October 18: Today my cuisine class was cancelled due to the overpopulation of thunderstorms. It has been typhoon season for the last few weeks. I am beginning to loose hope on the return of the sun. I feel like Tom Hanks, stranded on an island with no hope of escape from the water surrounding me. The only laugh that I was able to treasure today came from the simplicity of my mama tica's hiccups that ran throughout the house for a couple hours.
October 19: Best day of futbol ever. Our games seemed to fly by as we won and lost in joy. The competition level was as low, as was the testosterone. I have finally found my position of comfort. I am not coordinated enough to aim as a forward, nor block as a goalie. My talent lies somewhere between. I have enjoyed my position as a fullback protector because my job is to protect the goal, charge the ball, and kick that bugger as hard as my strength will allow.
After futbol we made plans to see a movie that was created in Costa Rica called "El Regreso" or "The return." Spencer groomed and bathed himself at my house after futbol, in order to freshen for the flick. I thoroughly enjoyed the scene where Spencer dramatically threw open my sliding door to the shower, limited only to his shorts, and dared ask me, "did you miss me?" Laughing and rolling my eyes, I continued my tasks until the unsatisfied response tempted Spencer into wiping me in the butt with a towel! Brotherly love is not limited by moving to another country. We have had multiple discussions between the two of us that form a resemblance between each other and our siblings.
October 20: Simple and uneventful Thursday. Molly and I bought our groceries, I found a cheap and tasty bottle of Costa Rican wine, and we went to Spanish class for Salsa night!
October 21: The bus to Cahuita was simple and quick. I have conquered the cure for my bus sickness: limiting the amount of time in the bus. Sounds simple? That's because it is. Hanging my body out the window creates a number of great solutions. The wind in my face riddens me of my sickness and I get a closer experience to the rural Costa Rican life. There is a good source of happiness that comes from waving and smiling at the local people from my window.
We arrived in Cahuita in time to spot a sloth hanging from a telephone wire within feet of my head. I was twitterpated to be almost within touching distance. I think the sloth was happier that it hadn't been diagnosed with epilepsy due to the abundance of photographic flashes that followed it's tight rope passage. Our hostel, The Secret Garden, was tucked back into a little crevasse of the town. We cooked our dinner and headed out for some night life. Though it was a national holiday, the night life was limited. We were the only bodies who touched the dance floor besides the entangled lesbian lovers. All other warm bodies were large Afro-Caribbean men who decorated the walls while the girls danced and Spencer attempted to perfect his ragae dance moves - which involved a lot of general gang signs. We quickly removed Spencers' gang signs and ourselves from the dance floor and on to the Churro with Dulce de Leche stand. Yummmmmm!
October 22: We explored the depths of Cahuita's National Forest for a small donational fee. I improved my photography portfolio as I meandered through the jungle. At the end of our passage, we encountered a colony of Capuchin monkeys. Natalie desperately wanted to feed the savages. I kept my distance for a while as my mama tica's monkey horror stories repeated in my head. After the reoccurring nightmare passed, I debated with my courage until I convinced it to join me. I joined Natalie and Molly's lunch with the monkeys. We had monkeys hold our hands, steal our crackers, and sit in our laps. !Que Divertido!
After our monkeys lunch, we headed to a short session of swimming and sunbathing. Our session was cut short due to the incoming storm. The storm took hold of the entire evening, taking it captive. The storm tormented us as we watched our beautiful day being chased away, never looking back.
We prepared lunch, read novels, discussed political topics with an English man and gave a Spanish crash course to our hansom, Scottish roommate. The occupants of the hotel rushed to the limits of the roof to fill their water bottles after the rain began. I sometimes forget that I am living in a third world country. I am often reminded when certain events pass throughout my day. When the rain running off the roof proves to be cleaner than that from the sinks; I am reminded.
We struggled to occupy ourselves throughout the afternoon. No longer being able to withstand our boredom, we found our way to the nearby Puerto Viejo. We enjoyed Americanized food (pasta, tacos, hamburgers) at a local restaurant called Flip Flop. I ordered myself a Flip Flop Special hamburger with a side of fire dancing man! I have seen this fire dancer all over the country and every time I am drooling over his incredible talents. My hamburger, fire twirler, and evening of dance proved to be worth our expensive cab fare home.
October 23: Bus Station came too soon. We woke up to the most beautiful sun filled day just in time to leave. We contemplated exchanging our tickets for a later time. However, we were unable to motivate ourselves into the great attempt of speaking in Spanish to the ticket office. So, we left the white sand, giggling children, fresh pineapple, churros con dulce de leche and the sun rays behind us. No wonder my mama tica doesn't understand why I keep returning from the beach as pasty white as when I left.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Octubre 11-17
October 11: Tuesday brought only one enjoyment. Platanos....
Platanos are Spanish for plantains. Plantains is English for really large banana looking thing in the supermarkets that no one in The States understands what to do with them.
In my cuisine class we were taught how to fry platanos verdes with a side of pico dio. Platanos verdes come from Cuba and the Carribean side of Costa Rica. I find it interesting that Costa Rica is divided in half in terms of its majorities; and divided in twelvths for its environmental diversity. If you travel to the Carribbean, you will find more rasta then you know what to do with. Rasta seeps from your pores. There, you will find salty platanos and really big black men. However, on the Pacific side of Costa Rica the platanos are sweet and sauteed to perfection.
October 12: The ladies and I went out today to explore the shopping culture of Heredia. Note to all tall women out there: Costa Rica does not have shoes for you. I would have paid to re- witness the look I recieved from the man in the shoe department when I asked him if they sold shoes in my size. Needless to say, shopping for sandles was a less dramatic, but just as difficult of an experience as a mission impossible movie. I just wish Tom Cruise would have been there to attempt the search for a good shoe fitting.
The last and final store of the afternoon had a sandal that fit. I bought them with pride and hussled my way back to the house to change for futbol. Dani and I were soaked by the time we went a block past the shoe store. We slugged back to the house to find the boys not ready. Unsurprising. I pulled Kenny out of the bathroom by his earlobe after his mom offered to drive us to futbol. We showed up late, again. We were thrown into the next game only to be thrown off the feild after the world quickest loss. I didn't even realize that we were playing before they scoreboard read 'defeat'.
We decided to eat our emotions away with a good adventure love story and junk food. I bought the carmel popcorn, molly bought the pringles, and richard got 'water for elephants.' Half way through the flick the language switched to what I believe was French. I was having a hard enough time following in Spanish, now they added French! We just laughed it off and enjoyed the pirated film. My favorite part was when the sound cut out and all you could hear was the "pirater" coughing and sniffling in the background of his clip.
October 13: Bus ride to the bus station for bus tickets. Bus, Bus, Bus. Can I just vent for a second and say that I really dislike buses - emphasis on the really. They are crowded and make me want to hurl with every poor clutch malfunction and humid window. To top off our poor bus ride with a cherry, we found out that tickets can only be purchased the day-of. So we made our way back just in time to skip dance class due to my newly purchased sandles braking. The one pair of sandals in Costa Rica that fit also broke! Megh!
Okay, finished with my PMS fued.
October 14: Today is a good day! New sandles! Adventure to come! Friends to be made! I might sound like an episode of Mr. Rodgers, but who wouldn't want to be my neighboor on such a fantastic day! We finished school and hussled over to the bus station for our day-of tickets. We purchased tickets for 2pm. Our bus left at 1:30pm just after we hopped on. I hope no one else was planning on joining.
