Wandering through Costa Rica

Yearning to board a plane and whisk away this weekend consumes my thoughts, yet the uncertainty of when air travel will regain its allure looms large. Traveling, for me, acts as a lens through which life's challenges shrink to insignificance when viewed from a distance. My most recent escapade took me to the captivating lands of Costa Rica, a mere nine days before the pandemic forced Chicago to shutter its doors.

The atmosphere at the airport during that early March week was palpably tense; masks, a novelty to Americans then, adorned many faces. Security measures, including the meticulous screening of incoming flights, aimed to trace any potential carriers of the virus. Despite the apprehension, my sojourn in Costa Rica was nothing short of enchanting, leaving me eager for a chance to return.

Costa Ricans' deep connection with nature, embodied in their mantra "Pura Vida" or "Pure Life," struck a chord within me. Amidst the frenzy of daily life, it's easy to lose sight of the essence of living. However, the pandemic has underscored the importance of taking time to rejuvenate and rediscover inspiration.

My fiancé and I are diligent researchers when it comes to travel, preferring to leave ample room for spontaneity and local recommendations. One memorable evening in San Jose, my fiancé surprised me with dinner reservations at Mirador Tiquicia. The journey to the restaurant, perched atop a winding gravel road, was an adventure in itself. Yet, the breathtaking vista of the Central Valley from our candlelit table made it all worthwhile.

The following day, we embarked on a journey to our lodging at the Treehouse Hotel near La Fortuna. Nestled amidst the rainforest, the accommodations offered a unique blend of luxury and immersion in nature. Our encounters with wildlife during hikes, from howler monkeys to sloths, added a touch of magic to each day. And waking up to coffee accompanied by curious animals on our deck became a cherished ritual.

But it was the warmth and hospitality of the Costa Rican people that truly left an indelible mark on me. Their eagerness to enrich our experience and share their knowledge was evident at every turn. A highlight was our encounter with Juan Carlos, our guide to the Arenal Volcano. Despite the torrential rain, his enthusiasm for the region's flora and its medicinal properties was infectious.

From natural anesthetics to remedies for common ailments, each plant he introduced us to revealed a rich tapestry of traditional knowledge. Our hike culminated in a tranquil retreat at The Springs, where the symphony of waterfalls and birdsong cast a spell of serenity.

Costa Rica's beauty extends beyond its landscapes; it lies in the genuine connections forged with its people. As I reflect on my adventures, I'm reminded that travel is not just about the destinations but also the souls we encounter along the way. While the prospect of travel may seem distant, I'm determined to seek inspiration in the here and now.

Photog after dark

The world transforms completely once the sun sets. My fascination with night photography began during my undergrad years at Illinois State University. There was something about the stillness of campus after dark that drew me in, giving me the courage to wander the quiet streets with my Canon A1 35 mm camera in hand. I’d roam the quad, channeling my inner nerd, capturing every tree, shadow or rock that caught my eye.

I became obsessed with playing with color sensitivity, discovering how long exposures could pull out rich, vibrant hues that the naked eye couldn’t perceive in the dark. Reflections in puddles, the interplay of light and shadow from streetlamps, and the ghostly illusions in storefront windows became my obsession. A visit to Chicago for a friend’s 21st birthday sealed the deal—the city’s glowing skyline left me completely mesmerized.

What I love most about night photography is how it defies the typical idea of photography as capturing fleeting moments. It’s not about snapping spontaneous scenes but instead requires careful thought and precision. Every shot demands a meticulous setup: positioning the tripod, framing the scene, calculating exposure times, and waiting patiently for just the right moment to press the shutter.

This month, I’ve made it my mission to dive back into photography, especially at night. There’s something so exhilarating about picking up my camera again and rediscovering the beauty of the world cloaked in darkness.

Another wedding

My sister Melissa was married on Sat and I just don't know that the Kings are cut out for weddings! The wedding was beautiful, but for our group—it's inevitable that the day after is the pits. 

The celebration was held in Carbondale IL, and on Sunday morning I am riding back up north with my brother Alex. We both had a lot of fun the night before and I found myself wondering if I could survive the 5-hour road trip. We need gas before we get on the highway, Note: my last blog post is when the Kings began trend-setting gas station stories!! I had the passenger seat reclined back and had my eyes closed while Alex fueled up. When my brother stepped back into the car and announced "Oh sh*t". I open one eye and say, "Don't even tell me you lost the keys!" He laughs and sticks the key into the ignition and says, "No, Meg...but I wonder what would happen if I filled up my gas tank with Diesel fuel". "Hmmmm, it's probably not great, but...we better call Dad to be sure."  "You gotta be $%#**ing kidding me, he screams into the phone. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU KIDS!!??!!" Then Dad asks if we've turned the ignition on...which we hadn't, and I feel very triumphant relaying that information! He's with my mom at the reception site picking up tablecloths. He says that my Uncle Jeff (a different Uncle Jeff from the previous wedding blog) is probably not too far behind us and to call him until he can meet us.

