Stuff: Pack, Store or Discard?

Even though I am not leaving for the Netherlands for another 23 days, I have only five days left in my home town (maybe one or two more). So, for the past two days I've been going through my stuff and deciding what to pack, what to store and what I don't care to keep anymore. My airline includes 23kg of checked baggage (eg- one suitcase) and 10kg of carry-on, plus a purse and a laptop bag. Extra baggage is $10/kg, but only when purchased at least 10 days ahead of time, otherwise its $15. So, space is tight, and expensive. I've opted to spend extra for another bag (15-20kg). So, the mission is to reduce my life's collection of stuff into 43-48kg worth of luggage, including the weight of the bags.

Before I came anywhere close to packing, I had to decide what I'll use for luggage. Well, I do already have some Atlantic Suitcases that I originally purchased to take to Switzerland. They have served me well on many trips. BUT, the downside to suitcases are that they are bulky and relatively heavy. Buying an excursion backpack was another option. While this was not a bad idea, the pack would be bulkier, heavier and more expensive than a simple duffle bag, and I can get a backpack in Europe if/when I need one. I settled on using an Atlantic suitcase and carry-on along with a large MEC duffel bag.

I have the bags, now what should I pack? The question is: what is this worth $10/kg? The duffel bag is already almost full of clothes that had no evidence of being worn out. There is still some room left. My suitcase is currently half-full, including some shoes, jewelry, some good hair products and a few other things. My carry on will be packed later on. I have more clothes and a few other things set aside to pack when the time comes. For anything I don't already own, but will likely need, I've decided that I will buy them when I get there. The only thing left to determine is how much extra baggage to pre-purchase.

Now, what about items to store? About an month ago, I started filling a metal chest full of little treasures I cannot bear to part with. These are mostly keep-sakes: childhood creations, pictures, doodads from special days (like high school graduation), yearbooks and things I've made in recent classes (ceramics, blown glass...). In the past two days, my stored items doubled when I filled a wooden chest, which includes a few more keep-sakes, smaller sport items and other things I won't use now, but don't want to part with just yet. Other than that, my parents garage and house will store some bulkier sports equipment, a few items of clothes and some old vinyl records (thanks Mom and Dad!! You are THE BEST!).

And as for the rest: DISCARDED. The process of discarding technically started a few months ago when I moved back into my parents house. Anything that was glaringly obvious that I wouldn't need (kitchen appliances, for example) I gave away right away. In the past two days I've discarded much more than I thought I would... you know, it actually feels pretty good to realize how much junk you don't really need!

Whew! After some hard work, I'm nearly done converting my life-full-of-stuff into a life-out-of-a-suitcase (well technically, a suitcase, duffel bag and carry on). As always, there are mixed feelings, but the good far outweigh the bad. Feels great!

The Biltmore Estate

Tucked away in the hills of Asheville, North Carolina lies the opulent Biltmore Estate. On Christmas Eve 1895, George W. Vanderbilt opened the house to his friends and family. While it was originally a country escape, once George married Edith Dresser in 1898, they made the estate their family home. With a 175,000 square foot and 250 room house on 125,000 acres of land, it is safe to say that the Vanderbilts most definitely lived a comfortable life. Today, the estate sits on 8000 acres and is one of Asheville's primary tourist attractions. 

The cost to visit the estate is relatively high ($60 the day I went), but it is worth it. You may also pay to use the audio guide when touring the house. Since I had a limited timeline, I opted to simply read the free paper guide. I will spare you the details now. It is best seen in person. I found the indoor garden, billiard room, banquet hall, library, bowling alley, swimming pool, a gym and servants quarters most interesting.

For gardening enthusiasts, the Biltmore Estate has plenty of flowers, bamboo, trees and shrubbery to see. You could spend a day simply wondering the walking paths.

I found the gardens wonderful, but I liked the pond even better. There are turtles, fish and even a small man-made waterfall. And to imagine, this mountain paradise was made for just one family and their guests!

