1. It's ecologically friendly.
Costa Rica is considered one of the most ecologically conscious countries in the world, instituting a goal to be carbon neutral way back in 1997 – and coming close these days. In fact, Costa Rica is ranked no. 5 in the world on the Environmental Performance Index, the best country outside Europe. It’s probably also the no. 1 eco-tourism destination in the world.

2. It has the oldest constitution in Central America.
Costa Rica is the longest-standing democracy in Central America, thanks to their national constitution, drafted in 1949. The governing document affords many rights and protections to its citizens, allowing Costa Rica to enjoy stable and peaceful growth. Costa Rica consistently ranks the highest of any Latin Nation on the Human Development Index and United Nations Development Programme.

3. It's a country with no army.
With their progressive constitution in 1949, Costa Rica decided to ban any armed forces, making it one of only a handful of countries in the world without an army, still to this day.

4. A great education system.
By investing in education instead of funding an army, Costa Rica now boasts a 96% literacy rate, the highest in Latin America.  Their commitment to education has allowed them to attract good skilled jobs and boost income for their citizens.

5. Unmatched natural beauty.
Costa Rica has not one but two gorgeous coastlines with more than 800 miles of shoreline and tropical beaches, on the Pacific and also the Caribbean side of the country.

6. The most diverse wildlife on the planet.
There are over 130 species of fish, 220 of reptiles, 1,000 butterflies, 9,000 plants, 20,000 species of spiders and 34,000 species of insects in Costa Rica, which represents 5% of the world’s biodiversity even though it is just about .03% of the earth’s total landmass. Costa Rica is also known for its sloths and turtles and they can be seen in protected habitats and beaches. But if you’re more of a monkey, lizard, or exotic bird lover, Costa Rica will be your favorite place! In fact, the country became the first place in the Americas to ban recreational hunting.

7. Adventure sports galore.
Zip lining, sky diving, jumping off waterfalls, repelling, exploring caves, horseback riding, 4x4 runs, jet skiing, and just about every other adventure sport you could imagine are all on the menu in Costa Rica.

8. Volcanoes!
The landmass of present day Costa Rica is the result of volcanic eruptions 75 million years ago – and still are active today. In fact, Costa Rica still has five listed active volcanoes and more than 200 volcanic formations. The most famous of these is Arenal Volcano an easy day trip from San Jose. It last erupted in 1968, but you can still enjoy the hot springs at its base.

9. Protected nature reserves.
Costa Rica is on the forefront of environmental conservation, long ago protecting about 25% of their country as national parks. Manuel Antonio National Park on the west coast is the most famous, but Tortuguero National Park and La Amistad International Park are amazing, too.
10. Top surfing.
Costa Rica is ranked as one of the three best surfing destinations in the world, home to year round warm water and unique microclimate that bring consistent offshore winds. Big competitions like the Billabong World Surfing Games are often hosted by Costa Rica, but even beginners can wax up their boards and catch some waves.

11. Their “Pura Vida” attitude
A common saying among locals is “Pura Vida” which means “pure life.” Everywhere you go in Costa Rica you will be welcomed with a smile by the locals, and they will truly make you feel at home in their country.

12. It’s so close to the U.S. and Canada.
One of the best things about Costa Rica is its close proximity to the United States and Canada. San Jose is only a 2-hour flight from Miami and 3 ½ hours from New York, and there are more nonstop and cheap, direct flights all the time.

13. The happiest country on earth.
The World Database of Happiness ranks Costa Rica as the #1 happiest nation on earth out of 148 countries. (The United States ranks no. 20, by the way.)

14. Gender equality.
According to the World Economic Forum, Costa Rica ranks higher than even the United States in the gender gap index. The female population is educated, enjoys advanced healthcare, voting, and employment equality. In fact, Costa Rica even had a female president recently.

15. Superb coffee and chocolate.
Thanks to their mountain terrain and tropical weather, Costa Rica is known as producing some of the best coffee and chocolate in the world. Those just happen to be two of our favorite things!

16. A world class healthcare system.
Costa Rica has a modern and highly rated healthcare system, even more highly ranked than the United States. Costa Rican citizens enjoy universal healthcare insurance and have a life expectancy of 77 years, one of the highest in the world.

