Yoga in Costa Rica

It has been 18 years since I've been in costa rica- and it did not disappoint!

I flew into San Jose and took the bus to Santa Teresa on the nicoya pennisula. The travel was long, but very easy to do!

I stayed at a new 'yoga friendly' hotel called, Pranamar Villas. Very friendly. Very beautiful. Wonderful food! I did an anusara yoga retreat by Michele Baker. She has a studio in New Orleans. Once a year she comes to Costa Rica on a retreat! It was wonderful! Nancy Goodfellow, whose mother owns pranamar- is the primary yoga teacher here. She has a beautiful Dhaka and gives a kick but yoga class!

I had a wonderful time- if you are looking fir a great vacation place-this is one highly recommend. The beach is magnificient- the wAves are much enjoyed by all.

If you're in the area check it out.


- be the change you want to see in the world

Location:JFK airport

Ecquador and Peru

Several year ago, my friend Rachel moved to Ecuador. She invited me to come down and visit. She lured me with expectations of travel and exploration. A friend moves to a far away country I have never visited... I was there!

I flew into Quito and stayed at this little hotel, tucked into the mountain. All I really remember was that it was 2$ a night. I was a little light headed on my arrival- the altitude is quite high. It was chilly- even though it was the middle of summer and we were so very close to the equator.

We went to Santo Domingo where she was living and working with farming communities. Then we headed to Banos- volcanic hot springs. We went to Las Esmeraldas- a beach community in the north. We traveled to Otavalo- that had the best outdoor market.
Half way through my trip- my friend Rania and my other friends Andy and Sandra- were coincidentally flying to Cuzco to hike Machu Pichu. I decided that I would join them and bring us all together.

I flew to Lima- stayed with another friend who was born and raised in Lima. I toured around Lima for a couple of days. Then I flew to Cuzco. We took a couple of tours around the valley. As soon as we assimilated to the climate and altitude, we took the train to the entrance of the trail that would take us to Machu Pichu.

We hiked a couple days in the wonderful mountains to the cloud forest of Machu Pichu. I am afraid of heights- but my friends helped me along the Inca Trail. When we finally got there- after sleeping in the wilderness- it was early morning and the moon was rising above the ruins. We toured around the grassy ruins and finally hiked to the little town below the ruins.

We went the hot springs near by. We stayed one night and then headed back to Cuzco and Lima. Once I got back to Cuzco I threw out my disgusting hiking clothes and packed up to go back to Lima. We spent one evening out- and then I headed back to Quito.

South America is a beautiful place and easy one to travel by bus, train, and plane.

Buen Viaje.

Ooohh Denver

Guest Blogger, Lori Sabian, writes about her city- Denver. What a great place to visit! If you are in the area and need some good places to eat or visit, check out Lori's suggestions. Happy travels to you.

While the mountains and the outdoors are huge draws, I prefer a more urban experience in Denver. And “urban” for Denver still requires a car, a good sense of direction and a little adventure.

Typical experiences include the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Zoo and the Botanical Gardens which all have a strong sense of Denver culture. These are interesting local and well organized places. Slightly off the traditional path is the Denver Firefighter’s Museum, the Colorado Railroad Museum , the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art , and MCA Denver.

Denver’s city also encompasses many interesting neighborhoods for exploring. Lodo, RiNo, The Golden Triangle and The Art District on Santa Fe offer great ways to experience the local arts, shopping and dining communities. Park Hill, Cherry Creek North, Old South Gaylord, Highlands and Old South Pearl are other places to explore Denver’s commercial hot spots. In these neighborhoods small boutiques, art galleries and interesting restaurants dot the streets. Each district plays its own riff on the local scene.

The performing arts community has main stream to local as well. In the Denver Performing Arts Complex you can find theatre, ballet, orchestra and opera. Local performing groups include Buntport Theater and Curious Theater .

The Stapleton and Lowry neighborhoods are Denver’s classic examples of urban redevelopment. Both areas within the city limits were built from airports. Lowry used to be an air force base and Stapleton used to be Denver’s airport. Open spaces and eco-conscious living are their hallmarks. They each have small commercial districts with shops and restaurants.

There are hikes, biking trails and beautiful state and national parks just outside the city area. Boulder, where the University of Colorado lives, has its own set of outdoor experiences, funky shopping and delicious eats.

Sprinkled among the galleries, neighborhoods and outdoor experiences area plethora of great places to eat and enjoy the whole Denver vibe. Oh, and the BEST independent bookstore is The Tattered Cover. Just explore.

Here is my shout out list of favorites for eats in no particular order:

Fuel Cafe

Solera

Phonecian Kabob

Tables

Cake Crumbs

Zengo

Il Posto

Berkshire

Udi’s

Chile Verde

Big Hoss

Upstate NY

February I've done some quick little trips:

Chappaqua- home of our former president and current secretary of state.

It is a small quaint town in Westchester county. Very woodsy with a little town to shop in and a few cute restaurants. Neighboring Mt Kisko as well has shops and movie theater and more eateries.

