This was definitely the most "last minute" I have ever travelled. I booked my flight and hotel and 7:30 in the morning, and I was on the road to the airport at 9 in the morning. I almost could not believe it, but I actually experienced some trepidation. But, after a call to my husband and a couple of Stella Artois in the lounge nearest my gate, I was feeling fine with the situation. I flew from Chicago to Houston, Houston to San Jose, Costa Rica. This was the farthest south I have ever been. I have travelled to other Latin American countries, namely Mexico and The Dominican Republic, and I was quick to discover that English is less common in Costa Rica than in those other two countries. So, relying on my limited Spanish, I proceeded through customs and procured a taxi ride to my hotel in downtown San Jose. The driving in Costa Rica is the craziest traffic situation I have ever witnessed. Picture the traffic congestion of New York combined with the aggressive driving style of the Caribbean. Interesting. I arrived at my hotel (Hotel Balmoral) with just enough energy left to buy a couple of Coca Cola lights at the bakery across the street, grab a couple of tour brochures, and climb into my bed to look them over. Turning on the TV for some background noise, I was in for another first: no English language channels. This actually PLEASED me very much. I am always ashamed to find so much of MY language and culture in other countries. I had grabbed 20 or so tour brochures; after weeding out a few, I was too exhausted to do anything but attempt sleep.