Where to begin?
I am currently enjoying the first rain we've had in over a week. The smell and sound are oh-so therapeutic.
So I left off on Tuesday, with hopes and aspirations of going to Puerto Viejo. BOOO. Nope, didn't go. Again. So, I'll tell you about what did happen this past weekend.
On Wednesday I picked up my laundry and we went out. The gang, Jake, Graham, Tanya, Myra, Jenn and I went ROLLER SKATING! It was sooo cool. Like in the movies. There were some serious players at this rink! Each of us were like babies learning to walk all over again. The skates had the four wheels and the stopper in the front. I don't think I'd been on a pair of those since I had the Barbie pair, when I was like, 7. Interestingly enough we all managed to motor around the rink a whole bunch of times.
At one point in the night, the DJ called out that groups of three (one guy and two girls) were allowed to skate, attached. Well. Team Jenn-Jake-Me were killer. And I mean we killed ourselves and possibly others. Ha ha, let me explain. Seems easy enough, to skate around the rink holding hands, in fact, wouldn't that be easier? That's what we thought! When the DJ blew his whistle, we learned (the hard way) that we were all to turn around and go in the other direction. Well, that was a task and a half. Like an awkward new-born horse we tried to each play a part in learning how to maneouvre this turn. When we finally managed to get going in the other direction the whistle blew again! We laughed so hard I wouldn't know the difference between this happening and me doing 1000 sit ups. If you're wondering if anyone took a spill, yes, but I won't mention any names :) for the sake of embarrassment.
Thursday I slept. For some strange unexplainable non-alcoholic sleep-deprived reason, I came home from work, slept for two hours and forfeited going out for what I hear was the awesomest night ever to go to bed at 9. But man did I feel good and rested Friday morning.
Friday was a different day at the school. The school hosted a big celebration for the local farmers of Salitral. The morning consisted of a grand assembly, put on by the students in traditional clothing (OMG how cute) and then later a market-like fiesta with food, drinks, music and dancing (courtesy of Negro and other teachers). [If I haven't mentioned my friend Negro, he's the security guard at the school, my "hermano" (brother) and a great friend. His name isn't actually Black it's Anner, and he calls himself Negro because in CR its widely acceptable to call someone by how they look. Like Chino, Negro, Gorgo (fat), etc. I don't like it, but I won't tell them they are wrong, because in this society, I am the different one.
Friday afternoon and evening was awesome, sad, fun and sad. When I returned home it was 2:30 and the friends were starting the Amazing Race. Tasks throughout the city of San Jose had to be accomplished, including the purchase of the bus ticket, necessary to get to their placement. I decided that I was up to assisting in the challenge, so I went along. After an hour of trying to find the &%*#$!$ bus station to buy the tickets, the guys and I quit with our dignity still in tact. We arrived home first as temporary winners, but when Tanya and Myra returned with all of the tasks accomplished, we were quickly pushed to last place.
After the Unfinished, unaccomplished race, Jake and I attempted to start the BarB-Q to have some much needed meat. After a pack of matches, half a bottle of alcohol (of the burning sort), and (I'm sure) three grey hairs later, we had a fire going and the coals were redi-hot.
The turned out not-so-bad, but I'm sure anyone back home would have simply pooped on my job as a BBQer as most of the burgers were slightly burnt and in pieces. Nonetheless, it was good eats and everyone was full.
We finished the night off with pictures, mojitos and farewells, as the 4 of the greatest group of people ever to hit up this house, were leaving for Buena Vista in the morning, for their conservation placements. :(
I got up the next morning with the crew, as I was heading to Guanacaste with the Teachers from Salitral. They had invited me the day before and I was excited to accept, as I hadn't spoken to mi primo all week about Puerto Viejo. If I don't go with him and the other cousins, then that's okay because Jake and Graham and I are planning to go on the 1st. Can't wait to camp out on the beach.. YEEAAYA :)
The day with the teachers was interesting. The Gym teacher picked me up from the Auto Mercado by my house and we left from Santa Ana on a -- wait for it-- air conditioned, comfy-cozy -- rented bus. MmmMM. I was up at 4, so I slept the 4 hours to Guanacaste. THe destination was Santa Rosa, a national park famous for the site of the battle against William Walker. Willie was an American trying to colonize CR for the US, and failed brutally in the attempt, being knocked out by the now-non-existent Costa Rican Army in all of 14 minutes. Hah.
