Travel vs. Vacation

I have decided that it is important to classify travel vs. vacation. There is a certain expectation that comes with the word "vacation" and there are some places in the world that can meet that and some that can't. We were lucky enough to do a little bit or traveling on our vacation but there is never enough time. Where does it go?
To simplify what could be an eternal post, I am going to do it like this:

Things I really loved:

That Elliott (in his old age) is still compelled to climb trees.

Rafting on the Pacuare river. Gorgeous, fun and valuable lesson in how much a boat can really take. I will have more photos of this adventure when our CD we ordered from the outfitter arrives.

Going on an adventure with my sweet husband and seeing him happy and relaxed for the first time in 6 months.
A bar with swings. Imagine the trouble you could get into.

Our cute boys walking down the beach together to "make snorking" while Saphu and I lounged on the beach reading. They were so adorable and good to us (Saphu, we picked good ones)

Things I found enlightening:

The flora (of flora and fauna): I meant to take many photos of the incredible and colorful flowers but got distracted and only got a few. Unbelievable that the world is filled with such surprising beauty.

Monkeys. These guys are freaky and make me a little uneasy. This is a picture of a white face monkey and they are mean and steal cameras and food. They also do dirty things for the tourists. The thing I really meant to write about though is how astonishing it is how raw Costa Rica still is. The wildlife in the jungle was so loud some nights you couldn't sleep.

Things that made me laugh:

Elliott thinking he is hilarious 'cause it looks like he is licking Chris's face. And having friends to travel with. Meet Chris and Saphu, they are good travel buddies. Even though Elliott and I do enjoy each other's company, it is nice to have another couple to balance things out. Thanks for planning the trip, Chris. I owe you a "choco bigger"

Our cab driver in Panama who kept pulling out maps to show us while he was driving. No need to look at the road, he had pointing to do. I am sure my mocking him didn't endear me to him either.

The nice new washing machine on the dock (hard to see but it is there) of this little hut in the middle of an old Banana plantation that we passed in a water taxi on our way to Bocas Del Toro. I don't really think they had running water or electricity but the washer is sure nice.

The "choco bigger" (said in your thickets most ridiculous Spanish accent) I miss our "choco bigger", look how happy it makes us!

Bimbo Brand Snacks

A plane in your front yard.

Things I can do without:

This terrifying bridge you walk across to get to Panama. Doesn't look so bad? What about the full size semi trailers that drive across it? While you are walking on it? and there is no where to go? SCARY!
This is Elliott being mad at me and telling me to put away the camera so we can go to freakin Panama.


Poverty. I had such guilt about staying in a hotel that hangs out over the water in this beautiful place and walking out the front door where the family across the street had no shoes, running water or electricity. It is valuable but very hard to see.

being teased by this $450/night hotel in Panama. This is not where we stayed but one say, I will get there on "vacation". This is off the cost of Bocas Del Toro and if you look closely at the photo you can see that the water is clear enough to see the ocean floor. Gorgeous and taunting.

Critters with more than 4 legs. I don't like spiders and I was eaten by sand fleas. I don't know how many legs sand fleas have but I want to rip all of them off because I am going to scratch my skin off. My legs are covered in bites and they seem to be getting worse. AHHH! Talking about it makes me itch...

Lessons worth noting for next time:

-Pack lighter: Katie Riggs you have a disease and are the worst packer on the planet! This is not tour and you are going to have to go without and re-wear clothes, even if they are dirty. Get over it.
I carried this stupidly huge and heavy backpack all over the GD country. My grandma once told me that you can take it if you can carry it, so I did. Bad idea. I think I did a good job of not complaining or getting too ornery until the 2nd to last day when we came back from Panama. I met my threshold. Thanks Elliott, Saphu and Chris for putting up with me and my monstrous pack. Lesson learned.

-Learn the language: If my 3 companions had not been able to speak Spanish we would have found ourselves in some interesting situations. I found out I speak NO Spanish, not one bit. How I have made it this far in life and only know "Agua" is beyond me. Not only that but when I left Salt Lake I left my thinking cap and could not retain anything I heard or saw. My whole self was on vacation.

-Decide if you are vacationing or traveling and enjoy the journey for what it is.


We really had a marvelous time with enough adventure to stay interesting and enough sitting to make it relaxing. Viva la Costa Rica!

A few other photos to look over...

Star fish beach from the best day of the trip. Can you see my toes in there? Star fish don't run away and that is why I love them


Some kids in a dug out boat in the banana canals.


My attempt to be a fancy photographer. Jenni puts me to shame, I know.

Back from Costa Rica

We are back. It was great. I will post photos and news soon.

My new love affair with NOLA

I have had a torrid relationship with New Orleans and on our most recent visit I have found a place in me that loves the rich character of the city. Because of my first experience there I dreaded going back but I am so glad that I did and now NOLA and I have started anew.
My favorite thing about the city is the music. Here is a little video of a band that Elliott and I stalked through the streets for 3 days with never a disappointing moment of music. When I grow up I want to be a member of Loose Marbles.
Husman and I had a discussion that we both feel like we were born to be artists but neither of us have found our art or been driven enough to create an outlet to express ourselves in an artistic way. I think I should be a dancer who sings and I don't mean to show tunes either, I mean dancing to life's sound track. It is destiny's great irony that I am terrible on my feet and have too much body to move the way I feel I should be able to.
I watched the girl in this video be drawn out by the music, compelled to dance and it spoke to my inner (tortured) artist so here she is, my alter-ego living the dream:


Elliott and I had a really good time with some of our co-workers who joined us for the dismantle when they joined us for a final hurrah (I have no idea how to spell the sound I am trying to make) as the cap on a long string of debaucherous nights (into mornings) on Bourbon street.



The 2nd thing I love about New Orleans is the food. My wardrobe however does not love the food so much. This is a photo of me with my crayfish and shrimp we bought in large bags and tore apart on newspaper spread across a large table that became nothing but a sea of crustacean's remains. DELICIOUS!
It was so carnivorous and raw I can only stomach a meal like that once a year or so.
(this picture is weird, my head is the strangest shape)



And one more photo of me and Elliott being cute. You can see Jay over to the side thinking we are cute, because we are!


This is my official forgiveness and peace offering to a city I held in contempt for too long.