No Artificial Ingredients Indeed

Back from our family's vacation to Costa Rica, I am left feeling extremely grateful for not only the well-received rest and relaxation with family; I enjoyed exhilarating experiences previously unimaginable.

Costa Rica's ad in this Sunday's New York Times includes the tagline "No Artificial Ingredients." I'll say. What with monkeys offering our singular wake-up call swinging limb to limb just outside our hotel balcony, to iguanas joining us on our walk to breakfast, to a highly venomous snake slithering right before our eyes on our drive to dinner, to native raccoon-like critters sharing the bar under the grass-thatched hut where we dined for most meals...nature called out loud and clear. Everywhere.

We watched the volcano erupt at Arenal and watched with delight when we saw it played again on the national news that night; patted the frogs which resident caretaker Valencio sheltered and raised; glared at the crocodile swimming in the same water where we white-water rafted; and enthusiastically spread mud on our faces while we sipped organic coffee at a mountaintop caf?. (I never thought I'd be wearing a volcanic mud mask in the middle of Costa Rica in front of strangers...but then again, I figured I'd never see these people again, either.)

I have to admit: my more frequent attire, when traveling south, looks a lot more like it leapt out of a Lilly Pulitzer closet. A couple of loudly colorful capris, coordinating Jack Rogers shoes, and cute straw bags can usually get me about anywhere in the summer.

But not in Costa Rica. It was the place for hiking boots, surfer shorts, and fanny packs. I was totally out of my element.

Risk taking is one of the things I heartily recommend for creative living. It is one of the secrets of creating creative genius. All creative people take risks. They live outside of their comfort zone. They engage in new activities, surround themselves with different types of people, and deliberately put themselves into foreign surroundings. They create situations over which they have little or no control over the outcome.

Such was the case with my family on our summer vacation. I was in totally foreign territory. I don't speak Spanish, and my feeble attempts at putting an "el" in front of every word with an "o" behind it (i.e. "el guide-o") were only met with side-splitting laughter by my fluent husband and kids. "Por favor, club soda with lemon" became another mealtime joke.

I also don't hang out in surfer shorts and those tight-fitting surfer tops. I can't surf. My husband and kids took lessons everyday while at the beach, but because of my mangled right leg (car accident twenty-seven years ago), I can't even think about it. Everybody at the beach in Costa Rica surfs. I was odd-man out there, too. I had no particular affinity for night hiking in the cloud forest, though my husband and sons found that to be one adventure they would not go home without experiencing firsthand. Nor did I desire a night trek beyond the "No Trespassing" signs at the erupting volcano, (can you even imagine what might lurk out there in the dark?) but my husband and sons found that irresistible. When we stopped for lunch at a local "soda" on the side of the road (literally) I announced that I wouldn't eat there for fear of catching malaria. But I was hungry. I ate there. It was good. I didn't catch malaria. But I did get laughed at-once again-by my husband and kids.

We traveled by SUV on paths that could only be described as just that. To call them roads would be incredible overstatement. Boulder-studded and dirt-lined, they were beyond anything I had ever seen-except when traveling to Panama. Signage was, well, confusing at best and non-existent at worst. We figured it was the native's conspiracy against US tourists.

But we're already anxious to go back. Costa Rica's national motto is "pura vida." The pure life. Or "life is good." And when all was said and done, I was very glad to have lived for a couple weeks with no artificial ingredients. No make-up...only volcanic mud on my middle-aged skin. No clothing labels...just cotton t's and baggy shorts. No jewelry..except for the green cat's eye cross-and-beaded-trinket I bought from a native craftswoman on the beach.

I walked on the most incredible beaches I'd ever seen, rode horseback through the woods, paddled down white-water rapids, and witnessed the cloud forest from 400 meters above ground level. I came back home sore and exhausted, but exhilarated and happy.

My biggest challenge now is figuring out how to translate all of Costa Rica's charm-and "pura vida" mantra-into my New England culture, family life, and schedule. But no artificial ingredients? Now that's a tough one.

Carolina Fernandez earned an M.B.A. and worked at IBM and as a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch before coming home to work as a wife and mother of four. She totally re-invented herself along the way. Strong convictions were born about the role of the arts in child development; homeschooling for ten years provided fertile soil for devising creative parenting strategies. These are played out in ROCKET MOM! 7 Strategies To Blast You Into Brilliance. It is available on Amazon.com, in bookstores everywhere, or by calling 888-476-2493. She writes extensively for a variety of parenting resources and teaches other moms via parenting classes and radio and TV interviews.

Please visit http://www.rocketmom.com to subscribe to her free ezine and get a weekly shot of inspiration.

---

Welcome to Bragg Creek

Welcome to Bragg Creek! Bragg Creek is located in the Rocky Mountains in Alberta Canada. It must be by far one of Alberta's best kept secrets. From it's scenic beauty to it's one... Read More

Chimborazo: Learning Spanish At 20,600 Feet

Climbing the glaciers to the summit of Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador isn't highly technical. It is mountaineering, but how hard can it be, considering I went to 20,600 feet the first time I... Read More

What You Need to Know About - Camping Vacations

Camping is a delightful and adventurous way to spend your vacations. Camping basically means living in tents that are pitched on specific grounds. The biggest advantage of camping is the cost saving. You... Read More

New Technologies in Camping and Outdoor Clothing Enhance the Outdoor Experience

Camping is an excellent way to explore and experience the outdoors. The weather needn't be an obstacle to what sorts of climates and places you might trek to. Outdoor clothing has become incredibly... Read More

