After an intense month of teaching practicums, tests, and endless grammar, I decided I should have a little vacation (as if living in Costa Rica isn’t vacation enough??). This little vacation became a test of perspective and humor very quickly.
We attempted to catch an early bus out of town to Puerto Viejo, a small beach town on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Although we made it to the bus station 45 minutes early, we still missed our bus. So we waited patiently, with lots of snacks, for an hour, then two hours, then three hours, then four hours, for the next bus to arrive. This bus was so full that some people had to sit on the ground because there weren’t enough seats. There was also no air flow whatsoever until everyone started opening their windows. Ah, how glorious, fresh air. This was fine and dandy until, in perfect Costa Rican timing, it started pouring and everyone had to close the windows. After a nice, hot, 6-hour nap, we made it to the beach!
We made it to the beach only to find out that there was a problem with the booking at the hostel we were supposed to stay at. No problem, we were in a prominent vacation spot with millions of accommodation options. What we didn’t know was that it was a holiday weekend and approximately the entire population of the country had the same idea as we had and came to the beach. There was not a single open bed in the entire city, or any of the small towns around it. So we wandered around the city for a while trying to find anyone with an open bed or two that we could stay in. It wasn’t an issue until it started down pouring, got dark out, and none of us had much service on our phones to find any place to stay. So we sat in under a bus stop shelter for about an hour, wallowing, wondering what to do. Just by chance, we logged onto a hostels website and they happened to have a cancellation that night and finally after many hours in the rain and puddles in our shoes, we had a place to sleep!!
We woke up the next morning to the most gorgeous, lush, green mountain view and sipped coffee in our hammocks. We hung out, reading, relaxing, and enjoying the view before we took off for the beach. We rented bikes and rode to the next town over, Punta Uva, where we heard they had the best beaches. This beach was something straight out of a travel brochure. Perfect white sand beaches, crystal clear water, and the perfect temperature to cool you off, but still keep you warm. It is almost impossible to put into words how it feels to simple float in the ocean like this. Letting the waves move you back and forth, up and down, not a single worry in the world except being so caught up in the bliss of the moment. Floating, dreaming, being.
The town in Puerto Viejo has some of the best vibes I’ve felt. Reggae music playing at every little shop, bikers in the streets on the way to the beach, red, yellow and green painted everywhere reminiscent of Rasta lifestyle. The town had such an energetic yet care-free feel. No one was in a rush to go anywhere too fast. Everyone stopping along the road to chat with their friends. No one is too caught up in make-up or hair or nice clothes. Just swim suit tan lines and beach towels in bike baskets. The streets are lined with local artisans selling homemade jewelry, tile paintings, glass work, canvas paintings, and hair braids. And although we were more or less homeless the whole time, carrying everything we own on our backs, it didn’t seem to matter. Everyone in this beautiful little town shared a nomadic spirit. Enjoying life from place to place.
One of the things I love most about Central America is the tremendous rains and storms it produces. I’m a sucker for a good rain with a sappy romance novel and a cup of coffee. Nothing can beat the tranquility. I love how it forces everyone to slow down, to sit for a while, and relax, instead of being caught up in the perpetual chaos of our lives. Perfect for a good chat with even better friends, or reflecting on how you got to this point in your life.
Costa Rica has some of the best rains I’ve seen. Usually, you get the morning to enjoy the beach or go into town, then in late afternoon the storm clouds roll in with the rain. At this point, we had the most beautiful outdoor Airbnb away from the city in the luscious jungle. The covered kitchen and living area allowed for the most marvelous view of the rains with the air filled with the sounds of howler monkeys, birds chirping, and thunder in the distance. The perfect ambiance for a good nap in a hammock, an even better cup of coffee, and getting lost in a good novel.
Moments like these make it hard for me to believe that it’s not all a dream. A place so tranquil, a feel so calm. It is a breath taking world we live in. Make the time to love it. Make the effort to experience it. It’s good for the soul.