Go Wild! Go GREAT! The Journey from Now to WOWTM

Because every once in a while--you need to check out the penguins!

Rosemary is Featured Lecturer on this South American Voyage Around the Horn in March!

I am thrilled to confirm that I will be serving as the Destination Lecturer on the Royal Caribbean South American Voyage from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso March 9 - 22nd, 2008.  I'm packing my bags as we speak, spending a few day in Buenos Aires before the voyage begins.    I love mixing business with pleasure and it gives me great delight when I can jump out of the busines world for a time and re-awaken my own creative energies by seeing something I've never seen before---In this case--- Penguins in the Wild!  I'm looking forward to my first sighting of "Happy Feet"!

On my last voyage to South America, I picked up the ship after it had made the trip around the horn.    Frankly I was glad due to the pale look of some of the passengers I saw when I boarded due to a particularly rocky voyage around South America's infamous tip. Note to Self:  Dramamine, just in case..

Although my work is most prominently featured as a speaker and writer on Leadership, Creativity, Team Building and Customer Service, I am fortunate to have a background in Storytelling, Legends and the Arts that enables me to assemble lectures for fellow passengers that satisfies my own curiousity and interests.   I am thrilled with my subjects on this particular voyage (posted below) and along with my husband, Barry, look forward to meeting fellow passengers/explorers seeking adventure and learning amidst the beauty of the Penguins and South America.

Rosemary is the author of "Go Wild! Survival Skills for Business and Life" and and upcoming new book with Dr. Stephen Covey and Ken Blanchard entitled "Blueprint for Success".  Visit her web-sites at wwww.gowildgogreat.com and www.retreatscostarica.com

Rosemary's Lecture Series aboard "Splendor of the Seas" Royal Caribbean (March 9 - 22 Cruise Buenos Aires - Valparaiso) includes A Passion for Buenos Aires, Tango Tales, Chilean Art, Music and Literature, Wine, Wisdom and Relationships, Myths Legends and Folklore of the Americas, and Living Life In Latin America.

Costa Rica's Parrots and Titi Monkeys---What's Love Got to Do With It?

Why They are Wildly in Love!  The January 28th edition of Time Magazine points that out in it's informative article on the Science of Romance.  Commitment does not  scare the incredible Titi Monkeys one bit. We often spot the Titis while on our Go Wild! Go GREAT!tm Safaris in Costa Rica.  Unlike many primates, Titis establish lifelong bonds with their partners.  0 divorce rate!

As for the White-Fronted Parrots.  Why these "aves" are so gushy, you want to tell them  to "Get a Room" but wait the Rainforest is their room!  White Fronted Parrots  can be spotted in "open beak kissing"  and sad to say very often,  a bereft parrot will die shortly after their partner does.

Contact www.retreatscostarica.com for Learning Vacations and Retreats amidst the beauty of Costa Rica.  Our naturalists and tour guides not only bring you up close and personal with nature, we'll show you how lessons from nature can improve the quality of your life.

Rainforest Meets the Sea-- Costa Rica Unspoiled From the Inside-Out!

"Greeted by Howler Monkeys at Samasati, Nature Reserve, Costa Rica"

We just returned to the city from 3 days at the Samasati Nature Reserve, situated near the town of Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.  After 9 years in Costa Rica and having owned several homes in both Escazu and Arenal, we have begun work on our first Caribbean beach house, overlooking the town of Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.

It seems as Costa Rica becomes increasingly discovered by tourists and developers .Yes, The incredible  4 Seasons Hotel even found a home here. My husband and I run from the tourists and civilization to the unspoiled Costa Rica we first fell in love with over 15 years ago.   Mind you 15 years ago, we were enchanted with CB Radio communication in a small beach town, the fun of a  community book exchange and the fact that the locals named their visiting bats and monkeys.   Now, we have Direct TV, Wireless Internet,  Hugo Boss, and even Tony Roma's in our bustling Central Valley Metropolis.  So while we have our civilized and comfortable existence in Escazu, Costa Rica, we also leave the city in search of a peaceful retreat to recharge and connect with Mother Nature.         

We found that peaceful sanctuary at the Samasati Nature Reserve, known for several years for their Yoga and Nature retreats on what has been called Costa Rica's "Wild Caribbean Coast".  HUA! 250 acres of tropical forest!  Yes, we wanted to Go Wild Again and be where jungle meets the sea and where there's still more monkeys than people.  Perhaps more importantly, there is a community that will live in harmony with nature.  *A limited number of residential sites will be built on the reserve with strict guidelines to protect the environment.      

  As we arrived at Samasati on this initial visit to design the house, the  Howlers and White Faced Monkeys did not disappoint as they frolicked above our heads in the rain forest canopy.  Two Toucans alerted us to their presence with their distinctive squeaky wheel bird calls and Morpho Butterflies seemed to almost dance for us in the sunlight. The  Leaf-Cutter Ants showed us the true meaning of team work as they carried loads twice their size in a unified march to their destination.  We're hoping our building crew will be nearly as efficient .

