The first thing I noticed was the smell. Stepping off the plane around 10 p.m. after nearly being turned around due to a lack of visibility as we flew through a lightning storm, I was hit with the humid smell of San Jose. (I can’t describe it really; it’s something you have to smell it [[...]
Posts Tagged ‘safety’
Sometimes Reality Hurts for an Idealist
One of the hardest things about being an idealist is that many times reality hurts. A lot. When I heard about the attack on a caravan of activists in Oaxaca, Mexico a couple of weeks ago, which resulted in the deaths of both a Mexican and a Finnish activist, it hurt. I don’t know either [...][...]
Watch Out For What, Exactly?
Before I left for Ecuador, a friend of mine told me, “Now, Lizzie. Remember what I’ve always told you about Latin American men. The will harass you on the street. They will harass you in the clubs. Don’t go anywhere with one by yourself. Buy your own drinks. And above all, don’t trust any of[...]
A Matter of Trust
Refreshed by a rare rain, Tegucigalpa felt bright and peaceful yesterday morning. The peace was shattered, though, when a coworker walked through the door and announced that she had been robbed at knifepoint. As she retold the story I marveled at her courage, at her luck in getting away unscath[...]
Vacation, All I Ever Wanted
In the last few weeks or so, I’ve gotten a lot of inquiries from people traveling to Brazil. I love giving travel advice! Once I’ve traveled to a city, I’ve been there, done that, and eaten everything. So I’m happy to answer pertinent questions. However, I recently received an e-mail saying,[...]
