Rafting and Farewell

After a sleepless night for me... Nicole and I woke at 6 for her to finish packing and be ready to go. I went back upstairs and laid down while she had a few tasks left over.. I had some really weird dreams about her going rafting... I can't remember now, but I remember waking up feeling dazed and confused. I heard Nicole scream at one point and she goes a frog just jumped on me! I freaked out and said what color since the green poisonous dart frogs are indeed poisonous... Turns out it was my tree frog just getting crazy. He had jumped on her butt... I think somebody liked Nicole!!

I had recently gotten a tree frog... Not much to say about him... rarely see him but he has scared me a few times as well! One time in the shower! haha

It was sad to see Nicole go, I was very anxious waiting for the bus to come pick her up. They were late and I kept thinking, maybe I didn't do the correct reservation, maybe they wouldn't find the hotel.. blah blah.. Luckily they showed up... Oh those exploradores boys are soooo good looking.. I wish I could date all of them... I was nervous the entire day worrying about whether Nicole had a great time or not. Turns out she did and loved it!!! yay!!!

I had a wonderful time with her. It went by so incredible fast, every minute of every day was filled with an activity! It was a great experience and I was so happy to have her here. We did some great catching up and it felt like a day hadn't gone by since we had last seen each other.

Thank you Nicole for coming and spending time with me. You are an amazing friend and I am so thankful you are in my life.

As the days get closer and closer to my return home, I get more and more anxious about seeing all of my family and friends!! It's only a matter of time!! Love you all.

Chile Rojo... Good ole PV

Nicole and I decided it would be fun to spend her last night in Puerto Viejo. We went to my favorite restaurant Chile Rojo. We had drinks, an appetizer, and our dinners. It was a fabulous time, spent talking and catching up.

Afterwards we walked around town and looked at all the little jewelry shops along the way. There was one street vendor who Alex had purchased a ring from in January. Nicole decided she needed to treat herself and bought a beautiful green ring from the same vendor. I am thinking to keep the tradition going I will have to purchase one as well before I leave this beautiful area.

Afterwards we took a taxi back to Cahuita. I had approached this taxi driver, asked him how much it cost. He said it would cost 10.000 colones... I said ha no thanks and turned to walk away. He said well that's the price around here. I said no it's not, the last time I was here I had a taxi for 7.000. So we agreed upon 8.000. I still felt this price was a little to high, however we must all pick and choose our battles in life. When we returned to Cahuita we stopped at Coco's bar and had a cocktail. Troy met us out for the last little hurray! We ended up heading home around 12, which was later then planned since we both had such an early morning the next day. On the way home we were walking new Playa Chichita and I saw this lump in the road.. I thought to myself where did this huge rock come from. Troy being the smarty that he is goes oh look a sloth... haha I couldn't believe I thought it was a rock. We then sat and tried to take about 40 pictures and had a hard time capturing the moment. The sloth was doing the most perfect downward dog yoga move ever!!! It was a fun last sloth sight!!

It was a perfect way to have a last little celebration. A nice dinner the two of us, and a last outing in Cahuita.

Canopy to the Extreme!

For Nicole's last full day in Cahuita we decided to do the canopy and horseback riding tour. I had already done this tour earlier upon my trip with Toya (one of the girls from California). I decided that as much as I wasn't wanting to spend the money, it was one of those things you couldnt' resist doing with your close friend. We were both really excited. It was a little odd and disorganized in the beginning. We weren't quite sure what was going on and this was making Nicole a little anxious. I went first and waited for her to come on the other side. I got some good shots of her coming in and some of the scenery around us. In the picture above that is the river that is below you, called "rio banano."

The horseback riding part of the tour didn't go according to plan. The last time I had been there I had a difficult horse which actually made me very nervous. This time my horse was ok...Nicole's however, was not the best. He actually wouldn't follow any commands and Nicole was starting to get very anxious. I was so nervous about the entire situation all I could do was laugh, which of course does not actually help the situation. In the end, Nicole stopped trying to control the horse and our guide took the reins. Still the situation was not improving and as she turned around with a horrified look, in the midst of my laughter and stopping my own horse I asked our guide if we could please go back. On our way back to the center, there was a wild horse galloping in a near pasture. My horse decided that was a better method of travel and started to take off! My camera flew out of my shirt and Nicole gladly got down from her horse to retrieve it from the ground. I was so nervous my horse was going to stomp on it, luckily that did not happen. Nicole returned to the center by walking and I rode back.

Nicole getting rescued, she and I both go stuck on the second zip line and had to get help getting back! He was more then willing to take a photo and even yelled at me for the appropriate time to take a photo.

