jenjoy

First three Find Your Joy Posts

Okay you slackers...if you haven't already subscribed to the new website you are missing out on some amazingly wonderful posts (if I say so myself).

I have listed the first three here in a last ditch effort to get you over to the new site.

A Life Well Traveled

The Poets Passage

A Soldier's Journey

Palo Verde National Park - Costa Rica

Another day has dawned and a small group of us are up early, waiting for our ride to Palo Verda National Park.  Today’s journey is an hour and a half from Tamarindo Beach but well worth it.

 

The boats moored at Tempisque River are reminiscent of the jungle cruise at Disneyland and throughout the morning I expect big plastic hippos to rise dramatically from the water to challenge us.  Instead we see crocodiles, eyes barely visible above the murky water, contemplating their lunch selections from among us.  I wonder if they think we all taste like chicken?

 

The Tempisque River, at this point in its journey, is a mix of salt and fresh water, with high tide coming every six hours, giving the illusion that the river is running backwards.  Its keeps company with The Nile and The Amazon in this unique feature.

 

The grumpy looking white-faced monkey is the most interactive of the animals we see today.  They move in groups through the trees, swinging low by us, even coming onto neighboring boats (only because the tour guides are feeding them sugar cane which is against the rules, as the monkeys will stop foraging and become dependent).   The boats keep the crocs away from the shore so the monkeys feel secure enough to come down by the water’s edge to dip their faces into the river.  Normally they dip their tails in then move to safety before sucking the water from them.   Howler monkeys populate this forest as well and we see several families of them high in the trees. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My favorites are the long nosed bats.  Small numbers of them line up on tree trunks, trying to create the illusion that they are a bigger creature.  When threatened they will shift themselves creating a slithering snake effect.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black and green Iguanas sun themselves, guarding the eggs that they laid at the end of February.  Often they are hidden along tree branches and it’s only the eagle eye of our boat captain that alerts us to their presents.  Iguanas can “release” their tails once in their life, usually escaping predators or during fights, and they grow back a solid color, instead of stripped.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graceful long legged white egrets are plentiful and we also spot a few nocturnal birds hiding in the dark foliage, red eyes glowing. 

 

(I did not take this picture)

 

 

 

Lunch is a typical Costa Rica meal back at the tour boat cabana.  Rice, beans, chicken, fresh corn tortillas, squash with meat (what kind of meat we don’t know but we suspect iguana), salad, another mystery meat, watermelon juice and to finish it off a scoop of papaya ice cream. 

 

Then back in the van for the ride back to the rest of our girls to share our experiences of the day.

 (Me and Shannon)

Collecting Seashells

 Carol, the owner of the house and organizer of this trip, has promised us a beach full of perfect seashells.

 We set out, in two white Toyota Fortrunners, headed for the unknown but full of adventure.  The roads are mostly unpaved and dusty and remind me of my beloved Belize.  Carol says in the wet season they are practically impassable.

By the time we get there the noon sun is blazing but we are undeterred in our quest for shells, each of us with a “plan” for our bounty.  Heads down, shoulders offered up to the sun gods, we shuffle down the wide expanse of flat beach. The mostly white sand has an underlying layer of black sand that marks our footprints like soot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The hunting is good, and as our skin ripens to a crisp, our plastic shopping bags become heavy and our tummies grow hungry. 

 

(Karen found a shell that looks like Indian cave drawing)

We wander back to Lola’s and order cervezas, smoothies and lunch.

 Lola's, named after the owner’s pet pig, (who took daily dips in the ocean) is a shady haven with long board wooden seats and tables that sink into the sand.  Pokey, Chicken Satay, and huge salads are just a few of the offerings that we sampled.  

 

We head home, tired and dusty but satisfied.

Making Friends in Costa Rica

What do you do when a friend calls and invites you to join her and thirteen of her friends for a girls only house party in Tamarindo, Costa Rica?  Even though you don’t know any of the other women attending, you say HELL YES!

Named for its indoor and outdoor waterfalls, Cascada Villa, is a six bedroom oasis located on the beach, only a five minute walk from the booming tourist town of Tamarindo.  Just an hour’s drive southeast of Liberia, Tamarindo had a dry tropical climate, unlike the rain forests in other parts of the country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(The outdoor master bedroom shower)

 

 

 

 

 

                            (View from the master shower)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The women are an eclectic mix,  from an executive at Intel in Albuquerque, a hotel owner in Silver City, NM and a medical marketing CEO from Dallas.   Our ages range from 22 to over 70.  The majority of the women are from the Silver City, NM area and are mourning the loss of a husband, father, and friend who died in December after a long illness.  The others of us are suffering from our own bereavements or major emotional upheavals.  We are looking for a pause in the emotional storm that life has given us, a place to be surrounded by love, friendship and healing.

 

When I travel with friends and family, our roles have already been established.  I am usually the planner and organizer. Meeting thirteen new people at different stages in their lives, with ingrained relationships already in place is challenging.  Where do I fit in, especially when I am trying not to do the thing that I always do?  After the last three months, I need to back away and relax.

 

The first morning dawns and I find myself wanting to do everything and nothing. 

I settle for lunch with five others at a beach restaurant called La Palapa .  We share a seafood feast of lobster, red snapper, mussels, calamari and shrimp. 

The conversation flows naturally as we bond over a communal meal.  Enrique, our waiter, brings us complimentary shooters  of Guaro (Costa Rican Rum) and coconut cream. 

 

 

 

 

 

We promptly name these “bra busters”, the perfect partner for the “panty ripper” (Caribbean rum and pineapple juice) that I am drinking. 

 

 

 

 

(Enrique with Carol and Jana)

 After another round of complimentary shooters (and a BIG TIP for Enrique), we head back to the house for an afternoon by the pool.

