The Rich Coast

Costa Rica marked my first trip to Central America. It took me too long to visit. I can't wait to return. "Latin America," my friend Kelley recently described, "is a diverse rainbow." Her description of the people and the land was dead-on. Like many post-colonial nations, the people are a blend of their unique stories and histories. In the capitol of San Jose a lot of the people seemed very Spanish European. Up North, the people had a different way about them, perhaps they had more Amerindian blood, were very laid back and embodied the "gaucho" style. On the Caribbean Coast, were communities of people of African descent. Brought over from Jamaica, an Island Patois was spoken. Costa Rica was a beautiful blend of cultures, tastes, energy and art. I was acutely aware of one groups sparse numbers however. You are hard pressed to find many indigenous Amerindians. They have been virtually wiped out, the amazing, disappearing people. It is a sad reality, the dirty side of the Americas.

There was a national park about a half mile from our bungalow. Why is it that wherever I travel, I seem to be flocked by monkeys? The park was home to howler monkeys, and boy could they howl.

Our bungalow was right on the beach. I opened the door in the morning to an exquisite view of the Caribbean Sea. In the bungalow next door, was a couple from Australia. We buddied up for a few days playing dominoes like the locals (everywhere we went, men sat out with a bottle of beer and a game of dominoes), eating (I wasn't too impressed with the food), snorkeling (watch out for the sea urchins) and grabbing drinks at local dive establishments.
Cahuita has a reputation for being dangerous. People in San Jose were constantly warning me about the dangers on the other side of the country. I found the exact opposite. People were extremely friendly and welcoming. I believe that common sense is always a persons best guide.

Cahuita

I turned 30 right here overlooking the Carribean Sea. It was the perfect place to welcome my third decade. After staying in San Jose with my friend Liza, my boyfriend flew out and we took a bus to Cahuita on the Carribean coast. Cahuita, an English speaking enclave of people, descendants of Jamaicans brought to Costa Rica as laborers, was truly a laid back, cool place. We stayed in a little backpackers bungalow right on the beach. It was a lazy week of bliss.

beautiful arenal

Pura Vida - I loved Costa Rica!

Sometimes it's great to go solo. That was my approach to hiking in Arenal. I opted for a horseback and hiking tour. I took a horseback trail up to the top of the volcano, then hiked down. The riding trail was amazing. A little frightening at times, like when my horse walked up a thin slippery, rocky path behind a waterfall, but it was worth it. It was just me and the guide going horseback. I had the opportunity to gallop through cattle fields and meander through rain forrest. My horse did take off at a full sprint a few times, much to my horror, as I bent down to avoid being flogged in the face by tree branches.
The horse ride went about 3/4 of the way up the volcano. The rest of the hike by foot was very calm. The views were breathtaking, but at the same time, there were a lot of tourists. After being alone in nature for the hour and a half to get to the volcano, I was thrown off by all of the other people on the hiking trail.
I like to make-believe that I'm on my own private island when I travel.