The trip was quick, squishy, and full of good life stories. The bus ride from San Carlos to La Fortuna was so popular that I am almost certain that everyone and there grandmother hopped on our bus. The only way we could have held more people on that bus would have been if we threw them under in the storage compartments below. I got a little closterphobic and decided I would rather sit out side. So I squeezed out the window of the bus and flew through the country side. As the wind swept through my hair, I noticed a flash. The man standing a few isles in front of my now vacant seat decided to turn my escape into a photo-shoot. Him and his friend were taking pictures of my stupid, but freeing expedition. I came back into the window to scoff at them for taking stalker pictures, but decided against my scoff because they had charming smiles and greeted us appropriately. We had the rest of the bus ride to make new friends and decide there should be a club for all the Ticos who have witnessed AND documented my stupid decisions. Saying goodbye to Nestor and his brother, we headed toward our Sleepers Sleep Cheap Hostel.
Due to the uneven rooming situation, I was obligated to volunteer myself for the room with the boys. It was actually a fun experience. It reminded me of my days of my youth and vacationing with my brothers.
Decisions led to a tranquil evening of walking around the touristic city, splashing in the public fountain, admiring an art gallery, origami lessons, tree climbing, and rocking chairs. My newly befriended Bobby rocked me into a quick slumber as the crew giggled their way into exhaustion.
October 15: A few hours less then rested hours later, we devoured our breakfast (included in our already $7 cheap room-fare), then took off to Luis' RedLava Tours. Luis is our friend that Molly and I made the last adventure to La Fortuna hooked us up with a great deal. For the cheapest price on the cheapest tour, Luis added on all additional tours for the same price. The day's itinerary included a six hour hike up to a water volcano, waterfall, night hike, hot springs, and dancing.
Luis and our crew headed up through the forest to the top of Cerro Chato, which is a Lagoon that rests at the top of a water volcano. The water held within the crater takes on a beautiful, striking green color that invites you for a refreshing swim after our three hour accent. The hike up held adventures of many kinds. We saw unique vegetation, beautiful scenic overlooks, ants that work as stitches, and Tarzan vines. Unfortunately for me, I would never make a good mate for Tarzan. I was the only one in our crew who could not hold my own weight on the vines as I swung over the forest floor. I embarrassingly slipped mid-flight off the end and landed in a muddy crevasse that echoed the laughter.
Reaching the peak of our hike, we began to descend down into the crater. Our decent included free climbing down cliffs using only the forest and its natural staircase. The tree roots proved to be slippery and dangerous time after time. We had to stop for a quick breather and praise after Dani slipped from one ledge only to keep rolling down the mountain. She stopped just before a drop down the cliff that would have certainly taken her life or much of her body. We carefully made it to the green waters for a quick swim, rope swing plunge, and white dolphin watching.
Our decent from the volcano was much quicker than the ascent. Luis and many of the others allowed their animal instincts to overcome their senses. The wild crew leapt and swung down the mountain using vines, trees, and stupidity to race down the mountain. Bobby added a few shout outs like: "Par core" or "Grind" as he would slide down a tree root or leap from a startling height. I could no longer could keep up with group so I went at my own leisurely pace down the mountain to the echos of jungle interpretative noises from my long gone companions.
We literally chased sundown all the way to the waterfall. We arrived just in time for enough light to jump from low and high points of the thundering waterfall. I cradled my courage and stupidity long enough for Luis to push me up the side of the waterfall for me to embrace my Pocahontas spirit. I jumped from the sweet spot of the waterfall into the rushing waters below. To warm up after the chilly falls, we headed to the Hot Spring River. We dived into the caves below the river and soaked in volcanic mud masks. All was fun and splendid until one of the girls fell. I reached out just in time to catch her. Sadly, my movement cost me my purity ring. I bought my purity rings years ago as a symbol of my absence decision. I had many other intentions for this ring's future, but now it was lost. I cried and sulked a while in the warmth of the river. Molly's attempts to cheer me up were tender, but unhelpful at this time. But I want to thank her non the less for being that amazing friend who loves me and convinces me that some things are not worth the tears or frustration.
Later that evening, we decided to go dancing at the local hangout. Dancing was great, but since I usually update you on my list of creepers; I will inform you of my newest. I had to give the 'save me' signal to my friend Bobby when the short little man who I was dancing with decided to try a new dance move. The choreography involved swirling his finger in my belly button. Yes, my belly button....
October 16: Continental breakfast came much too early. Nothing like fresh fruit to start a good day filled with more adventures. The crew and I wandered down to the local watering whole for some stupid decisions and even better stories. This is the same watering hole where Molly and I completed "Stupid Idea #1," where we survived the rope swing together. Since then, we have accomplished "Stupid Idea #2 - feeding the wild monkeys our lunch in the middle of the jungle" and "Stupid Idea #3 - Pretending to fight on top of a waterfall only for me to punch Bobby in the face, sending him diving off the top and into the abyss below."
There you have it folks. We are full of great, but rather stupid, decisions. I successfully face planted in front of everyone of my friends who awaited my 'hey guys, watch this' move from the top of the rope swing. We did a handful of other daring un-thought-through maneuvers before leaving the swimming hole, but non as great as Luke's flip from the waterfalls peak.
Walking back from the swimming hole we encountered a symphony of drumming. As the beat grew stronger in our cores, we found the source. There was a rodeo style stadium in downtown La Fortuna that held a national drum-line competition. I was already on a roll of stupid adventures, so I decided to continue the movement. I snuck into the stadium from under the stage to watch the talented young drummers beat one of my favorite songs by Kanaan - Wave Your Flag - from the 2010 World Cup. Peaking through the slats of an overpopulated stadium below, listening to the rhythm of passion, is a fabulous cultural experience.
That evening I went to Luis' house for a quick tour. I had to ask him if he just enjoyed pink rooms filled with caterpillars or if his house was once a preschool. The latter was correct; however, the first would be much more entertaining to be true. Later we witnessed the second most spectacular sunset in my life. The clouds ascended over the completely visible Volcano, changing from pink, orange, and gold. Following natures show, the girls and Bobby went out for some cheap, local grub. We stopped at a place to engorge ourselves with the much craved American food. We laughed continuously when realizing that Bobby is always clustered among the ladies. We decided that he would be our Costa Rican Polygamist Husband and we are all sister wives.
October 17: Today was filled with mostly travel time and over viewing our fantastic weekend. The bus trip was quick and easy. However, we had a small hold up in traffic when a rural farmer was trucking down the road with a large cow in the back bed of his Toyota. Cows are not very forgiving when descending down windy mountain roads, in case you were ever in need of transporting one.
Today, one of my girls graciously explained to me the meaning of La Fortuna."La Fortuna" translates to "The Fortune." In hopes of cheering me up after the loss of my favorite ring, she explained to me that the people in La Fortuna to this day find tools, trinkets, and treasures from the villages destroyed by the Volcanoes last eruption. These items are found in the same river that holds my ring. I get to add more to this great story. Upon arriving home, I told my mother about the loss. While I told her the story and explained my distress, she found and bought the same ring online in a smaller size to ensure security! Now that is love. Can I get a quick shout out to the world's greatest mother! Woot Woot.
Platanos are Spanish for plantains. Plantains is English for really large banana looking thing in the supermarkets that no one in The States understands what to do with them.
In my cuisine class we were taught how to fry platanos verdes with a side of pico dio. Platanos verdes come from Cuba and the Carribean side of Costa Rica. I find it interesting that Costa Rica is divided in half in terms of its majorities; and divided in twelvths for its environmental diversity. If you travel to the Carribbean, you will find more rasta then you know what to do with. Rasta seeps from your pores. There, you will find salty platanos and really big black men. However, on the Pacific side of Costa Rica the platanos are sweet and sauteed to perfection.
October 12: The ladies and I went out today to explore the shopping culture of Heredia. Note to all tall women out there: Costa Rica does not have shoes for you. I would have paid to re- witness the look I recieved from the man in the shoe department when I asked him if they sold shoes in my size. Needless to say, shopping for sandles was a less dramatic, but just as difficult of an experience as a mission impossible movie. I just wish Tom Cruise would have been there to attempt the search for a good shoe fitting.