17. Modern and improving Infrastructure.
Costa Rica has gone to great lengths to modernize and improve their infrastructure in the past decades, so there are efficient international airports, paved highways connecting the country, and modern amenities in the capital of San Jose as well as any popular touristy area.

18. Diving and marine life.
Costa Rica has some of the best diving, snorkeling, and accessible marine life in the world, such as such the Cocos Island National Park, also a World Heritage Site and the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refugee. In fact, Costa Rica’s oceans are home to at least 6,777 species, which is 3.5% of the known species in the planet!

19. Bull fights…that are safe for the bulls.
Bullfights are a Costa Rican tradition, at every small village festival and the grand events in San Jose. But unlike the bullfights in Spain and other areas, the bulls are never harmed in Costa Rica…though they do dish out some serious damage to whoever is brave enough to jump in the ring with them.
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20. Costa Rica welcomes expats.
People from all over the world choose to move down to Costa Rica and make it their new home. Retirees, surfers, young families, and those who just desire the simple, beachside life move there every year by the thousands – and Costa Ricans general welcome them with open arms.
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Check out South of Normal, the Amazon best-selling cult classic book about an expat's bizarre, outrageous, and beautiful experience moving to Costa Rica. 

This is a special guest blog written by my dear friend and fellow world traveler, Tommas A. Coldrick. Tommas had a chance to interview Mollie Hughes, a British woman who set a World Record on her ascent of Mount Everest...and now is doing it again.

​I recently heard that Mollie Hughes was set to break yet another mountaineering world record. I had to sit down with her to find out what was motivating her to take on the highest mountain on Earth, for a second time.
 
How and when did you become interested in mountain climbing, and what made you decide to climb Mount Everest the first time?
 
At the age of 17, I took part in a school expedition to climb Mount Kenya in East Africa. I quickly became hooked on mountaineering and knew from then that this was going to be something I would do for the rest of my life. 
 
Throughout the remainder of school and university I would save up as much money as possible in the term time by working part time jobs along side my studies. Then, during the summer months, I would head off on an expedition to far-flung mountain ranges across the world. I have been lucky enough to climb in the Himalayas of India and Nepal, the Andes of South America, the Atlas mountains of North Africa and closer to home in the European Alps and the mountains of the UK. 
 
My Everest ambitions materialised when I was in my final year at university. I wrote my dissertation on 'the Psychological experience of climbing Mount Everest'. For this project I interviewed seven climbers who had all successfully summited Mount Everest. I looked at their motivation, their ability to control fear, their self-belief and the psychological pressure they faced. It must have only been half way through the first interview that I decided that I didn't want to just write about this mountain, I wanted to climb it for myself. I spent the next 12 months sponsorship hunting, climbing and training. I eventually reached the summit of Mount Everest at 8am on the 19th May 2012, becoming the Youngest British Woman to do so.

After already completing the challenge once and breaking the record of being the youngest British woman to ever climb Everest, why do you want to do it a second time? 
 
Since writing my dissertation on Everest, climbing it in 2012 and spending so much of my time now presenting about the experience, Everest has become such a huge part of my life. However, I feel like I have only experienced half of the mountain. In 2012 I climbed from the South side of the mountain via Nepal. But there is this whole other side of the mountain, I haven't seen or stepped on. I would love to explore this side of Everest, which is steeped in so much history. If I’m lucky enough, I’ll reach the summit once again and look down on the south side of the mountain where I spent those two months in 2012.
 
No British woman has yet to climb Mount Everest from both of these routes. Therefore, if I’m successful in 2016 I will become the First British Woman to climb Everest from both sides and also the youngest non-Sherpa at the age of just 25. 
 
Women are still so greatly underrepresented in adventure and outdoor sports. Completing this challenge will enable me to inspire women across the UK, and hopefully the world, that they too can achieve their wildest ambitions. 
 
What are you doing now to prepare for your second Everest climb?

Training-wise, I live in Scotland so it is easy to get out and into the mountains for a long days hiking or rock climbing. As soon as winter comes I will be up there as much as possible. I think training works best when it’s as specific as possible. So you can't beat long days out in the mountains with crampons and ice axes.
 
Alongside this I am training in the gym, strengthening the muscles I will be using on Everest. 
 
I’m guessing that climbing Everest isn’t free. Is there a fee involved?
​
Yes, absolutely! Mount Everest is a very expensive mountain to climb. I need to raise £30,000 ($48,000) to enable me to climb Everest in Spring 2016. This is to pay for the permits from the Chinese government and all the logistics on the mountain; the food, the tents, the oxygen and the support of our Sherpa team.

