Sierra Blogging Post Archives

Last week's earthquake in Costa Rica hit especially close to home for me - because I was there.

Fortunately, I was driving away from the epicenter and toward the coast when the earthquake happened. But a mere two days earlier I had been gazing up at La Paz waterfall near Poas Volcano National Park - in the exact same place where ten people were buried in a landslide when the quake hit.

I didn't even hear about the earthquake until the night after it happened. My laptop was stolen out of my rental car within hours of my arrival to Costa Rica and I had since been completely unconnected with the rest of the world. (I mourned for an hour or so the loss of four years of photos and writing that I had foolishly not backed up before the trip, but then I let it go. Still, the disappointment lingered.)



When I heard about the earthquake late Friday night, several things went through my mind: 1. I hope they find all the missing alive. Please, let them be found alive. 2. I was just there! 3. I was worried about a laptop? 4. My mom is probably freaking out right now.

I figured my family was probably worried, but I underestimated just how worried they were. My little brother was so frantic he placed several calls to the American Embassy.

I'll be posting over the next couple of weeks about my adventure, but first wanted to relay some very valuable travel lessons I learned on this trip:

1. Try to periodically check in with someone while traveling abroad. People at home worry and wonder more than you can imagine.

2. Don't sweat the small stuff along the way and always be thankful for what really matters - your life and the lives of loved ones.

3. Even though it's nice to escape from reality, checking the world news and your email every few days isn't such a bad idea.

The last seven actually have nothing to do with the earthquake (couldn't fit "and a stolen laptop" into the title) but are good advice for naive travelers like myself.

Rental Cars

4. If you're driving a rental car, don't ever leave anything valuable in it. Leave it empty and unlocked to avoid smashed windows.

5. If driving, be sure you know how to change a tire yourself. One of the scams running in Costa Rica right now is that someone will pop your tire and then offer to help fix it while someone else steals your things.

6. Don't stop for hitchhikers.

Computers, Cameras

7. If traveling with a computer or other technology, be sure to back up any data you don't want to lose.

8. Don't travel with a standard laptop bag. This only draws attention to it. Consider a backpack with a hidden laptop compartment instead.

In General

9. Don't let one bad experience negatively affect your travels or your view of a country or people. There are thieves in every country - but thankfully the honest and good people way outnumber them.

10. Finally, be smart. If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.

Photos:

#1 La Paz Waterfall - 10 people were buried in a landslide and dozens of others were stranded here overnight when the earthquake hit (two days after this was taken).

#2 La Paz Waterfall - John Comeau and I at La Paz Waterfall, near Poas Volcano.