We are following our designer's advice and creating our Retreat House from the "Inside-Out". It occurred to me while answering design questions about our core values and preferences--Yes, we are Going Green as much as possible, that this basic design principle for building a home is one we should also seek to follow in building a life of integrity and purpose .

Creating a personal vision and path based on our inner voice and value system, rather than relying on those who might look from the outside-in. But do we always do that ?    Or do we allow others to look into our windows and judge how we should design our home and even live our lives?  As we mature, we often learn to trust our own vision and voice and create a home that we're proud of because it comes from our heart.  Oh but those moments of still worrying about what other's think as they look inside our window, which yes , sometimes get dirty.

So what's all this mean?   I guess perhaps....Close The Damn Windows, Look into your heart from the Inside-Out and the next time a "Peeping Tom" looks in with advice or criticism, ask them if they have taken a look at their house from the Inside/Out?   Maybe they need a little Windex!                     

I'll try to keep you posted on our adventures in design and building as we continue to Go Wild! Go Great! in Costa Rica.

Planning a House/Planning a Life From the Inside-Out!

Pura Vida,

Rosemary

The Healing Powers of Mud!

 

. Recently we set forth on an exploratory trip in our adopted country of

Costa Rica

for possible locations for our 2007 Learning Safaris.  Our destination was Rincon de La Vieja in the North Western part of the country:  The resort, "Hotel Borinquen" is a Mountain and Hot Springs Hotel and Spa and one of 3  destinations we will be using for a Couple's Rainforest Romance Retreat in the new year.  What a great place for female and couple's pampering at any age, complete with exotic massages including a Chocolate Massage...My first ever and Yum!  How wonderful to have chocolate that doesn't go to your thighs but on them! Rincon de La Vieja literally means "Face of the old woman".  Aah perhaps the old woman came here and indeed found her fountain of youth.

This tourist area is set amidst an  active volcano and an incredible state park with  beautiful waterfalls and wildlife.  It's also great Cattle Country.  In fact one of the hotel's tours,  takes you through primary forest and on to a 5000 hectare farm where yes, you can see the "Rush of the Buffalos".

You get the feeling you are in the middle of nowhere.  In addition to the hotel's zen like sanctuary, one of the spectacular treats of this resort is a natural,  stress reducing and wellness gift provided by  mother nature.  "Bubbling mud pots and small geysers".  A recent article in our local paper, the Tico Times, reported recent scientific studies that indicate that the small,  microorganisms in this special brew may just hold solutions for global warming.  Yet another case for saving the rainforest!

While the smell of sulfur from the bubbling earth makes you feel like slightly like you're in a complex owned by "El Diablo", the healing properties of the forest green mud are utterly  amazing.  Your skin feels refreshed and taut as though the stress was literally peeled away. There's also the side benefit of  Laughter. As shown in the photo above, you cannot help but release your cares as you share a new face to friends.  Warning:  As the  forest green mud dries and turns crusty, you might be confused with that old woman or the top of a volcano.

We have lived in Costa Rica 9 years and travelled here before that.  A great find and yet another new treasure discovered.

   

Hot Update:  Our 2007 Retreats have been Scheduled. Mark your calendars for the following dates:

Detailed Itineraries will be posted shortly.

"Go Wild-Go Great!  The Journey from Now to Wow"tm  A

Costa Rica

Retreat and Learning Vacation for Mind, Body and Spirit:

April 17-24th:

September 29th - October 6th:

"Women in Transition: The Journey from Now to Wow"tm

April 17th - 24th

October 20-27th

"The Rainforest Romance:  A Retreat for Couples"

  July 21s-28th

The Tale of the Wishbone!

    It was to be a fun filled “Big Chill” Thanksgiving Weekend, renting a house in Jaco with 2 other couples.  After all, what could be better than cooking a

Turkey

while watching a gorgeous, Costa Rican sunset?

  We 3 couples were also savvy residents—well prepared for resort town thievery.  You see, in prior years, the Pizotes had stolen our turkey right off the counter of the kitchen, as our group left the big bird cooling to say goodbye to the day.

What we were not prepared for was losing passport, money, license, etc…taken not by pizotes, but rather left behind on a chair in the flurry of our reunion at a funky, Jaco café called the “Wishbone”.   The thought of standing in line for hours to replace our Costa Rican License, Cedula and Credit Cards, was enough to turn a relaxing weekend into a “Lost Weekend”.    

   “It’s gone forever” my husband Barry said when he discovered that he had left his “man purse” behind and the restaurant had closed until the evening shift.

“Maybe not” I replied.  “After all, what self-respecting tico would be caught dead, with such a girly/metro-man accessory?”   “If we ever needed a wishbone, it’s today” we noted as we headed back to town, thinking the worst and hoping for the best.   

   For any who have uttered a generalization about the untrustworthy nature of the Costa Rican people due to incidents that can occur anywhere, read on….. 

   The kind and honest wait staff at Jaco’s Wishbone Cafe had indeed secured my husband’s man purse and despite our protest, would not accept a reward for doing the right thing.  Important to note, that the purse had been well stocked with colones for our holiday weekend and would have represented quite a bonus to a local salary.  