The last and final store of the afternoon had a sandal that fit. I bought them with pride and hussled my way back to the house to change for futbol. Dani and I were soaked by the time we went a block past the shoe store. We slugged back to the house to find the boys not ready. Unsurprising. I pulled Kenny out of the bathroom by his earlobe after his mom offered to drive us to futbol. We showed up late, again. We were thrown into the next game only to be thrown off the feild after the world quickest loss. I didn't even realize that we were playing before they scoreboard read 'defeat'.
We decided to eat our emotions away with a good adventure love story and junk food. I bought the carmel popcorn, molly bought the pringles, and richard got 'water for elephants.' Half way through the flick the language switched to what I believe was French. I was having a hard enough time following in Spanish, now they added French! We just laughed it off and enjoyed the pirated film. My favorite part was when the sound cut out and all you could hear was the "pirater" coughing and sniffling in the background of his clip.
October 13: Bus ride to the bus station for bus tickets. Bus, Bus, Bus. Can I just vent for a second and say that I really dislike buses - emphasis on the really. They are crowded and make me want to hurl with every poor clutch malfunction and humid window. To top off our poor bus ride with a cherry, we found out that tickets can only be purchased the day-of. So we made our way back just in time to skip dance class due to my newly purchased sandles braking. The one pair of sandals in Costa Rica that fit also broke! Megh!
Okay, finished with my PMS fued.
October 14: Today is a good day! New sandles! Adventure to come! Friends to be made! I might sound like an episode of Mr. Rodgers, but who wouldn't want to be my neighboor on such a fantastic day! We finished school and hussled over to the bus station for our day-of tickets. We purchased tickets for 2pm. Our bus left at 1:30pm just after we hopped on. I hope no one else was planning on joining.
The trip was quick, squishy, and full of good life stories. The bus ride from San Carlos to La Fortuna was so popular that I am almost certain that everyone and there grandmother hopped on our bus. The only way we could have held more people on that bus would have been if we threw them under in the storage compartments below. I got a little closterphobic and decided I would rather sit out side. So I squeezed out the window of the bus and flew through the country side. As the wind swept through my hair, I noticed a flash. The man standing a few isles in front of my now vacant seat decided to turn my escape into a photo-shoot. Him and his friend were taking pictures of my stupid, but freeing expedition. I came back into the window to scoff at them for taking stalker pictures, but decided against my scoff because they had charming smiles and greeted us appropriately. We had the rest of the bus ride to make new friends and decide there should be a club for all the Ticos who have witnessed AND documented my stupid decisions. Saying goodbye to Nestor and his brother, we headed toward our Sleepers Sleep Cheap Hostel.
Due to the uneven rooming situation, I was obligated to volunteer myself for the room with the boys. It was actually a fun experience. It reminded me of my days of my youth and vacationing with my brothers.
Decisions led to a tranquil evening of walking around the touristic city, splashing in the public fountain, admiring an art gallery, origami lessons, tree climbing, and rocking chairs. My newly befriended Bobby rocked me into a quick slumber as the crew giggled their way into exhaustion.
October 15: A few hours less then rested hours later, we devoured our breakfast (included in our already $7 cheap room-fare), then took off to Luis' RedLava Tours. Luis is our friend that Molly and I made the last adventure to La Fortuna hooked us up with a great deal. For the cheapest price on the cheapest tour, Luis added on all additional tours for the same price. The day's itinerary included a six hour hike up to a water volcano, waterfall, night hike, hot springs, and dancing.
Luis and our crew headed up through the forest to the top of Cerro Chato, which is a Lagoon that rests at the top of a water volcano. The water held within the crater takes on a beautiful, striking green color that invites you for a refreshing swim after our three hour accent. The hike up held adventures of many kinds. We saw unique vegetation, beautiful scenic overlooks, ants that work as stitches, and Tarzan vines. Unfortunately for me, I would never make a good mate for Tarzan. I was the only one in our crew who could not hold my own weight on the vines as I swung over the forest floor. I embarrassingly slipped mid-flight off the end and landed in a muddy crevasse that echoed the laughter.
Reaching the peak of our hike, we began to descend down into the crater. Our decent included free climbing down cliffs using only the forest and its natural staircase. The tree roots proved to be slippery and dangerous time after time. We had to stop for a quick breather and praise after Dani slipped from one ledge only to keep rolling down the mountain. She stopped just before a drop down the cliff that would have certainly taken her life or much of her body. We carefully made it to the green waters for a quick swim, rope swing plunge, and white dolphin watching.
Our decent from the volcano was much quicker than the ascent. Luis and many of the others allowed their animal instincts to overcome their senses. The wild crew leapt and swung down the mountain using vines, trees, and stupidity to race down the mountain. Bobby added a few shout outs like: "Par core" or "Grind" as he would slide down a tree root or leap from a startling height. I could no longer could keep up with group so I went at my own leisurely pace down the mountain to the echos of jungle interpretative noises from my long gone companions.
We literally chased sundown all the way to the waterfall. We arrived just in time for enough light to jump from low and high points of the thundering waterfall. I cradled my courage and stupidity long enough for Luis to push me up the side of the waterfall for me to embrace my Pocahontas spirit. I jumped from the sweet spot of the waterfall into the rushing waters below. To warm up after the chilly falls, we headed to the Hot Spring River. We dived into the caves below the river and soaked in volcanic mud masks. All was fun and splendid until one of the girls fell. I reached out just in time to catch her. Sadly, my movement cost me my purity ring. I bought my purity rings years ago as a symbol of my absence decision. I had many other intentions for this ring's future, but now it was lost. I cried and sulked a while in the warmth of the river. Molly's attempts to cheer me up were tender, but unhelpful at this time. But I want to thank her non the less for being that amazing friend who loves me and convinces me that some things are not worth the tears or frustration.
Later that evening, we decided to go dancing at the local hangout. Dancing was great, but since I usually update you on my list of creepers; I will inform you of my newest. I had to give the 'save me' signal to my friend Bobby when the short little man who I was dancing with decided to try a new dance move. The choreography involved swirling his finger in my belly button. Yes, my belly button....
October 16: Continental breakfast came much too early. Nothing like fresh fruit to start a good day filled with more adventures. The crew and I wandered down to the local watering whole for some stupid decisions and even better stories. This is the same watering hole where Molly and I completed "Stupid Idea #1," where we survived the rope swing together. Since then, we have accomplished "Stupid Idea #2 - feeding the wild monkeys our lunch in the middle of the jungle" and "Stupid Idea #3 - Pretending to fight on top of a waterfall only for me to punch Bobby in the face, sending him diving off the top and into the abyss below."
There you have it folks. We are full of great, but rather stupid, decisions. I successfully face planted in front of everyone of my friends who awaited my 'hey guys, watch this' move from the top of the rope swing. We did a handful of other daring un-thought-through maneuvers before leaving the swimming hole, but non as great as Luke's flip from the waterfalls peak.
Walking back from the swimming hole we encountered a symphony of drumming. As the beat grew stronger in our cores, we found the source. There was a rodeo style stadium in downtown La Fortuna that held a national drum-line competition. I was already on a roll of stupid adventures, so I decided to continue the movement. I snuck into the stadium from under the stage to watch the talented young drummers beat one of my favorite songs by Kanaan - Wave Your Flag - from the 2010 World Cup. Peaking through the slats of an overpopulated stadium below, listening to the rhythm of passion, is a fabulous cultural experience.
That evening I went to Luis' house for a quick tour. I had to ask him if he just enjoyed pink rooms filled with caterpillars or if his house was once a preschool. The latter was correct; however, the first would be much more entertaining to be true. Later we witnessed the second most spectacular sunset in my life. The clouds ascended over the completely visible Volcano, changing from pink, orange, and gold. Following natures show, the girls and Bobby went out for some cheap, local grub. We stopped at a place to engorge ourselves with the much craved American food. We laughed continuously when realizing that Bobby is always clustered among the ladies. We decided that he would be our Costa Rican Polygamist Husband and we are all sister wives.
