Caiman, Porcupine and Tears

Wednesday, April 1 - Miercoles

I have so much to write and so much to tell you.  Since I’ve learned to write authentically, I am not going back to write each day as it occurred.  I’ve been crying today.  I’m very sad about leaving.  I don’t want to leave.  This is a little amazing to me, as I am usually ready to leave most places as schedule.  Today, I do not want to leave.  Today, I can’t imagine leaving in 10 days.  Can’t imagine carrying through the things I have ahead of me without the greenery that currently surrounds me.  Can’t imagine the beach without the rain forest or returning to the condo that I just had to have.   The desire for something different is what causes the pain - not the actual leaving.  The sadness recedes when I realize I don’t have to leave.  Which is true, I don’t have to leave.  I have managed to set up my life in such a way that I really don’t have to leave.  Yes, I have promises and contracts to uphold - but in all reality I could easily be released from both.   I have grown to love the people who work for the hotel, to rely on them and yes, to need them.  I also appreciate them and relish each moment even if I have no idea what they are saying most of the time.  I do not feel isolated.  I feel loved,   accepted and appreciated.  As I walk through the property, drive through the rain forest, swim in the cascades I can’t imagine leaving.  Here it’s easy to feel at one with nature, feel apart of something wonderful and miraculous.  It’s an easier way of life.  One without attachments to possessions or appearance.  One that encourages me to breath and just exist.  For existing is sufficient.  Perhaps I am crying for the part of me I seem to loose each time I leave.  The part that tries to keep up with the next guy, belong to the community, be a productive member of society seems to take over the part that knows existing, being present and living life is really what it is all about.  It doesn’t matter if I fit in, dress right, get married, have a boyfriend, drive a nice car, have money to retire.  All that matters is that I remain present in each moment and do the next right thing.  Ah, the next right thing.  So simple and yet so profound.  What is the next right thing?  How do we know?  Why is that concept so difficult to grasp?  

Eva arrived on Saturday and we fell into each other’s arms.  Eva and I spend quality time together.  The quantity may not be large - but the quality is fantastic.  The last time I saw her was in December 2007 at a yoga event.  It seems the only times we see each other are yoga events - teacher training in 2001, advanced teacher training in 2003, continuing education for yoga teachers in 2007.  This is our first visit that involves yoga - we are both teaching - but isn’t consumed by yoga.  Despite traveling since 11:30 p.m. Friday night - she is not exhausted.  She is present.  We catch up, talk, I show her the place and her energy supports me while I deal with the issues newly presented by the hotel.  Ah, that seems so long ago.  In actuality is was only 4 days and the issues were truly difficult.  Again, it was my attachment to the yoga studio that caused most of the angst.  Followed closely by the hotel’s blatant violation of our contract.  Once I was able to let that go - the energy around the situation seemed less charged.  

I spent Saturday morning, before Eva arrived on the zip line with Diego.  Remember I mentioned I wanted to learn to walk off the platform and fly upside down alone?  Well, Joaquin arranged for a private practice session for me.  Diego and I drove out to the canopy.  I learned how to put on my own harness, safely attach myself to the cables and walk off the platform.  I wasn’t able to fly upside down by myself, as I wasn’t ready yet.  I need a little more practice.  So, I flew upside down with Diego by placing my knees on his hips and letting go with my hands.  Then, Diego strapped a harness around my chest and I flew like superman, arms out at my sides, legs behind.  Very liberating.  After we completed all 8 lines, we walked back for the jeep.  I jumped out of the jeep to fetch the harness’ and slipped on a step - cutting my leg.  I had made it through the whole season, with all of my skin in tact.  Funny, every year I injure myself and every year the injury becomes infected.  This year is no exception.  I have a little infection surrounding my cut and am waiting for hydrogen peroxide to clean it out.  

