My dental trip to Costa Rica

I don't have bad teeth (I am only 29), but my mom was doing all this, and so since I didn't want her to go alone, I planned to go. But that isn't to make it sound dreary. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, except for the {excessive and unnecessary] hassle of international travel. So I got dental work done too, although not urgent, I might as well take advantage. I have my whole dental life ahead of me.

You see, for her (or most any American needing at least a few expensive dental procedures) is was significantly cheaper all told to pay international airfare there and back, a touristy luxury Costa Rican hotel, daily tourism activities (such as museums), AND the (quality) dental work itself.

That is a sad commentary on American medical/dental/insurance circumstances.

I'm not just guessing at the value or savings or quality. After having made this trip ourselves, we can now make totals of all our expenses as well as our equivalent American prices. We can also know which dentists are actually of the good quality and skill an American would want to make all this worthwhile (for instance, my dentist, a Dr. Ms. Marin, did much of her training at UCLA).

For American prices, I used an online Consumer Reports article, www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/02/dental-care.html. Too view the full price listings, I'm afraid you have to be a subscriber.

For Costa Rican prices, we have our receipts and dental work agreements from where we actually had this work done (Feb 2012)

I had some extraordinary sight-seeing experiences, but for my 6 days there I spent the large majority in and around dental offices.
However, I got one day of real sight-seeing, which was a great value through Expediciones Tropicales, in which I went on their Combo tour, with the Doka Coffee PLantation, the Poas Volcano National Park, and the La Paz Waterfall Garden.
I say great value, because although it seemed pricey at first, I later looked at all that I did that was included and realized what a value it was!
I have a keen interest in waterfall sight-seeing, and so this day trip was especially meaningful for me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Paz_Waterfall,_Costa_Rica

I never made it to the San Jose Zoo, nor the Jade Museum, and I never got to taste fresh guanabana fruit. That was disappointing, although what I did get to do was more than I ever expected.

My mom wants to try and do more of these trips, for herself and her friends. I felt very safe in Costa Rica. It seemed quite a safe place to go, unless of course you went into the worst areas (same as any U.S. city). You hear many scary things online, but I didn't face any (although I did take malaria tablets).

http://www.bedandbreakfastcr.com/

"Good Ol' Mountain Dew"

It's not what you think it is, unless it is after all, in which case you guessed well and have a good scope of knowledge. I might not have figured it out, before today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjyzHcWVqs0&feature=related

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XV7mxfIIr0 aka "Pretty Polly"
(this is a bit explicit and I think representative of unchurched original Old Time music)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnKLsXYXk44
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fldAP7lPg9o

Hmm... http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/appalach.htm

"TRADITIONAL Appalachian music is mostly based upon anglo-celtic folk ballads and instrumental dance tunes....most of the one hundred or so variations of the three hundred classic ballads found in American tradition are to do with sexual struggles from the female standpoint...A large percentage, perhaps almost half, of the American variations tend to be about pregnant women murdered by their boyfriends. ...

... But, even as content was changed to reflect American locations, contexts, and occupations, many nineteenth century versions of the Child Ballads still refer to Lords and Ladies, castles, and ghosts, and retain as their central theme love affairs and interpersonal relations. The churches of America were also very influential and usually more puritan in nature. Many fairly explicit lyrics were softened and cleaned up. British paganism was frowned upon, and this censorship resulted in ballads where repentance and doom supplanted sinful behavior....

...The length of recording time also shortened songs to a few verses. In the earliest days of commercial recording each band had its own regional sound; later there was a great deal of experimentation with crossovers...

...In 1922 the first recording of a rural performer, Eck Robertson, was made. Many followed. To the absolute amazement of the urban record companies, recordings made by groups from the mountains sold in huge numbers and an 'industry' was born...

...The Great Depression of the 1930s put an end to the commercial viability of old-time music...The old traditional music of the mountains gave way to the beginnings of modern commercial country-western music....

...BUT the traditional old-time Appalachian music never really died off; it just reverted back to being a participatory 'folk' music...Many old songs, originally written for commercial reasons, are now considered traditional, their composers gradually forgotten."



other seemingly random YouTube videos of the moment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCH7B9m4A4M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGOOpUkJ0Ko&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOor0OLIbFc&NR=1
http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/appalach.htm
www.videosurf.com/frank-proffitt-57503
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOSir5S1AHs&feature=related

Its amazing how a innocent search for old time mountain music can lead to groping videos, isn't it?

Mountain Music

Appalachain Folk music, rather. Or, rather, the unique Appalachian blend of many worldwide folk music traditions.

I was talking to a friend about my distinction between country music (which I am not fond of) and what I call "mountain music." I'm not sure what the distinction is, if any, between mountain music and Bluegrass, but I would think there is. I suppose the instruments of the fiddle and the banjo are common to both, and perhaps the dulcimer. The Cedar Flute and the Jaw Harp are mixed in there somewhere.

I also was saying that I don't own any CDs of this mountain music, which I suppose is sloppy of me.

Well, I was curious to find some, and here it is:





see also:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVMi3MH0uRU&feature=related

What do you think the difference is, if any?
Something I learned a while back is that "mountain folk music" is not really preserved in an original form. Much of mountain music popularized has been cleaned up, made very PG, whereas true mountain music is quite... well, not.

swirling dervishes YouTube

I've heard of the Swirling Dervishes (aka Whirling Dervishes aka Sufi dancing) for many years, since college and perhaps high school, but this video (when I saw it on DVD) was an eye-opening experience. It is beautiful and stirring. Don't you agree?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgjCfHn3x2g

sexy and funny Bollywood music video

Bollywood as in Hindi
Song name is apparently "Tumse Milke Dil Ka Jo Haal"
It was apparently composed by Mr. Anu Malik. Sung by Sonu Nigam with Altab Sabri and Hasim Sab, whoevever they are. Performed by a little army, but partly by Amrita Rao (the starlet), Mr. Zayed Khan and Mr. Shahrukh Khan

I think it is important to clarify I don't see this starlet as any ideal of beauty, although I certainly find her attractive. In fact, I think the movie's creators went to huge lengths to make sure I do. It is an undeniably energetic, playful, exuberant, and sexy scene to watch.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zANyRYq0KM
the actress is [umm...not sure yet...haha]



More of Amrita is apparently here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQN259xGVkQ
and here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2k8_qZqW_I&feature=related

Indonesian pop song

I think this is a song I heard a few years ago on a DVD my then-girlfriend gave me.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfirYxQApDQ&playnext=1&list=PL1520B59A3A1298F2

I think...

International music - bollywood

This is fun. Some of these clips aren't all that great except for parts, but mostly they're very catchy. I really enjoy international music.
I have seen (and sometimes own) some of these movies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zANyRYq0KM
Tumse Milke Dil Ka Jo Haal- Main Hoon Na

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aujt3IzI4NM
Aey Kaash Ke Hum Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_8GQ9kEjZw
Shahrukh Khan - Don ( Kabhi Haan Kabhi Na )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDF08vSoLhc
Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa - Shahruh Khan - Ana Mere pyar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsoxRDHx9RI
Pump UpThe Bhangra - Ram Jaane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm1r7iUVhuI
yeh kali kali ( Baazigar)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJDyoAcQuzU
Baazigar Song: Kitaben Bahut Si Parhi Hongi Tum Ne

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLnAuVc0-RU
Main Hoon Na - Chale Jaise Hawaien
Song name is apparently "Chale Jaise Hawaien"
It was apparently written by Mr. Anu Malik. Sung by Vasundhara Das. Performed in part by Amrita Rao