October 17: Today was filled with mostly travel time and over viewing our fantastic weekend. The bus trip was quick and easy. However, we had a small hold up in traffic when a rural farmer was trucking down the road with a large cow in the back bed of his Toyota. Cows are not very forgiving when descending down windy mountain roads, in case you were ever in need of transporting one.
Today, one of my girls graciously explained to me the meaning of La Fortuna."La Fortuna" translates to "The Fortune." In hopes of cheering me up after the loss of my favorite ring, she explained to me that the people in La Fortuna to this day find tools, trinkets, and treasures from the villages destroyed by the Volcanoes last eruption. These items are found in the same river that holds my ring. I get to add more to this great story. Upon arriving home, I told my mother about the loss. While I told her the story and explained my distress, she found and bought the same ring online in a smaller size to ensure security! Now that is love. Can I get a quick shout out to the world's greatest mother! Woot Woot.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Octubre 4-9
October 4th: I have to confess that there has been far to much adventures and wayfares to write the past two weeks. I would apologize, but I don't feel bad at all. I wouldn't trade a single experience for a few minutes glued to my laptop.
Today we left for Tortuguero National Park. In the beginning of the semester those who were willing to pay the six hundred dollars for this eccentric field trip. I enjoyed showing up with my single backpack as many of my fellow Gringos hephed and humphed their rolling suit cases under the bus with distress. Our breakfast at Restaurante Ceibo was awaiting us just passed the security guard and gate. I soon realized that my Idaho country girl manners are inadequate for the formal dining of resort five-star breakfasts in Costa Rica. Thankfully, there was an entire table filled of inadaquates. Cheers!
Our bus ride was excited as we made a couple of rabbit trails. We stopped at a banana plantation. We walked through the rows of banana trees hanging with blue banana bunches. (say that ten times fast). The banana bunches are covered at a young age to protect them from the pests and from the pesticides smothering the fields. There is a long wire that runs through the plantation that acts like a zip line. The workers put the banana bunches on the wooden plank then kick off cinder-block pillars that line the plantation floor. They zip right on through the feilds! A rabbit trail with in our rabbit trail: someone found a Rhino beetle and decided that it would be entertaining to pass this gignea pig sized insect around the over populated group of turists. Gross!
Arriving at the docking station, we hopped onto small safari boats for a two hours boat ride through the dense jungle and mud colored waters of Costa Rica. The feeling of being inches from water that you could chew from amount of minerals is a terrifying emotion for a poor swimmer. However, this emotion was quickly overcome as I looked from right to left at the lush forests hugging the miles of the Tortuguero canal.
Have you ever watched one of those cheesy promotions or movie scenes where the group of turists step off their mode of transpertation to be greeted by the locals with flowing champane and tropical flower necklaces? Me too. But even better, I got to witness the experience first hand. Fresh non-alcoholic smoothies awaited our smiling faces as we entered the most beautiful hotel resort called the Pachira Lodge. The cliche handsome Afro-Carribean man, Roberto, introduced us to the grounds and gave a reason for many girls to start a caddy fuss. Roberto plays a later part in our Tortugero experience that I will explain now. Roberto has a fetish for red heads I found out as he cornered me on the boat dock. He told me many things I already knew about myself, along with an invitation to come back for free accomodation and a booty call. No thank you, but I did find a small part of it flattering. Apparently Roberto and my business conversation went a little differently in his mind than I intended. "Your landscaping is beautiful" was not taken litterally by the General Manager of the resort, but rather as a phrase of sensuality. I did not learn this cultural difference in my USAC guides.
We were assigned our rooms after engulfing far too much buffet style food. We made our way through trails, brush, howler monkeys, tucans, ten foot wide spider webs, and tree house hallways to our cabins. We went to explore the town of Tortuguero, which is so tiny that they dont even have streets, rather just dirt pathways. The whole town in on one path that takes less than ten minutes to walk from one end to the next. There is one discotech the size of a modular and one over priced grocery store. Our hotel and Tortugeuro are on opposite sides of the canal. Tortuguero lies on a stretch of land that divides the canal from the ocean for miles of forest of rich landscapes.
The rest of the day was filled with a boat tour with Henry and Giovanni on the canal that led us through the rivers inlets into the rain forest. I am almost possitive that we should have been used for the next Jurassic Park because the setting was perfect and the drama ripe. We might not have seen dinosaurs, but we did encounter the closest of creatures. We were lucky enough to encounter mulitple Baskilisks (otherwise known as the Jesus Christ lizard because of its natorious "water walking" talent), spider monkeys, Kamens (small alligators), river turtles, sea turtle tracks, birds, and a diverse selection of vegetation.
Night life was limited when your only source of transpirtation is by boat. Though limited, our night was eventful. We entertained ourselves for hours taking underwater pictures in the turtle shaped pool, drinking pina coladas, and particiating in drunken games. I say drunken games because most everyone besides a small minority of our group, including myself, was sober. I have to confess that I thoroughly enjoy staying sober. I am already a pathetically happy person. My energy level fits nicely with the majority of my friends' happy stupor. The games became more and more entertaining with each round of drinks. My favorite and the gran finale was "animal." Instructions: drink a lot (or don't be ashamed of being an idiot) and create an animal identity. I am so relieved that we inhabited this resort in the low season because I could just see the poor chinese family banging on the walls of our cabin after having woken up from a reoccuring nightmare filled with rythmic noises and animals sounds.
October 5: Four AM wake up call came from the anonomys howler monkeys outside our cabins. The best part was the naive comments at breakfast regarding the obligation the hotel should have to warning us about the possible calls of nature. After breakfast, we took off into the forest. Our guide, Henry, took us so deep into the dense rain forest that the sun no longer made its way to the earth. The rain no longer drops to the earth due to the density of canopies. Safely under our natural umbrella, we explored through trees, spiders nests, plants, and insects.
Bucket List Check-off Update: Sea Turtle Nesting and Hatching!
Right before I left, my grammy gifted me with enough money to pay for the expensive night tour to the beach where I was able to watch a mommy green sea turtle make her way from the ocean to the destination of instinct. She labored up the shore at low tide to a low laying area under the protection of beach trees. Molly, Jade, Luke, Poa, Kirena, and myself were blessed with the only turtle of the evening. We watched in awe and wonder as she dug her protective boundries, lowered the next generation into the nest, and then neatly and efficiently lay a blanket of sand over her loved ones. I was surprised by her size, mobility, and her accuracy.
Never happier, I turned in early so that I would be prepared for the next mornings hunt to find babies!
October 6th: Another four AM wake up call. We taxied our way to Tortuguero just before dawn. We made our way down the beach blind in hopes that our adjusting eyes might glimpse a hatching nest. Rain followed us to the beach as we pushed forward. Many gave up the search, but the deturmined pressed on. Suspense and fatige building, I spotted the first baby turtle fighting towards the ocean. Yelling out, my girls join my side. We anticipated this moment for days. I have anticipated this moment for years. The poor lighting of the dawn was unforgiving for photography. Scared for the moment to pass and the safty of my camera in the rain, I was unaware of the little one who made its way toward me. Notified quickly by the little flippers tickling the top of my foot was a highlight to my entire adventure. We watched in happiness as each turtle made its way to the white foam of the Carribean ocean.
Returning to the hotel in joy, we prepared ourselves for the upcoming trip that would take us to the next wayfare. Panama came quickly. Remember earlier how happiness came upon me as I packed my one bag on my back while many wheeled their belongings along in a matter of heaving and tugging? This emotion soon repeated itself as we crossed the bridge that divided Costa Rica and Panama. With each step, skip, jump, and stumble I took, I could only laugh at the struggling noises and complaints behind me from the air craft carriers of the luggage world.
