My experience with G Adventures

At the end of November I achieved a MAJOR goal of mine by traveling out of the United States for the first time! I took the "Costa Rica on a Shoestring" trip with G Adventures and had an awesome time.

In July I resolved that I would finally travel internationally after wanting to do so for years. I considered various ways to do the trip, and ultimately settled on going with the tour group, G Adventures. While making my decision I did countless Google and Reddit searches to find information on G and on the Costa Rica trip specifically. I'm writing this post to help any other people looking to possibly travel with G Adventures.

Me hanging out by a waterfall in Costa Rica, as you do.

G Adventures offers several "travel styles," and the trip I took was a YOLO tour. I know, I know ... You can roll your eyes at the phrase, but don't pass judgement! YOLO tours are designed for young travelers between the ages of 18 and 39. Accommodations are pretty bare-bone to keep costs low. Activities are optional, also to keep down costs. I found this to be a great way to travel, as everyone on the trip was around the same age and like-minded, and I had the option to spend as much or as little as I wanted. I'll expand on this later.

The trip started in the capital, San José, then went to La Fortuna (famous for volcano and rain forests), then Montezuma (beach town), then ended back in San José. I got to: go rappelling, go zip-lining, go snorkeling, see the rain forest, swim in the ocean, see the biggest rainbow I've ever seen, drink really good coffee, see cool animals like monkeys and baby turtles, ride an ATV, eat some damn good sushi (yes, really), meet lots of cool people and just generally have an amazing time -- And that's just a super-brief overview.

When researching online, I found plenty of people who looked down on organized group travel, saying going with a group couldn't possibly compare to going on your own and having a truly "authentic" experience. However, I have zero regrets about my trip (except maybe not being able to stay longer) and none whatsoever about going with a tour group.

I decided to respond to some comments I came across on Reddit by an aforementioned organized-group-travel critic. The comments were on a thread that started with someone asking about G Adventures specifically.

"It's mostly the absolutely most stereotypical things, of which about half are outdated Lonely Planet recommendations that i personally would avoid."
Wrong. A worry of mine before the trip was that it would feel to "planned," but that turned out to not be a problem at all. The transportation between locations was planned, but once we were at our destination we could do basically whatever we wanted. Sure, our guide would recommend things to us; and usually the majority of the group decided to do the same thing. But if most of the group wanted to go zip-lining and one person wanted to go hiking, that could happen. If one person wanted to just go off and do their own thing all day, that was possible, too.
We went to places that are big tourist destinations -- San José, La Fortuna and Montezuma -- but I didn't feel my experience was overly touristy or inauthentic. Firstly, our guide was a lifelong resident of Costa Rica and gave us good recommendations about what to do and see (and how to stay safe). Secondly, those areas are tourist destinations FOR A REASON. They are beautiful and have a lot to offer.

"It's stupidly overpriced and in no way can compare to doing it yourself, cost wise. I can also afford to fly first class to Australia but I don't because it's not worth it."
I don't make a lot of money. If this trip were truly overpriced, I wouldn't have been able to do it.

"you miss out on pretty much all the fun impromptu trips by sticking to a schedule that only goes to the most hackneyed attractions."
OK, no. I'll refer back to what I said a couple paragraphs ago about aspects of the trip that were planned. The only parts of the trip that were set in stone were being at a bus at a certain time to make it to the next destination. And we did some impromptu activities -- like going to a hot springs after spending the day canyoneering.

Arenal volcano, as seen from La Fortuna.

I'd like to add that it was REALLY nice to be traveling with a tour group when Hurricane Otto hit. Thankfully, our group was lucky and Otto stayed north of us. We weren't really affected by it except for some rain. However, our guide had already arranged for us to stay in our Montezuma hotel for an extra day or two in case it was needed. If I had been traveling by myself, I'm sure I could have managed around the hurricane on my own. However I know I would have been WAY stressed and probably would've felt in over my head.

And now I'll take a minute to praise our tour guide, Mane. Having someone with us who knows the area well and speaks Spanish (and not the textbook Spanish I learned in high school) was INVALUABLE. He always had great recommendations about what do to and see, and how to stay safe.
If anyone from G Adventures corporate happens to be reading this, Mane deserves a raise! Seriously.

