Sunday Indulgence

Starting a month ago, Cahuita began it's first Farmer's Market.  Where local farmers bring their organic products for everyone in town to buy.  This is the most exciting moment of my entire week.  The products are so fresh and so much cheaper than purchasing from the stores.  I am able to purchase, a variety of fruits and veggies and even hand made arts and crafts. They have the best cheese ever and it's so cheap.  I purchase my veggies that last me the entire week for around maybe 4 to 8 dollars.  This past week I bought potatoes, green beans, broccoli, pineapple, red peppers, cucumber, and tomatoes for just under 8 dollars. It's perfection.  

There is a local band that plays during the market as well.  It's a perfect way to start the day!  I have never seen the town so active and full before.  Everyone comes to join in!    

Cooking

Well we all know me and how good my cooking skills are.  Pretty sure I ate pasta everyday in college and if it wasn't pasta it consisted of eating out??  I do miss Chinese food and Mexican food.  Just rice and beans here... all the time... all the time.  

I am having some issues with cooking beans... have only attempted once though, that is my new goal this week.  However, I decided to post a picture of what I eat almost everyday at least once.  It consists of a variety of vegetables (fresh that IIII cut by hand!) and rice, sometimes with a variation of red or garbanzo beans (from a can, I am trying to make beans not from a can!). 

Check out my lovely cooking skills on my lovely little stove.  Doesn't it look pretty???

It's actually quite good and makes me feel quite healthy.  It's been a long time since I have eaten this many vegetables in one day.  I think I am definitely getting my filling of veggies on the food chart table.  Just a guess though!  

Final Night in Bocas

The final night in Bocas approached us rather quickly.  Originally we had planned on returning to Cahuita on Monday and had extended our trip till Tuesday.  The weather Tuesday morning was way to perfect to pass up.  After which my entire body was burnt, ehh what ya gonna do? 

I went to use the Internet for 50 cents and than returned to our new place.  We had switched from Mondo Taitu to another location after the second night, the smell of stale smoke was getting to me.  We moved into the center of town and were only paying 7.50 each instead of 11. 

After cleaning up we went to Mondo Taitu and had a few cocktails, it was martini night.  They sometimes have a theme for an evening including the happy hour.  What fun!!  After a while, I decided we should try out another bar.  We headed to Om Cafe, where we were pretty much the only ones there.  I had met the bartender at the previous bar and he gave me my drink for free because he liked my earrings.  I had bought some earrings which really were not my favorite but it was in good spirit!! I than proceeded to drink for free the rest of the time we were there, with them coming and handing me drinks.  I felt quite like a little princess being waited on.  Not to mention normally a guy buys you a drink and than talks to you, they just gave them to me and walked away!  It was perfect, no awkward talking where you are having to just be polite the entire time, quite the girls dream if I don't say so myself!  

We than went on to Barco Hundido, a bar on the water in town.  It had nice seating and a dock that you could sit on.  The evening was settling down and it was a great time.  We stopped and had a hot dog before deciding to go out and go for a last swim in the sea.  It was so perfect and the moon lit up everything.  

The night fun did not end there though, oh no.  After returning home at 4 and quickly rinsing off I go into bed.  Glenn jumped in the shower after me and after about 20 minutes I heard the door rattling.  I took out my ipod and asked if Glenn was alright.  He was furious and said he the door was locked and that he couldn't get out.  I was like nooo just try it again, he said irritated I have tried go get help.   So I went downstairs and woke the guy at the front desk, who proceeded to come up and for 20 minutes try to get Glenn out, he finally looked at me and in spanish said I don't know I have tried everything and walked out.  I could not stop laughing at this point, I thought ok well Glenn could sleep in there tonight but what about in the morning?  So I told Glenn that the guy had left, and Glenn was furious with me.  He told me he was going to kick the door in, which made me laugh even harder, it would have been physically impossible for him to kick the door in with how the bathroom was situated.  The guy came back up with another guy who after 5 minutes of trying said, screw this, right when I was saying Glenn look out, he had kicked the door in, turned and walked out.  By now it was almost 5 in the morning and I could not stop laughing, this was by far one of the funniest things I had ever seen.  Glenn was feeling scared and alone and the door was in two pieces.  He didn't even say anything after he kicked the door in, they both just turned and left.  It was priceless.  

