Top Things to Do in Paris

• Visit Mona at the Louvre.
• Take a night time Seine River Cruise.
• Enjoy some macarons from the creator of them all, Laduree.
• Try escargot -- even if it means that you don't look at it before tasting it.
• When entering an establishment, say Bonjour/Bon soir to the shopkeeper before the shopkeeper says it to you.
• Create a self-imposed chocolate tour and stop in as many chocolate shops as possible for a tasting
• Enjoy a carafe of the house wine.  It's GOOD and CHEAP!
• French kiss a Frenchie.
• Explore the city by walking or renting a bicycle.
• Sit on the outside patio of a cafe with a cup of espresso and people watch.

Top Things NOT to Do in Paris

• Wear sneakers even though you aren't out for an actual run.  This is the fashion capital after all.
• Look for a big American Breakfast!  The French enjoy an espresso and croissant in the morning -- save your big meal for dinner.
• Be shocked at the numerous pick-pocket warnings at all of the popular tourist sites.
• Be in a hurry.

Pura Vida

Samara, Costa Rica - Though I had a week, it took me only one day to become adjusted to beach life in this little town on the Nicoyan Peninsula of Costa Rica.

Without a car to fight Beltway traffic, I rented a bicycle and pedaled around horses, cows, and dogs who openly roamed the roads.

Without a buzzing Blackberry highlighting the next emergency, I spent my afternoons sleeping in hammocks or catching some rays on the beach.

Without museum sites to run around to, I studied the timing of the waves during the day and the star system at night.

Without a 5-star restaurant to dine at, I enjoyed ceviche sold from a cooler and a grilled chorizo pineapple wrap from a cart in front of the Tutti Frutti Bar.

Without the stress of needing to be at my next appointment, I stood still and watched the sunset.  Pura Vida.

Planes, Buses, Automobiles, and a Bicycleta -- How I Made My Way to Samara, Costa Rica

Samara is a sleepy beach town on the Pacific-side of Costa Rica.   Here's how to get there when you can't speak Spanish and need to figure your way using the public bus system:

• At the airport, in between Immigration and Customs, you'll see ATM machines.  Take advantage and pull out 5,000 colones at a time, up to 20,000 colones ($40 USD).
• As you are exiting the airport, turn towards the left to the Taxi Stands.  These will be metered taxis, but for good measure I always ask how much.  To go to the "Empresa Alfaro" bus station, it's roughly 20-30 minutes and $27 USD (they will take USD).  (FYI, I was quoted $35 originally, but like I said, it was metered and turned out to be $27).
• The Empresa Alfaro station looks a bit like a blue garage.  When you walk in through the large opening of the building, you'll be in the Waiting Area with multiple benches.  The ticket counter ("Tiquetes") is in the room to the right and not in the back of the waiting area.  In the ticket room, get in the line on the right.  You'll see the bus schedule.  The price is approximately 3860 colones (roughly $7-8 USD), if I recall.  (For your knowledge, there is a bus that goes to Nicoya via Liberia.  You don't want to take this bus because it'll add several hours to your trip.  You want to take the one that goes "por puente"/by bridge.)
• In the Waiting Room, you'll notice people using Puerta 1 (Gate 1).  Even if you can understand Spanish, it's difficult to understand the man over the loud speaker.  For reference, the line for your bus will probably get started about 30 minutes before it's time to depart.  I just asked someone in line if it was going to "Nicoya."
• Once the gate line gets moving, the guy at the door will confirm your ticket.  He will also ask you what your final destination is so that he can sort your bag into the right pile for under the bus.  Watch to make sure that he puts your bag under the bus.  On your ticket, look for the word "asiento" ("seat") and will reference your assigned seat number on the bus.  Keep any personal belongings on the bus close by you because foreigners are known to be targeted for petty thefts on the bus.
• The trip to Nicoya is approximately four hours.  Two hours into the trip to Nicoya, there will be a 15-20 minute break to get off the bus at something similar to a rest stop.  Most everyone gets off and you can get snacks/drinks.  You'll want your colones handy for any purchases.  
• Because of the hour of my arrival in Nicoya, I caught a taxi ride (versus another bus) for 45 minutes to get to "el centro" of the town of Samara ($30 USD).  The roads and highway to Nicoya and Samara are VERY dark.  So it's easy to know when you are in Nicoya or Samara because there will all of the sudden be LIGHT!!!  You'll also see road signs pointing ahead to how much further to Nicoya and Samara is.