Me all ready in my gear for an exciting time in the air with Coley! The sun came out for the entire time we were doing the canopy. It was perfection. The weather was doing wonders for her trip!

Sobre Las Olas.... Reggae Bar Experience!

After our fabulous day in Puerto Viejo and a fabulous time at our last yoga class, we ate dinner at Sobre las olas. Sabina (coworker or really my only coworker) joined us for a few drinks and dinner.

After dinner we went to Reggea bar for a cocktail.. we ran into Beno my landlord at the time and he had clearly been enjoying his time at the bar (which he does frequently) and bought Nicole and I a drink. |We got some weird fruit drink.. and continued to enjoy each other's company.

I wanted Nicole to experience Cahuita to the fullest and I think she saw as much as she could and did as much as she could for the time she was here!!

A little PB and J?

Upon much debate over the previou two days... at work that morning I settled on a plan. I had filled the rest of the time with all the activities Nicole wanted to do or I thought she should see in the area. When Nicole arrived that morning I was very impressed with my newly developed schedule.

Wednesdsay approach and we decided to head to Puerto Viejo during the day. We ran and caught the 12 o'clock bus and arrived promptly at 12:30 just in time for lunch. A favorite in that area is called bread and chocolate. Nicole enjoyed a fabulous peanut butter sandwich while I enjoyed a BLT... I looveee BLT's... hmm hmm goood.

After lunch we wandered around town so she could see the difference of night and day. We sat on the beach and talked and took in the beauty of the area.. Did a little souvenir shopping.. I found a ring for $90 I wanted.. go figure.. something new.. still not being able to afford things.. how fun!!

Finishing with a brownie and ice cream before heading back to Cahuita to once again be running to yoga. We took a taxi.. which we paid to much for... but enjoyed the class in the end which was much more important!!

Coral Reef

On Tuesday we decided we would have dinner at Coral Reef. It is the last good restaurant that is open on Tuesday's.. Since I worked till 8 that night we had a late start, yet still a good one. Of course dinner was filled with laugher and chatter..

We went next door and were going to have a cocktail at Coco's but decided to head out on bikes. Earlier that day, Nicole gave riding the bike a go. It was quite painful and hilarious to watch. Painful because we were going so slow that I kept falling off my bike... I still don't know how she stayed on riding the slow! And hilarious because of how slow and how focused she was.... just like any good student, and the good student she is.. Nicole improved with flying colors and was ready to fly like the wind that night.

I wasn't to into the idea of riding all over town at night.. but thought it would be fun to ride to black beach near my house and quickly show her how beautiful the water is at night. We weren't going to stay long and didn't... but she did get to see the beauty of the beach underneath the moonlit sky!! Troy took some pictures of us being silly at the beach!

Hiking in the National Park

Tuesday arrived and Sabina asked if she could work that morning. I said yes of course. She will now be working Tuesday morning shifts as well. She was very accommodating and helped me out a lot by taking a lot of hours for me so I could spend time with Nicole.

So Tuesday morning we decided to hike in the National Park since we had quite a bit of time. We did however get off to a late start. We left the cabina at around 9:30 and headed into town for some breakfast at Annette's. We had this chocolate coffee drink and the waffles with fruit. This was the first time I had the waffles and was quite satisfied. We finally hit the road at around 11. We took our time seeing the beautiful views, taking pictures, enjoying our time. It was absolutely perfect weather.

Halfway to our desired destination we ran into a guide who mentioned he had seen sloths up on the left had side... This to me seemed to make sense.. of course he meant our left.. Then Nicole was like which left?? I wasn't so sure at that point since what he didn't mention was the exact location. We were lucky enough and they were on our left! It was so incredible. It was a mother and a baby three fingered sloth. They were in touching distance, so close. We took about a thousand pictures trying to get the best one. We were blinded by the sun but kept trying.

After standing and taking 100 pictures of the sloths, we kept walking on to reach our destination. Of course stopping along the way for photo opportunities.

I have told you about this spot before... it's very secluded takes around 2 hours to reach and is like swimming in calm bathwaters with the most gorgeous views. It was calm, we swam, relaxed. Sometimes on the beaches here you get Europeans who feel the need to take their tops off. One time I watched two topless women practicing some sort or martial arts on the beach and thought to myself this would be a perfect photo opportunity!! Who does that? On this particular day, this woman really thought she was in a bath! She paraded herself around naked.. entirely naked on the beach... We couldn't help but laugh.. who does that?