My conclusion: Would I recommend this trip? Yes. Did I have a positive experience with G Adventures? Yes. Did it seem too planned and overly touristy? No. Was it overpriced? No. Did I feel safe? Yes.

I'm still getting over my VERY REAL post-vacation blues!

If anyone has any questions about G Adventures, "Costa Rica on a Shoestring" or anything else, you can email me at annsmajstrla (at) gmail (dot) com.

Music makes me feel feelings

I decided to compile a list of songs or albums that usually evoke an emotional response from me.

Cry -- Godley and Creme

Believe it or not, this song doesn't make me cry.

I just wasn't made for these times -- The Beach Boys

I cried the first time I heard this song.

Koyaanisqatsi -- Phillip Glass.

No explanation necessary.

The Dark Crystal: Overture from the Motion Picture -- Larry Hopkins.

This makes me nostalgic and causes me to think of watching The Dark Crystal with my dad when I was 6.

Mother Earth's Plantasia -- Mort Garson.

If you listen to only one album I've selected, let it be this one.
LISTEN TO THIS ALBUM IN ITS ENTIRETY IN ONE SITTING. Don't just listen to part of it. Carve out 29 minutes and 44 seconds where you can just sit tight and enjoy the whole thing. This album evokes (positive) complex feelings in me that I can't explain.

"Pokémon Go" is what many people need right now. Don't piss on other people's happiness.

Unless you haven't been paying attention, you know a lot of sad and upsetting incidents have occurred in recent weeks. The Pulse Nightclub shooting. Alton Sterling. Philando Castile. The Dallas Police Officer shootings. The Nice, France attack. The Baton Rouge Police Officer shootings.

I work in the news and I read a lot of sad stories, so I've learned ways to compartmentalize and not become severely depressed. But this past month has hit me particularly hard -- And I wasn't even directly touched by these tragedies. I know countless others are hurting in ways I can't understand.

Something else has happened in recent weeks. The video game Pokémon Go was released!

Unlike traditional video games, Pokémon Go requires players to physically leave their homes and walk around their respective communities in order to find and catch Pokémon. ... So the stereotype that gamers are basement-dwellers who never see the light of day doesn't hold up among Pokémon Go players.

Check out this picture of some players gathered in Anchorage, Alaska:

Thanks to Pokémon Go, people are going outside and socializing with others. Communities are being brought together. People are enjoying nature and whatever their place of residence has to offer them.

People are getting a reason to be happy, have fun and connect with others during a very, very difficult time.

Sounds great, right? WOAH HO HOOOO - Not so fast!!

There are certain people out there who hate the Pokémon Go phenomenon and just need THE WHOLE WORLD to know about it. It's totally CRAZY that GROWN ADULTS are playing this game, they say! People are walking around like ZOMBIES while awful things are happening everywhere! WHY CAN'T THEY STOP PLAYING THE GAME AND BE MAD AND MISERABLE JUST LIKE ME???, the haters ask.

(related -- Woman builds her personality around hatred of popular things, Reductress)

Listen here: just about every hobby out there is arguably pointless -- Unless your hobby happens to be helping old people across the street or feeding people at the homeless shelter.

Collecting records? Pointless. Knitting? Pointless. Horseback riding? Pointless.

You get it.

Doing meth is a bad hobby. Throwing rocks at cars is a bad hobby. Shoplifting is a bad hobby.

Pokémon Go is a perfectly fine hobby.

Why do people feel the need to piss on other people's happiness? I have a good hunch. Putting down other people's hobbies is a good opportunity to grandstand. It's a way of picking up a megaphone and yelling to the world, "HEY EVERYONE! I HATE THIS THING EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING THEREFORE I'M SUPER SMART AND BETTER THAN EVERYONE!!! LOOK AT MEEEEEEE!!!!!"

So, person who is loudly grandstanding, here's a little bit of the attention you so crave:

Also, here's a trophy for not liking Pokémon Go:

If you're one of these passionate Pokémon Go critics, then here's what I suggest: Get a hobby. A stupid, pointless, "real-adults-don't-do-that" hobby. Anything to make you less of an uptight asshole.

And to the Pokémon Go players, keep doing what you love and don't stop. I'm only on level 2 so far and I NEED to catch up.

