CATCHIN’ UP!

So I know it has been quite some time since I have updated the goodness, but don’t you fret. Internet service has been a little challenging over here on the Caribbean side of Costa RIca, but the goodness has been flowing like gold! Let me give you a brief rundown on some of the things that we have been up to in the last 2 weeks or so.

So on our cruise to Costa Rica, we had a few scenic stops along the way. The first stop, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, was beautiful and a great place to spread some Caribbean goodness mon! Unfortunately, similar to other places that we saw in South America, there is a lot of poverty and many street children in Ocho Rios. We were able to help out some of these children by giving them a few dollars. The American dollar goes a long way in Jamaica, so it was nice to be able to give them a little something.

Our next stop on our cruise was in Santa Marta, Colombia. Such a beautiful spot, and right when we got off the cruise we were able to donate to a local charity that supports the deaf community! (You may recall from an earlier post this year that my sister is a sign language interpreter, so I know how important a cause like this can be!)

Next we went to Cartagena, Colombia, and we were able to support an independent taxi driver by using his services, versus the ones that the cruise ship suggests. Of course the taxis that the cruise suggests are incredibly overpriced and you know a portion of that money is going back to the cruise line itself! The cruise tries to “scare” you into using only their services, telling you how unsafe the other services are. Well, Matt and I decided to check things out for ourselves! We ventured into the city and ended up talking to the nicest taxi driver, named Peter. He took us all over the city and showed us all the history and monuments for a tenth of what the other taxis were charging. He told us that it’s difficult for him when the cruise ships come into to town, because unless you work for the company the cruise ship uses (he is an independent taxi driver) it’s very challenging for him to get any business. SO, not only did we meet a great guy who took us all over the city, we got to support his little taxi business at the same time! (As you may recall again from an earlier post this year, I supported a woman in Peru through Kiva who was trying to start her own independent taxi business.) We had a great time seeing Cartagena and meeting Peter!

We have also supported many small business and artisans by purchasing fair trade souvenirs. We have supported local charities and farmers by purchasing locally grown snacks where proceeds go directly to charity and to the farmers themselves!

So now, we are here in Costa Rica for our next volunteer project with Creative Corners. We had planned to work with children in a school setting, similar to what we did at INTI in Peru, however when we arrived we found out that the summer program that we were supposed to volunteer with (yes, it is summer here and the school year has just ended!) has fallen through.   We then spent the last few days working on restoring a community center that will be used as a free art center for the local children. But… due to a certain permit and funding issues, we just learned a few hours ago that the project is now on hold.  All the money that we raised for Creative Corners is still going to be utilized by the organizations and its’ projects… so it’s not a wash by any stretch.  However, Matt and I have started to make our “Will work for volunteer project!” signs and are heading out tomorrow to find more opportunities of goodness!

We decided that we need to roll with the punches (we figured that out a while ago actually!) and are open to whatever opportunities will come our way.  You will have to stay tuned here at 365 to see how this story ends…

Until next time, keep that goodness flowing!

PS: You can get more of our travel stories on our travel blog at: www.randomactsoftravel.com

P.P.S  It’s hard to believe a year in goodness is almost complete!  I am in need of suggestions for the final good deed of the year on December 31st!  Please, please, please put your thinking cap on and help me with this one!  (We will still be in Costa Rica at that time!)