Vacation!

For someone that hasnt been on a plane in yesrs, I was pretty calm. ... well, my normal amount of calm. being thrown into unrehearsed situations tend to throw me, so i was flailing through the checkin and security lines, apologizing profusely.

Awkward really rough drafts aside,
I really needed that vacation.

It was good to have a change of scenery and not have to worry about The Usual Stuff. Or, if I still did, at least it was on the beach with a coconut drink and surrounded by beautiful flora.

I also felt some things dislodge and I was finally able to get some more drafts and ideas done.

I feel like I had a RESET of sorts. Refreshed.

I went with a partner and a meta, with a perfect blend of group adventures and smaller sidequests. I learned quite a bit from my much-more traveled companions, too. Like, how to pack. I had no idea what I was doing.

We ate some pretty awesome meals, and lounged, and was bounced around as we traveled to our lodgings and destinations.

I feel like I did not get enough swimming in this year, so I more than made up for it! (I'm still getting beach sand out of my ears-- worth it.)

Some things I also really enjoyed:

• sleeping - no rowdy neighbors banging above my head from 8pm til midnight
• the sun
• the rocks, and shells
• the trees
• the hiking
• learning about the country and culture
• being immersed in another language
• the open air layout of most structures
• sloths, rodents, and various critters
• getting a lot of reading in
• not clenching my teeth as much
• I climbed a tree
• I PICKED UP A CAT

I felt pretty refreshed upon my return-- this in spite of the dubious food at the airport "Carolina Pizza Chicken." I should've stuck with a local joint for our return trip. Don't trust anywhere that has chicken-on-pizza as their selling point!

And hey, enough reading! I know why you're really here. THE PICTURES. Scenery so great not even my budget phone camera could ruin it. I didn't take nearly as many as I should have-- I let the other two with better equipment take the bulk of 'em-- but hey, say I was in the moment enjoying it. :)

EDIT 2025-04-24: Gotta redo the gallery. But below, is my favorite pic.

¡Pura Vida!