Costa Rica

It’s been a while since my last posting because I’ve been in Costa Rica and everyone advised against me lugging along my computer (though I feel totally lost without it) Now I’m back and connected again to the world (thank heavens for the internet and cell phones).

My old friend Chris Birchby (an amazing painter) was getting married in Costa Rica and I was psyched to get the invite. I have never been to Latin America and so I jumped at the opportunity (Destination weddings are the best!). The journey started out pretty glamorous minus the over night flight to Miami in coach (sitting in a seat that didn’t recline) then the four hour layover (which I spent sleeping on the floor of the terminal) because of the plane was delayed.

Needless to say, when I arrived in Costa Rica I was a bit tired, but the fabulousness of it all set in once I met up with the Four Seasons greeters who expedited me through customs, into waiting car and to the sprawling Four Season’s resort. The Four Seasons is magnificent (3 pools, 2 beaches, a spa, a gy,, golf course, 3 restaurants and a bar)!

It’s the beginning of rainy season in Costa Rica and so the sun only comes out for brief moments, BUT rainy season means everything is green and lush and BEAUTIFUL!! Each day the sun would come out just long enough to bake myself into a golden tan. When the sun hid behind clouds, we did yoga on the beach, swam in the ocean, drank Mojitos, searched for monkeys on the nature hike (you can hear them howling and screaming, but we didn’t spot any) and I read my book (The Glass Castle is AWESOME! READ IT!) We did a canopy tour where you zip line through the rain forest at Witches Rock. It was scary at first, but a super cool feeling to fly though the trees miles above ground like a bird.

Chris and Kristian got married right on the sand at sunset. It was a gorgeous ceremony (pretty close to perfect). As they said their vows the clouds broke and the sun created a beautiful sunset. It was truly breathtaking. We had champagne on the beach, ate a delicious dinner and danced till our bodies ached. A conga line, a little break dancing, a soul train line, swing dancing, dirty dancing, double dutching, playing maracas. (Hysterical!)

Now… you cant come all the way to Costa Rica and ONLY see the Four Seasons. I mean I’m an adventurous girl who likes to see more than the pool and the beach. So after four days in the lap of luxury, I headed out on my own to Tamarindo (a beach town known for its surfing and night life). I didn’t feel unsafe being alone, but because of my skin color (I look like a local), I got more attention from the than I bargained for. Now the problem is I don’t speak a word of Spanish, so I had no idea what they were saying to me (I’ve got to take a Spanish lesson!).

My second day there, I met another girl traveling alone named Ana (also I FINALLY spotted a monkey in the trees by the hotel). Together we cruised (Ana and I, NOT me and the monkey) the streets and beach, ate local food (SO YUMMY) and made more friends. That night we went salsa dancing at El Barro (a locals bar) and hit Mambo Bar (the HOT SPOT of the night – just like in LA) We danced and laughed (and ignored the hookers) and had a really fun night!

I took a surf lesson (at Witches Rock Surf Tour) and though it was pouring rain and the conditions were choppy, I perfected my pop up and learned to turn in the white water (Not ready to go PRO, but I’m working on it). That night I met Travis (a nice guy from Texas) at the bar (When alone always eat at the bar! You are bound to meet someone). We headed out to the hot spot of the night, Babylon. Babylon is a bit sketchy to get to (it’s around the back of the main area and through local housing) but the music is great. We hung out and danced until late in the evening.

At one point, I looked around and couldn’t find Travis (I made him pinky swear not to leave me, BUT I guess Texan’s don’t hold pinky swears as an oath) and got nervous. I decided to follow some other American girls back to town, but when they went the opposite direction my heart raced. I was standing in the middle of a pretty sketchy place ALONE and SCARED. I ran as fast as my little legs could carry me back to the bar where I found a cab, which whisked me back to my hotel. Safe at last in my room, I packed my bags, thanked the lord that I was alive and went to sleep.

Early the next morning, I headed to the tiny airport where I took a prop plane to the San Juan (international) airport. My plane was delayed, but I finally made it to Miami where I ran though customs (Miami airport in under construction so I was ridiculously winded and exhausted when I arrived at my gate just in time to make my connection) and head home.

The trip was amazing (everything from a glamorous wedding to tramping through the dirt streets of Tamarindo to surfing to finally getting to see a monkey). I’m happy I went. I’m happy I saw more than the Four Seasons, but I’m even happier to be home!!