Perfect story to end a perfect trip.  

The next morning we woke up at around 9, packed up and headed back to Cahuita.  We met a lovely couple upon arriving at the border who were from the states now living in San Jose.  We rode back with them in their car and they dropped us off in Cahuita.  They were probably some of the nicest people I have ever met.  I also did not realize how much I missed air conditioning till I got out of the car in Cahuita and was overtaken by heat and humidity.  

I must say when all is said in done that I am very happy to be back in Cahuita attending my life here.  Bocas was fun, but felt like a spring break trip.  A little to much of everything going on there.  I am very thankful to have returned to my small town of peacefulness and tranquility.  

Some pictures I have posted are of some of the people we met traveling.  Some of the nicest people with the biggest hearts.  I am so happy to say that I have met them and will hopefully be keeping in touch with them!  I wish you all safe travels, be safe and be happy!  

Also they have swings at the bars!  Why don't we have fun activities like that?  Oh yeah wait, because Americans would sue!!

Bocas del Drago/ La Gruta / 30 Kilometer Bike Ride

The night before we called it an early evening and had planned to ride bikes the next morning.  We woke feeling refreshed and ready to go, although that is a lie, I was still very tired. 

Woke up, threw on a dress and set out to find Tim.  The beach we had originally planned on biking to was supposed to be absolutely breathtaking and impossible to  swim at.  SOoo I decided that I was not going for a 40 minute bike ride if I couldn’t swim.  That of course extended our trip to a two hour bike ride.  We hadn’t quite realized what we had gotten ourselves into. Oops, story of your life if you travel with me. 

Although all throughout the first hour I wanted to kill myself, it was so hot and I couldn’t make it up any hills, it was the most beautiful and peaceful bike ride I have ever had.  I did not except the beautiful green rolling hills to be apart of this journey. 

Along the way we stopped at a bat cave where you paid one dollar to enter.  We weren’t exactly dressed for the occasion but decided, when in Bocas.  We paid the entrance fee and I got about two feet in when Tim saw a huge spider and I said I am outta here.  I had seen the bats but in no way was going to walk with spiders in sandals!  I ventured back out and waited near the bikes.  The entrance to the cave was beautiful with historical figures set around it creating almost a religious feel. 

About an hour later we arrived at our destination, locked our bikes up, and headed down the beach.  We found a secluded area and jumped into the refreshing sea.  The views, the colors, everything was perfect.  All I kept thinking was, “I AM IN PANAMA!”  It was by far the best day I had in a long time.  Completely full of pleasure and peacefulness.  We ate lunch on the beach, I took a walk down the beach, swam and we headed back on the bikes a good three hours later.  We arrived back in town with the ride being only an hour and a half this time.  I kicked some major butt going up and down those hills this time.  I was game and ready  to go, feeling very alive.  I took some amazing scenery photos and surprisingly some beautiful pictures of cows.  It was a literally a perfect day and when returning to town I was so happy.  Filled with happiness.  

I kept wishing everyone I knew was there with me taking in this scenery.  The bike ride was hard and very fulfilling!  I was very proud of myself!  As you can see from all of the pictures I have posted this was by far my favorite day.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed being there!

Zapatilla

Waking up around 8 and seeing the sun out, I was so excited, I decided Glenn and I should go get some breakfast before deciding what we were doing that day.  We went to a place called Lilly’s Café.  The food was actually quite horrible and not worth the price, but right on the sea; the view making it all worth the while. 

We ran into Tori and a few other people we had met and decided to take a boat out to Zapatilla Island.  It was around a 40 minute drive by boat, but an exotic national park.  We were practically the only one’s there.  You could walk around the exterior in about 30 minutes.  Breathtaking views a perfect day to say the least.  We stayed there approximately 4 hours taking in the marvelous sunshine and contemplating life. 