A lovely place to visit.

I also have been up to RocklandCounty a few times.

These little towns, nestled next to the Palisades and the river are often picturesque.

Nyack is a cute little town just north of NYC. As you ride the Palisades Highway north, you will hit Bear Mountain, just 45 minutes from the George Washington Bridge. This is a beautiful park and mountain area to visit!

Also, a nice little getaway weekend location.

Enjoy the short trips along with the longer ones!

Top 5 Literary Events in NYC

Are you on your way to New York City? Are you looking for a good show? Do you live in NYC and you're wondering what kind of literary events are hosted in here? You are in luck. NYC is filled with literary events once a month that are both entertaining, cutting edge, and educational for adults! Here is a list of 5 of my favorite events that usually happen once a month.

#1 The Happy Ending Reading Series hosted by Amanda Stern. This is a monthly event held at Joe's Pub featuring authors of all types and genres. The authors read pieces of their original work and then take some sort of "public risk" on stage. There is a musical guest. The artist must try to sing a cover song and get the entire audience to sing along. Amanda, your host, sets the stage and tone with humor. The talent she recruits is truly incredible. If you are in NYC at the start of the month- see if her show is playing that night and come check it out! You will leave with a new set of books to read.

#2 Nerd Nite is hosted by Matt Wasowski. This monthly event is held at Galapagos in Dumbo, Brooklyn. This evening features three speakers who give a little lecture (usually with a PowerPoint presentation) about a topic or issue in which they hold some expertise. The presentations can be anything from a PHD thesis (understanding how paint dries) to helping save endangered species of weeds in Staten Island (this presentation was given by the woman in charge of wildflower week in NYC). It is a great event to learn about a topic that you may never really explore on your own. You'll leave smarter than you came.

#3 The Moth is hosted by many different people, Dan Kennedy, Sara Barron and more. This event is held throughout NYC. They also host The Moth in other cities like, Los Angeles, Chicago and Detroit. You can submit your name and if it is called you have 10 minutes to tell your story- no notes, no texts, only your memory. The audience then scores you. Yes, by the end of the evening there is a winner. This event definitely resembles a poetry slam. Very fun. Very literary. You may even be persuaded to tell your own story.

#4 The Rejection Show is a hilarious show, hosted by Jon Friedman. Each artist gets up for 10 minutes and talks about/ performs something about a personal experience with rejection. It is also a monthly event at the UCB Theater in Chelsea.

#5 Bowery Poetry Club has weekly and monthly events on their calendar. It is a great place where poets hang out and listen and read to each other.

Need an interesting, intellectual evening out? Head to one of these events!
In your city, what literary events do you have?
What monthly/weekly events/shows are in your two? Please post here!

When on the West Coast, Head North of Seattle

When you come to Seattle, why not travel north. Head up towards Mount Vernon and discover the beauty of small town living! You can drive north to Vancouver, Canada. Be sure to take scenic Chuckanut drive on the way up.

Before you go, eat brunch in Bow, at Rhododendron Cafe or in Edison at the Edison Cafe, the hometown of Edward Murrow. On your way out of town, grab some Tweets for the journey north.

You will pass Bellingham WA, a cute college town. When you are in Vancouver, visit Granville Island and Stanley Park.

On your way back down south, explore Deception Pass - a beautiful bridge, park with trails and beach to visit. Anacortes is a cute little town. Take a stroll and then head over to the ferries. The ferries take you out to: The San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island.

Another great little town is LaConnor. If you want to have dinner, try the bistro Seeds or have lunch at The Calico Cupboard. There is a great independent bookstore in town, The Next Chapter! No worries, they have coffee and WiFi.

As you drive around the Mount Vernon area, there are fields of fruits, tulips and pumpkin patches. In the springtime, enjoy the Tulip Festivals. As you drive up and down the roads, you'll see farms with cows, horses, llamas, and buffalo. In the winter time, the Trumpeter Swans fly down from Canada for warmer weather. Ever wonder why they are called Trumpeters? Yes it is because they sound like trumpets!

Mount Vernon has some antique shops and a co-op. There are many local artists living in the area. Some make beautiful organic toys and clothes for kids like Kristin Loffer Theiss. Check out her products on Etsy. Etsy features other artists selling their handmade things online. Take one of her pieces home as a souvenir.

For dinner you have a few options. Try the Porterhouse. Great locally brewed beer and bar food. There is a Thai place just next door, another dinner option!

Enjoy yourself in the Northwest. If you get a chance, head north and enjoy all that it has to offer.

GUEST BLOGGER: Alison Slattery- A Culinary Tour of Korean Food

Ali traveled extensively in Korea. If you are traveling in Korea, here are Ali's favorite picks of what to eat! If you can't make it to Korea- check it out in a restaurant. Enjoy her descriptions! Enjoy her choices! Be adventurous. Happy travels and eating.