Coco Rico's and Coco's a Night of Cooing

After Yoga we showered and got ready for dinner that night. Troy met up with us and we decided to go to Coco Rico's for delicious pasta. There was great conversation and talk over drinks. We then decided to go to Cocos' the bar so Nicole could get the full experience of Cahuita. We had two drinks the entire night and were definitely feeling them. I am not sure if it was due to lack of food, water, or what.. maybe we were just too happy and giggly seeing each other but we could not stop laughing the entire night. We started to feel kind of bad for Troy seeing as how we started to ignore him, not intentionally of course.. we just couldn't help it!! When in love, or when alive!!!

That night we met Steve... Before leaving for dinner there was a lizard in my cabina. When we got back he was still there, we named him Steve... It became the adventures of Steve as we watched him for a good 40 minutes, taking of photos wherever he decided to end up. He landed on my display of cards and it didn't tip over!! Steve must weigh close to nothing since he paraded all of my cards!!! We fell in love with Steve!! Look at him.. how could you not??

Cool. Calm. Collected or Reflected? or Refreshed?

Before leaving for the park we had decided to take our yoga clothes which us so we wouldn´t have to rush... This was apparently a good idea since we had taken our time walking from the park to town.. we realized we were barely going to make it to Yoga. We ran to Willie´s quickly changed and then ran to get a taxi. We would not have made it if we had walked. For the first time in what seems like forever, I was able to attend Yoga class. They had been closed down for around a month so the Instructor could spend time with her family. We went on Monday to the 4:30 class. I was excited to bring Nicole!! I have found this place to be very special to my heart.

View from the Yoga Center.

The driveway leading up to the house and yoga center. Could you ask for a more perfect location and place to spend time for free!?!?!?!

The yoga floor.

View looking into the yoga center.

Nicole and I ready for yoga time!!!

The class does wonders for my body and has truly made me realize this is something I need to have in my life. We forgot to take pictures so decided to return to the Wednesday class as well.

The Wednesday class went just as well. Truly relaxing, while releasing all tension in the body. We remembered to take pictures this time, we had to capture our inner "yoga." Overall Nicole loved the class and found it to be very beneficial as well. I was simply ecstatic that I had been able to attend and TWICE at that.

After realizing the importance this class has for me, I decided to ask Sabina, my fellow co-worker if she would be willing to switch shifts so I would be able to attend at least one class. She was very willing and now I will be working Friday nights and attending class Monday nights!! I feel very blessed to be allowed the opportunity to be there... Thank you Joe for all that you do!!!!

Adventure Begins

Second day and once again beautiful weather. Apparently Nicole is a good luck charm because she came and now all we have is sun. We went to the National Park after I worked in the morning and just relaxed, talked and swam! The waves were much calmer on this side and we were able to just float. We spent the afternoon chatting about various things, going from laying on the beach to swimming in the water.

When is there ever a dull moment?? With Nicole and I together, it´s like the weird things that happen seem to enhance. While laying on the beach chatting all of a sudden this transparent, crab like creature jumped on me, then jumped into my belly button!!! It was the weirdest thing, of course there were a few screams and jumps that followed...
Then Nicole was followed by a swimming creature in the water... which led to the discussion of how animals are evolving and there is now a fish that can run on land... OOHH evolution...

We took our time on the walk back looking for monkeys along the way. Luckily we spotted a family of howler monkeys. There was around 8 of them, and Nicole was able to see the baby as well. It was very exciting!!

Nicole's First Night in Cahuita

After our adventurous day surfing we went over to Troy's and had some Sangria and chatted about life. On our way into town for dinner we ran into some Army Ants. Those ants are not very nice and bite like no one's business. Troy got the worst of it then Nicole.. I couldn't stop laughing and happened to be in a puddle already, which still isn't the best place to be who knows what is brewing in those things.... ICK!! Nicole got nervous and wanted to go back to the house, haha ahh sooo funny!!!!

We made it into town and had a nice dinner together at Cha Cha Cha where we caught up on life. It was like I had just seen her yesterday! Not as though it had been months and months. We made a round through town and I showed her Coco's Bar. We decided to call it an early night and head home and get some shut eye.

We were so engrossed in our conversations that night we didn't remember to take any photos!!!! SOOO we took one the next day!

Surfing Lesson Number 1

After we arrived at my Cabina and lugged Nicole's suitcase into my house, we saw Rebecca. I thought it would be fun if she gave us a surf lesson so we changed immediately throwing on sunscreen and in Nicole's case with SPF 70. We ran out for our first lesson.

Rebecca drew fake surf boards in the sand and we had to practice getting up. I apparently am already a grandma and was unable to get this down. GREAT! It took some practice but eventually I went from slowly getting up to getting a nice little jump.