See you at the local Pokéstop!

Boy oh boy, JUNE

(This is mostly a post to indicate that I haven't abandoned this blog and that I WILL be blogging in July.)

So, June happened. Dear lord.

I've been absent from this blog because to say my month has been busy would be an understatement. First, my boyfriend Josh visited. Immediately thereafter, my parents visited. I had a few days to myself, and then my brother Thomas and two of his friends visited (yes, there were four people in my tiny apartment for a couple days. It was crowded, but everything went fine).

The news went crazy. Especially in Florida.

Oh, and in between all of that, I celebrated my 25th birthday.

... By feeding a giraffe.

... And eating bread pudding that tasted like whiskey.

There was drinking. Lots of drinking.

I also did a thing with my hair, and crossed an item off my to-do list!

I look tired in this picture BECAUSE I AM!!

So yes, it's been quite a month.

I wreaked havoc on my body this month with alcohol (I may or may not have done a keg stand ...). So I've decided that I am NOT drinking more than one drink at a time for the month of July, and I'm also not going to drink on weeknights.

Have you ever woken up from a drunken stupor with a headache, and notice that your sunglasses are missing and your phone has new cracks/scratches on it? It's kind of funny the first time it happens. And then it gets way old.

My goals for July are threefold: Get adequate sleep, eat healthier and exercise regularly. I have made these goals time and time again, but it never hurts to set them again. They are lifelong pursuits for me.

I'm going to end this post with a video my brother made that YOU MUST WATCH. Earlier this year, Thomas took a trip around the world -- Japan, Hong Kong, Amsterdam, Germany, Czech Republic, Finland ... Uh ... I might be missing a couple. He took video everywhere he went, and compiled it all into a music video. The first time I watched it I nearly cried because of how good it is.

Hi.

Hi everyone.

I'm long overdue for a new post, and I haven't written a "week in review" in a couple weeks. I have one partly typed up that I was going to post today. But in light of two back-to-back shootings in Orlando, one of which is now the most deadly shooting in United States history, I don't feel like making a light-hearted post on here.

Donate blood. Give money. If praying is your thing, then pray for everyone involved -- The souls of the deceased, their family and friends, the first responders.

Hold your loved ones close. Appreciate them. Try to see the good in everything.

As mass shootings/killing sprees have become more and more common, I've tried to let go of petty, negative feelings. The world can be so unpredictable. I'd rather spend my life being happy and seeing the beauty in the world than complaining and being needlessly negative.

This was written as a response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. I revisited it today.

Where was God on September 11?

(God explains)

“I know you’re mad at Me right now. That’s alright. People have been mad at Me before and will be again. Being mad is part of being human. My Son got mad, too. It’s all right to be mad sometimes at injustice, for example, or the lack of charity.”

“You probably think I am unjust and uncharitable when an airplane goes down like that. All those people lost. The children gone. It doesn’t seem right; it can’t be loving. You ask, ‘Where was God?’ Why did He allow that to happen?”

“I allow it to happen because I allow you freedom. I could have left you on a string and made you dance all day without getting tired. I could have moved your mouth for you and made you sing all night without growing hoarse. I could have pulled a wire that would have let you soar skyward and never fall.”

“I could have, but I didn’t because I love you so much. I want you to be free to decide when to dance and sing. Free to determine when you will come to Me in faith and hope. Because you are free, some of you choose not to dance or sing. Some of you select hatred over love, revenge over forgiveness, bombs over a helping hand. As you choose, I watch. I do not disappear. I listen to both the songs and the bombs. AND I REMEMBER.”

“Where was God?” you wonder…I was there. I whispered in the ear of a little girl, ‘Don’t be afraid, I am with you.’ I held the hand of a business woman as tightly as she clutched mine. I cradled a pilot against my shoulder as if he were a baby again.”

“Amid the paralyzing fear, I was there, as I was there with my Son in the garden. Amid the unbearable pain, I was there, as I was with Him as He was whipped. Amid the terrible realization that life was ending too soon, I was there, with Him as He hung on the cross and asked, like you, “My God, why have you forsaken Me?”

“I had not forsaken Him. I did not forsake them. I was there as they fell, and as they rose to eternal joy. I listened to their anger, answered their questions and showed them why they had been created. Not to end that way, but to live with Me forever.”