My next stop was Antler Hill. The cool walk through the wine cellars was very welcome on the sweltering summer day. Guests that are over-21 can partake in a free wine tasting and the Biltmore's award winning winery. Those concerned about the $60 entry fee may be able to recoup some of the cost, since it seemed as though there was no limit to the amount of samples you could try. Normally I prefer red wines, but I decided to buy a sweet white desert wine as well as a nice rose.

The child in me really enjoyed visiting the farm. The barnyard is filled with sheep, horses, funny looking chickens, as well as other critters. For families and animal lovers, the farm is worth the short walk from Antler Hill.

Other than what I have included here, there is much more to see and do on the Biltmore Estate. As far as food goes, I loved the chocolate filled croissant, iced latte, black cherry ice cream and my flat-bread lunch. If you are into biking, there are many paths throughout the estate. The Biltmore Estate is also a popular venue for weddings and graduation parties. If you need a place to stay, the estate has an onsite hotel. If you ever find yourself in or near Asheville, North Carolina, be sure to visit the Biltmore Estate. You will not be disappointed.

Last week at work

After a heck of a lot of waiting, my last week of work is here. Thursday is my last day! Knowing that I am THAT much closer to my awesome adventure, I am ecstatic. Though, as this 3 year part of my life comes to an end, I do have some mixed feelings. I have met so many great people, made friends and learned a lot in my first "real" job. So, in some ways, its kind of sad to say goodbye to this life I've known.

On the other hand, I CAN'T WAIT to start my new life as a foreign student in Europe!! As time passes, I only become more excited. What makes this time even better, is that the day after my last day, I leave for a trip to visit my sister and her family in North Carolina. The rest of the month and a bit before I leave for Holland is filled with other trips with family and friends. I predict the time will fly by. :)

To everyone that I met in the past 3 years, it was great getting to know you! We must keep in touch. To everyone I will be visiting before I leave, I can't wait to see you all! To everyone else that I know, I hope we have the chance to get together before I leave.

Under the Hawaiian Sun

Hawaii has been a popular sun destination for ages. Now that I have been there, I understand why. It is hot, sunny, beautiful, there is plenty to do, and it suits a variety of lifestyles. However, it is also very expensive. Fortunately for me, my friend decided to move there to attend med school (tough life, eh?) and invited me to visit her. So, for most of the trip, I had a place to stay and we did not have to rent a car, which made the trip significantly cheaper than it could have been.

First I'll rave about the SUN. There is a lot of it, and it is HOT. If you want a natural tan, you can certainly get one here. Don't forget the sunscreen though! Unfortunately for me, before one snorkeling adventure, I put sunscreen everywhere besides on my behind, assuming I'd remember to finish the job when I stood up. I assumed wrong. After a couple hours of swimming with my back side facing the sun, I was not very happy to discover the tomato red burn covering my bottom.


On the upside, the sunsets are absolutely beautiful! If you are facing west, you are almost guaranteed a sky full of color, whether you are lounging on the beach, filling your face at a luau, above the clouds on top of Haleakala Volcano (Maui) or simply enjoying a drink on a patio. I am sure sunrises are just as nice, but I never got up early enough to find out for sure.



If you are looking for underwater life, you can find it in Hawaii. Fortunately, this can be one of the cheaper activities. On Oahu Island, check out the coral reefs in Hanauma Bay. This is a national park, so there is a small entrance fee, but it is well worth it. In Maui, we swam out to Turtle Town. We did spot a couple of sea turtles (sorry, forgot my camera), but if you go at the right time of the day, you can see many more. It is a relatively long swim, but well worth it. Alternately, you can go on a tour, which is expensive, but eliminates the need to swim all the way there.