We decided to get a candid shot of the two of us rocking out!

Slowly but surely... we were practicing our getting up techniques.

Watch out.. we are the next pros'!!!!

After our sand lesson we proceeded to go out into the waves. This was the first time I had been back into the huge waves since I had been smashed to the bottom of the ocean. I was surprisingly not scared.. it was nice to have Nicole's support as we tried this surfing process. She was quite talented!! She could stay on the boar and almost get up!! I on the other hand couldn't even stay on the board... I kept falling off... SO this whole surfing thing is not going quite as well for me. I was quite the entertainer and kept them laughing because I was sooo horrible.

Rebecca was quite the sport and took our beatings well. We surfed for around an hour and a half and were exhausted. The waves were strong and we were weak! I found it easier paddling out into the waves? Who knows.... we'll see where this surfing thing ends up going.

We sat and enjoyed some goldfish watching the waves after our bodies were beat.

The Waiting Process!!

Sunday came and it turned into a waiting game. This was Nicole's big arrival!!! I couldn't wait for her to get here. I slept in a bit, finished some cleaning up and hit the market. I wasn't sure what time she would be arriving so I waited outside of Willie's Tours with my groceries from the lovely local market. I wasn't sure what to get and turns out ended up wasting all of my groceries anyway.

So I waited out front for around an hour and a half reading and patiently awaiting. I am pretty sure that in my excitement for her arrival I anxiously looked at every car that was passing.

SHE MADE IT!! but apparently barely.. they had canceled her shuttle and had no way of telling her till she arrived at the hotel at 10 that night. They told her they would solve it in the morning and informed her of her "new" shuttle 10 minutes to her needing to leave.

Regardless she made it here all in one piece, very calm and very collected.

Out with the Gals

The same group from before and we decided to meet out at Coco's.  We had quite the group with 5 people from California (poor Kevin being the only guy), Deborah (a guide who we work with), Sabina (my co-worker at Willie's Tours), and Jenn (a teacher originally from the USA now residing in Costa Rica).  It was a fun time!  We danced and talked and drank and danced some more.  Somehow the night ending with getting soaked in the rain at 2 in the morning.  It was a great time.  I wore the shirt Sabina had given me for my birthday!  It's not the usual black and white but it has beautiful blues which happen to be my favorite color!  

It's fun dancing with people from the states.. while everyone dances amazingly around us we bring back the sprinkler and the shopping cart for our entertainment!  I am sad they have left me!! They were a good time!!  Excitingness (I don't think that is a word.. but I like how it sounds!) is that NICOLE HANCE IS COMING TO VISIT.... I am greatly anticipating her arrival!!!!!!

California Friends

The past week was filled meeting new faces as this occurs everyday, it is rare to meet people that remind you of home.  There is a couple from California who have owned a house in Cahuita for around 10 years.  They came into town with some friends of theirs and were staying for two weeks.  With the continual flow of some friends coming and going.  

After spending quite a bit of time talking with them in the Internet Cafe and running into them on the street, we met at Coco's for a few drinks.  It was probably one of the best times I have had there.  I felt like I was out with friends, and girlfriends!  We danced and had a marvelous time!!  I must say that I miss my girlfriends quite a bit!! No one can replace them and I wish they were here!!  While dancing I started to have some hip problems... sometimes I swear I am around 90.. who has hip problems at 23 and can't dance?!?

Sending off Linda and Fish

Nona's mother Linda came to visit them for 3 weeks.  She is a teacher in New York and was able to take some time and spend with her daughter and the baby.  I had met Linda the first time I had arrived in Cahuita.  We didn't get to know each other that well so it was a lot of fun spending more time with her this time around.  She is a very interesting woman filled with tons of knowledge.  

She is originally from Webster City in Iowa, small world!  We could sit and make Iowa jokes and talk about the Midwest which was fun!  I was very sad when it came time for her to leave.  They had a send off dinner at Sobre Las Olas, where I joined them after I had finished closing the Internet Cafe.  

It was lovely seeing them happy together, enjoying their wine and the company.  

For the first time I tried shell fish!  There is this pasta that is filled with seafood and I decided to try it and turns out I like the little things in shells.  I never thought I would and to be truthful they scared me a little.  Always good to try something new!!

New Job?

After the Bri Bri Tour, Deborah the groups guide and I sat down and had a beer.  How many of you are surprised to hear that huh??  My first beer in oh 4 years??  However, she bought it for me and was all stressed out after the tour, so I was unable to decline..  I took it down like a champ! How proud of me are you?