I could not stop laughing at the conversations we were having.  I swear if we stop to actually listen to people half the time we would wonder what they were actually talking about.  We talked, and I mean had a serious discussion about starfish... none of us knew anything about starfish, but would sit and guess and ask questions.  It was sooo funny.  After so much discussion I decided I needed to know some stuff about starfish and hopped online to do some research (mother aren't you proud?).  A starfish can have up to 50 arms… ( who would of thought) just a little fact for you guys to use later on if you want. 

We drove back breeze in our hair after an amazing day.

Aqualounge

Saturday night after of course having dinner at the burrito festival and engaging in a few happy hour cocktails at Mondo Taitu, we ventured our way over to another island called Bastimentos.  You pay a dollar to take a boat literally 3 minutes from Colon, where a bar called Aqualounge was.  Agualounge is a bar and hostel, and of course on this Saturday it was ladies night!!!  Glenn was quite frustrated by the fact that there was not a "guys night" anywhere.  Even though I had gotten him a few free drinks.... Oh Glenn.  

 The bar however is centered on the edge of the island, so you are surrounded by sea.  The wooden deck extends out into the ocean where they have encircled a part of sea for people to jump of a diving board into.  It actually got a little dangerous as the night progressed.  People were getting a little to adventurous with their jumps, it made me a little nervous.  I was trying to remember how to do CPR just in case... I know I was, maybe am? certified... and I honestly can't remember how many reps it is.... I hope I don't have to safe a life anytime soon!!

 As most of you know jumping in was not an option for me, and as most of you know I normally don’t get a choice.  I saw Austin come towards me, we looked at each other, I said “no  no no no no” he said “haha oh yes.”  I luckily had a few seconds to spare and was able to throw my purse and shoes.  I was not please when all was said and done.  When I got out of the water and walked back to where we were standing I than in turn got body slammed by another one of the guys we were with.  I was getting very upset.  I think at the end of it all I ended up being pushed in the water oh around 15 to 20 times… at that point.. whatever!! I was already wet.

All in all it was a good night, we danced, swam, and had ate some food.  When we returned to town it was already 2:30 in the morning.  Where had the night gone?  I only have on picture and that is after the entire throwing incident while on the dance floor! I wish I would of had more of the evening, it was hard to get the pictures to turn out!  Bummer!  All in all a very fun evening.  

Bocas Boat Tour

The previous day we had decided that we would go on a boat tour with a bunch of the people we had just met.  The boat tour was going to be $15 going to Dolphin Bay, Cayo Crawl, Red Frog Beach (National Park)(wizard beach) and hospital point.

The trip started off with dreary weather and a nice little ride on the water seeing all the different and evolving islands.  Our first stop was Dolphin Bay, where we circled for a good half hour seeing, oh maybe three dolphins.  Which, dolphins are great and I love them, but I would just like to say that being quite hungover the next morning along with everyone else in the boat, that literally was going in a small circle for a half hour made me want to throw our Captain out and take over, the Captains name being Willie.  Not to mention some of the other people were doing everything they could to take a photo of this one dolphin… I wanted to kill.  Tori and I just kept looking at each other (while I for some reason the only one in the boat getting wet) and I finally said, "This could quite possibly be the worst idea ever!" 

We than stopped next at Cayo Crawl where we snorkeled.  It was awesome coral, I had never seen colors like that before blues, purples, yellows, oranges, you name it!  The scenery was beautiful and exotic and soo very green, green everywhere.  I have also never seen water so blue and green and clear in my life.  You could always see to the bottom.  My snorkel gear didn’t work the best, so every time I put the mouth gear in my mouth and put my face in water I started chocking and came up gasping for air.  I was already having a hard time swimming and this gasping for air thing wasn’t working for me so I hung onto the outside of the boat, where we got our first glimpse of sunshine. 

Our next stop was Red Frog Beach, that is a national park.  We were not allowed to bring in our cooler so we decided to skip Red Frog Beach and head onto Wizard Beach where the entrance was free and just as beautiful.  I sadly did not get any pictures off this beach, it was however one of the most people and secluded beaches I have seen.  It was a perfect place to stop for a few hours, walk around and swim, a very reflective spot. 