If you are willing to spend a wad of cash, there are plenty of great tours. In Maui there is Molokini, a crescent-shaped volcanic crater that is home to a beautiful reef and a resting place for seabirds. You are not allowed to step onto the land because it is a conservation area, but on a tour you can check out the amazing reef. I recommend taking the earliest tour you can find. We went on the second or third tour of the day, which was still before 8am. Although we saw many fish, we heard that the ones earlier in the day have even more. Another great tour is a shark dive. The guides drive a boat out to a cage in the middle of the water. You climb into the cage and watch sharks swim around you. Keep your arms and legs inside the bars!

For good eats and great entertainment, go to a Luau! You can experience some of the Hawaiian culture, including traditional food, music, hula dancing, tahitian dancing, fire dancing... it is an evening full of entertainment. Also, there is plenty of... eye candy... for both sexes ;)

There are some nice short hikes on both Oahu and Maui. Try the Lanikai Pillbox hike. It takes you up high to a great view of the beaches below. Along the way, you will encounter "pillboxes", which are bunkers used during World War II. You can climb into the graffiti-filled cement structures, but watch out for broken liquor bottles. A great hike in Maui is the Iao needle. A guide from our hostel took us off the marked trail and to some great views.

And last, but certainly not least, if you are into the arts, Maui is the place for you. Paintings, sculptures, blown glass.... you can find it all, and much much more. And what's more, everyone in Maui dresses down. So, even if you are not rich, gallery owners can't tell the difference and so will take the time to show their pieces to you. Yes, they will try to sell them to you, but the free information can be quite interesting.

Well, there you have it: a condensed account of my trip to Hawaii in June 2009. I only saw two of the many islands. I'd love to see the rest. Even just between Oahu and Maui, there is something for everyone... so if you can afford it, go to Hawaii!

Costa Rica!

When I graduated from my bachelor's degree, my incredibly generous Godmother took me on a wonderful vacation to the beautiful land of Costa Rica. We spent most of our time on a resort in the dry province of Guanacaste. Guided day trips were a good way of experiencing life outside of the resort. Renting a car and driving south to Manuel Antonio let us leisurely explore the coast without the schedules of the organized tours. Here are the highlights of our adventure.

The Animals

Costa Rica is FULL of all sorts of amazing wildlife. I didn't get pictures of all of the animals we saw, but here are a few decent shots:

Perhaps the most memorable animal was the white-headed capuchin monkey. Dozens of them visited our resort daily. When visitors gave them bananas, the monkeys would roll them on a branch before opening and eating them.

We also saw the capuchin's on our Palo Verde River Ride. They jumped onto the boat to beg for food while the concerned alpha male watched on. We saw an alligator (or crocodile.... I forget which), some bats, many varieties of water birds, and even a shrimp. An interesting fact about shrimp is that their bowels are very close to their brains. In the words of our guide, "Costa Rican women say that Costa Rican men are like shrimp, they've got sh*t in the brain!"

Other sightings include toucans, raccoons, lizards, sloths and howler monkeys. Also note-worthy, but in a disgusting way, were all of the giant insects in the town of Manuel Antonio. At night they come creeping out of the rainforest.... one landed on my hand while we were enjoying drinks on our balcony, which caused us to promptly move indoors.

Beauty and Relaxation

Although Costa Rica is a relatively small country, you don't have to travel far to find a difference in climate and flora. Our resort was in the dry region, but it was still lush and beautiful.  Every day, farmers set fire to their nearby sugarcane fields before they were harvested. This is done to kill deadly snakes so that the workers aren't killed by surprise attacks. The smoke leaves a bit of a haze in the area, which added to the atmosphere and spectacular sunsets, which are equally beautiful farther south in Manuel Antonio.

Travel inland or south and you'll find yourself in the rain forest, where the vegetation becomes even more lush and the climate is considerably wetter. Inland you find Monteverde, where you can explore the rain forest by walking on suspension bridges way up above the treetops. I recommend staying on trails and not touching the plants. Our tour guide informed us of some of the poisonous and otherwise dangerous plants that can give you a rash, or much worse.

