Im alive and well and all is fantastic in Nicaragua. After a late night of partying at D&N for the last reggae night of the season, I hopped into an old toyota pickup truck with Sunny, Nano, Bianca & Matteo and we drove all day to San Juan Del Sur. Crossing the border was not bad at all! The drive was long (because i was super hungover) but beautiful. I bought my first surf board the day before I left and Im LOVING IT. Its an Al Merrick 7´8 funboard - and Im really starting to get the hang of surfing.
We went to Playa Madera for our first morning and saw a shark... which was super scary. Then we went to Playa Romanzo in the afternoon- the waves werent great but it was one of the best sunsets ive ever seen. This morning we went to Playa Yankee today and Bianca watched a shark swim under her board. I felt it nudge mine ... out of control. Luckily there are a lot of fish in the water so there isnt as much of a chance that we will be eaten. Hopefully.
This afternoon we are off to Playa Madera- and tomorrow who knows. Bianca and I are trying to decide whats next for us- we are thinking Tamarindo.
Life is good.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
My Feet Are Destroyed
I never wear shoes out here, and 2 days ago I stubbed my toe and got a HUGE blood blister. Then I was walking to go surf and I hit it again on a root in the ground and OBLITERATED my big toe on my right foot. BLOOD EVERYWHERE, and I was walking in sand, so i had a sandy bloody toe. Today I cut open the bottom of THE SAME foot when i was walking barefoot in a tide pool. But i DID see a starfish. Now im finally wearing my shoes, but hopefully not for TOO long.
On a side note- a lot of Argentinian dudes have really weird hair. They love the mullet, and my favorite hairstyle is that of this guy Nacho- he has a hybrid dred-mullet. AMAZING.
I got to drive an ATV last night- which was slightly out of control. Antonios last night is tonight- so its probably going to be a late one.´I figured out where Giselles house is today. I can walk there.
Sad to be leaving Santa Teresa- but it will be good for me to get out for a bit. Nicaragua is supposed to kick ass!
Life is amazing. PURA VIDA.
On a side note- a lot of Argentinian dudes have really weird hair. They love the mullet, and my favorite hairstyle is that of this guy Nacho- he has a hybrid dred-mullet. AMAZING.
I got to drive an ATV last night- which was slightly out of control. Antonios last night is tonight- so its probably going to be a late one.´I figured out where Giselles house is today. I can walk there.
Sad to be leaving Santa Teresa- but it will be good for me to get out for a bit. Nicaragua is supposed to kick ass!
Life is amazing. PURA VIDA.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
So many things!
Today is day number 23 in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Its SO MUCH FUN- im really finding it impossible to leave. But im heading to Nicaragua in 4 days with my friends Mariano and Bianca for a visa run. We are going to head up to San Juan Del Sur ' which is a big surf town that is supposed to be lots of fun- and then over to Granada near Lago Del Nicaragua- which is the only lake in the world with freshwater sharks!
Im probably going to spend 7-10 days in Nicaragua and then ill head back to Santa Teresa. Then i have to make a major decision- whether to work for a free place to stay in Santa Teresa for the off season or head over to Panama. There are these three awesome chicks from Argentina- Caro, Pilar and Angie- that are heading up to the Carribean coast and then over to Bocas del Toro in Panama. So, big decisions- but im looking to Nicaragua to help me make my decision.
There are so many amazing things about Santa Teresa. The beach is out of control amazing. Its the most beautiful beach i have ever seen in my life. There is only one dirt road through the entire town- so if you dont want to see someone, you are bound to see them like 5 times per day. But its a charming small town with a kickass night life and ive met so many fun people- I even like the local rastas. They are sweet, but they are thieves. Ive only been robbed once, but that was at night when I was walking alone. I DID catch up to the guy and throw him into a wall, but he ran away into the night with my purse. The only things im sad that i lost were my headlamp and knife.
I just finished Shantaram- which is an amazing book and I would highly recommend it. My good friend Antonio is leaving Santa Teresa in 2 days, he has been here for nine weeks.
Lots to tell- but its getting dark and i dont need to be traveling by myself after dark!
Pura Vida kiddos.
Im probably going to spend 7-10 days in Nicaragua and then ill head back to Santa Teresa. Then i have to make a major decision- whether to work for a free place to stay in Santa Teresa for the off season or head over to Panama. There are these three awesome chicks from Argentina- Caro, Pilar and Angie- that are heading up to the Carribean coast and then over to Bocas del Toro in Panama. So, big decisions- but im looking to Nicaragua to help me make my decision.