“In an instant, they came into existence. As you did. In an instant, they left this world. As you will. But beyond that last instant, I kept my promise… A little girl dances, a business woman sings, and a pilot keeps his wings forever.”

The week in review -- In which there's a lot going on in my life but I somehow manage to make this post boring

This was an eventful week. It was my first week back on the day shift, which I am very happy about!! I went to an awesome concert on Tuesday. A post about that is coming soon. 

I managed to work out several times, and I think I'm starting to see progress. I did a surprisingly good job at eating well ... Until Saturday, when I went to a friend's birthday party and ate a bunch of cake. OH WELL ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

It was ice cream cake. Anyone would be a fool to turn down ice cream cake.

I found this picture of a baby beaver and can't stop looking at it and marveling at how cute it is:

I'm currently watching the documentary, "Cowspiracy," and I'm half feeling like a bad person/half intrigued.

Also, I feel like the only person who doesn't have big plans for Memorial Day weekend. At least I got to go to a party last night.

~~~

The graves of the Marines I lost, The New York Times. In honor of memorial day.

The ethics of Hodor: A conversation about how Game of Thrones’s latest twist fits in with George R.R. Martin’s typically cliché-busting portrayal of disability, The Atlantic.

This Facebook post about a group of women stopping a potential rape is very angering, yet inspiring. An important read.

Thanks, Jimmy Carter, for stating what should be obvious: Trump’s campaign is racist, The Nation.

Why your Facebook feed is filled with women selling essential oils and press-on nails, Vox. Has an old high school friend ever struck up a conversation with you, and you feel glad they reached out again ... Only for them to start pitching "It Works!" wraps or Advocare products to you? Yeah. That sucks. I found this article to be an interesting look at MLM businesses.

Wealthy sex assault survivor pledges to defeat GOP lawmaker who won’t let victims sue their abusers, Raw Story. 

It’s scary that many still supported Bruner for the state education board, The Dallas Morning News. Texas, I love you. But we have some political issues we need to work through. "These aren’t political leanings, this is wackiness. Bruner would have been a train wreck on the state board with influence over what our children are required to learn."

The Case of Thomas/Thomasine Hall: Intersex and Genderfluid Identity in the Colonial Period, The Toast. I'm probably going to post a link from The Toast every week until they shut down ... I may still be in denial about that :-(

Why six hours of sleep is as bad as none at all, Fast Company.

The Rise of the Religious Left: Why the old ‘moral majority’ is crumbling, Jennifer Butler for Medium. I really hate the notion many people seem to have that if you're Christian, you must be conservative/Republican. I'm so glad that many Christian leaders are defying this silly concept.
"Prominent Southern Baptist leader Russell Moore has repeatedly rebuked Trump and his inflammatory anti-immigrant sentiment in op-eds, media appearances and Twitter warning that Republican candidates might turn off evangelical voters with their lack of compassion. The Catholic Archbishop of Indiana defied his governor by taking in a Syrian refugee family. Even Pope Francis criticized presidential hopeful Donald Trump for his campaign promises to deport more immigrants and build a higher border wall that he would make Mexicans pay for."

Uniqlo Says It’s “Struggling” In The U.S., BuzzFeed. Uniqlo is awesome. This seems like a good excuse to make a big order so I can do my part to support Uniqlo in America ... :-P

In other retail news ... Claire's continues its glittery decline, The Cut. NO NO NO!!! Claire's was one of the mall stores that defined my childhood, along with KB Toys and The Limited Too -- both of which are also defunct. If the Bath & Body Works also goes, well ... That will be a sad, sad day. Hang in there, B&BW.
Dillard's, on the other hand, can close. I briefly worked there and it was 2 1/2 months of retail hell.

Every Single Pinky and the Brain Plan to Take Over the World, Ranked, io9. This list leaves out the episode where Brain disguises himself as Cher and enters a celebrity golf tournament to steal Chi Chi Rodriguez's golf club. Therefore, this list is highly flawed ... But still important.

President Jimmy Carter's Sunday School

On May 22, I did something I've been meaning to do since I moved to Georgia. I attended a Sunday school class taught by former President Jimmy Carter!

My awesome friend, Lo, and I woke up extra early and started the drive from Atlanta to Plains at about 6:30 a.m. We arrived at about 9 a.m. at Maranatha Baptist Church.