  This was also the second time we had left behind a valuable in JACO--the first time, my purse left on the beach at the Best Western in Jaco when we first moved to

Costa Rica

9 years ago.  That was also returned and again a reward not accepted.

      Is there petty and sometimes unfortunately even more violent crime in

Costa Rica

.  You bet.  Do you need to be street smart? Absolutely.  However, I travel 10 days a month teaching throughout the

United States

and you know what?  I often feel safer in

Costa Rica

than in most U.S. Cities. I also find that whether in the

United States

or

Costa Rica

, most people are genuinely honest and kind.  Unfortunately due to the nature of news, we hear most often about the bad and the ugly.  Let’s not forget the good in Costa Ricans and our fellow citizens everywhere.  Let’s think the best and not the worst of each other and let’s always believe in Wishbones!

PS:  The Pizotes again had their way with us and invaded our beach house—except this time they only got leftovers.

Rosemary Rein is an International Author, Speaker and Business Consultant who lives in Costa Rica and hosts business and personal retreats throughout the country. Sign up for Rosemary’s Blog and learn about life and learning in paradise at www.costaricatraining.com.

    

The Wild, Rainforest of Costa Rica! "It's a Cat, No It's a Howler---Wait it's a Tico!"

A few nights ago, we headed to Manuel Antonio for some R & R amidst the monkeys!

We stayed at one of our favorite haunts "Mono Azul"  We love Manuel Antonio where rainforest meets the sea and are loyal to this particular tourist center, because the owners created "Children Saving the Rainforest"  Yes, these proprietors are a caring animal-loving family who believe in giving back to the community and responsible tourism.  Through their fundraising and marketing of local arts and crafts by children, "Children Saving the Rainforest" has built "Monkey Bridges" to save the endangered Titi Monkeys.

This incredible species of monkey has unfortunately felt the consequence of tourism development--many electrocuted on dangerous power lines.  The organization has built critical bridges to give our small acrobats safe passage through the construction and development and back to their jungle home. 

Sleeping in the Rainforest is shall we say Good for the Soul.  Rain on the rooftops, the sounds of the jungle, almost mystical.

However on this night........

Just like in The Night before Xmas   "Barry and I arose to a clatter-- wondering what in the rainforest could be the matter? Was it a Jaguar or Howler Monkey that dropped onto our rooftop with a thundering clap and woke us out of a dead sleep?"

"Honey it looks big" I mumbled as I saw a large shadow.."is it a monkey? a jungle cat?"

Barry (not in his cap or clothes) said "no it's a Tico carrying a Television set"

As it turns out, A Big Cat would have been much better.  Our neighboring villa was being robbed and the Papa in our story thought better of giving chase (sin ropa).

Since we believe in Karma, we can't help but think the Rainforest didn't much like their home being invaded either.  Surely A poisonous snake had it's way with our boy, since he couldn't see where he was going carrying that T.V or a group of Titi's pounded him with fruit.

Either way....it's a Jungle Out There!

But the fine folks at Mono Azul make it all worthwhile.

Do You Write and Think Outside the Lines!

New York City in August----What could be better?  It was a day of motivational inspiration---sharing the speaker platform at the Hyatt in Manhattan,  for National Seminars amidst an audience of over 250 business leaders.

Amazing to watch the brilliance of fellow speakers on a broad range of topics...diversity, human resources and words that impact the human spirit.  Among the speakers, Gail Cohen, author of "Thinking Outside the Lines"--I highly recommend it as an addition to your library.

It was therefore on the way home, that perhaps I had the most intriguing conversation with a pilot sitting next to me.   I was writing notes during the "no lap-top" take-off when Roger, a pilot for American Airlines and my delightful seat mate for the trip,  said "excuse me but  do you know you write outside the lines?"  "What a compliment I replied--I must be creative" but "you surely can't fly a plane" he laughed and smile.   Roger and I shared one of those conversations where you shake your head in amazement at the gift of sharing an hour or two with a complete stranger who has a completely different frame of reference. My mother once told me when you meet someone new , it's like taking a small vacation--you get to go somewhere you've never been.  During this flight, I entered the precise world and logic of an aviator.

I would learn that after 18 years with the love of his life, Roger and his companion are ready to take the plunge---no, not marriage yet......but they are committing to a  fish tank community.  In fact, they are  carefully researching for weeks now, the mix of the community of fish and the empty tank sits there in his living room, awaiting Roger's careful analysis.  You see,  Roger likes to get it right and minimize risks.  He is the ideal pilot.

I on the other hand,  recounted to him the spontaneous nature of my fish tank analysis--  going to the tropical fish store and buying fish that looked so brilliant and beautiful ....and the horror of having a family picnic and hearing the blood curdling screams of my nieces and nephews as the pretty fish devoured the existing community in front of their young eyes.

The fun of this "fish tale" was the mutual understanding of our distinctly different personality styles and the recognition that each personality has both strengths and  weaknesses --an understanding that in the "Perfect Tank" there is acceptance, diversity, and agreement that you don't bite the other's head off (at least in front of company).

Back in Costa Rica this week---------Pura Vida