Already we are opening up to each other, trusting and allowing that we are in the right place at the right time for the right reason. 

FIND YOUR JOY

Day One of FIND YOUR JOY and I want you to be there!

If you have enjoyed my blogging on this site you will love the new website. 

Unfortunately you will have to subscribe again on the new site since I wasn't able to import the subscription service over.

Can't wait to see you on the other side.

www.find-your-joy.com

Find Your Joy Website

The time has come.  Well, almost.  The official launch for my new company/website is next Monday, May 2.

I will send you the link on Monday morning.  In the meantime, check out the Find Your Joy page on Facebook.

Looking forward to seeing you on the "other side".

Jennifer

Food of Puerto Rico

Plantains, the beginning of every good meal in Puerto Rico.

Stuffed Avacado with sweet plantains. (Augucates Rellenos et Carne)

Mofungo with Chimichurri Skirt Steak (Mofongo Relleno de Churrasco Al Chimichurri)  Otherwise known as a bowl full of heaven.

Beef empanda with regular plantains and sweet plantains

Pork Chope (this is the small one) with Mofungo.

New Directions

It’s a new and exciting time as my passion for travel intersects with creating a new path for my life. 

 

Even when we think we are open to a new world, it is hard to step out of our comfort zone.  I took a big leap by leaving my warm cozy home at Screen Gems and settling in Nashville this year.   By doing that I committed to building a new space for both my inner and outer self.  

 

I did really well with the outer self.  I love the house.  I love Nashville.  I love my neighborhood.  I loved that part of my new life.

 

But I felt as if I faltered with the inner journey.  I didn’t write much.  I didn’t take any inward journeys.  I had some ideas and I mentally batted them around like beach balls.

Eventually they deflated.

 

Sometimes we have to be smacked right upside the head to understand the direction we should be pointed.  I got smacked!  By Teresa at Sail Air Travel.

 

After my gig as a travel coordinator for “Water For Elephants”, I had lunch with Teresa.

We, of course, talked about travel and I explained to her my plan (that is a loose term) to create specialty groups.   She knew then that we could form a great partnership.

 

In the last few weeks I have been learning the reservation system and trying to gleam all the knowledge I can from my fellow travel agents at Sail Air.  They are a warm, wonderful, giving group and I feel blessed to be allowed to work with them. 

 

I consider myself a veteran traveler but I had a lot to learn.  Secrets about traveling.

All of which I will share with you.

 

Keep an eye on this blog.  There are a lot of exciting things happening in my world and I want you all to be a part of it. 

 

Yes, I am still working in production (working on a Taylor Swift Special right now). My travel life is still being formed but I am available and able to help you make all your travel arrangements!  Please email me at jblair@sailairtravel.com

FREE Concerts for the Coast

"Their music will lift up spirits and help encourage visitors to come here and enjoy our world famous Southern hospitality." -Governor Bob Riley of the State of Alabama

 

Brad Paisley and Bon Jovi are heading to the Gulf Shores area of Alabama for free concerts promoting the Gulf Coast.   Tickets are FREE when you make hotel/condo reservations with selected vacation rentals.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Brad Paisley

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Sounds like a fun weekend trip to me!  For all the information, check out their website:

Concerts For The Coast.

If you need any help booking your reservations, I can help you. 

Sheraton Read House, Chattanooga, TN

(Photo supplied by The Sheraton Read House) 

The Sheraton Read House , located in the heart of downtown Chattanooga, has a lively history, beautifully restored and/or maintained architectural detail and a staff that will attend to your every need. 

 
(photo by Jennifer Blair)
 

Built in 1926, this ten-story Georgian style Hotel underwent a $12Million restoration in 2004, updating its amenities while maintaining its historical charm.  However, this was not the first hotel to occupy this corner of land.  

(Photo supplied by Sheraton Read House)

The first, The Crutchfield House, opened in 1846 and was used as a hospital by the Union Army during occupation in 1863.   It survived the war but burned to the ground in 1867.    Another hotel was built a few years later, to be torn down in 1926 to make way for the new improved Read House.

Visited by a variety of important people, such as Winston Churchill, Ronald Regan and recently Robert Pattison (of “Twilight” fame), the most infamous was Al Capone.  Chattanooga’s location made an ideal overnight stop for the Feds transporting Mr. Capone from Florida back to Chicago.  Security bars were placed on the window in Room 311, where they remained until the renovation in 2004.

 

As with any hotel with history, rumors of ghosts and haunting abound.  (The rumors center around Room 311.)  The staff will deny any knowledge, as the hotel doesn’t want to advertise these things, but stay long enough and you’ll experience your own.  I certainly did.  You can read more about the ghosts of the Read House in American Roads Travel Magazine.

  (Photo by Jennifer Blair)

Placed on the National Register of Historical Places in the 1970’s, the Sheraton Read House is the perfect spot to center your Chattanooga visit.   The free electric shuttle stops just a few steps away and will whisk you down Broadway to the riverfront or the world famous (and most highly rated) Tennessee Aquarium. 

 

After a day of exploring, settle back in at the Sheraton Read House where the kids can swim in the pool, while the adults relax in the hot tub.  Porter Steakhouse is on the premises, along with a Starbucks to accommodate your early morning and late night cravings.

 

(Photo supplied by Sheraton Read House)

If you would like to visit Chattanooga or the Sheraton Read House, please contact me and I can help make your travel plans thru Sailair Travel.

(photo supplied by Sheraton Read House)

Magazine Article about my Galapagos Trip

Some of you may remember that a travel writer and photographer were part of my tour group in the Galapagos.   The article they were working on finally came out in the LAN Airline magazine.

Solidarity with the Galapagos

Enjoy.