We took a roadtrip down the west coast to Manuel Antonio National Park. The beaches were beautiful and hot. The water was much better suited for swimming than at the resort, other than potential rip-tides. The rain forest added a fantastic backdrop to the soft sand and rolling waves. There are relatively well maintained walking trails in the forest that lead to breathtaking views.

We didn't visit the east side of the country, but I have heard that it is worthy of a visit. 

Adventure
If you seek adventure, you can definitely find it in Costa Rica! We opted for a one-day organized adventure tour, but there is far more to do than what we were exposed to in a matter of hours.

Our tour began with a horseback ride. This took us on a trail through the trees. The path lead to hiking trail. We hopped from rock to rock to cross a river and arrived at our destination: a nice waterfall! For those not afraid of heights, it was time to JUMP!

The water was surprisingly cold, considering the hot weather. While it was a shock to my system, leaving me gasping for air, it was certainly exhilarating. I'd do it again in a heartbeat... actually, I jumped a few times. To warm up, our next stop was the mud bath. 

This was a different kind of adventure. We started with a sweat-inducing session in the sauna. The next step was to paint volcanic mud all over our bodies. I got to the mud station later than everyone else, so they gave me a helping hand. Once that dried, we showered off and sat in a hot tub for a while. Next stop: the zip-line.

After a short safety demo, we climbed to our first platform and began zooming through the tree-tops. Some of the lines were extremely high in the air, but provided some nice views of the forest and rivers below. We rappelled down to a platform above the water, then climbed back up the other side of the canyon wall. 

The adventure combo was definitely worth the money we paid. It was jam-packed with a variety of interesting activities. Going back to the resort for a delicious dinner and a drink by the water was a nice end to a perfect day.

Day Trip to Nicaragua
When you cross the northern border into Nicaragua, the differences with Costa Rica are easy to see. It is definitely a much poorer country, but it definitely has its charms. One piece of evidence showing the poverty of the nation is the frequency of seeing flee-bitten dogs. On the more charming side are the hand-made trinkets lining the streets of the first town we drove through, the wonderful scenery and our delicious lunch. Being there was a real eye-opener.

It was amazing to watch the talent of a boy making pottery with a foot-powered wheel. In a matter of minutes, he turned a lump of clay into a beautifully shaped piece of art. Now, I've tried pottery before, and I can say from first hand experience that there is a steep learning curve, and my wheel had a motor!

While I had seen the Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica, it was from a distance. This is because the concentration of toxic gases becomes very dense and fatal as you ascend. In Nicaragua, we were able to not only ascend the volcano, but also to stand right up on the edge of the crater! Very Cool! The name of this volcano escapes me, unfortunately, as does the names of the towns we visited.

The marketplace was an experience like no other. Our tourist van pulled up, and was immediately surrounded by school-aged kids, all begging for food. Once we made it through to the market, we were greeted by the older boys, anxious to be our paid guides. Since we weren't planning on buying much, we declined their help. There were hand made goods, clothing, food, cigars, and much much more. 

Upon returning to the van, we pulled out some apples. Prior to our departure a lady at the resort informed us that they would be a hit with the begging children. Boy was she right. We tried to give the treats to the smallest kids, but it was hard when there were arms flooding through the doors. Once we gave out all of the apples, the guide shooed the kids away from the door. Knowing the source of the apples, one child came to the window beside me and made an eating motion towards his mouth with his empty hand. I realized the true poverty of this place.

On the way back across the border we stopped at the duty-free zone, where you could get all sorts of great stuff. All I bought was a few bottles of Flor de Caña slow-aged Nicaraguan rum. At $7 a bottle, you can't go wrong.




All in all, my Costa Rican vacation was fantastic. I had a chance to learn about new cultures, saw beautiful landscapes, experienced mind-blowing adventures, got a tonne of Vitamin D, and so much more. On our last night, we were treated by a rather rare experience: Howler monkeys at the resort. They stayed in the tree-tops, but called down to us. We called back to them. If ever there was a perfect ending to our time in the Costa Rican sun, that was it!