Travel to the sights and listen

When traveled to Costa Rica, one of the things that we went to see was the Arenal Volcano. Before going I knew that we weren't going to see the spectacular eruptions that they have in the pictures. What I didn't expect showing up was when someone said "ya, you should be able to hear it well today". Whhhaaat? You can hear it?

The rumblings, the tumblings as rocks rolled down the sides, the crack of rocks hitting each other. There weren't many people around, but usually people outside aren't quiet. There people spoke in hushed tones - with a quiet reverence. I've read about people feel like they are sitting next to an angry giant when near volcanoes. That feels like a understatement. There was so much power sitting there in a mountain. I totally understand now why people believed that gods resided inside volcanoes.

My advice for anyone traveling - pictures are wonderful, but make sure no matter where you go, you use all your senses because those are what really makes it real.