I recieved my Panama stamp in my passport and appeared in multiple security guards' camera phones. I am disappointed by the slyness of the soldiers in Panama. If they think that they can take a picture from behind blinds in a window only feet from me than they deserve the unflattering pose I chose for their stalker pictures. I was satisfied with the red cheeks of embarrasment from being caught that followed my acknowladged smile and turistic peace sign pose.
Once again, we were transported by little taxi boats to our hotel. However, no fiesta of greeting or virgin cocktails from the attractive black man. Dratts.
Dinner followed by ladies night at theSurf Club was in our evening itinerary. My hours of dancing was interupted by my good friend falling on the floor on her way to the bar for another drink. I fought and pleaded with her to accompany me back to the hotel instead of another swig. My friend was reluctant to leave her newly met german boyfriend so I manipulated the situation a tad. I told the german boy he could not buy her another shot, but he could walk the lovely lady to her door step RIGHT NOW! He understood my directions and staggered out the door with my friend tucked under his arm. Reluctant again to leave him, I had to work my imagination. The key is to make drunk people think that they are going to have more fun by listening to you then if they were to continue doing their current status. So, I told her that her prince charming walked her all the way to her door step, like a gentlemen, so that he could give her a special good night kiss. And that's excatly what happened. She even had a balcony audience of gringos to serenade the moment with hoots and hollars.
October 7th: Complimentary breakfast brought on the highest of stress levels. The afro-caribean woman who took our orders does not like her job. Molly was full of whitty comments to lighten the mood. My favorite that is noteworthy followed our attempts to make the lady's day better by stacking our finished plates. Without missing a beat said, "let's stack them so high God confuses our languages."
We sunblocked ourselves white in preparation for the severe Caribean sunshine. Our first stop was to a small island that looked as if Johnny Depp could dive from its tall cliffs and into our gringo snorkeling clusters.
Next, we boated our way to "play de las estrallas" meaning "beach of starfish." The sea in panama is so clear that you can see right through the aqua waters for miles. The starfish guided are ways to the soft white beach. My girls and I made our way to the depths of the waters in search for white dolphins. The yaht sailors anchored close to us must have spotted some because they were crowded on their decks pointing.
The last stop was Red Frog beach. The water was so clear you could see through each rising wave. A few of the gringos and myself participated in a sloppy game of volleyball. My coaches would be proud. I sprawled and dove so many times my entire body was a beach. I had sand in places I would never mention on the public web.
Sunburnt and fatiged, the gringos went back for some z's before a pirates' dinner. We went dancing again at the 'Barco Hundido' or 'sunken ship.' This was an appropriate title due to the shunken ship that lay beneath the dance floor that was acutally a series of docks. The dancing was lame and the men lamer. I was done after an over-friendly tico wanted to join me for a squat in the bathroom. Molly and I began to walk home in the rain, but were stopped by a familiar song in the Iguana. We rabbit trailed in to find our program directors having a few drinks at the bar. The older (by older, I mean he could be my grandfather) asked me to dance. I was tired and needed a good laugh so I abliged. Needless to say, I got more than a good dance. I also recieved my first, and hopefully last, strip tease. Molly and I almost peed ourselves laughing.
October 8th: Another Stressful breakfast and sunblock slathering morning.
The morning's island was familiar to most of us. Zapatilla Island was used for a series of 'Survivor.' Our adventures here were less dramatic and much more enjoyable. Molly, Caitlyn, and I made our way out to the coral reefs that extended for miles. For an hour we spotted white dolphins among the trenches of brain coral, pencil fish, sardines, urchins, and many other fabulous creatures. Once we returned to the white sand, Molly tested her survivor skills in coconut hunting. She ripped a coconut open with her bare hands. What a beast! What an awesome party trick too!
The next trip took us to a restarant called Cayo Coral. It rested upon a wooden pier, islanded by the clearest water. After rock-lobster and seafood, we dove out of the restaurant and into the ocean for more snorkeling. I was impressed by our jelly fish dodging skills. We spotted cuddle-fish, lion fish, jelly fish, fish fish, and some kind of bottom feeder that looked more like shark turd.
Fatiged and even more sunburnt, we went back for more z's before our American Hamburger dinner. Once again, we went dancing. This time we made it to another island to the Aqua Lounge. This club was on a pier that held two swings at the end. I danced with an Isrealian man who tried with all his might to convince me to kiss him. Tired of fighting the persitant perv, I decided to do the unthinkable - I jumped off the pier and swam away. Problem was, I had too much fun jumping, so my friends and I began swinging off the pier and swimming to escape the crowds of people.
Wet and laughing we swam to the taxi that would take us to the 'barco hundido.' I enjoyed every look I got from the ticos brave enough to dance with me and my soaked clothes. Another enjoyment this evening was slapping an Argentinian man when he chose not to understand the meaning of 'no,' even when I am certain that 'no' is the same in both English and Spanish. The last enjoyment of the evening came when Molly and I stole away in a closed restaurant to jump off the deck into the bioluminecent waters! What a finale!
October 9: Yet again, another stressful breakfast with a side of eggs; followed by returning to our bus. We stopped at a little pizzeria to recover from the nasiating bus ride to the boarder. After being stamped out of Panama and into Costa Rica we saught refuge from the rain under a semi-truck. The bus ride home was uneventful but quick. Heredia's rainy evening welcomed us with open arms and hot showers to wash off the brime of the ocean.
Today we left for Tortuguero National Park. In the beginning of the semester those who were willing to pay the six hundred dollars for this eccentric field trip. I enjoyed showing up with my single backpack as many of my fellow Gringos hephed and humphed their rolling suit cases under the bus with distress. Our breakfast at Restaurante Ceibo was awaiting us just passed the security guard and gate. I soon realized that my Idaho country girl manners are inadequate for the formal dining of resort five-star breakfasts in Costa Rica. Thankfully, there was an entire table filled of inadaquates. Cheers!
Our bus ride was excited as we made a couple of rabbit trails. We stopped at a banana plantation. We walked through the rows of banana trees hanging with blue banana bunches. (say that ten times fast). The banana bunches are covered at a young age to protect them from the pests and from the pesticides smothering the fields. There is a long wire that runs through the plantation that acts like a zip line. The workers put the banana bunches on the wooden plank then kick off cinder-block pillars that line the plantation floor. They zip right on through the feilds! A rabbit trail with in our rabbit trail: someone found a Rhino beetle and decided that it would be entertaining to pass this gignea pig sized insect around the over populated group of turists. Gross!
Arriving at the docking station, we hopped onto small safari boats for a two hours boat ride through the dense jungle and mud colored waters of Costa Rica. The feeling of being inches from water that you could chew from amount of minerals is a terrifying emotion for a poor swimmer. However, this emotion was quickly overcome as I looked from right to left at the lush forests hugging the miles of the Tortuguero canal.
Have you ever watched one of those cheesy promotions or movie scenes where the group of turists step off their mode of transpertation to be greeted by the locals with flowing champane and tropical flower necklaces? Me too. But even better, I got to witness the experience first hand. Fresh non-alcoholic smoothies awaited our smiling faces as we entered the most beautiful hotel resort called the Pachira Lodge. The cliche handsome Afro-Carribean man, Roberto, introduced us to the grounds and gave a reason for many girls to start a caddy fuss. Roberto plays a later part in our Tortugero experience that I will explain now. Roberto has a fetish for red heads I found out as he cornered me on the boat dock. He told me many things I already knew about myself, along with an invitation to come back for free accomodation and a booty call. No thank you, but I did find a small part of it flattering. Apparently Roberto and my business conversation went a little differently in his mind than I intended. "Your landscaping is beautiful" was not taken litterally by the General Manager of the resort, but rather as a phrase of sensuality. I did not learn this cultural difference in my USAC guides.