How can people get behind this adventure and help you reach your target?
 
I’m currently CrowdFunding to attempt to raise the funds. I need to find 3,000 generous people to believe in my project and each donate £10 ($16). If I manage that, then I will reach the target! On my CrowdFunding page I’ve made a campaign film and outlined some great rewards for anyone pledging their support. You can check out my page here- http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/everest-from-both-sides-first-british-woman 
 
I’m also on the search for businesses to partner with on this expedition. I’m aiming for companies who would like to use this unique marketing opportunity to publicise their business, through my expedition to become the ‘First British Woman to summit Everest from both Sides’. There are many exciting and exclusive opportunities highlighted on my CrowdFunding page and website, here-  www.molliehughes.co.uk.
 
You work closely with charities in Nepal. What charity will be benefitting from this next expedition?
 
Through my expedition I will be raising awareness and publicity for the charity ‘Supporting Nepal's Children’. The charity was founded in 2012, by some friends of mine. It aims to bring quality education to remote Nepali villages, so that their children can flourish, learn new skills and create opportunities for themselves. The charity provides a 'hand-up', not a 'handout'. You can check out their website here- http://www.supportingnepalschildren.org.uk
 
What was the scariest part of the first climb, and what are you most nervous about with the second climb?
 
One of the scariest parts of the route on the Southside is as soon as you step out of Basecamp, the Khumbu Icefall. This is a section of the glacier with huge towering blocks of ice the size of houses, monster crevasses 4 or 5 meters wide and unstable searches looming above you. I’m glad I don't have to climb through there again on this attempt. 
 
However, summiting Everest from the North will present me with many different challenges. The North route is significantly colder and windier than the south side of the mountain, and when climbing from the north I will have to spend more time above 8,000m in what is known as the 'death zone', an altitude so high, (third less oxygen than sea level) life cannot survive for long.

What do you think about while you're climbing?
 
Anything and Everything. During such a long two-month expedition you have a LOT of thinking time. Life is simple and you don't worry about the everyday things we spend so much time doing at home; like checking emails, doing work or surfing social media. It’s a great way to put life into perspective. 
 
Of course there are some risks that come along with mountaineering. Do you take that into consideration, and if so, what makes you want to pursue the challenge? 
 
As a mountaineer you understand the risks of climbing these big mountains, and there are plenty of risks- from avalanches, to storms or altitude sickness. But you aim to control them as much as you can with your experience as a mountaineer. Though sometimes even the best climbers in the world get unlucky; that’s just part of it. The amazing things I experienced on Everest the first time, completely outweighed the risk; from the sunsets and the sunrises, to the shadow of mount Everest you see etched onto the stratosphere as you approach the summit, first thing in the morning. 
 
What's it like at the summit?
 
It’s an incredible place. At 8,848m you are just below the cruising altitude of a jumbo jet. The views are breathtaking, on your right-hand-side you see the whole of Tibet sprawled out, and on your left-hand-side you see the whole of Nepal There are mountains as far as the eye can see, and you are higher than every single one of them. Don't get me wrong, you feel completely mentally and physically exhausted. It’s not somewhere to hang around for long, being the most exposed place on the mountain. But it is definitely a very special place. 

You can also follow Mollie’s record-breaking progress by following her Facebook Page
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Written by friend, teacher, and fellow traveler, Tommas A. Coldrick

My nephew (we'll call hime Da Ray Ray for the purposes of this blog) hit me up the other day asking for input on a school project. Da Ray Ray was asked by his 10th grade sociology teacher to ask the following questions of people from older generations, and then they'd compare answers to see how our high school experiences differed from his. Like I told Ray Ray, I went to Hamden High School in Hamden Connecticut from 1987-1990 after my freshman year (1986) at Hamden Hall private school. 

Answering these questions was definitely a trip down Memory Lane! It also was a wake up call how different our world is now, yet probably the same in a lot of ways. Here is what I sent Da Ray Ray, and I'd love to hear how you would have answered!

Slang words we used:
Bugging
Wigging
Ill
Fresh
Dope
Whack
Fly
Rad
Word
Def
Major
Chill
Psych
 
Rules in school:
No hats, no sports jackets, no red or blue jackets (to avoid gang problems – we had fraternities in high school which were really just gangs).
No shorts.
We couldn’t be in the halls without a pass.
 