I started teaching my workshop “The 12-Steps of Yoga”.  Out of 8 participants - 6 drink alcohol.  They are not in recovery.  Four participants are here learning skills to take back to their work place.  Two are here learning how to manage their stress and 2 are actually in recovery.  At first I was amazed and confused.  I re-read the course description and it clearly indicates recovery - well, as clearly as it is possible to reference an anonymous program.  Then, as the workshop progressed, I realized the skills I teach are applicable to all and this was confirmed in our sharing circle on Monday evening.  Each participant has had huge shifts, I have shifted as well.  That is one of the most fabulous gifts of carrying the message, teaching a workshop, living authentically - everyone shifts.  

The caiman, the one who has kept me company the past 3 seasons and wasn’t very visible this season has died.  I saw the staff carrying him out of the lagoon on Monday.  It was very sad to see this large, majestic reptile dead.  Curiosity got the better of me and I watched with interest as they carried him past.  His mouth was open and he appeared to have wire, brush or sticks all around his mouth, his eyes were vacant and from their appearance it looked like he had been dead for some time.  As soon as I saw this I wished I had turned away.  But I remained fixed, continuing to watch, seeing his underbelly, his penis and the area surrounding the penis followed by his very large tail.  I couldn’t get the thought of the dead caiman out of my head.  I wondered if he was ill and perhaps that’s why I hadn’t seen him this season.  I wondered if the energy work I did on a friend caused his death as I sent the energy to the caiman before I remembered to turn it into something beneficial.  I started looking for a dead turtle as I also sent some energy to the turtle.  I thought about it often.  Then, yesterday I learned that the night guards had found a porcupine in the ceiling of the reception area.  They carried the porcupine to the lagoon thinking the caiman would eat him.  Well, the caiman did try to eat the porcupine.  Apparently it was the porcupine quills that killed the caiman.  The porcupine returned to the ceiling of reception and now the area smells like onions.  Yes, onions.  Apparently porcupines smell like onions.  I don’t really notice the smell, but apparently others do because the hotel has posted a sign indicating that the strong onion smell is due to the porcupine living in the roof.    

Today, I joined the group for the full day tour.  This time, I wisely chose to walk.  I arrived  at the zip line earlier than the horseback riders and watched as they dismounted.  I learned that no one, except the Costa Ricans, appear graceful during dismount and everyone walks strangely upon dismounting.  I flew through the zip lines, going upside down with Pistolo.  He is smaller than Diego - so I easily and with pleasure wrapped my legs around his waist, let go with my hands and flew completely extended upside down through the rain forest.  Eva and I spent time talking and catching up while swimming in the cascades and before I knew it, it was time to return.  I missed the ride with the people who were going rafting - so I rode back with the staff.  I sat in the back of the truck, surrounded by 6 staff members easily bantering with each other.  I stared out the window at the passing greenery, marveled at the diversity of trees and tried not to cry.

Shaking

Okay, I think we just had an earthquake.  I'm sitting in my bed (there aren't any chairs in the room) and the bed starts shaking.  Since I'm the only one in it - it's not me causing the shaking.  As I'm about to blame the new person who just arrived three doors down, I realize "Hey, that's not possible".  I sit, feel and watch the bed shake, wondering if I should run outside or just stay still.  It's kind of strange - because you expect earthquakes to be accompanied by noise.  Which I'm sure they are closer to the source.  This was just shaking without the noise - for maybe 45 seconds.  It's over, we're fine.  

Toucans

Thursday, March 26 - Jueves

Okay, Toucans still excite me.  I had the opportunity to view them while teaching the morning yoga class.  Apparently I was just tired yesterday, not complacent.  I still love being here and I’m still entertaining the thought of moving here.  Time will tell.  I’m a booked back in the states until at least November.  I have ideas about what I would like to do with my time after that, but every time I make plans...well, I’ll just have to stay in the present and see what happens. 