The clouds starting coming in and we barely got into the boat in time before the rains came down.  We decided to skip the last snorkel spot and head back.  We had enough of the boats for that day.  In the end was a great journey, was able to see a lot of the different islands and views in the area while experiencing some of the tourism life in Bocas.    

Mondo Taitu - The Night Life

At first night in Panama of course turned out to be an interesting one.  Mondo Taitu lived up to it’s expectation with wild parties at night.  You met travelers from all over the world and everyone was having a great time, which how could you not with happy hour being $1 cocktails!  Which is what?, the cheapest I have drank, oh let me think… ever!! Than of course Bocas does a lovely “ladies night,” where girls drink for free!  How perfect is that??  Dollar drinks than drinking for free!  After happy hour we went across the street to where they were having ladies night and had a great time talking and meeting new people.  The night went by quickly and soon it was time to head to bed.  

Border Crossing

So there has not been much updating being done, due to the fact that, oh yeah nothing has happened.  I am feeling extreme writers block as well.  Except for this weekend it was time for me to exit the country and head on down to Panama. 

Glenn, a volunteer from Wales decided to come down with me.  I woke up at 5:30 on Friday morning to catch the 7 a.m. bus to Sixaola the town in Costa Rica that touches the border with Panama. 

The entire experience was very stressful, we were being pushed around and yelled at.  We had to go to three different spots and they are no good with directions and nothing is labeled, so you literally have to be ok with being pushed around.  Everyone at their station has a different little story they like to tell you which was quite frustrating and hard to figure out the real facts.  I was thankful that there was not a lot of people.  After the experience was over and seeing as how it was only 10 o’clock in the morning, I was ready for a cocktail, you can see how unpleasant it was.  Very annoying!! 

After our passports were stamped we headed (I mean were shoved into a taxi) by taxi to the water station to take us to Bocas.  The taxi went smoothly, you know crazy driving all over the road it reminds me of playing jello as kids on the school but, only this wasn’t a game played by choice.  We met a lovely couple from Israel who joined us in our taxi jello game.  They were very kind and we ended up walking around with them finding seeing the town and looking for an ideal place to stay.  Eventually, Glenn and I decide it was best to hit up this hostel that was number one in the guide books called Mondo Taitu.  The place was pretty much a shit hole in that but than again what hostel is first class.  People clearly stayed there for the environment which in the end is what makes a good hostel.  We got a private room which was nice and than headed out and walked around town for a bit.   

We ended up running into a girl that I had originally met in Cahuita.  She had also been working for a restaurant in town on Playa Negra and was taking a few days to travel as well.  We ended up going and grabbing a bite at this “Burrito Festival” which consisted of Glenn and I and Tori and three guys from the states she was traveling with, not quite the festival however nice to eat something besides rice and it was delicious at that.   

The picture with the bridge is what we had to cross in order to get into Panama, which was one of the scariest experiences of my life.  This "bridge" had holes all over, wasn't properly fenced in, you name it!  I thought and said out loud, oh great if I fall I die, I laughed out loud but I was feeling a little anxious and that was my comic relief!! We made it across both times just fine with no complications.  Luckily at one point while crossing you go over a river which made me feel a little bit better, some cushion! 

The water and tree picture is one I took on the way to Bocas.  If you look hard enough you can catch a glimpse of the mountains behind the trees.  It was absolutely beautiful scenery the entire time!!! 

Easing into it

Nothing exciting has happened in the past week almost two weeks.  It has been dreary weather and calming.  

As previously told you I was going to work on cognitively being aware of my exercise routine, which has lead me to attend a local yoga class that is provided for free.  I have gone three times now 4:30 in the afternoon.  I am unable to make the Friday sessions at 8 in the morning seeing as how I start work at 8.  I wish she did a session everyday!!

It is the most perfect place to go, it is literally the most peaceful place.  I never imagined that I would be able to unwind and exercise on a wooden platform raised in the air, surrounded by thick jungle, with the sounds of the ocean soothing me and leading me.  I find it hard to believe that I am there when I am there.  