We arrived in Santa Rosa at 10:45 and explored the battle grounds and historical museum. I read in my MOON CR travel guide about a waterfall close by, so I led a 2-km expedition to find such a waterfall. Nope. Dry season, in it's ruthless success had stripped any sort of water from the area, leaving the 40 of us sweaty, but nonetheless exercised. TGFAC (Thank goodness for air conditioning). I still prefer open windows.
We left Santa Rosa a 11:30 and drove to a town called Puntarenas. (yes, we drove 4 hours to Guanacaste for 45 minutes and then drove 2 hours back east to Puntarenas). :|
We arrived in Puntarenas around 3 pm. As we drove through the city, I noticed how old and authentic the place really is. I had recently watched a documentary film called Sharkwater (recommended to all, by the way) and the movie touched on Puntarenas and the city's role in the capture and slaughter of millions of sharks. The reason for the slaughter was for something called "Sharkfin Soup" a 'delicacy' in the Asian countries. [Turns out that Sharks don't taste like anything special and don't actually have healing powers]... Anyways.. Back to Puntarenas. The film had a real affect on me and so all I could think about was wow, I am in Puntarenas.. the Puntarenas. At first I wasn't sure how to feel about the city, but I was looking at all of the old buildings and all of the rooftops, believing I would see fins drying in the sun. Fortunately, and obviously, I didn't see anything. After you watch the film, you will know what I mean.
We got to the beach front city centre and finally got off the bus for a few hours. I quickly fell in love with the atmosphere and scene that I promised myself I would return for a longer period. Puntarenas is the oldest beachtown port in Costa Rica and home to the cruise ships. I decided that I hate the touristy part but the beach and the food were incredible. We went for dinner at a local restaurant and I had the bext Seafood Rice ever. 10 bucks got me a huge plate of rice with octopus, calamari, shrimp, scallops and a big tall beer. Nice.
After dinner, I went for a walk down the beach and soaked my feet in the ocean. I took a moment and took in the smells and sounds that this old coastal town had to offer me... What it gave, I took, and was enchanted. AHhhh... The life.
I bought a leather bracelet to remind me of a place I need to return, we went for ice cream, and then we were off, to head back to the city.
I got home about 9 and was awake enough to watch a movie that was on TV. "Closer".. ah man what a depressing movie. Probably a better book.
Today started off great and basically plateau'd. I started the day with a super long run over to the University of CR. What a campus. If I could go back to school, I would come here, just for the flora. And what a run. I need to do that more often. Quite possibly as early as tomorrow, but I will get back to you.
Tonight we are going to watch a movie with new friends, Lauren, Britany, Alissa, and Chelsea. Britany and Cheslea are from Alberta and them together with Alissa are going to their placement on the Caribbean coast tomorrow. They had a quick 2-day orientation and they are off for two weeks. I don't know if I could do that, go somewhere in solitude with little to no language training and not a lot of other experience away from home! These chicks are the real deal! Lauren is an amazing person. She and Jenn are friends through a friend, and she's hanging out for the night before heading back to Canada.
I can't describe the amazing people that I have met on this trip. I think a lot of the reasons that people love to travel stem from the amazing, intense life conversations that they encounter with other like-minded people that they meet on the way. You develop a certain familiar connection to people that you don't know all that well, but somehow, in some strange game of fate, you connect to those people. You help eachother, you share experiences, and you live through eachother's stories. I feel that when you travel, you grow the most. Not only through these incredible conversations that you realize stuff about yourself but when you go through hardships and how you fend from them.. You develop an energy, and you permeate this energy towards everyone you meet.
As I am sitting in on one of those really intense life conversations, I am thinking about what my kind of energy is, and how I eminate my self towards other. Am I growing? Am I reflecting enough on my own growth as a person through the things I am experiencing? What colour am I? Should I even care about what I eminate or permeate towards others, or should I even focus on it? Should I be afraid of these answers?
I wish I could watch my life, and see how I am changing. Maybe you could tell me.
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