Dia Libre

Wednesday, March 25 - Miercoles

Dia Libre!!!  Wow!  You know you are becoming complacent when a Toucan flys within 10 feet of your face and you don’t have any reaction!  That just happened to me and I failed to get excited.  Perhaps I’m just tired.  This is my first day off in two weeks.  I still worked this morning, spoke to my boss, finished adding missing information to the books, coordinated travel and organized the information for the final week.  Lately, that work is easy - being present with the participants and dealing with the “behind the scenes” issues are draining.  I also had a close encounter with a hummingbird on my terrace as I was practicing yoga.  I looked up to find him hovering around the light bulb, screens and door looking for water or nectar.  Then he went on his way.  After lunch, I stood within four feet of a bascalist lizzard (probably spelled wrong, also known as the Jesus Christ lizzard because it can walk on water).  We both just stood there looking at each other.  I inched closer and closer - he stood his ground.  Finally, I gave up and walked away, he was still standing there.   I guess it was my day for animal encounters.  Perhaps the caimen will make an appearance this evening.  I’ve heard him walk into the lagoon behind my room for the past several nights.  Given my experiences today - maybe he’ll let me see him.  

The participants were very cute this morning.  My growling stomach resulted in poor timing and I ended up in the lobby while all of the participants were gathered there for their full day of adventure.  Luckily, on Sunday,  I had asked each of them to just wave if they saw me on my day off - no speaking required.  As I was talking to one of the staff, a participant stood in my peripheral vision - smiling and waving.  When I turned to wave, I had no choice but to smile at this 60 year old man standing there waving.   

I spent the rest of the morning at the pool, basking in the peacefulness of having the whole hotel to myself.   I had a  delicious lunch of salad, french fries, and trout grilled with garlic, while I talked to the staff and then retreated to my room to continue basking in the peacefulness of alone time. 

Arnica, LaPlaya and Straight Hair

Monday - March 23 - Lunes

I taught the morning yoga class, gathered the group together and escorted them to the coaster for the Boat Tour and left the property by myself in Adrian’s car.   Ahh...true alone time, all alone in a vehicle.  I pulled the soft top back and soaked up the sun while listening to mellow Spanish music as I drove across the country.  At 10 a.m. the roads are relatively clear.  Everything seems brighter - the colors of the landscape, the roadside stands, everything.  I actually found myself thinking ‘I could live here’ and playing that out in my mind.  I am very relaxed and comfortable in Costa Rica.  The open air and beautiful countryside add to the feeling of peacefulness.  During the drive I passed a multitude of red taxi’s all gathered near a gas station.  It was a beautiful site  and I wished I had a camera.  I also knew it meant something was up - perhaps a meeting, after all we just had a meeting of tractor trailer owners at the hotel yesterday - perhaps today was the day for the taxi drivers to meet.  I made a note of it and asked Sherri about it when I arrived in Pocora.  She explained they were striking.  It looked like a rather peaceful protest and I hope it remained that way, since there is only one road that connects Pocora with Horquetas.  I needed to return to Horquetas tonight, as JoElla was still at the hotel, scheduled to leave early Tuesday morning.   We proceeded to discuss the reasons for the strike as we walked to Jackeline’s for my hair straightening appointment.  