We were assigned our rooms after engulfing far too much buffet style food. We made our way through trails, brush, howler monkeys, tucans, ten foot wide spider webs, and tree house hallways to our cabins. We went to explore the town of Tortuguero, which is so tiny that they dont even have streets, rather just dirt pathways. The whole town in on one path that takes less than ten minutes to walk from one end to the next. There is one discotech the size of a modular and one over priced grocery store. Our hotel and Tortugeuro are on opposite sides of the canal. Tortuguero lies on a stretch of land that divides the canal from the ocean for miles of forest of rich landscapes.
The rest of the day was filled with a boat tour with Henry and Giovanni on the canal that led us through the rivers inlets into the rain forest. I am almost possitive that we should have been used for the next Jurassic Park because the setting was perfect and the drama ripe. We might not have seen dinosaurs, but we did encounter the closest of creatures. We were lucky enough to encounter mulitple Baskilisks (otherwise known as the Jesus Christ lizard because of its natorious "water walking" talent), spider monkeys, Kamens (small alligators), river turtles, sea turtle tracks, birds, and a diverse selection of vegetation.
Night life was limited when your only source of transpirtation is by boat. Though limited, our night was eventful. We entertained ourselves for hours taking underwater pictures in the turtle shaped pool, drinking pina coladas, and particiating in drunken games. I say drunken games because most everyone besides a small minority of our group, including myself, was sober. I have to confess that I thoroughly enjoy staying sober. I am already a pathetically happy person. My energy level fits nicely with the majority of my friends' happy stupor. The games became more and more entertaining with each round of drinks. My favorite and the gran finale was "animal." Instructions: drink a lot (or don't be ashamed of being an idiot) and create an animal identity. I am so relieved that we inhabited this resort in the low season because I could just see the poor chinese family banging on the walls of our cabin after having woken up from a reoccuring nightmare filled with rythmic noises and animals sounds.
October 5: Four AM wake up call came from the anonomys howler monkeys outside our cabins. The best part was the naive comments at breakfast regarding the obligation the hotel should have to warning us about the possible calls of nature. After breakfast, we took off into the forest. Our guide, Henry, took us so deep into the dense rain forest that the sun no longer made its way to the earth. The rain no longer drops to the earth due to the density of canopies. Safely under our natural umbrella, we explored through trees, spiders nests, plants, and insects.
Bucket List Check-off Update: Sea Turtle Nesting and Hatching!
Right before I left, my grammy gifted me with enough money to pay for the expensive night tour to the beach where I was able to watch a mommy green sea turtle make her way from the ocean to the destination of instinct. She labored up the shore at low tide to a low laying area under the protection of beach trees. Molly, Jade, Luke, Poa, Kirena, and myself were blessed with the only turtle of the evening. We watched in awe and wonder as she dug her protective boundries, lowered the next generation into the nest, and then neatly and efficiently lay a blanket of sand over her loved ones. I was surprised by her size, mobility, and her accuracy.
Never happier, I turned in early so that I would be prepared for the next mornings hunt to find babies!
October 6th: Another four AM wake up call. We taxied our way to Tortuguero just before dawn. We made our way down the beach blind in hopes that our adjusting eyes might glimpse a hatching nest. Rain followed us to the beach as we pushed forward. Many gave up the search, but the deturmined pressed on. Suspense and fatige building, I spotted the first baby turtle fighting towards the ocean. Yelling out, my girls join my side. We anticipated this moment for days. I have anticipated this moment for years. The poor lighting of the dawn was unforgiving for photography. Scared for the moment to pass and the safty of my camera in the rain, I was unaware of the little one who made its way toward me. Notified quickly by the little flippers tickling the top of my foot was a highlight to my entire adventure. We watched in happiness as each turtle made its way to the white foam of the Carribean ocean.
Returning to the hotel in joy, we prepared ourselves for the upcoming trip that would take us to the next wayfare. Panama came quickly. Remember earlier how happiness came upon me as I packed my one bag on my back while many wheeled their belongings along in a matter of heaving and tugging? This emotion soon repeated itself as we crossed the bridge that divided Costa Rica and Panama. With each step, skip, jump, and stumble I took, I could only laugh at the struggling noises and complaints behind me from the air craft carriers of the luggage world.
I recieved my Panama stamp in my passport and appeared in multiple security guards' camera phones. I am disappointed by the slyness of the soldiers in Panama. If they think that they can take a picture from behind blinds in a window only feet from me than they deserve the unflattering pose I chose for their stalker pictures. I was satisfied with the red cheeks of embarrasment from being caught that followed my acknowladged smile and turistic peace sign pose.
Once again, we were transported by little taxi boats to our hotel. However, no fiesta of greeting or virgin cocktails from the attractive black man. Dratts.
Dinner followed by ladies night at theSurf Club was in our evening itinerary. My hours of dancing was interupted by my good friend falling on the floor on her way to the bar for another drink. I fought and pleaded with her to accompany me back to the hotel instead of another swig. My friend was reluctant to leave her newly met german boyfriend so I manipulated the situation a tad. I told the german boy he could not buy her another shot, but he could walk the lovely lady to her door step RIGHT NOW! He understood my directions and staggered out the door with my friend tucked under his arm. Reluctant again to leave him, I had to work my imagination. The key is to make drunk people think that they are going to have more fun by listening to you then if they were to continue doing their current status. So, I told her that her prince charming walked her all the way to her door step, like a gentlemen, so that he could give her a special good night kiss. And that's excatly what happened. She even had a balcony audience of gringos to serenade the moment with hoots and hollars.
October 7th: Complimentary breakfast brought on the highest of stress levels. The afro-caribean woman who took our orders does not like her job. Molly was full of whitty comments to lighten the mood. My favorite that is noteworthy followed our attempts to make the lady's day better by stacking our finished plates. Without missing a beat said, "let's stack them so high God confuses our languages."
We sunblocked ourselves white in preparation for the severe Caribean sunshine. Our first stop was to a small island that looked as if Johnny Depp could dive from its tall cliffs and into our gringo snorkeling clusters.
Next, we boated our way to "play de las estrallas" meaning "beach of starfish." The sea in panama is so clear that you can see right through the aqua waters for miles. The starfish guided are ways to the soft white beach. My girls and I made our way to the depths of the waters in search for white dolphins. The yaht sailors anchored close to us must have spotted some because they were crowded on their decks pointing.
The last stop was Red Frog beach. The water was so clear you could see through each rising wave. A few of the gringos and myself participated in a sloppy game of volleyball. My coaches would be proud. I sprawled and dove so many times my entire body was a beach. I had sand in places I would never mention on the public web.
Sunburnt and fatiged, the gringos went back for some z's before a pirates' dinner. We went dancing again at the 'Barco Hundido' or 'sunken ship.' This was an appropriate title due to the shunken ship that lay beneath the dance floor that was acutally a series of docks. The dancing was lame and the men lamer. I was done after an over-friendly tico wanted to join me for a squat in the bathroom. Molly and I began to walk home in the rain, but were stopped by a familiar song in the Iguana. We rabbit trailed in to find our program directors having a few drinks at the bar. The older (by older, I mean he could be my grandfather) asked me to dance. I was tired and needed a good laugh so I abliged. Needless to say, I got more than a good dance. I also recieved my first, and hopefully last, strip tease. Molly and I almost peed ourselves laughing.
October 8th: Another Stressful breakfast and sunblock slathering morning.
The morning's island was familiar to most of us. Zapatilla Island was used for a series of 'Survivor.' Our adventures here were less dramatic and much more enjoyable. Molly, Caitlyn, and I made our way out to the coral reefs that extended for miles. For an hour we spotted white dolphins among the trenches of brain coral, pencil fish, sardines, urchins, and many other fabulous creatures. Once we returned to the white sand, Molly tested her survivor skills in coconut hunting. She ripped a coconut open with her bare hands. What a beast! What an awesome party trick too!
