Costa Rica

Costa Rica was an incredible experience. As I said in the previous post it was everything I expected- and then as with all good countries it was full of surprises.If I could pick one word to describe Costa Rica I would call it GREEN. Everything was just solidly and undeniably GREEN. It was the most beautiful natural enviroment I have ever seen (outside of Glacier Bay in Alaska). It was breathtaking, pristine, and delicious- and it was wet & gritty. It wasn't the cliche tropical adventure of beaches and pina drinks. Which I admit is good for me.
This is a shot of downtown Playa Carmen/ Mal Pais/ Santa Theresa. It reminds me of old Alaska. (Those who know think Murphy Dome and Talkeetna) Lots of potholes that are door deep when you go through them and plenty of school kids on four wheelers. The food my friends was amazing! Costa Rica has the most delicious Plantains I have ever tasted and just as many amazing ways of cooking them.We did a lot of eating due to rain and mud. On the peninsula there where a couple of very good options- it was pretty much as follows:
1.) Run away with a gypsy band of tan, broad, Argentinian and/ or Isreali surfers guys. (ya...I know- I would have too but I was on a family trip remember!)
2.) Drink all day with ex Dead Head ladies sporting shorts with the dreaded camel toe. (um..no)
3.) Surf (I don't know how and would not learn on such a brutal coastline in rainy weather)
4.) Be an eco-environmental tourist trecking through mud slides while professing to be having a transformational experience with nature.
5.) Eat lots of Costa Rican food and chill by the pool and the beach while hunting for shells with my little guy.

So we decided to do lots of the 5th option. It was great. I needed a lot of time to unpulg from my life here. It took me far longer this time than the last few trips to really sink in. My friends and I have decided it takes about three weeks befiore one can see with fresh eyes in a new land. Three weeks to sluff off stress and habbits of thinking and doing. By the time we left I could feel my "glimmer" (as Nara would say) returning to me. Clarity filling my face again. Worry about laundry and work draining slowly from my tense brow. It took that long.
But Costa Rica was full of kind and gentle people. I love their stern faces that soften in a flash when you take the time to say hello. The women sound like they are always teasing eachother over something flirtatious. It's just the way the inflections are. I found them to be so beautiful and friendly. One of the few places I have been where the women seemed open to me. The land was welcoming for being a jungle. It was a good place to relax into.
This picture if from one of the rooms we rented in Mal Pais at Moana Lodge. Moana was a bungalow hotel that was so lovely and they took such good care of us. It was idealic and I spent hours there inventing my own tropical paradise modeled after their place. Run by an Irishman and his lovely Costa Rican wife. They showed me how to make plantain empanadas and took me dancing a few nights. (I can now say that I can do Columbian Cumbia dancing. A funny jumping version compared to Mexican Cumbia- thanks Moana!) I am so gratfull for the clarity Costa Rica gave me and the time with my son. I feel refreshed and cleansed by all that green, beauty and down time to just reflect on my life and transition into my new year. I feel ready for new creative projects and changes in my life.
"Pura Vida!"

Comments

[TandJ]

Your son is lucky to be able to travel with you!

[Judy Wise]

Fabulous! thanks for the trip.

[andrea]

wow, what a great post, felt like I was there if only for a instant! i love hunting for shells, from that picture it doesnt look like you have to hunt much, maybe just scoop a up a handful of treasure from the ocean.

[Cassondra W.]

Pura Vida! Your words and descriptions are perfect. I'm so glad you had a great time there, you make me miss it!!!

[Kel]

Thank you! You just gave me a much needed minibreak from my weird squashed down, held in, frustrated week of transition. Next week should be better, but you've given me something to make today a little brighter.

[true nature]

pura vida, claro que si! :)

looks like it was a beautiful trip.

[m i c h e l l e]

Sigh...your pictures and words are just gorgeous! Thank you! My husband has been to Costa Rica and his pictures were SO incredibly green, like you say! The picture with the shells is incredible. And that picture of you? I don't know how a person could possibly look any happier and content! :-)

[Conni]

The view from the plane is so incredible! I love those chairs with the primitive wood and contrast of pink paint! I want them for my patio table!!...and number 2 on your list made me laugh outloud! There are a few of those women haning around here in Austin as well...too funny! :)

[tiffini elektra x]

Oh my what an amazing post and the pictures. Your little guy is just gorgeous! I feel like I just went there myself. .what a beautiful trip! Dead head camel toe. .ha! Hilarious!