Bbq Food

1. Kalbi/Galbi Bbq beef ribs (boneless) cooked on a grill at your table. Galbi Sal are marinated and very tender.
2. Samgyupsal Known as the three layer of fat. It consists of pork and fat in layers. This is also grilled right at your table and is extremely cheap.
3. Dakgalbi This is a large pan of diced chicken, rice cakes (with cheese), cabbage and veggies, and some sweet potato wedges, all drenched in red pepper sauce. Some restaurants have a mild recipe, others are quite spicy. These restaurants are designed for dakgalbi so large pots are found at every table.
4. Bulgogi Literally meaning fire meat in Korean. These slices of grilled meat marinate in soy sauce and sesame oil. They are served with leafy greens like lettuce which can be wrapped around the meat with a dab of a condiment such as ssamjang ( a thick, spicy paste used with food wrapped in a leaf).Soups : Anything that ends with a Tang or Guk
   
5. Galbitang This is a beef rib soup and stewing beef with radishes and onions.
6. Manduguk Meat stock soup filled with meat filled dumplings. This is popular in the autumn and winter.
7. Haemultang Assorted seafood soup and can be very spicy.

Stews : Mostly anything that ends in a Jjigae or Jeongol

• Doenjang Jjigae This is made with vegetables, tofu and bean paste. It can be very spicy depending on the restaurant. Some times there is either meat or seafood in the dish.
  
• Kimchi Jjigae Made with kimchi and other ingredients such as scallions, onions, diced tofu, pork, or seafood.
• Sundubu Jjigae This is hot and spicy made with uncurdled tofu, seafood, veggies and chili powder.
  
• cheonggukjang-jjiggae Made from fermented soya bean. I was completely put off this dish while teaching at my school because of the strong odor from this stew. It literally smells like bad socks and I could not bring myself to taste it. I was convinced by a teacher that it did not taste as bad as it smelled and I finally gave in. It became one of my favourite stews. You will enjoy it if you can get over the initial smell.

Rice Dishes : Anything that ends in a Bap

• Bibimbap Literally means mixed rice. Bibimbap is served as a bowl of warm white rice topped with cooked veggies and pepper paste. A raw or fried egg and sliced meat is also added in some restaurants. This is a very popular dish.
• Dolsot bibimbap (stone pot) - is served in a very hot stone bowl in which a raw egg is cooked against the sides of the bowl. The bowl is so hot that anything that touches it sizzles for minutes. Before the rice is placed in the bowl, the bottom of the bowl is coated with sesame oil, making the layer of the rice touching the bowl golden brown and crispy. This rice is known as Nureonji.
  
• Bokgeumbap is fried rice served with some other meats or veggies.

Noodles

• Japchae This is a stir fried cellophane noodle (clear noodle) dish with various vegetables (typically thinly-sliced carrots, onion, spinach, and mushrooms), sometimes served with beef, and flavoured with soy sauce. It is served hot and cold.
• Rameyon The cheapest of noodles and can be bought in any supermarket, grocery store or restaurant. Restaurant noodles tend to be very very spicy to the point where your lips will burn and you will sweat.
• Udong This is a thick white noodle broth.
  

• Bibimguksu Noodles mixed with the hot pepper paste with veggies of course.

Other

• Donkatsu Traditionally Japanese this Deep fried pork cutlet is served with rice and salad. Can sometimes be served with curry sauce.
  

• Shabu Shabu Traditionally Japanese, it is like a hot pot, and consists of thinly sliced meat and vegetables, and usually served with dipping sauces. It is considered a winter dish but is eaten year-round.

• Mandu Korean dumplings with meat or veggies.
  
• Pajeon Pancake like dish made of eggs, flour and onions. Seafood and kimchi can be added to it. Koreans sometimes call it a pizza.
  
• Kimbap Korean fast food made from steamed rice and thin veggies wrapped in kim (dried seaweed), and served in bite size pieces. Extremely cheap in Korea.
  
• Tteokbokki is a popular Korean snack food which is commonly purchased from street vendors. Made from rice cake and covered in a spicy orange coloured sauce.
  
• Hotteok Eaten usually in the winter this pancake can be bought from street vendors for about a $1. It is filled with cinnamon and brown sugar and the dough contains green tea.
  
• Odeng Another winter favorite by the street vendors. This is a seafood cake served on a stick and cooked in broth. They also give you a cup of the broth to drink with your snack. Very cheap and delicious.
• Hwe or Hoe - This is Korean Sashimi and is well worth a try if you are a raw fish lover.
  

For the Brave

• Beondegi (번데기)- Silkworm Larvae. I did not try this due to the horrific smell.
  
• Sannakji Live baby Octopus. I did try this my first month in Korea after much peer pressure from my Co-Teachers. They cut off the tentacles in front of you and pop them on a plate and voila, dinner is served. They are all still moving and you have to dip them in spicy sauce to stun them before you swallow them. Some people have choked because of the suction cups on the octopus but this is very rare.