Cuentos de Costa Rica- Puro Paseo

I'd like to offer some "snapshots" into what I've been up to, because every day here has been amazing =)

puesta del sol

-Went on my first solo "paseo" (literally: "pass-time"… in English, think "excursion"). As per the suggestion of my adopted family here, I took a bus to Manuel Antonio, a tourist beach next to a National Park of the same name. Set back in the trees, my second-floor wooden hotel room was scorching. The only relief could be found right by the water's edge. I found a stretch of beach that was somewhat calm, away from the chaos of the expensive restaurants and bars and the package-vacation crowds that frequent them (my "Mami" had sent me with enough fruit and sandwiches to last the days I would be there so that I could avoid having to pay steep prices for my meals). I laid down in the shade of the palm trees and held a staring contest with an arm-length iguana perched near me while listening to the waves crashing against the shore. I stayed until sunset, which was of course gorgeous (I am seriously spoiled for how many sunsets-on-the-beach I have experienced in my life). 

playa del Parque Manuel Antonio

-The next day I woke up early to get to the park before it was hot. I was shocked that I appeared to be the only person who was not in a tour-group. Guides carried their telescopes and set them up for sloth viewings. I never saw a sloth while I was there, but the other wildlife wouldn't disappoint me. I made my way down the trail and suddenly a small bejeweled beach appeared out of the palms, its sparkling aquamarine water calmly brushing the sand. The water was surprisingly warm and I floated in the waves for awhile until I noticed activity on the shore. A band of white-faced capuchin monkeys had come to entertain the beach-goers with their antics! They played and lazed around in the trees, some of the bolder ones even coming down to the ground to have a look at the people. But it wasn't the people they were interested in; it was their food. My lunchtime picnic was punctuated by pairs of eyes intently watching me eat. I spent the entire day on that beach, alternately reading and taking dips in the crystal water, later taking a long walk back to my cabin along the beach, trying to remain in the shadow of the trees to prevent sunburn. I enjoyed my short time in that gorgeous place, and then it was back to mi familia and Chepe (San Jose’s affectionate nickname).

capuchin cansado (tal vez perezoso)

Tito, Mary y yo en la Volcan Poas

-Tito knocked on my door at 7am. "You want to go to a volcano?" My excitement was only partially dulled by my grogginess. I showered quickly and got into the car and we were off: me, Tito, Mariana, her mom, and her mom's boyfriend. On the drive we stopped to buy some beautiful fresh strawberries that were grown on the mountain. They were demolished by the time we reached the summit. Volcán Poás is one of the only volcanoes in the world where you can drive almost all the way to the crater. It has earned the nickname as the "World's Biggest Geyser" because it nearly constantly spews a smoke of sulfuric acid. The rancid smell did not have the chance to detract much from the sight though. Wildflowers in hues of purple and pink grew around the rim and acrobatic swallows twirled and dove from invisible trapeze to catch unseen insects. The combination of smoke and clouds finally cleared for several moments to reveal a cyan colored lake in the crater below.

el bosque nuboso

-From that crater we hiked to its inactive brother on a trail through a very unique mossy forest. Trees twisted around each other like gnarled fingers intertwined, not aggressive or overbearing but in perfect harmony. Silence was strung between the branches like a spider's web, catching conversation and stopping it dead. We emerged at the edge of the crater overlooking a lake, this time filled with actual water. The forest crept down over the side to stand mesmerized by its own reflection at the water's edge. A group of nuns were gathered at the overlook and we decided to go talk to them and ask them where they were from. The women were of the order of the Missionaries of Charity, established by Mother Theresa of Calcutta, and the group represented all of the countries in Central America and many from further abroad as well. The woman we spoke to was from India and had spent much time with Mother Theresa towards the end of her life. We spent more time talking with her about Costa Rica and traveling before we headed back to our car.

el lago volcánico

-On the way back home, we decided to make a detour to a waterfall garden. While we were driving it soon became apparent that the landscape had gone through a change recently. My companions informed me that only one year ago a major earthquake had devastated the area, including a landslide that had wiped out a small town. The family I stayed with had worked in their community to collect relief items (food, blankets, etc.) and brought them to the area for the people who had been affected by the quake. They told a story of a factory which had to shut down its production as a result of the disaster, which would have meant the loss of hundreds of jobs for the local people. However, instead of packing up and relocating, the company saved the jobs for the workers and the whole community worked to speedily re-start production. I was very inspired by this story. Although it was evident that there was a lot of work to be done, I had no doubt that this community, along with wider support from their country, would be able to get back on its feet before too long. We arrived at our destination, a torrent of white water, loud and fast, falling hundreds of feet from its origin, against a backdrop of a dark cliff face covered with brilliant green plants that spilled over the rocks like runny oil-paints. We posed for funny pictures and avoided sliding in the muddy trail. Then, lamenting the end of our "paseo", we got back in the car and drove home to the city.