Bird Watching Tips

Simply sitting and watching birds is a popular hobby around the world. It's fun and relaxing at the same time.Many people quite enjoy just watching the birds in their garden, yard, trees and... Read More

True North & Magnetic Declination - A Trick to Make it Stick

Magnetic declination is an essential principle to understand when navigating your way through the wilds with map and compass.Yet it's a tricky thing to remember, at least the way it has traditionally been... Read More

Ireland Golf Vacations ? Top Tips To Help You Plan an Ireland Golf Vacation

Live your golfing dreams on an Ireland golf vacation.The K Club, Ballybunion, Lahinch, Doonbeg, Druids Glen? the names of the courses may not trip off the tongue quite as easily as those of... Read More

Review: Russell Shortos The Island At The Center Of The World

Up to now the preponderant view held by many historians is that Dutch contribution to American history and particularly to that of New York has been one of irrelevancy. As we no doubt... Read More

Disneyland for Hikers: A Walk to Mt. Whitney

Base camp sits at 12,000 feet - stark, windy, unshaded from the blazing August sun, but an otherwise great place to stop for a snack. Voices echo across cold granite as the breeze... Read More

Tips for Mountain Bikers in Spain

As any keen mountain biker will know, there are some important rules to follow and bike handling skills to master before subjecting yourself and your bike to the thrills and spills of off-road... Read More

Holidays in Goa

Sun, Sand and Surf ? an apt description for Goa? But Goa is much more. Ancient temples and old churches? Yes. Portuguese Colony? Carnival City? The original refuge of the hippies? Yes again!... Read More

Hiking Safely on the Hills

SAFE WALKING TREKKING OUTDOORSIf you are contemplating a long distance walk, or indeed a day walk, on the any of the high level routes in the UK, such as The Pennine Way, for... Read More

Top Five Honeymoon Safari Destinations In Africa

An African honeymoon safari is the perfect way to celebrate your marriage.The pampering that you get is second to none and the surroundings are as beautiful as you will get anywhere in the... Read More

Old Barney -- A Visit to Barnegat Light, New Jersey

Barnegat Light, NJ is the home to "Old Barney" a historic lighthouse located at the northern tip of Long Beach Island. Long Beach Island, or "LBI" as the vacationing folks like to say,... Read More

Old Sturbridge Village ? Links to Our Past Guide, Part 2

Once described in a 1950 article as "The Town That Wants to Be Out of Date," Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts is a lovingly recreated village of early 19th century New England.... Read More

Inflatable Boats: An Overview

Inflatable boats are made from flexible material, usually rubber, canvas, or neoprene, and hold air at high volume but low pressure. They need to be fitted with a frame to which an oarlock... Read More

Cycling in Europe: There?s More to the Tour de France than Lance

For the 92nd time, the Tour de France has started. This three week cycling race is one of the biggest sporting events in the world and undoubtedly the toughest on the individual participants.... Read More

Cochin - Cocktails of Cultures

Eulogised as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Cochin, Kerala's commercial capital is an anachronism. The dashing metropolitan city prides itself on a historical heritage stretching back to ancient times and embracing within... Read More

Solo Backpacking

Have you ever gone solo backpacking? If you have, you'll probably agree that it isn't a matter of it being better or worse than backpacking with friends. It's just a different activity altogether.When... Read More

River Rafting in Colorado

The sport of river rafting was practically invented in Colorado. In the late 1960s Bill Dvorak came up with many safety standards for equipment and many guidelines for proper rafting technique. His Dvorak... Read More

Lake Winnipesaukee ? The Smile of the Great Spirit

Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest and one of the deepest lakes in New Hampshire. Centered in the popular vacation area known as the Lakes Region it provides 4-season pleasure for millions every year.The... Read More

Alaska - Brief Travel Guide

WHAT TO SEE, TO DO AND WHERE: Mount McKinley is the highest mountain in North America (6,194 m or 20,306 feet), 150 miles from Fairbanks. Mountain climbing season is very short because of... Read More

Stay Warm - A Backpacking Skill

Stay warm or die. That's what it comes down to at the extremes. More people die in the wilderness of exposure than from any other cause. Staying warm, of course, also means more... Read More

Mount Chimborazo: Climbing Glaciers Near The Equator

The climb up the glaciers to the summit of Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador isn't considered highly technical. Technically, it is mountaineering, but how hard could it be, considering that I went to 20,600... Read More

Zambezi Sharks Under Threat at Protea Banks

Sharklife.co.za has been fighting an ongoing for the protection of the Zambezi shark on Protea Banks but has been informed that a fishing charter is still trophy fishing for these sharks.Sensational Fishing Charters... Read More

Taking an Alaskan Cruise ? What to Pack

Packing in general can be a hassle. But when going on an Alaskan cruise, it can be even harder because of the colder weather. Here are some general suggestions to make this task... Read More

Too much to do in London!

No one can truly say they know London well. To know London completely is impossible. London changes faster than pigeons descending into the fountains of Trafalgar Square. Home... Read More

Kerala ? Holiday in Gods Own Country

Touted as one of the world's fifty destinations of a lifetime by the National Geographic, Kerala has certainly earned its position on the holiday travel bandwagon.Located on the southernmost tip of the Indian... Read More

Santa Cruz Church ? the Portuguese Legacy in Bangkok

Santa Cruz Church, the church of the holy cross, was first built the reign of King Taksin, a legacy of Thai-Portuguese relations that date back to the 16th century.Nestled among old houses on... Read More