I enjoy being with Jackeline.  Our communication flows despite the language barrier.  She managed to pick up the straightening cream as well as the product for shine.  Sherri and Jackeline talk, with Sherri translating for me when necessary.  I sit and soak in the culture basking in the feeling of acceptance and belonging.  Jackeline applied the straightening cream to my hair, combed it on section by section.  Once the entire head of hair was coated with straightening cream, we checked our watches and timed the 20 minutes.  She told me to close my eyes while she rinsed out the product - but I didn’t understand.  So she showed me, by tightly closing her eyes and she repeated her statement slowly in Spanish.  We laughed.  I bent over the sink, closed my eyes and she rinsed out the product.  When it was time to stand up, I had to keep my eyes closed, because there was water around my eyes.  She kept asking me to open them and if it burned, but I found it difficult to communicate in Spanish with my eyes closed.  Finally I had to yell in English to Sherri in the next room to help with the translation.  Of course everyone got a kick out of the fact that I couldn’t speak with my eyes closed.  Jackeline combed in the neutralizer and we all sat and talked. Sherri explaining in English and Spanish - that I am lost without my eyes - I can’t communicate because I need to see to talk.  We all laughed some more.  It seems Jackeline is growing black beans.  I found this totally amazing, since this is not something we tend to grow in our gardens back home.  Sherri explained that with the nature of the economy everyone is growing whatever they can on their land, trying to cut costs.  Fifteen minutes later, we returned to the sink to rinse the neutralizer out.  This time I knew enough to close my eyes.  Then Jackeline spent 10 minutes combing my hair.  Giving Sherri instructions to translate for me:  Don’t do anything to your hair for 24 hours, don’t wear a clip or tie it back for a few days, comb it several times a day, don’t use your fingers as a comb.  I loved the attention, concern and kindness.  I could have sat there for hours letting Jackeline comb my hair.  When she finished, I expected to leave, but Jackeline had other plans.  She wanted to give me a manicure.  My last manicure didn’t last very long due to rafting and the beach.  The pedicure held up but the manicure was destroyed.  The last manicure and pedicure were so decorative and very distracting for my students as well as myself.  I asked for one color, no design.  Jackeline was insulted and wanted to know why I was in such a hurry.  I explained I wasn’t in a hurry but the designs and colors were distracting for my students.  Sensing that I insulted her, I agreed to designs as long as we used light colors.  When we finally left I had a manicure complete with a flower design on every nail that Jackeline thought coordinated well with my pedicure.  I walked out a couple of hours later with straight hair and a fresh manicure.  The entire process, including two boxes of product (I wanted one to give one to Aura or take it back to the states), a large bottle of shine serum, application and a manicure cost 15000 colones, $ 28 dollars.  

Sherri and I left and walked back to her house.  During the entire time we were at Jackelines and while walking home, she was receiving traffic updates from Cokie.  He brought one of the hotel vehicles into Guapelies for repairs and was going to meet us for lunch if possible.  We were still at Jackelines when Cokie was ready for lunch, since the vehicle was fixed he started to drive back to Sueno  Hearing this, Sherri changed, grabbed her books and decided I would drive her to school after lunch.  We stopped at the grocery store so I could pick up a green mango, something else I can’t spell but enjoy eating - phejepahe’s - the heart of a heart of palm, and jocote (little green fruits with a large seed that are sour or sweet depending upon ripeness).  Then we drove to Tilapia a roadside restaurant that specializes in Tilapia.  I’ve admired this restaurant for years.  There are two fishing ponds on the property and they recently added two in ground swimming pools.  Finally I had the opportunity to eat there.  

We ordered a whole Tilapia - fried and some dish I never heard of - rice, beans, fried pork and tomatoes served layered in a bowl surrounded by tortilla chips - as well as a couple of natural juice drinks.  It was 2:20 p.m. by the time we arrived at the restaurant and I was really hungry.  During lunch, Cokie told us that the traffic was so bad from the strike he turned around and went back to Guapelies to get something else done to the vehicle.  He and Sherri decided I needed an escort home so they made arrangements for us to meet in Guapelies.  

We got back on the road, the roads seemed clear and we were making good time, until all of the sudden -  50 meters from the old entrance to Guapelies - traffic stopped!   After inching our way up, I turned onto the old entrance to Guapelies.  Calling this a road, is kind.  Heck, calling it a trail is kind.  It was a clearing comprised of dirt and rocks.  Unbelievably bumpy.  It emptied into a road full of craters, that make New York City potholes look like cracks in the asphalt.  Since the taxi protest was taking up the main road, anyone familiar with the area, was on this road, including buses.   Costa Rican’s for the most part, don’t like to drive slowly.  As Federico once told me in all seriousness “My car doesn’t like to go slow”.   When I questioned him, he said “It’s true, the engine makes a lot of noise when if I go slow”.  Since the roads are so bad, locals know where every pothole, crater, hole is and are able to pass them and other vehicles at break neck speeds.  In the spirit of fitting in, I have mastered pot hole avoidance, but not the practice of passing while avoiding potholes.  I do manage to keep my speed up, and on the particular day was passed only by one crazy driver.  As Sherri and I made our way to Cokie, steering around potholes and oncoming traffic, I said “This is the only country I know of where driving a car on paved roads feels like riding on the back of a billy goat in the country”.  