The next trip took us to a restarant called Cayo Coral. It rested upon a wooden pier, islanded by the clearest water. After rock-lobster and seafood, we dove out of the restaurant and into the ocean for more snorkeling. I was impressed by our jelly fish dodging skills. We spotted cuddle-fish, lion fish, jelly fish, fish fish, and some kind of bottom feeder that looked more like shark turd.
Fatiged and even more sunburnt, we went back for more z's before our American Hamburger dinner. Once again, we went dancing. This time we made it to another island to the Aqua Lounge. This club was on a pier that held two swings at the end. I danced with an Isrealian man who tried with all his might to convince me to kiss him. Tired of fighting the persitant perv, I decided to do the unthinkable - I jumped off the pier and swam away. Problem was, I had too much fun jumping, so my friends and I began swinging off the pier and swimming to escape the crowds of people.
Wet and laughing we swam to the taxi that would take us to the 'barco hundido.' I enjoyed every look I got from the ticos brave enough to dance with me and my soaked clothes. Another enjoyment this evening was slapping an Argentinian man when he chose not to understand the meaning of 'no,' even when I am certain that 'no' is the same in both English and Spanish. The last enjoyment of the evening came when Molly and I stole away in a closed restaurant to jump off the deck into the bioluminecent waters! What a finale!
October 9: Yet again, another stressful breakfast with a side of eggs; followed by returning to our bus. We stopped at a little pizzeria to recover from the nasiating bus ride to the boarder. After being stamped out of Panama and into Costa Rica we saught refuge from the rain under a semi-truck. The bus ride home was uneventful but quick. Heredia's rainy evening welcomed us with open arms and hot showers to wash off the brime of the ocean.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Septiembre 30 - Octubre 3
September 29: Molly and I walked a marathon today. We went to school, San Jose, dance class, and to drinks with our mafia friend. Nothing to entirely interesting, just another day in our classy home base, Heredia.
September 30: Rapidly practicing my evolving packing talents, I scurried out the door for one of the best weekends of my life. The ride to San Jose was joyfully used to learn new Spanish slang and listen to the Spanish "ginger" jokes by fellow bus travelers.
We arrived in Quepos, a small po-dunk town at the bottom of a luscious mountain that thrones the gringo land of Manuel Antonio. In celebration of Richard's twentieth birthday we walked down the rainy road to a little restaurant called Rafael's Terraza for Arroz con Camerones y Margaritas Fresas. Feliz Complianous Richard! Intending to go out for some birthday dancing and live music, we went back to the hostel to rest for a bit. Sadly, but thankfully, we never left the hostel. Richard and I took 'resting' literally by sharing a hammock for a nap. Unfortunately, Richard is not very good at sharing hammocks; therefore sending me quickly to the ground mid-siesta.
Big surprise. We met some wonderful new friends in our hostel. Conrad is the owner and pretty much a young American runaway who sought adventure and business in the lush land of Manuel Antonio. We also met a few beautiful European ladies: Sarah and some other names that I cannot pronounce. Sarah joined us for most of our adventures the rest of the weekend. There was a few Belgium men that joined us the last night that Molly enjoyed. Can I just say that I love her pink cheeks and witty comments that comes from my best friends mouth when she walks into a room full of tight briefs and European men.
October 1: Woke up early to journey down to the best national park in all the world. Depressingly expensive and worth almost every penny. I wanted to inform you that telling the ticket administrator that you are a national resident doesn't work when you have red hair and tower over the man.
Within moments of entering the National Park I was able to award myself with the fist sloth spotting. Who needs a tour guide? They are over rated and expensive. All you need is to pay attention or just follow behind the other tour groups and pretend you are suppose to be with the rest of the gringos. We found many other entertaining creatures along the pathways: lizards, rasta bugs, toucans, frogs, woodpeckers, Capuchin monkeys, squirrel monkeys, hermit crabs, and many other fascinating animals.
We walked all along the paths to locations that held colonies of Capuchin Monkeys that Molly and I decided was a brilliant idea to feed. We handed out Ritz like an ice cream truck on a hot summer afternoon in Boise's residential. The only problem with this brilliant idea is that it is actually really stupid. Rule of the Jungle #1: When you feed one, they all expect the same.
We hiked up to the top of the park to witness a fantastic scene of the Pacific Ocean caressing the wharfs used for the Jurassic Park trilogy. Then we went to the main beach for some swimming, sunbathing, and exercise. Yes, exercise. It is rather exhausting to be chased around by hungry monkeys and to swim out to sunken ships. Molly straight up got robbed of her banana by a fearless monkey. We jumped into the ocean for body surfing and a game of chicken. Team Scout and Poseidon vs. Miss Ranger and Dundee! Terrific match and successful turnout for my team.
Dehydrated and sunburnt, we bussed our butts back to the hostel for some hammock naps and sunset watching. Then we invited Conrad to join us for a game of poker until he escorted us to the best dancing destinations in Quepos. Ladies night at Ripubliq welcomed us with open arms and booty shaking salsa. Molly didn't even have time to walk into the facility before a Tico led her to the dance floor. We arrived a little early so it took the awkward stage to pass as the foxy ladies awaited the men to gain their egos and courage. We anticipated our invitation like high school girls at a homecoming dance.
Finally, good o' Conrad stepped it up and offered an invitation. We danced for hours to Barbra Strystan and Black Eyed Peas under the strobe light. Can I just say that I thoroughly enjoy the flashing of strobes because I look so much cooler when I practice my new moves. Spencer decided to embrace Molly by attempting sexy salsa with me. Didn't work. Instead he forfeited, slapped her butt, and was followed into the bathroom by Molly's partner who initiated a shank threat. And Molly got her chance to show off her Spongebob move to Party Anthem that she has so determinedly practiced for weeks.
At an all time high, we decided to depart from the club for a quick trip to the beach for a night swimming adventure! We piled into the back of a truck and four-wheeled down a long, bumpy path to the beach. Conrad enjoyably created a whirlpool of cookies and spin outs on the sand that sent us screaming down the beach. We bailed over the truck bed and took off for a freedom run down the beach.
I want to record this evening as one of the best I have ever lived. I want to describe to you how the night got from the best to 'words cannot explain.' The run down the beach ended when Richard disappeared right before my eyes into the depths of a six inch river that ran into the near ocean. Molly proceeded to follow Richard moments after, then Spencer, and I stopped just in time to witness the entire event and laugh so hard I almost peed my pants. Why are face-plants so satisfying to the soul?
Bucket List check off: Skinny Dip in the Ocean. We ran into the water to encounter a life changing moment. The Ocean glew. Yes glew, as in: sparkled, illuminated, twinkled.There is a secret season in Costa Rica where bio-luminescent algae migrate to the coast. When the algae is disrupted, they spark. With every splash, dip, and dive, we sparkled like fairies. I fully believe that this was the closest I will ever be to having Avatar as a reality.
Conrad invited a friend, Dawna, who is a fellow hotel owner in Manuel Antonio. Dawna graciously welcomed us into her Mango Moon Hotel. Because it is the off season the Mango Moon didn't have a single reservation nor inhibitor. An empty hotel is much more fun than a full hotel. We took a dip in the pool to wash off the sea water and glowing vegetation. I encountered a frog the size of a tether ball. Above our pool, a colony of Capuchin monkeys investigated our evening until the sun began to lighten the night sky.
October 2: Waking up to the same sun that I fell asleep to is not the greatest. But worse than the same sun would be my allergic reaction. I am allergic to something in Manuel Antonio that causes full body hives that looks similar to the terrible slideshows your sex-ed teacher uses to scare you out of any one night stand. I have never scrounged up my belongings faster than this morning. Spencer carried a message from the front desk that our mandatory check out was in ten minutes. So we crammed everything into our packs and hung out on the lobby deck until our bus came. On the bus ride home I was able to hang out, nap, and have a rock out ipod party with Richard. Nothing like lip singing and air guitar solos in public transit with your best friend.
