Work work work all the time

So many things around me are in English that it's easy to forget I'm in a foreign country, and not just in Hawaii or San Diego. The differences can be subtle, though, like trying to turn on the water in the morning. My whole life, I've known that the handle marked C is the one for cold water. And, apparently, I always check to make sure the other one says H just in case they both say C or whatever. When I look over and see an F, I'm drawn out of my Americanocentric views and reminded that we speak a different language here, and I'm a visitor. I like that feeling.

We took a bus to the office, which was an experience in itself. The speed with which things change from high class to poverty is astounding. After the interesting drive, we were brought up to the 4th floor of a fairly new building. The weather was decent, warm, though a little humid. The presentations went well, the team seemed to really get what we were saying to them.

During the presentations, the rain really started to kick in, and due to the metal roof on the building, the whole place echoed with the noise that only a tropical torrential rain can produce. Couple that with the thunder and lightning, and I definitely felt like I was in a different country. And, as if the weather wasn't enough to remind me that we're in a tropical paradise with volcanoes and hot springs nearby, the whole building shook with a minor earthquake, too. What more could you ask from a first day in a new country?

The talking went a little longer than I'd hoped, but by the end of the day, people were about ready to build ads, so I guess that's a success and tomorrow should be fun and interesting. By the time the day was over, the storm had cleared and the sun came out to show us a gorgeous sunset.

We headed home, where I had a nice gin and tonic, got an amazing seafood platter for dinner, and then finished up a project I was supposed to complete today. Once that was done, I relaxed in the hot tub for a while, and here I am, winding down, enjoying the spacious, clean hotel room. The cleaning staff even extra-organized all of my toiletries for me. I had them somewhat structured, but they took the time to lay them out on a towel and space them evenly. Now that's service.

Costa Rica, the Co-Star I Can't Ignore

About 4 months ago, my company came to me and said, "How would you like to go to Costa Rica to help us teach a company to use the software you write?" After I finished choking on my coffee and nearly strangling the man to say yes, I didn't think it would actually happen. Who gets to go to Costa Rica for work? Yet, here I am, right on the heels of my Ireland vacation, preparing for my first day teaching Costa Ricans how to use the thing I build. I hope it goes well.

The plane flight down was half good, half bad. I sprung for better seats on United, and then connected to Continental. They were bought by United, and so I assumed the quality would be comparable. The plane was comparable, but the service was light years away. I hadn't been asked for seating preference at the time of purchase, so I figured I'd be okay when I got to the airport. If I hadn't picked a seat, nobody had, and I could be early and grab one the day of.

While nobody had picked a seat, it wasn't due to timing. It seems that you can't choose your seat on Continental flights? The entire time, people were milling about the cabin, visiting their loved ones, trying to stretch their legs near someone they knew. I suppose they had us over a barrel when it came to us needing a flight, but isn't this something that's been solved for a long time?

Despite the cramped conditions and strange "burrito" they served on the plane, we landed, and the door opened to the humid, slightly sticky feel of a tropical country. We were greeted by the man with whom we'll be working, and he drove us to the hotel. We relaxed for a bit, got a light dinner, wandered the hotel and eventually passed out.

The hotel was built in the middle of an active coffee plantation, something Costa Rica is known for. The place is nice. The hotel has accents of spanish style everywhere, the people are really friendly, and everything's been easy so far. If their shower is tall enough to wash my hair, this is going to be the nicest room I've stayed in since the castle room Eli rented us in Makree.

Jet Blue, thy name is so so

Well, that was an experiment in futility. I decided that because I'd never flown jetblue before that I'd give it a shot. The people weren't the nicest, the terminal wasn't the nicest, the price wasn't the best, but hey, people say it's great right?

Yes, the seat was slightly bigger than the normal economy seats I've sat in, and they assured me at the gate that I'd be fine. And, to be fair, when I got off the plan, the pilot did ask me how I did, as he had been there for the initial talk to the lady behind the counter. I didn't have the heart to ask him "Ever sat in a seat with too little legroom for an hour?"

Ultimately, I shouldn't really complain about this too much. Tall people get breaks in various places and plane flights are one of the ways in which we pay for it, but it's not just an inconvenience to me. The person in front of me is incapable of reclining when my knees can't move out of the way. The person next to me often has a knee that encroaches on their space. It's in everyone's best interest to treat me as handicapped and just seat me in a bulkhead.

City of Angels

We left SF last night and drove through the night to Hollywood. We narrowly missed an accident in San Jose, then took 152 to the 5. Traffic was decently light for most of the drive though people were taking up the left lanes for no reason. Why do people do that? Maybe I'll never know.

Los Angeles is a little different than Ireland. The major highways in Ireland seem like tiny streets here by comparison. The people in Ireland also drive in a much more... interpretive way. The streets weren't designed with cars in mind and so people have to drive half in your lane or park half on the sidewalk. You do that in LA, you'd die.

We're working a gig at a mansion, getting painted up as entertainment for the guests of a Halloween party tonight but first, we're off to silverlake to pick up the engagement ring I owe a certain fiancée. We'll be sure to post pictures as soon as we can.

Sunday, I fly home on jet blue for the first time, I will let you know how it goes, then on Tuesday, I fly to Costa Rica for work, another adventure for sure.

United airlines - best airline ever.

When we landed on chicago, we had a big carry on full of liquid, and we had to go to another terminal and so had to go back through security . But, you can't bring liquid through security.. Are lingua told us that there was no way we would be able to bring the stuff we purchased at the airport in Dublin through to United air. So we hurried to try and check it if possible, figuring we might have to buy a suitcase, and pay to check it. If they even had suitcases available, and would let us check it. Well, not only did they let us check it, they gave us a box. And padding, and taped it up with fragile stickers. On top of that, they didn't even charge us. On the way to the gate we bought a pretzel that was only supposed to come work one topping, but they lady gave us the other one too , yay! Then at the gate the lady changed our seats so Morgan could have more leg room, and then pour us together, and then didn't charge us 90 bucks for the upgrade! Inside the plane, there was a backup in the line and we were stuck waiting by the flight attendents kitchen, we smiled, at them and the guy said here you go, and handed me a bonus cup of juice! I got to watch Captain America, and the Green l Lantern, which I wanted to see, but not enough to pay for,and our fragile box was waiting for us when we came out. Now we are riding the bart home instead of paying the hundred dollar can fare. And now, we are home safe and sound! remain

The adventure continues

We got through security support fast and easy.. didn't even have to take our shoes off, but then! Customs! I got through okay, but they room Morgan into the room with the mirrored doors.   "To pay a duty tax" hope its not a booty tax! Haha. But, actually, I do hope we make our flight. The last lady out here had  been waiting for her man for 25 min! min

..well it all worked out okay .. Morgan came out and then we went through another round of security. And now we are finally waiting for our flight. Watching a baby lick the window in front of us. Phew! See you soon!

End of the road

Here we are camped out in our last hotel, right next to the airport. I can't believe its almost over ! :c  we are having a quick bottle of humid foreign extra, just before we go down to dinner. Did you know.. in one week exactly, fiance hours toCosta Rica?? Is for work, but he can't do that until after we go down to LA for a job together. (And my engagement ring) maybe I can get him to blog about it. I work I could go along too! Looking forward to seeing all my friends and family down south, and up north! Wish us a safe uncramped flight back!
Passepartout out!