There was no rule against us having cell phones in class – because they didn’t exist yet!
 
Respect toward parents:
We were generally respectful towards parents. We would never yell at or say bad words to our parents or anyone else’s. Growing up (far before high school) it was commonplace that any parent could discipline anyone else’s kids if they were being bad in public, including spanking or hitting.
 
We broke a lot of rules and definitely were wild and rebelled against authority, but it was behind the scenes and we treated it like a game and tried not to get caught.
 
Respect towards authority:
No one dreamed of cursing at teachers or ever fighting a teacher or anything like that. You said yes sir and no sir to police or other authority figures because we understood there were consequences to our actions. No one though they had “rights” in respect to authority and no one had a sense of entitlement.
 
During my senior year of high school, we had so many gang fights and race riots that the Guardian Angels came into the school to provide security. That was the kind of authority no one messed with, but we always tested and rebelled when we were on our own.
 
Drugs and alcohol in high school:
Most kids drank alcohol during high school.
I’d estimate that about 75% of my high school smoked weed.
LSD (acid) and psychedelic mushrooms were around but not many people did them.
There was a small amount of cocaine use but not too prevalent at all.
There was no real pill use or prescription painkiller abuse, and ecstasy and meth hadn’t even been invented yet. Crack cocaine was new in the 1980s and an epidemic in the inner cities, but I don’t remember ever seeing it in or around high school.
 
There were plenty of kids drinking in the parking lot after and even before school.
 
Can you believe that the high school had a special courtyard for all the kids who smoked cigarettes?
 
Dating:
High school kids dated plenty and it ranged from innocent crushes and hanging out to serious boyfriends and girlfriends. We had a whole lot more free time and were not supervised nearly as much as kids these days. But there was still a bit of a stigma against sex, perhaps due to religion or just conservative or traditional values. I have no way of knowing, but I’d say most kids lost their virginity in high school, though it wasn’t all crazy and so young like in schools now.
 
What you did when you hung out with friends:
After school, we would go hang out at friends’ houses, go drive around and get something to eat at a burger joint, go to the movies at night, etc. We always played basketball a ton and would play street ball outside like ¾ of the year.
 
At night or on weekends, there were a ton of parties: house parties when someone would be left home alone or we’d get a keg and carry it onto a golf course or way out by the rail road tracks and party there until the cops came to bust us and everyone ran. I had a fake driver’s license at age 15 and started going to the bars in New Haven, and was a regular at any bar or club downtown from 17 on.
 
Major world events, and how these events affect our daily life:
 
The space shuttle Challenger exploding
Chernobyl nuclear reactor meltdown in Russia
Iran-Contra scandal in Reagan White House
New York Stock Exchange drop on “Black Monday”
Massacre in Tiananmen Square in China (Google: Tank Man)
Nelson Mandela freed
A couple years after high school (1992) the LA Riots went down, sparked by the Rodney King video. But we’d seen the growing tension of those issues all the way back in high school.
 
But there are three big things that stood out:
 

1. The fall of the Berlin Wall and the eroding of Communism

I grew up on the tail end of the Cold War, so there was constant fear about a nuclear war with the Soviet Union (not called Russia then) that killed everyone. We really thought it was close and had drills where we had to hide under our desks in case of bombing. When the Berlin Wall fell and communist countries opened up, it signaled a new era for the world. The movies, the music, and everything else in popular culture reflected this fear.
 

1. HIV and AIDS

The AIDS epidemic started in the mid 1980s and when I was in high school, there was a lot of fear but also confusion and uncertainty. No one really had the facts on how you would get it or where it came from, though it was rumored or we knew it was prevalent in the gay communities in cities like New York and San Francisco and among heroin addicts. But getting the virus was still an automatic death sentence.
 
After high school, in 1991 Magic Johnson was diagnosed with AIDS and that was a big deal.
 

1. The rise of computers

There were very simple computers in the 1980s that allowed the simplest functions. But it was still amazing. We didn’t really know the potential or where they would go. I had a word processor (not a computer per se) even in college 1990-1995 and didn’t get my first simple computer until 1997, but already in high school 1986-1990 there were signs they were coming and going to change everything.  But people assumed it would be for work or academics, not as much home and personal computing.