Here are the 29 countries I have been to so far:
1. The USA (duh, I will do my road trip one day)
2. Austria
3. Belgium
4. Czech Republic
5. England
6. France
7. Germany
8. Greece
9. Ireland
10. Italy
11. Scotland
12. Spain
13. The Netherlands
14. Vatican City
15. China
16. Japan
17. Belize
18. Costa Rica
19. Mexico
20. Argentina
21. Brazil
22. Peru
23. Ecuador
24. Australia
25. New Zealand
26. Rwanda
27. South Africa
28. Zimbabwe
29. Tanzania
I have returned from country #29! It was really fun, and my mom ended up traveling with me, so I had a buddy! We went ziplining, we went snorkeling, and we saw lots of wildlife. Lots and lots of wildlife. Monkeys, sloths, birds, and even a snake (my least favorite)!
And in terms of Belize vs. Costa Rica, I do think I liked Belize better just because I got to spend more time there. School is starting soon, so I didn't have as many days in Costa Rica as I did in Belize. Plus, the immigration process coming into Costa Rica took three hours. I know that's probably abnormal, but it's the longest I've ever had to wait in an immigration line and first impressions matter.
In addition, I finally got around to reading the book that's been sitting on my nightstand for months. It's called Night Boat to Tangier by Kevin Barry. It was a book recommended by a virtual book club I was think of joining (before life got in the way), and honestly, I expected better. It's about these two middle-aged Irish guys who used to smuggle drugs. They're looking for one of they guy's daughter, even though he was a horrible dad, and honestly they're just both so annoying. And the author doesn't use any kind of quotation marks when people are talking, I guess in an effort to be "unique" and "high-brow." But again, it's just annoying. It's just a kind of boring book written by a middle age white guy who describes himself, according to Wikipedia, as a "raving egomaniac." I think maybe the people who like it are also middle aged white guys who are "raving egomaniac[s]," so maybe it's a good thing I didn't end up joining that book club.
Also, if anyone is interested in sponsoring my classroom for the upcoming school year, please let me know! I know I will have a need for supplies!
And finally, here are some pictures from the beautiful Costa Rica! Pura vida!
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| Zipline fun! |
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| This bridge, thankfully, didn't have any cracks. Unlike the I-40 bridge. |
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| A plane used in the Iran-Contra Scandal. It's now a restaurant! |
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| Me attempting to dive! |
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| That's a volcano! |
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| Iguana friend! |