The class itself is a bit disorganized but so much fun.  This hour and a half of different yoga posses goes by so quickly.  The lady who organizes the classes is in her 60's and always has her gray hair pulled up in a bun on top of her head.  I will admit that I have struggled in the classes a tad bit seeing as how I have had immense hip problems since being here.  I am assuming it has something to do with walking lopsided everyday and all the biking and sitting and walking on sand.  So I look quite comical in the classes seeing as how I struggle to get out of many of the posses and normally look like someone has kicked me in the face when I am trying to get out of them.  The good news is that it is helping my hips immensely and feels great to have some relaxation brought to my muscles.    

Funny story about my yoga classes.  I have actually found this space to be quite relaxing and easy for me to gain my focus on the various posses.  However, there is one position when we enter into she tells us to tighten different areas... and every time we come to this pose I have to really focus so I don't laugh.  Joe (is our teacher's name) will say "tighten your butt, tighten your sex center, tighten your inner thighs."  The "tighten your sex center" makes me laugh so hard, I have never heard anything so funny in such a calming environment.  It makes me feel like a little school girl when people would say "number 1 or number 2" but we all thought it was the funniest thing ever.  Oh gosh, it's horrible, luckily I haven't busted out laughing yet.  

A Monday Morning Surprise

Today I had the day off... which was not a good thing to have happen.  It's so dead here meaning very little tourism.  It is kind of scary and sad to watch the community as they are panicking for money.  Which in turn is how affecting me seeing as how I did not have to work this morning.

I got up around 8 and put in some laundry, made some tea and ate my breakfast in the hammock while reading.  It was very pleasant and quiet, until I heard some rocks moving and looked to see a lizard moving around.  I watched it for a while than immersed myself back in my book.  I got up to change my laundry and noticed the lizard had moved to the other side of my pathway and had dug a hole, which I thought was strange but kept moving on.  Not only five minutes later I returned to find that the lizard had laid eggs!!!! It was one of the coolest things I had ever seen.  She than proceeded to cover them up.

I never imagined I would see a lizard, dig a hole and lay eggs let alone two feet from where I live.  It was so exciting!!!!

In the picture you can see the white round things behind the lizard are the eggs!!

Sunday Morning

This week after waking up every morning at 5:30 and basically forcing myself back to sleep till 7, I decided to just embrace the fact that I am waking up early and rise.  I am 90% sure that for the first time in my rather short-lived independence I have never ever gotten out of bed on a Sunday morning at 7:30 and was active.  I got out of bed at 7:30, put in a load of laundry, read in the hammock with some lemon tea I had made, hung up my laundry, cleaned and got ready for the day.  I than made my way into town to attend the first ever farmers market of Cahuita.  I was so thrilled, there was a band playing and I was able to buy fresh vegetables!! It was so cheap and so nice to give to the community.  I bought cheese and green beans, red pepper and a tomale (which I still have to try! It’s made out of corn and in a banana leaf… I am kind of scared but excited!) all of this for around three or four dollars.  

I would also like to note that over the past five years, when I have been doing my own laundry, it has always rained or been bad weather on that exact day I decide to do my washing.  I don’t know how its possible but it is.  Today of course was no different than any other in the fact that it rained, why? Because I did my laundry!!!! 

After attending the farmers market, Glenn, Ellen and Sam and I headed to the bus stop to go to Manzanillo.  I had wanted to check out the National Park down there and thought it would be a good idea to invite them along.  I didn’t exactly plan the whole day out… soo it didn’t go as smoothly as possible but was an adventure nonetheless.  It took a little over an hour to arrive there and we decided to eat lunch right away.  We ate a very cheap yet tasty chicken casado.  Than the weather started to pick up, we realized we were unsure of the bus schedule after we had started walking into the park.  We went back to discover that the next bus wasn’t till 5:15.  We were all so exhausted that we decided to get a taxi back to Puerto Viejo where we could than take the bus to Cahuita. 

