Pain In My Back – Part 2

I am a lucky man. I live in this incredible country, surrounded by amazing people. I have 13 awesome dogs and thousands of friends; the absolute best job a guy could have; and the most beautiful girlfriend you could ever imagine. I also have great DNA, inheriting my parents’ good looks, intelligence, humor and wit (wink wink). Unfortunately, I also derived my mother’s bad back. I have degenerative discs, and I have to be extra careful about everything I do. Of course, that is easier said than done, when your name is Michael Simons. I have generally, NEVER followed Doctor’s advice, and pretty much fly by the seat of my pants, through most of my existence on this earth.

Tank Tops Flip Flops Newsletter edition no. 206 

For the last year or so, I have had this constant aching in my lower back, a sure sign that things were heating up again. You see I had a disc replacement surgery 7 years ago, having completely blown one out, so I know when things are going wrong and I am worse for the wear. You can read the Newsletter I wrote in March 2015.

www.tanktopsflipflops.com/back-pain-surgery-costa-rica/

A few weeks ago, the pain got to the point where I knew I needed to visit my neurosurgeon one more time. After an MRI and some X-Rays, I met with Doctor Huertas at CIMA hospital San Jose. He is, without a doubt, the cream of the crop.

When I told him I had spent the better part of the last two years, lifting thousands of pounds of beans, rice and dog food, during our food drives, I got the lecture I knew was coming.

“Michael! I told you NEVER to lift anything again.”

Costa Rica celebrates 200 years of Independence

200 years ago, on September 15, 1821, Costa Rica gained its independence from Spain as a democratic republic.  Since then, Costa Rica emerged as a sovereign democratic nation, creating over the years one of the most stable, prosperous, and peaceful democracies in the world.  Costa Rica has been recognized worldwide for its commitment to peace, its abolition of its military and its programs to provide education and healthcare to all its citizens. 

And of course in recent decades Costa Rica is best known for the widespread land conservation and creation of a large network of national parks and reserves that eventually emerged as its current brand of Eco Tourism that is now wildly successful and sought after tourism model that is being copied around the world.  You know when Google puts you on the banner of their search engine for the day you made it baby!