Un Poquito Mucho Demasiado Fun!

So it has been forever since I last wrote. I think I’m getting worse at this. Since I don’t know where to start, I’ll start with the most recent event and try to work my way back in (hopefully soon to come) future posts. So let’s start with…Kari’s visit to Costa Rica!

I have to say that as I talk to any friends or family about coming to visit me, I do so secretly (or sometimes not so secretly) never expecting to see them here. So let’s just say I was more than pleasantly surprised when Kari sent me her officially booked itinerary a few months ago. I met Kari while we worked together in the Industrial Engineering Department at Disneyland a few years ago. We’ve kept in touch and hung out since then, but I never expected her to be able to make it down here (especially with all her crazy school schedules). And she was probably the best person to host as the first visitor here. She has traveled in South America, speaks great Spanish, she’s adventurous, fun, and was more interested in a ‘real’ Costa Rican experience, instead of the pampered and expensive itineraries some might be looking for.I was actually in a PC workshop when Kari’s flight arrived. But she found her way through customs, caught the bus to downtown San Jose, and hopped in a cab to my hostel, waiting for me as I returned from the training – so awesome! It was nice to be able to introduce her to some of my PCV friends, even though we weren’t able to spend much time with them. Then that night (after traveling all day and being sick), she still came with me to see a live salsa band! Good night with a good band and some good dancing – great start to an awesome visit.

The next day we headed straight to Manuel Antonio (after a 3 hour delay at the bus station – things can’t go too smoothly here). The hostel was beautiful, and after a quick dip inthe ocean, we high-tailed it back to the hostel to catch an amazing sunset with a liter of Bavaria each – Pura Vida.

The next day was definitely the highlight, though. We headed down early to get some breakfast and head into the national park. Kari had told me that the one thing she wanted to see when she came to visit me was a sloth. So it was a good thing that I had ordered a baby sloth to be climbing down a tree, almost within reach of the trail, within our first 10 steps into the park! It was pretty awesome (and definitely took the sloth pressure off of me). But the best part was the beach we found with the help of a friend we met in the hostel. He said that some of the scenes from the movie The Beach had been filmed here. And I believe it. Even though it was a pretty busy day, it was probably one of the most beautiful beaches I had seen. The water was amazing and pretty salty, so it was even more relaxing than usual to just float there.

The only minor problem we had was when the monkeys stole our bananas. That’s right. I couldn’t make that up. We literally had a bag of bananas and before we even knew they were there, the bag was up in the palm tree, being devoured. I felt sooo bad. After having a whole conversation about how bad it is that people feed the monkeys and how bad bananas are for their digestive system, the little buggers grabbed our bag full of digestive problems. But I have to admit it was pretty cool to see them up close.

The next phase of the trip was some quality time in Bijagua. I was so happy that Kari was able (and excited) to spend quite a fewdays in my community. She got to stay in Casa Brigitte (pics on facebook), met my friends, saw some of my projects, helped mewith my English class, climbed a 30m high hollow tree, played apples to apples with my friends, saw the beautiful Rio Celeste, met my host family, and really got a good glimpse into my life here.

It was actually somewhat surprising how well Kari fit into things here – she appreciated the endless breathtaking views, got along a little too well with my friends, did great in my English class, and was enjoying my lifestyle, when others might be uncomfortable.

We then decided to spend a few days at Playas Brasalito and Conchal. We were able to talk my friend Kim into coming with us. So it was the 3 of us jumping in the ocean, having a romantic candlelit dinner right on the beach, and enjoying some beers as we danced on the sand and took some night time dips in the ocean. Then the next day we went to the crushed-shell, turquoise-water Playa Conchal. So beautiful. John, Brianna, and Chris (PCV friends) met up with us and the 6 of us faced some tough decisions all day long – jump in the blue water, sunbathe (or sunbake in my case), enjoy our cold beers (that were actually delivered to us at one point), chat with friends, or just enjoy the ridiculous view. So we just decided to do them all. We finished up the day with a fun night at Brianna and John’s place. Then, after spending one more day in Bijagua, Kari was off early the next morning. : [

It was truly an amazing trip! We had such a great time. And it is so great that Kari seemed to enjoy and understand a bit better the life I have here. I can’t thank her enough for finding a way to make it down here to experience the Pura Vida with me! Love you Kari!!!