Time is Flying

Its been a few days- I guess I get distracted. Im having so much fun in Santa Teresa that I think I may stay awhile. Janerae went back to Canada, and we are all heartbroken. Miss you girl! Zuma has left for a new adventure, and I decided I need to stay in Santa Teresa. Im just not ready to leave yet. Ive been chillin with Antonio- who reminds me of Richard in some weird way. My new roommate its a super chill guy from Guatemala who is teaching me yoga. His name is Carlos and he is moving to India in a few months to attend school for yoga- and is a very spiritual and well balanced guy.

This morning I woke up and ran on the beach and then stopped at a point and did yoga. I can even balance on my head these days. Carlos keeps telling me that its all mental, and the physical aspect of yoga is there- and its given me a ton of confidence. So Im on a new routine- trying to do yoga and run and surf every day. I think that each of these activities will keep me balanced. Im drinking fresh bananna and pineapple smoothies and Im cooking my meals instead of going out. Its really nice because I sort of feel settled.

I have the option to start working at a really nice place called the Funky Monkey- in exchange for a free place to stay, with laundry service, I would only have to work 4 hours per day. Work at the Funky Monkey is the most laid back experience in the world... especially during the rainy season. Speaking of rain, the weather is really nice here throughout the day- it starts off sunny and then gets cloudy around 1, with storms around 3 for at least an hour. Then it calms down and clears up for the stars in the sky. Tonight is the full moon, and I cant wait to dance around on the beach.

Antonio works at the Funky Monkey from 3-7 most days, and its great to just go up to the main guest area, which has a pool table, a bar, a tv area, tons of chairs and a few hammock chairs- as well as a huge bookshelf filled with books. I chill out and read and help Tony with his spanish and play pool while the storms roll in. The Funky Monkey is so much cleaner than Brunelas- the hostel where im staying, so its really nice to shower and go just be CLEAN for a few hours while hanging with good friends. All of the guys that work there are super cool-- Nacho, Chely, Bruno, Emelio, Amy and Gabi are probably all going to be there over the next few months- so if i decided to stay for the rain season, you might be hearing these names again.

Chely (which is insanely close to my moms name, Chaille) taught me some of the basics of surfing today, and im getting better with every wave. Im staying with a ton of Argentinians these days and its really helping my spanish.

Brunelas has like 8 or 9 iguanas of various sizes and they just hang out in the yard like pets. I wake up in the morning and throw down a piece of toast onto the first story tin roof and there is always a mad scramble by the iguanas to get the food. You have to watch where you step because the iguanas come down for breakfast and walk right up to where you are eating. The largest iguana, Paco, scares the crap out of me because whenever im not paying attention, I almost step on him. Im pretty sure he could bite off my toe.

Whenever I walk to the beach I look down and there are dozens of hermit crabs crawling towards the sea. Its so cute to watch those little guys get scared and hide in their shells, but I never understand why I used to like those little guys as pets. There are CRAAAZZY bugs here but very few of them are roaches- huge relief for me.

Theres a super exclusive hotel nearby, called the Fleur Blanca, and Giselle has a house very close by. I hear from the bartender that she never tips. Slut. A friend of hers, a supermodel who was super cool - had a round with us at the Fleur Blanca the other day- and she was in Costa Rica by herself for her 34th birthday. It was really cool to meet someone else who wanted to do just what i did, be alone on their birthday. At least away from the distractions that always seem to let you down.

Will, a friend of Antonios, is the manager of the Fleur Blanca and his life is ridiculous. He has all expenses paid for, has a private bungalo with a full time body guard and his work does not seem too stressful at all. The entire staff at the Fleur Blanca seems like the staff at 3creek- happy, laidback and overpayed. Hes currently in Colombia for a visa run, so Antonio and I are thinking about partying it up tonight for the full moon. Will spends all of his money on traveling- and has been to some amazing places. His spanish is immaculate- and im jealous.

I am strangely settled. Im going to work on me for a little while. Lots of yoga, running, surfing, reading, cooking and smiling. Living out of a backpack is the most liberating experience in the world. It makes you realize that your STUFF just doesnt matter.

Id take an experience over a thing any day. WORD.