That night we were going to go to Reggea Bar, near my house on Playa Negra for a drink.  I went to pick her up at the hotel at 8:30 her and her group were having such a great time I decided to join them for a drink instead.  

When I went to the bar to order my drink, the bartender asked where I was from and immediately asked if I would be interested in taking care of his son on Saturday's.  I told him I would be interested, but truthfully haven't gotten back to him yet... However, I did get my glass of wine for free!  That was also exciting!  We will see what happens with this babysitting thing... not sure if I really want to go down that road again.. although being around kids is always fun!

An interesting day to say the least.  I went home early, exhausted from the tour and ready for sleep.  

Black Beach

Here are some photos I took on Black Beach or Playa Negra.  This is not even five minutes from my house and is very accessible.  

One of my hobbies I have been very fond of over the years is photography.  Many don't know this but I am hoping once I have a house or an apartment of my own to line a wall with photos I have taken from all over.  

Although I am not very good, I find this to be a strong passion of mine.  Something I truly wish I could turn into a job!!  

Bri Bri

Part of working at Willie’s Tours is the variety of tours that are offered there.  One of the most popular tours is called the “Bri Bri Indigenous Tour.”  This tour is the same tour we went on as a family, where we first got to know Jorge and Cahuita. 

We also have huge tour groups that come in which can range anywhere from four people to 24 people.  This particular day we had 13 people on the trip including the guide.  The guide’s name is Deborah and has worked with Jorge quite a bit.  I find her lovely and nice to be around. 

The tour itself is around 5 to 6 hours.  You first start off by getting to know a family, seeing how they life, what they eat.  Second stop is to a medicinal plantation where you learn about different trees, plants, leafs and their healing purposes.  How the Bri Bri uses them in everyday life.  Could be anywhere from curing a headache to preventing heart disease.  Third stop is typically to a waterfall..however with the amount of rain we have had it is to dangerous to go on to that portion of the tour.  You then enter town where you have a home cooked meal.  Finishing with a stop at the Cacao house where you learn how organic chocolate is made, the economical importance it’s had the lives of the Bri Bri, etc.  Also ending with a visit to The Family Art Gallery, where all the jewelry and masks are made from organic materials found in the surrounding forests.  The tour is very interactive and educational.   

My job on this tour was to take video.  We are going to work on getting a video set up to promote tours in the area.  I was in charge of the video camera and taking photos.  To reach the first destination you have to cross a hanging bridge… which was under repair when we first arrived.  We had to cross the river, which took a long time with such a large group and the current being so strong… All I kept thinking was so not slip in the river, do not slip in the river, since I had the cameras around my neck. 

We arrived at  our destination and by the grace of god were able to meet Don Silverio.  Don Silverio is a man who is 109 years old.  When we came on the tour in January he was sick, we weren’t sure if he was a real man or if this was just a marketing tool used well.  On this particular tour, he was feeling quite well.  He has practically no teeth left, but a gentle soul who is eager to share.   We were blessed with the energy he spent on playing the drums for us and singing a traditional Bri Bri song.  It was a very exciting experience to see this man at 109 spend time interacting with us.  This was by far my favorite part of the tour, seeing him interacting and showing us his culture.  It is sad to see that the Bri Bri culture is dying, but as time goes on the younger generations want more and more.  In his particular home it is filled with 6 generations, the youngest being 2 months old.  Reminds me of my family and how extensive our generations have gotten as well.  It’s beautiful to see families grow.

The rest of the stops were as described above with the exception of the waterfall.  I was excited to see the Family Art Gallery since I had never been there before.  It was a small store but you could see the work space and where they kept their materials.  It was a fun adventure and their daughter was so cute!  

The rest of the stops I took pictures and videos off trying to capture the best moments of the tour.  The tour was successful and we were lucky with weather!!  

Spain Ladies

In Cahuita there are these two beautiful women from Spain.  They parade around and have lived here for around a year.  They came on vacation and basically never left.  As it turns out there stay had to turn into something, they decided to build cabinas out on playa grande.  It is quite out of town, but the location is so beautiful, isolated and completely paradise.  They tried to make the cabinas as natural looking as possible.  

After quite a bit of ups and downs they decided to just open!  They threw a fabulous party where sangria and drinks and food was free the entire night.  I had the best sangria of my entire life that night... white sangria... pure perfection!!

Everyone got extremely drunk.. except for the people I went with which was Jorge, Nona, Sabina and of course the fabulous Alonso.  Beno (my landlord), other local people were very happy with the open bar.  I don't think I have ever felt so sober in my entire life.  It was a good laugh and a good time.  The Spanish women continued their success of throwing the bash of the year!