Genesis

On October 12th, I embark on a ten week journey across Central America.  In the process, I hope to hit every country in Central America plus Peru and Mexico.  These are the only parameters I have created for the trip.  Everything else is completely unplanned and that's how I prefer it!  I'm investigating options of what to do along the way, but am making very few set plans until I get down there.  I have, however set several goals:

1-Kayak along the bay on the Pacific side of Costa Rica
2-Bungee Jump
3-Mayyyyyyyybe ride in a Hot Air Balloon
4-Deep Sea Fishing for Tuna off the Coast
5-Ride a Sailboat
6-Watch the endangered sea turtles lay eggs along the beach
7-Hitchhike with a complete stranger
8-Snorkel the Reefs of Belize
9-Meet my Friend in the Peace Corps who is working in El Salvador
10-Drink out of a coconut on the Beach
11-Hike up to a volcanoe
12-Sleep in a hammock on the beach
13-Try to learn to surf
14-Scuba Dive into the Great Blue Hole in Belize
15-Visit the Mayan Ruins of Guatemala
16-Hike to Machu Pichu in Peru
17-Party at a disco in Panama
18-Drink a Margarita in Mexico
19-Not get raped in Nicaragua
20-Stay at an abandoned fishing village in Honduras

This list is subject to change!

Yesterday I contacted Forester Instituto Internacional; a Costa Rican based Spanish Institute.  They provide home-placements with meals and laundry service all included in a fairly reasonable package.  They have optional courses/placements in anywhere from 1-4 weeks in length.  Given my history of failed language courses, I'm thinking I need the four week program!  Weekends are left alone so that students can go out and explore the country.  The director said that when I get there in mid October they will be half way into a course.  He invited me to come in to investigate my options with private lessons.  He said, "You come in, you like it--good!  If not...maybe at least you get a cup of coffee out of it!"  He KNOWS my Achilles Heel!

At the time being, I am inclined to forecast that I'll travel through Panama and Peru in my first two weeks there, and then start classes on November 1st when a new course begins.  But again, I'm making few set plans until I have sand under my feet and a coconut drink in my hand!

One thing's for certain; if I don't learn spanish quicker than I have been with Rosetta Stone, I'm liable to accidentally end up on a boat to Cuba...only to later arrive back in the states by swimming to Florida.  Not a bad incentive to learn!