Costa Rica is NOT for the traveler of faint heart. That being said, there is something for everyone. Costa Rica is not Sandals Jamaica. It is NOT the place to kick back on the white sands with a drink in hand, looking out onto clear waters. If you're on the Pacific Ocean side, it is in fact a place to relax on the gray sand while looking out on the tumultuous gray waters. This rare beach day will be sandwiched between your adventurous days in the mountains doing adventurous activities. You also may have an Imperial (the official beer of Costa Rica).

Honestly, that sounds like a great day to me, and I know it is for a fact because I lived it for five days. I went on a waterfall tour during my time in Costa Rica with a lovely lady from New Orleans and she said that when she was researching vacation destinations, she saw that Costa Rica was the place to get down and dirty - and all out adventurous. She couldn't have been more right.

I was relieved to be out of the chill of the Northeast and to be wearing sporty tanks, shorts, and either trails shoes or Tevas every day. It really inspired me to kick start my health in the New Year, since our trip was from December 26 - 31. I got out of my rut. Their "Pura Vida" way of life is an invitation to explore the unknown and challenge yourself. No wonder everyone there is so happy, they dedicate their lives to breaking the ordinary.

The Food

Really, this is what you're all wondering about. If you like fresh food and basic ingredients - plantains, rice, beans, meat, eggs, and tortillas - then you're in luck. With the overcomplicated and contaminated food in the US and all the fake promises of "health" foods, it was relieving to eat this simple food. We also tried some of the more adventurous food - chicharron pork skin and meat and yucca fries with hot sauce. Paired with their local alcohol "Guara" and lime juice, this was honestly the best meal of the trip - and in a WHILE. This meal was made in a little restaurant surrounded by farms (the supply chain). It was made by an old Costa Rican woman out back - how more authentic can you get?

The Adventure

The defining thing about Costa Rica - and South America and Central America in general - are their huge mountain roads. The drives up and down the mountains to the zip lining and the waterfall tour were the scariest rides of my life. It was scary driving up to Monteverde - quite literally a city on a hill - because I was concerned about driving in the darkness on the way down. However that did not take away from the thrilling zip lining experience! There were about 20 different stops on the tour over the cloud forest. The last stop was "superman style", so I just flew face down, belly facing the abyss of trees.

I was so proud of my parents during the waterfall tour. We had to hike down a steep hill to the first waterfall, then walk through the river, on the side of rocks, avoid slippery slopes, and even hike to all ten waterfalls. At the last waterfall, my nearly 60-year-old father jumped ten feet off of a cliff into a pool. We ascended the final hike to the top of the mountain and my parents were beaming at the top with pride.

See my adventure on YouTube:

While I was in D.C. for the 4th of July, I did the most "D.C." thing I could think of, and no, it wasn't lobbying or holding a hearing on a bill. It was taking a Segway tour of the city, of course! This activity was actually recommended to us by our Uber driver from the airport. I had also seen my friends do this before, and was always curious.

After comparing prices and times, we called City Segway tours. I was very pleased with my experience. Our guide was funny, informative, and personable. Not only did she teach me so much about D.C., but I also, y'know, learned how to ride a Segway. It takes about 5 minutes, but once you're comfortable on it, it's really easy. Despite me almost hitting two other segway-ers, I had no speed bumps (besides the actual speed bumps).

As you can tell, I had a great time lead by a tour guide who looked eerily similar to So-So from Orange Is The New Black. Here are my reasons why I think segways are the only way to see a city.

1. You learn how to use a Segway

Seeing the sights is great, but don't forget you've just learned a valuable skill. With the new hover boards popping up in LA, and longboards becoming a new mode of transportation, we've got to adapt to new and exciting ways to get around.

2. Once you get the hang of it, it' so fun

I mentioned this before. You'll have the bug to segway from now on. You may even want to invest in one.