We met up with Cokie, he followed me to Sherri’s school and then I followed him through Guaplies to the main road.  Traffic was thick - stop and go.  It’s frustrating because there is only one road with one lane in each direction.  No alternatives.  As I followed behind Cokie with my new straight hair and big sunglasses, every on coming truck driver took advantage of the opportunity to talk, wave or smile at me.  Even people passing me walking on the side of the road made comments.  Since I really have no idea what they were saying and Cokie was in front of me, looking in this rearview and sideview mirrors - I just kept smiling and at times, waving and saying “Hola”!  Two hours later, I arrived at Sueno Azul.  

I spent the rest of the night visiting with JoElla.  I didn’t intend to be out of the hotel from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on her last day in Costa Rica.  It seems everything turned out fine.  She spent the afternoon relaxing, sunning by the pool and I managed to get a few things completed that were important to me.  We wrapped up the week said our goodbyes and went to sleep, knowing we wouldn’t see each other in the morning as she had to leave the hotel at 2:30 a.m. for a 6:30 a.m. flight

Friday, March 20 - Viernes

La Playa!  Today is the trip to the beach.  The new abbreviated scheduled provides for a full day excursion.  After a lot of planning and investigation I settled on Chiuta National Park - a 2.5 - 3 hour drive from here.  The beach is beautiful, the town is small enough that the guests can feel safe to roam on their own without getting lost.  Chiuta offers something for everyone, hiking through the jungle, swimming in the Carribean, shopping, wildlife, the opportunity to each local food, coffee places and English is spoken here as well as Spanish and Limon Creole.   More on this later........   

Thursday, March 19 - Jueves

The arnica and yoga worked their magic - neither JoElla or I are sore.  Monique is in much better shape and wasn’t even anticipating being sore.  Great for her, sad for us - since she is 15 - 20 years older than us!  We ended our workshop on a positive note - everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves and most importantly they relaxed.  

Adventure

Wednesday, March 18 - Miercoles

Okay, it has been a wonderfully crazy week.  Well, half week.  I am having so much fun with JoElla and Monique, while teaching a workshop, that I haven’t really had the time to write.  Having both of them here has been wonderful.  We visit with each other throughout the day, still spending time doing our own thing and spend the evenings sitting on the terrace talking.  It’s really nice to have people here who care about me and support me.  This is especially sweet since I spend most of my time here supporting others. 

JoElla has taken over my visible roll as the on-sight representative and yoga instructor, freeing up my mornings and minimizing the amount of questions that are individually directed toward me.   I love having the early morning hours to myself.  Every morning, I get up, strap on the sneakers, post water - of course, and hike a different part of the property.  Monday, JoElla and I hiked out to the Cascades by ourselves.  Monique and the guests were on the boat tour.  We swam in the natural pool and then tried each of the naturally occurring swimming holes in the cascades.  

