Everyone’s eventual question concerning my life in Cost Rica is “What do you do all day?” They assume that life in an exotic tropical paradise must be different than theirs. A fairy tale? One without stress? Well it’s not. But it is different. Here’s a little slice of it.
- At dawn the howler monkeys do their alpha male “Don’t try to join my band and eat our breakfast. Go find your own.” aggressive give and take hooting. No more sleeping for me.
- I get up and feed our two new mostly Lab puppies, grind some fresh organic Costa Rican coffee beans, their rich aroma blending with the heavy loveliness of the ylang ylang drifting over the balcony.
- Drinking my coffee on my balcony aerie overlooking the Pacific Ocean’s Whale’s Tail (see my blog photo) is the perfect and only start to my every day.
- Within minutes the sunrise-washed blue sky turns gray with rushing clouds. Rumbling thunder shakes a huge rain down in front of me. The rainy season is upon us.
- Will I make it down the mountain road to yoga class before it turns into a gooey clay mess that turns the tires into slick glazed doughnuts? Nope. My heart pounds as I take my foot off the brake, go with the slide, and miss falling in the ditch by inches. Can’t go back up until things dry out.
- One must always keep a backpack in the car filled with necessities in case you can’t get home (whether bad roads or broken down car) – towel, toothbrush, sunscreen, hat, bathing suit, book . Add a hammock and surf board and you’re covered for awhile.
- It’s still wet after yoga. With time to kill I stop at the bomba (gas station) to fill up, but the gas tanker has been delayed too. Maybe manana. This Central American country is a drastic mix of Third World and modern. In the tropical heat everyone is at least two hours late. Ah, except the buses. They’re always on time. Don’t ask why.
Well, that’s the morning. Can you tell that patience is truly a virtue to cultivate if you’re not a native. Ticos have it naturally.
Aaaahhhh! Now that’s a morning I’d appreciate everyday. Thanks for putting your words down for us to share. Marc enjoys your writing (and he is a tough critic as an avid reader and excellent writer himself!). I’ll enjoy reading more as you blog away! Can’t wait to see you soon in Oregon and give you a big hug!
The first three points brought back beautiful memories of my mornings in Costa Rica with you. Guess it was a good thing we came in dry season, eh? Still, every day is an adventure for you. I’ll never forget coming home and feeling like I was suffocating inside my house. I couldn’t open up the walls and let the outside in! But then, with Florida humidity, who would want to? 🙂 Nice post. Love ya, Marita