Our taxi ride back was of course interesting.  Never a dull moment when traveling with me!  He told us that he forgot gasoline for his friend and turned around, I of course said “oh yeah no problem” to which Sam said “oh great this is how we get kidnapped and die.”  Thank goodness our taxi driver did not understand English since the rest of the ride was filled with kidnapping jokes… which were funny but not funny at the same time.  We arrived safely, gasoline and all. 

We walked around and I got a brownie with caramel ice cream (homemade!!) before jumping on the bus and heading back to Cahuita.

It was such a delightful day.  Except for the bad weather….. Oh well, can’t win them all. 

Horrible picture I realize... however the only one I have of the day!

Saturday

Work was slow… no one is in town and I have been lucky to still have my shifts.  I am not sure how much longer I will have my shifts since the ladies that work at night have been staying at home. 

After work we all went over to where my friend Roberto works called Suiza Lodge and swam in a pool!! It is such a nice place over there and beautifully landscaped.  We swam for the afternoon.

 We than went into Puerto Viejo so Ellen could do some shopping.  I ended up buying a hammock that fits into a bag! (good for transport) for $35.  I was sooo excited, I haven’t hung it up yet, but it will be a nice addition to my porch area. 

We tried a new restaurant called Loco Natural, which was supposed to be fabulous and is owned by Exploradores (the company we went rafting with).  It was a nice atmosphere with live music, although not the best food ever.  I did enjoy the experience overall though.  

Afterwards we came back to Cahuita and went to Coco’s, the live music on Saturday’s is by far my favorite night out.  Everyone has a great time and you can’t go wrong.  

Lucky

This past week Ellen and I decided to go to Playa Negra.  I had originally planned on going early in the day and ended up attempting to take a nap in the immense heat of my upstairs bedroom.  Ellen arrived and we took off for the beach, on the way there Lucky (the dog that lives on the same property as I do) decided that he too would be joining us.  I thought it would be ok, since dogs are allowed. 

Since it was the first time I had ever brought him to the beach with me I was a little leery.  I waded in the water while watching him on shore, when all of a sudden he took off running, which meant I took off running in a swimming suit after a dog with people staring at me.  When I approached him he knew he was in trouble and tucked his tail between his legs and followed me back to where we had been.  Until once again he got excited and took off, I took off again running into the street.  A local police officer was getting ready to stop in front of me as I am scanning for Lucky.  The police officer stops, I spot Lucky and Lucky and I both take off running and I yelling at the dog (I have never ignored a police officer before until today!).  He went and asked Ellen if everything was ok… she had no idea what he was saying.  Quiet hilarious. 

We than decided it would be a good idea to take a walk with Lucky, not sure why some lessons aren’t learned right away.  We got a ways away when Lucky took off running back in the direction we had come, we could not catch up and hoped that he made it home.  He did make it home safely and we weren’t concerned, although I was fairly annoyed with him. 

This dog has no listening skills and is very carefree.  He comes and goes as he pleases.  Some mornings we do a little dance where I put him behind the gate, get my bike and oh look there he is again.  It can be a 15 minute ordeal… in the morning he wont let me grab his collar which means I can’t catch him to lock him up to make him stop following me.  I do however love this dog, as he is very entertaining to have around.  

Past Week

This past week was filled with the same old routine of with work in the morning.  It was beautiful weather so I tried to make it to the beach as much as possible.  With being here I have realized that at some point we all talk about the things we want to do…. How often do we actually commit to doing them? 

I have decided to be active in my decisions and to stop talking and do.  For me this means running everyday (even if it’s for 10 minutes, I am making the effort to get out and be active), attending yoga class on Monday and Wednesday (which is free to the community).  Although these are small things I want to make sure I am being active in my life.  This also includes spending more time blogging, writing and reading.  Although I have been doing all of these activities, I find that upon graduating it's very easy to disengage one's mind.  It is still very important for me to keep myself engaged both mentally and physically.  I have been forced for the past twenty two years to use my brain whether I have enjoyed it or not….there is no reason to disengage now when there is much ahead of me.  If I don't create this discipline, want and desire to be active in my life than when will I?  

I am excited for these challenges and think they will bring me even more joy than I have already found in life.