Oh, so how does the bicycleta fit into this picture?  It became a "cart" to wheel my suitcase over unpaved roads to my final destination at last.  Pura vida.

Prepping for Haiti: Precautionary Safety Nets

Visit travel.state.gov to review travel advisories; register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and list travel plans with the local consulate.

Create an Emergency Contact List for family, including:

• Passport, DOB info
• Satellite Phone Info (provided by Iridium)
• Destination address and contact name/number/email
• Travel plans (including flight itinerary)
• Travel Insurance Policy Info 
• Medication
• US Embassy info

Reconfirm travel arrangements with the host.

Make copy of Passport for self and memorize passport id number.

Prepping for Haiti: The Medical Checklist

"When a great adventure is offered, you don't refuse it." -- Amelia Earhart

I went to India in 2004 and joked that I had to get vaccinated up the ying yang for almost every common traveler's disease.  I could (and should) have traveled everywhere for those first 5 years.  Alas, I'm in my 6th year since India so it was time for some updating.  Luckily, it was only Typhoid.  But daggonnit...wouldn't you know I've got to take the dreaded Malaria Pills again?

According to the CDC, the current immunization recommendations are:

• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid
• Tetanus
• Flu shot

I had a Typhoid shot last time, but the doctor recommended an oral vaccine which should cover me for a longer period of time (something I should look into).  It's 4 pills that are taken every other day and need to be completed at least 1 week before you enter a high-risk area (I'm cutting it close as usual).  And much to my dismay and ridiculous bias against the Flu Shot (because I SWEAR I always get sick from it), I was convinced to get this year's Flu Shot.

Other precautions: 

I'm not a fan but am taking Malaria Pills.  Consult with your doctor of different malaria pill options because some have a higher percentage of side effects (like paranoia) than others.  The different versions also have different costs and different lengths of treatments. 

Cipro is also coming along with me -- just in case of Traveler's Diarrhea. 

I found it funny that the doctor looked me in the eye to tell me not to do anything while I traveled that I would not do in the States.  She seemed to put extra emphasis on catching a STD.  I was like...really?!!!  I'm volunteering at an orphanage for disabled children.  Promiscuous sex is the last thing on my mind.

Prepping for Haiti: The Packing List

In preparation for my upcoming Volunteer Trip to Haiti, I created a packing list:

 
Clothes

• Running shoes
• Rain Poncho
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• 2 Long sleeve shirts
• 4 pairs of pants (men may wear shorts; women should wear below-the-knee skirts/pants)
• T-shirts
• Underwear and socks
• Sleepwear
• Flip flops with a thick sole ( like Chacos or Tevas)
• 3 sweat shirts
• Sweat pants or pj bottoms

Comfort

• Bed sheet, pillow case
• Towel, hand towel
• Headlamp
• Mosquito netting
• Ear plugs
• Anti-bacterial gel
• Baby wipes
• Face wash, soap
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• First aid kit
• Malaria Pills
• Bug spray (non-aerosol) w/ Deet
• Duct tape
• Leatherman/pocket knife
• Tweezers
• Nail clippers

Food

• Canned tuna and can opener
• Water bottle
• Emergen-C packets, Crystal Light, Gatorade powder
• Peanut Butter and crackers
• Trail mix
• Protein bars

Other

• Journal and pen
• Backpack
• Camera
• $1s and $5s
• Copy of passport and emergency medical insurance info

 Items to Donate to Wings of Hope

• Latex gloves
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Lollipops/toys for the kids
• OTC Medicine