and sound after a hairy drive trough the Rockies!!!

Banff was pristine and maybe even a little pretentious, but what do you expect, it was founded as a resort. Got trollied the first night which didn't really do us any favors. Chrissie and I had planned to spend the Morning sightseeing at Lake Louise (more like snowfield at this time of year) and then the afternoon on the slopes. I'm pleased to admit however that against all odds, WE STILL MADE IT! Subsequently I am covered in even more bruises than I had stated in my previous blogg... If that is at all possible!?

Anyway I'm in Calgary now heading East across Canada... Have to take a little detour tomorrow to Dallas... Texas... Gonna go and hang out with Mike (Green Tortoise Hostel, San Fran) Can't wait! Then off to Montreal... I think.

I really have no clue what is going on with my flights... every time I call up to confirm, I find out they have changed?! Whoever’s messin' around with them you best stop!!! Otherwise who knows where I will end up.

Ok Guess I'll catch you crazy kidz in Texas!

p.s - You will be pleased to know that I have managed to find a USB connection... In the library... yeah that’s right... I'm in the library.... cheeky!
BUT... It won't let me download the tool that I need to upload my pics...

Guess I'll have to try and give it a go in Texas!

Yee-haa for now

xx

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Hey guy's just wanted to let everyone know that Emma has had a little baby girl... Don't know the name yet, but will let you know as soon as I do.

It's also Emma's Birthaday today so wanted to say a Huge

**HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!**

**CONGRATULATIONS**

to the new Mum and Birthday Girl Emma and Dad Craig ...
Uncle Bob and Grandparents Russ & Shan... sorry couldn't help myself ;o)

but most importantly to me... for being a New Auntie.... yipee!

Also have to wish my Mum a Happy Birthday too... Hope you had a good 'en Mummy ;o)

Take care all... Wish I could be there... Missing you like crazy

xx