Boldly Go Solo

Whoa, slow down calendar. I’ve got vacation days piling up and no vacation planned. Meanwhile, I’m only allowed to carry over five days into next year. There is nothing worse, in my mind, than wasting vacation days by taking off and staying at home…not that I’ve ever done it. 

When it has come to planning vacations I’ve made rash decisions. Spur-of-the-moment ones. Off-the-wall ones. But never have I let vacation days wither on the vine. At least, not for an entire week.

The vacation idea that formed in my head about a week ago, and has been solidifying since, is a trip to Costa Rica or Guatemala to take Spanish classes. I wrote about my brother’s trip to Costa Rica but now I think I want to do something different. That is, ever since I landed on the AmeriSpan Study Abroad Web site.

I’m intrigued by their offerings. Not only is it a one phone call type of vacation, which I often relish, but the site has a category called "Language and Fun."

For example, if I choose Costa Rica, I can combine Spanish with surfing, Spanish with yoga or Spanish with digital photography at Jaco Beach, a premier surfing beach. What a great idea! Especially for a "want-to-order-two-things-and-share-them-because-I-can’t-decide-and-I-want-to-taste-both" type of person like me.

If I’m willing to switch plans and go to Guatemala, I can take Spanish and salsa
in the same week. I love to dance, so this could be really fun. I think
my perfect week would be Spanish and salsa in Costa Rica but it’s not
offered.

Next, I need to find out who signs up with this
organization. If it’s all college kids, I’m not sure I belong. If it’s
a mix of ages, I’m game. I need to ask other questions, such as what
the lodging is like. There is a choice of homestays or rooms in
residences, which I assume are dorm-like. Or I could stay in a hotel if
I choose.

Then again, I haven’t really finished poking around
on the Web. I only know that time’s a tickin’ and I’m feeling pretty
strongly about going somewhere for a week and taking my Spanish up a notch. From halting to…well…a
little less halting. 

Photo: By jeepeenyc