If you don't know much about Plains (like I didn't), it's a small town. SMALL. I had underestimated exactly how small it is. Its population is about 750 people. Likewise, the church was really small as well. I was expecting something big and fancy, but instead, Maranatha Baptist Church was smaller than the churches I had grown up in! Although it was small and not the fanciest church I'd been inside, it was very nice.

The exterior of Maranatha Baptist Church.

When we pulled up to the church, we were greeted by police officers. A bomb-detecting dog was sniffing around each car. Before we entered the church, Secret Service agents looked in my purse and used metal-detecting wands on us.

Secret Service agents were actually everywhere in the building.

We got into the church a full hour before the Sunday school class started. The pews were pretty full, so they sat us in the choir loft, which I think were awesome seats! As we waited, we listened to a woman, I think her name was Kim, give us rules and tell us pieces of trivia about Jimmy Carter.

Rules included:

• President Carter will go around the sanctuary and ask what states/countries people are from. Once on state/country has been called out, don't repeat it.
• While President Carter is asking where everyone is from is your ONE chance to take a picture of him.
• Don't stand up when President Carter enters the room.
• Don't clap for President Carter -- He wants those in attendance to take what they have learned and apply it to their everyday lives, which is "applause" enough for him.

Kim said she had grown up in Plains, and that her mother-in-law had dated Jimmy Carter when they were in high school. When Kim asked why her mother-in-law had broken things off with Jimmy Carter, she replied that she "wasn't impressed with him." :-P

Shortly before 10 a.m., I saw the former First Lady, Rosalynn Carter, be lead into the sanctuary and sit down in a pew. I inwardly freaked out.

Then, President Carter entered the room!

President Carter asking where everyone is from.

President Carter asking our section where we were from!

President Carter then spent a few minutes talking about what has been going on at the Carter Center ... But I was still in awe at seeing a former president just a few feet from me, so I can't really remember much about what he said, haha.

Then, the actual lesson started.

The lesson was based on Acts 2:37-47. During his lesson, President Carter spoke of the first time he ran for governor of Georgia, and lost. He said a big part of the platform of his opponent was racial segregation. Carter was deeply disappointed when he lost, and this tested his faith. Afterward he went to the northeast and did some mission work, which he considered to be a spiritual turning point.

He ran again for governor four years later and won ... And the rest is history ;-)

President Carter spoke of how important it is to love others. I wrote down something he said, "Be open to others, not self-centered and full of pride." I wish I would've brought a pen because I would have made more notes.

We stayed for the church service, and then afterward were able to take a photo with the Carters! We weren't allowed to initiate conversation with the Carters, but both said hello to me. I greeted them back and then thanked them. As I walked away, President Carter said "thank you, sweetheart." !!!!!!!!!!

Me with the Carters! A lot of people have asked about my dress ... it's from eshakti.com. Eshakti gift cards make awesome presents ... *cough cough.*

I want to put that on my resume. Ann Smajstrla: B.A. in Journalism from the University of North Texas; once called "sweetheart" by President Jimmy Carter ... Ever heard of him?

I can't stress how incredible this experience was. If you're in Georgia, GO. Heck, if you're not in Georgia, STILL GO.

At 91, President Carter is still sharp as a tack. He stood up and spoke for nearly an hour. He stayed afterward and took pictures with everyone who showed up.

What I love most of all is that President Carter seems so humble. Although he could be kicking back in a mansion in Atlanta if he wanted to, he lives in his tiny hometown, and helps the community he grew up in. He doesn't go to a big, fancy church. He goes to a small church where he teaches Sunday school to anyone and everyone.

Kim told a story that one time, the Carters invited all of the children in the area to Maranatha Baptist Church. They served pizza to all of them, and a Secret Service agent did magic tricks for all of the kids! How cool is that?

At 91, President Carter continues to work with Habitat for Humanity and do humanitarian work with the Carter Center. He will be serving other people until he dies. He's truly an inspiring individual.

I'm so glad I was able to see this man speak and see his humility firsthand. I hope he has a few years left in him ... He was able to beat cancer, so I have hope. :-)