Uncle Jeff just laughs when we tell him that we filled up the gas tank with diesel fuel, "I'm surprised the Diesel nozzle would even FIT into Alex's tank". Which, Alex admitted in a defeated yet sarcastic tone, "It was difficult, but I guess I'm NOT a quitter!" Uncle Jeff, only a few miles behind us, assures us that he's pulling over but has no idea who we can find to drop the gas tank. I call my sister Meredith next. I am not sure why I am even laughing as Mere and her boyfriend pulled into the gas station. Perhaps it's the fierce hangover kicking in, or the nerves of my uneasy stomach, but I really can't believe we are stranded at another gas station! I speak to the attendant and she tells us "$h*t happens, good luck git-ina mechanic on-er Sunday!" We know we need the gas out of the tank, so I suggest siphoning it out with a long plastic tube and a bucket! I saw Dad empty our large fish tank this way when I was a kid! Meredith's boyfriend says he will drive Mere's car to Walmart if Alex wants to pick up the stuff.

Mere and I wait for Uncle Jeff while the boys take off, and when he arrives he is with my Aunt Linnie and cousin Danielle. This is beginning to look like a circus and we are managing to attract attention! People want to help us, but the only dude who sticks around keeps mumbling something about free gas. He is circling the car (I wish I had saved the snap chats I kept taking of him). Uncle Jeff thinks that siphoning could work!! He doesn't have any other ideas, as businesses are not open on Sunday. My cell rings...and it’s Alex. They got a hose and a bucket...but Meredith's car won't start now and he assumes the ignition key is still in Meredith's purse! Gah, so Uncle Jeff is on his way to Walmart to bring them the car keys when Mom and Dad pull into the gas station. We crack the window to hear Dad talking to the creepy mumbling guy, and both parents are delighted to find that Uncle Jeff is now rescuing Alex from Walmart.

The mood peaked when we stuck the hose into the gas tank and realized that a 2015 car had a filter over the tank to prevent people from SYPHONING GAS! This is when I opened a beer, my aunt promptly handed me one of Melissa's wedding koozies.

So, Uncle Jeff and Dad push the car off the cement so the car is leaning to one side, and they spread out one of Melissa's wedding tablecloths to lay on. Uncle Jeff is the keeper of all the tools and fortunately, he could get under the car to eventually un-attach the tank. Now we can bypass the filter and get the hose into the tank to siphon. It takes for-flipping-ever to get 10 gallons of gas through a tube the width of my finger!

6 hours later, the mumbling guy was still circling—but that turned out to be great because how else do you dispose of 10 gallons of diesel fuel that has been mixed with regular? The sun was setting as we finally arrived home, but we were looking forward to spending a week together in Mexico for the after-party!

What does travel mean to me?

I took my first red eye from San Francisco this morning; my head is bobbing as I write. I had the most amazing time there and because my friend Sid runs an AirBnB, I was able to spend time with really interesting people. Truth be told, I met Sid two years ago when I happened to stay at his AirBnB, we have since become friends and I am convinced that he is the most welcoming host alive.   

Last weekend, a girl named Clover from Beijing was staying with Sid too.  I found her to be inspiring. She is passionate about writing and her goal each day is, to sum up what she remembers from the day before in only three sentences. Three sentences are easily obtainable because it’s not too much that you procrastinate the task. It is a great experiment and since my mode of thought is drawing, I would like to implement something similar for my sketchbook. As it happens, she works for AirBnB and was in town for their national conference. We talked for a while about traveling and how she likes working for Airbnb. These conversations really provoked some thought. Clover had listened to a speaker describe how stressful travel can be, managing your workload the few days before, packing and securing accommodations. Once they arrive in said city, they might have many things that they want to accomplish and not everything always goes as planned. People can return home feeling that they need a vacation from their vacation! I suppose that I never thought about what traveling means to other people.

My travel goals have changed over the years. For example, I used to think that because I am an artist that I needed to stop at every art museum in the city. I might still quickly walk through on a rainy day or if the right time presents itself but my goals today revolve around socializing. I actually prefer staying in hostels or an AirBnB that has a shared living space to a hotel room. It would seem obvious that someone like myself would have realized that sooner, meeting friends has always been a priority for me! I still experience culture; like Clover explained, “…it is learning about the culture that is alive today ”! I prefer to go with the flow and take everything in ­­­– it is amazing the connections you make with people that you think are so different from yourself. It is much more enjoyable for me to hang out with someone from the city – listen to their music and eat the food they recommend.  This makes it possible to have an emotional attachment to that city, how people and the new environment make me feel. I will remember those experiences far longer than I will remember the two days I spent walking through the Louvre.  

San Francisco is young and embraces change; it is an exciting place to be! I am having trouble concentrating this week, and I know that I need to put a plan into action soon. We tend to get caught up with our day-to-day, but travel can be a glimpse into what the rest of the world is accomplishing. It is difficult to put yourself into vulnerable situations, but I’ve learned that I am a lot more aware of my surroundings when I am just a little uncomfortable. It is a good reminder to try new things, and you just never know when I might collaborate with Clover or any of the other kick-ass people I’ve met along the way.