3. You get to know the city

And not in the driving-on-the-street way. We segwayed by the White House back entrance, which is closed off by cars. If we were in a bus, we'd have to get out or just drive by. We also segwayed through the winding gardens connecting the WWII memorial and the Vietnam and Lincoln memorial. On segways you can see nooks and crannies of the city not seen by everyone.

4. Do it at night

This is more of a suggestion. My reasons supporting this are: It's cooler, so you wont get as hot, a sunset by segway sounds enticing, and the memorials will be lit up, so it's just a cooler experience. 

5. It's somewhat active

Sure, walking and biking tours are active, but this is just active enough where you're not overworked, but you're not  a lump in a seat. Also, it's time away from the distraction of your phone. Texting and segwaying is not recommended. 

6. It's a better opportunity for pictures

After traveling across Europe in a bus for 19 days, I know that pictures and sitting in a bus don't mix well. The bus drives too fast, the glare is annoying, and so are the bars on the windows. The guide stops for prime picture locations and will even take pictures for you with the monument behind you.

Have you every done a Segway tour?

It was a very patriotic weekend. I've never been to D.C. before in my life, so I was very excited! Even though I travel a lot, there are still SO many places I haven't been. I felt the need to show my love for the freedom and opportunity that being an American citizen gives me, so going to our nation's capital seemed like the right thing to do! I also love history, and currently work in politics, so it just makes sense. 

Day 1

Top: White House Black Market

Shorts: Francescas

Shoes: Amazon

Necklace: BP by Nordstrom

This is McPherson square, it's two blocks from our hotel and two blocks from the White House. That's McPherson on the horse. Did you know that there's a law in D.C. that no statues can be taller than 19 ft?

I was so excited to see a farmers market and street tacos right near the White House! These were two different types of vegetable tacos  in corn tortillas - green bean, salsa, and goat cheese; and mushroom and feta. The berry hibiscus iced tea hit the spot!

Not that important of a house.

The WWII memorial is shown here. There are two arches (Pacific and Atlantic) for the two theatres it was fought on. In diagonal order of entrance, each wreathed pillar represents each state or territory of the U.S. that fought in this war.

Honest Abe

The reflecting pool and the Washington Monument.

We also stopped by the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

Day 2

The theme of our day was George. We went on a tour of his George Washington's estate, Mont Vernon, and his church, Christ Church, in Alexandria, Virginia. 

Shirt: Forever 21

Shorts: Zara

Shoes: Target

Bag: Forever 21

What's interesting about Mont Vernon is that it's not just one big house, but it also has many different, separate rooms in separate houses. The laundry, kitchen, slave quarters, carriage house, and meat cellars were all separate.

The current owners and preservers of the estate, The Mont Vernon Ladies Association, purchased all land in sight across the Potomac so that the view you see today is very similar to George and Martha's views.

Mont Vernon Wharf

Next up was a Segway tour of the city, so I figured a maxi skirt and chambray shirt would keep me warm from the wind. 

We had reservations at G by Mike Isabella, former Top Chef contestant. I was so jazzed about eating there, because I consider myself a budding foodie, and I love trying new, delicious foods.

This is our antipasti board including, pork terrine, citrus mostarda, seasonal crostini, foie gras mousse

This is my sweet pea tortellini with lemon thyme, pancetta, maitake mushroom.

Day 2

Happy 4th everyone!

Shirt: slip from an Old Navy dress

Shorts: Old Navy

Necklace: Icing

Shoes: TopShop (shown later)

The Constitution Ave parade was grand, and long.

My favorite part of the trip was the NEWSEUM! As a communications major, this is natural. I loved seeing our nations history through the eyes of journalists. From the 9/11 exhibit with an actual piece from the building, to the timeline of Presidents and their dogs, it was a mix of emotions.

Above is a part of the Pulitzer Prize winning photos exhibit. 

The digital media part, my favorite, went over social activism, YouTube, Twitter, WikiLeaks, Wikipedia, TMZ, and much more.

Hundreds of thousands lined up from the West Lawn of the Capital building, all across the mall, to the Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial to see the concert and fireworks. 

The weekend ended with a bang.

How was your 4th of July?