There are so many amazing things about Santa Teresa. The beach is out of control amazing. Its the most beautiful beach i have ever seen in my life. There is only one dirt road through the entire town- so if you dont want to see someone, you are bound to see them like 5 times per day. But its a charming small town with a kickass night life and ive met so many fun people- I even like the local rastas. They are sweet, but they are thieves. Ive only been robbed once, but that was at night when I was walking alone. I DID catch up to the guy and throw him into a wall, but he ran away into the night with my purse. The only things im sad that i lost were my headlamp and knife.
I just finished Shantaram- which is an amazing book and I would highly recommend it. My good friend Antonio is leaving Santa Teresa in 2 days, he has been here for nine weeks.
Lots to tell- but its getting dark and i dont need to be traveling by myself after dark!
Pura Vida kiddos.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Cuba Libre
Just an afterthought-
today i discovered rum and coke in a can. its called Cuba Libre, and its fantastic. PUUUUUUUURA VIDA.
today i discovered rum and coke in a can. its called Cuba Libre, and its fantastic. PUUUUUUUURA VIDA.
Beach Life
On the beach in Santa Teresa- there are so many different types of people. There are the girls that just lay out all day and work on their tan, then you have the surfers that are learning how to surf and only stay in the whitewater (thats what I usually do). There are the dirty rasta ticos that hang in the tree line and watch people surf, you have the frat guys that take pictures of chicks on the beach- one guy will be doing a yoga pose as a decoy - but everyone knows that they are taking pictures of the girls, not of eachother. Then you have the rastas that teach people how to surf every morning. Each week there is generally one family on vacation, but the rest are all young backpackers just taking in the beauty of it all. This week, there are supermodels galore all over the most secluded part of the beach. I guess they are doing a photo shoot today- but oh man these women are incredible. Then you have Antonio, Nacho and myself- who just swim out to the biggest waves we can find and try to body surf without being taken out to sea. Theres the occasional lone sandcastle guy, who works diligently for hours until the waves come and take everything away. There are random packs of dogs running around on the beach in 2s and 3s. You have people riding horses up and down the beach- usually with a few dogs running and yipping at the horses. Then there are the massive armies of hermit crabs that scramble around on the shore. I learned a really cool trick with hermit crabs- when they are hiding in their shell- just breath hot air onto thier shell and they will come out and then FREAK OUT and scramble back into their shells.
Google image Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. You will see what i get to see every day.
XOXO
Google image Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. You will see what i get to see every day.
XOXO
Friday, August 7, 2009
I AM SURFING!!!
Okay so today i totally stood up on multiple waves. It was sooo much fun. Today the beach was insanely beautiful. The sun was out, the ocean was aquamarine, and I swam and ran and played. The costa rica vibe is just what i need these days.
Surfing kicks ass.
Surfing kicks ass.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Perritos
The dogs in costa rica are out of control. They travel in packs and are of all shapes and sizes. Most of them have been left by tourists who decided to have a pet while in costa rica, but abandoned them when they left to go home. There are 1.2 million homeless dogs in costa rica- a country with only 5 million citizens. A lot of people told me that I wouldnt like the way the dogs live out here, but honestly i dont really mind. Sometimes its sad, but for the most part the dogs appear to be happy - in a lord of the flies sense of things.
The dogs eat whatever they want, go wherever they want and run along the beach all day long. Everyone feeds the perritos- and in Santa Teresa I have yet to see an insanely immaciated pup. But they do exist in San Jose- there are so many dogs that are way too skinny.
My favorite dog had a ridiculous underbite- so bad that it looked like it had a retarded smile. Some guys in Fortuna told me that if i took the ¨perro que siempre esta feliz, todo del año¨ that they would pay me $100. Hahahah.
The dogs eat whatever they want, go wherever they want and run along the beach all day long. Everyone feeds the perritos- and in Santa Teresa I have yet to see an insanely immaciated pup. But they do exist in San Jose- there are so many dogs that are way too skinny.
My favorite dog had a ridiculous underbite- so bad that it looked like it had a retarded smile. Some guys in Fortuna told me that if i took the ¨perro que siempre esta feliz, todo del año¨ that they would pay me $100. Hahahah.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
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.
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.
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