October 3: Hives, Hives, and more Hives. I ran to the pharmacy with Molly, barefoot and squirmy. I impatiently purchased Calamine and power walked to the closest bench in the public park across the street. In the park I used my receipt as an applicator for spreading the itch relief all over my body. I had multiple double takes from the locals as the unstable gringa applies pink fluids all over her limbs.
Pink, puffy, and poor, I waited in the bank for over an hour to pull out American currency. Apparently, Panama doesn't have its own currency so I needed to re-exchange my money back to USD. Costa Rican banks work much like our DMVs so in the US. I claimed my #C470 at the same time the automatize voice chimed in to tell me that they 'are now serving #C400 at window #6.' Fan-freaking-tastic. Okay, I am done. No more complaining. Do you want to know why? Because I am going on a week long adventure to Panama! Hasta Luego!
September 30: Rapidly practicing my evolving packing talents, I scurried out the door for one of the best weekends of my life. The ride to San Jose was joyfully used to learn new Spanish slang and listen to the Spanish "ginger" jokes by fellow bus travelers.
We arrived in Quepos, a small po-dunk town at the bottom of a luscious mountain that thrones the gringo land of Manuel Antonio. In celebration of Richard's twentieth birthday we walked down the rainy road to a little restaurant called Rafael's Terraza for Arroz con Camerones y Margaritas Fresas. Feliz Complianous Richard! Intending to go out for some birthday dancing and live music, we went back to the hostel to rest for a bit. Sadly, but thankfully, we never left the hostel. Richard and I took 'resting' literally by sharing a hammock for a nap. Unfortunately, Richard is not very good at sharing hammocks; therefore sending me quickly to the ground mid-siesta.
Big surprise. We met some wonderful new friends in our hostel. Conrad is the owner and pretty much a young American runaway who sought adventure and business in the lush land of Manuel Antonio. We also met a few beautiful European ladies: Sarah and some other names that I cannot pronounce. Sarah joined us for most of our adventures the rest of the weekend. There was a few Belgium men that joined us the last night that Molly enjoyed. Can I just say that I love her pink cheeks and witty comments that comes from my best friends mouth when she walks into a room full of tight briefs and European men.
October 1: Woke up early to journey down to the best national park in all the world. Depressingly expensive and worth almost every penny. I wanted to inform you that telling the ticket administrator that you are a national resident doesn't work when you have red hair and tower over the man.
Within moments of entering the National Park I was able to award myself with the fist sloth spotting. Who needs a tour guide? They are over rated and expensive. All you need is to pay attention or just follow behind the other tour groups and pretend you are suppose to be with the rest of the gringos. We found many other entertaining creatures along the pathways: lizards, rasta bugs, toucans, frogs, woodpeckers, Capuchin monkeys, squirrel monkeys, hermit crabs, and many other fascinating animals.
We walked all along the paths to locations that held colonies of Capuchin Monkeys that Molly and I decided was a brilliant idea to feed. We handed out Ritz like an ice cream truck on a hot summer afternoon in Boise's residential. The only problem with this brilliant idea is that it is actually really stupid. Rule of the Jungle #1: When you feed one, they all expect the same.
We hiked up to the top of the park to witness a fantastic scene of the Pacific Ocean caressing the wharfs used for the Jurassic Park trilogy. Then we went to the main beach for some swimming, sunbathing, and exercise. Yes, exercise. It is rather exhausting to be chased around by hungry monkeys and to swim out to sunken ships. Molly straight up got robbed of her banana by a fearless monkey. We jumped into the ocean for body surfing and a game of chicken. Team Scout and Poseidon vs. Miss Ranger and Dundee! Terrific match and successful turnout for my team.
Dehydrated and sunburnt, we bussed our butts back to the hostel for some hammock naps and sunset watching. Then we invited Conrad to join us for a game of poker until he escorted us to the best dancing destinations in Quepos. Ladies night at Ripubliq welcomed us with open arms and booty shaking salsa. Molly didn't even have time to walk into the facility before a Tico led her to the dance floor. We arrived a little early so it took the awkward stage to pass as the foxy ladies awaited the men to gain their egos and courage. We anticipated our invitation like high school girls at a homecoming dance.
Finally, good o' Conrad stepped it up and offered an invitation. We danced for hours to Barbra Strystan and Black Eyed Peas under the strobe light. Can I just say that I thoroughly enjoy the flashing of strobes because I look so much cooler when I practice my new moves. Spencer decided to embrace Molly by attempting sexy salsa with me. Didn't work. Instead he forfeited, slapped her butt, and was followed into the bathroom by Molly's partner who initiated a shank threat. And Molly got her chance to show off her Spongebob move to Party Anthem that she has so determinedly practiced for weeks.
At an all time high, we decided to depart from the club for a quick trip to the beach for a night swimming adventure! We piled into the back of a truck and four-wheeled down a long, bumpy path to the beach. Conrad enjoyably created a whirlpool of cookies and spin outs on the sand that sent us screaming down the beach. We bailed over the truck bed and took off for a freedom run down the beach.
I want to record this evening as one of the best I have ever lived. I want to describe to you how the night got from the best to 'words cannot explain.' The run down the beach ended when Richard disappeared right before my eyes into the depths of a six inch river that ran into the near ocean. Molly proceeded to follow Richard moments after, then Spencer, and I stopped just in time to witness the entire event and laugh so hard I almost peed my pants. Why are face-plants so satisfying to the soul?
Bucket List check off: Skinny Dip in the Ocean. We ran into the water to encounter a life changing moment. The Ocean glew. Yes glew, as in: sparkled, illuminated, twinkled.There is a secret season in Costa Rica where bio-luminescent algae migrate to the coast. When the algae is disrupted, they spark. With every splash, dip, and dive, we sparkled like fairies. I fully believe that this was the closest I will ever be to having Avatar as a reality.
Conrad invited a friend, Dawna, who is a fellow hotel owner in Manuel Antonio. Dawna graciously welcomed us into her Mango Moon Hotel. Because it is the off season the Mango Moon didn't have a single reservation nor inhibitor. An empty hotel is much more fun than a full hotel. We took a dip in the pool to wash off the sea water and glowing vegetation. I encountered a frog the size of a tether ball. Above our pool, a colony of Capuchin monkeys investigated our evening until the sun began to lighten the night sky.
October 2: Waking up to the same sun that I fell asleep to is not the greatest. But worse than the same sun would be my allergic reaction. I am allergic to something in Manuel Antonio that causes full body hives that looks similar to the terrible slideshows your sex-ed teacher uses to scare you out of any one night stand. I have never scrounged up my belongings faster than this morning. Spencer carried a message from the front desk that our mandatory check out was in ten minutes. So we crammed everything into our packs and hung out on the lobby deck until our bus came. On the bus ride home I was able to hang out, nap, and have a rock out ipod party with Richard. Nothing like lip singing and air guitar solos in public transit with your best friend.
October 3: Hives, Hives, and more Hives. I ran to the pharmacy with Molly, barefoot and squirmy. I impatiently purchased Calamine and power walked to the closest bench in the public park across the street. In the park I used my receipt as an applicator for spreading the itch relief all over my body. I had multiple double takes from the locals as the unstable gringa applies pink fluids all over her limbs.
Pink, puffy, and poor, I waited in the bank for over an hour to pull out American currency. Apparently, Panama doesn't have its own currency so I needed to re-exchange my money back to USD. Costa Rican banks work much like our DMVs so in the US. I claimed my #C470 at the same time the automatize voice chimed in to tell me that they 'are now serving #C400 at window #6.' Fan-freaking-tastic. Okay, I am done. No more complaining. Do you want to know why? Because I am going on a week long adventure to Panama! Hasta Luego!
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