Welcome to the world of traveling, where you see cool things like this guy wearing a woven hat with a fish hanging off of it.
I can't believe it's only been five days since I blogged. It feels as though it's been weeks, considering how much has happened that I want to share and remember!
I honestly feel like the most blessed human being alive to get to live this life and I gotta say - young, unattached people, if you want something to change your life in an amazing, positive way, grab a backpack, hop on a flight, and go to a different country for awhile.
Even though it is my third time to these countries, there is still so much new and exciting and so many learning experiences. It never ends.
But enough of my preaching and bragging........ :]
Thursday morning I got up early and Vickie drove me down to the bus stop. I luckily got there just a minute or so before the over crowded mini van rumbled down the road through the dark.
As I've been taught to expect for being a blonde girl, a young man stood and ushered me to his seat. I told him I was fine standing, but he insisted. I sat and the bus went way too fast for the bumpy, curvey roads.
A few stops down the road, the woman sitting in the seat beside me got off the bus, so the guy who gave me his seat sat down. "Javier" and I started a conversation after his sideways glances and smirky smile got a little too awkward. But, we had a wonderful chat and I was sad when he got off the bus. Sitting next to cool people always makes the ride go faster, and of course, great for Spanish practice. :D
The rest of the eight hour trip was safely boring. We got to the border, unloaded our bags, lined up like criminals behind a table as Panamanian officials used a scary looking dog to check our luggage for drugs, packed up our bags in the bus again, got stamped out of Panama, walked the half mile to Costa Rica, got an entrance stamp, unloaded our bags again, waited for awhile, carried our bags into the cage, had bags checked, got on the bus, and were on our way! It's always pretty easy for me, because the officials checking bags usually just wave me through without unpacking my strategically packed bag...I must look innocent. :D
As soon as we entered Costa Rica, I got ridiculously excited... Sorry rest of the world, you will never beat this country's beauty in my eyes.
And besides Guatemala, the food!! At our stop a few hours later, I got to indulge in the beloved gallo pinto rice and beans. And some grilled chicken. Sooooo goooood.
As we drove, I was amazed at how much was familiar of the drive. I guess I shouldn't be surprised since my face is always glued to the window...
We passed milesandmiles of palm trees. Last time I drove that route, I had met my friend Nimsi from San Jose and she had told me all about the process to harvest the oil from the palms.
I was really looking forward to meeting up with her again, unfortunetly when I called her she said that her aunt had just passed away and couldn't talk at that time. Good thing I'll be back...
As we drove into San Jose, the sunny day unfortunately turned to rain...but it still felt like coming home.
So many familiar things. I left the bus station and walked to downtown, led by a sweet old lady. She was so friendly and my heart was overjoyed to be in the company of Ticos again.
I walked through the plazas, past shops that played loud Latin music, and hopped on the familiar bus for San Pedro mall.
Once there, I went to my beloved Urbano hostel and was greeted by the workers, many of whom I had met in previous visits. It's so great to be remembered. :D
I. Love. This. Hostel.
It has the best staff. The best beds. The best warm showers. The best atmosphere. The best breakfast (it varies from toast to pancakes to gallo pinto, always with fruit.) It's just the best.
Right away, I met three awesome people that I spent the rest of the day with. We got food, played cards, checked out the town, and drank some of the best beer in the world (Its one of the two beers I like, and it's only available in Costa Rica!)
The next few days were spent in Urbano and the surrounding areas...
I went back to Maximo and again was greeted by the familiar place...
And a few familiar faces. One old acquaintance that works at Maximo kindly called my host mom for me, and I about died of excitement waiting the hour 1/2 waiting for her arrive to surprise her.
Surprising people you love is such an incredible thing. She was so excited, and she brought Milena! Milena was just born when I first stayed with my family, and now she is almost four, running around, and talking like crazy. Amazing how time flies, even when I'm not there.
And this is us last year...
So grown up...
It was raining, but she was prepared with her boots and raincoat...
We hung out the rest of the day, and mission accomplished, they were impressed at my Spanish! I was worried, because my host sister always got mad at me for not studying more, so they were pretty proud when I could understand almost everything.
And the beloved Chester cat! Still grumpy as always...
Friday I met this awesome kid...and we made some awesome food together!
And Saturday and Sunday I made quite a few trips to downtown where there was so much going on - pigeon feeding in my favorite plaza...
Markets...
Actors, musicians, dancers...lots and lots of dancers....
And the only special occasion was it was the weekend! :)
My awesome friend Goya from Mexico and I found the deals with the markets...
I will never tire of the fresh fruits. Something that you will never experience in the states...
Ahh, and, someone decided to put a barber shop in the middle of the fruit and veggie market. It looked like they were doing lots of business, but it was a little strange to me...
Saturday night, some cool kids and I went dancing! Fruit, Gallo pinto, and dancing...the three things I miss to no end when I'm not down here.
And, the constant music. Almost every day the travelers at the hostel would hang out in the garden playing guitar and singing. So much awesome in one place.
Random things possibly worth noting...
The guys here like to shave designs in their hair. This is something that I'm not sure has caught on in the states yet, but if it hasn't it's probably coming. Prepare yourselves.
October is the rainiest month of the year. I didn't know that before I came, but it is pretty wonderful because it cools it off quite a bit. Unfortunetly, Costa Rica is a talented weather changer and after a completely sunny day, and within 10 minutes, some clouds rolled in, and it started pouring before I had time to react. I took shelter in a store for awhile with countless others, but when it rains, it pours, for hours, so I had no choice and no umbrella, so I embraced it, enjoyed the feeling, and dripped all over the hostel floor until my friend Juan got me a towel. It's a good life.
And, I got some 75 cent fresh coconut juice from this awesome guy! He just pushes his cart of oranges and coconuts around all day, trying to make a few dollars. He just stood outside the hostel gate for awhile until we noticed him, which is a pretty good sales tactic since sweaty travelers like fresh, cold juice.
He looks so proud, doesn't he? :))
So now, the few days I will be getting situated in my new home in Quepos, and then starting my TEFL course. I will be here for a month, and I love my family already. There is so much laughter here. :)
Pura Vida. :]]