Today is the full day tour and we’re all going along with the guests.  Up and out on a horse by 9:00 a.m.!  Yes, a horse.  I do it once a year, every year.  Monique is an expert rider.  JoElla a novice.  Me, an unwilling novice, but I’m doing it again.  I beg for the smallest, slowest horse and I’m the last one to mount.  Diego carefully checks my saddle and tells me everything is going to fine.  I have the slowest horse - I’ll be fine.  Off we go.  Monique in front with Diego, the participants in between her and JoElla and a Spanish couple in between JoElla and me.  I’m bringing up the rear with Pistolo. I’m not sure how Pistolo feels about this.  Since he only works with the horses, every time he sees me, there’s a look of terror in my eyes.  He has been the one driving the horses on the two occasions I thought I was going to be trampled during my morning walk.  He knows how I feel about horses, and now I’m on one, next to him.  Of course, since I have the slowest horse, he needs encouragement at times, which Pistolo is more than happy to provide.  Each time Pistolo makes the kissing noise - which moves the horses along, my horse tries to pass the two horses in front of him causing me to brush up against the other horse, or trees or anything nearby.  My horse will even walk dangerously close to the edge to speed up.  Monique is in the front talking away to Diego in Spanish, JoElla towards the rear talking away to her horse in English.  At least Monique is being understood.  Pistolo, unfortunatly, doesn’t speak or really understand English.  So, I’m all by myself, legs shaking, reminding myself to breathe, deeper.  Every once in a while I’ll say something in Spanish - which makes the Spanish couple laugh.  Needless to say, I’m not having a good time.  I really don’t enjoy horseback riding.  I know this, yet I continue to try it once a year.  About 3/4 of the way through the ride, after several passing attempts, lot’s of kissing noises, and dangerous edge riding, I decide I’ve had enough.  I know there is a huge hill coming up and I would honestly prefer to walk it than ride it.  My lower legs have been shaking most of the time and no matter how hard I try I can’t seem to get my knees into the horse while my heels are out as I’ve been taught.  I look at Pistolo and say  “No Mas” while drawing my finger across my throat.  I’m sure the finger was unnecessary, because he can see the fear on my face and in my eyes - but I threw it in for good measure.  It takes a little while to get Diego’s attention - he’s leading the group and talking non-stop to Monique.  Once Pistolo has his attention, Diego says loudly from the front of the pack “Who wants to get off?”.  Well, so much for pride - in front of all my students, guests and friends I say with a strong voice “I DO!”.  I can practically see Diego roll his eyes, although he patiently smiles, get’s off his horse and comes back and helps me get off my horse.  I actually fall into his arms, because my left foot get’s stuck in the stirrup.  He doesn’t seem to mind.  No one in the group seems surprised by this or says anything.  

We resume the trip - everyone riding and me walking next to my horse!  Once we get to the base of the big hill, my horse decides he’s had enough and stops.  I try the kissing noise, clapping and waving my arms - he’s not moving.  Pistolo tells me it’s okay - he’ll go back to the barn on his own.  I keep walking, laughing at myself and eternally grateful to be off the horse. My legs have finally stopped shaking and even though it’s warm, I’d rather be walking than riding that animal.  The horses and their riders turn off the rock and dirt trail onto a mud and clay path and I pick up my speed.  As I approach the canopy, the horses are no where in sight and Cokie is coming up in the tractor.  I jump on the tractor and stand next to him, Costa Rican style, while he gives me a short ride to the base of the canopy tour.  The horse’s and their riders arrive a short time later.

We all climb up to the canopy tour carrying our harness, helmets and clips.  Diego and staff strap the equipment on us and give a safety lecture.  Unlike the horses, I love the canopy tour.  When the opportunity presents itself, I make it known that I want to go upside down.  The staff agrees, and tells me they will take car of it on the 7th zip line.  We zip through the rain forrest.  I marvel at the way Pistolo appears to walk off the platform while he is talking and then turn upside down all by himself.  I make a note to ask Joaquin if I can learn this before I leave.  At the 7th zip line, I get my opportunity to  fly upside down with Diego.  One of the guests attempts to take a picture - but she’s only able to capture me raising myself up.  After the zip line, we pick up our bags at the jeep, change into bathing suits bask in the cool waters of the cascades.  After a typical Costa Rican lunch under the open air pavilion, beside the rushing water of the cascade it’s time to head back to the hotel for rafting.  We board the back of the tractor and take the 30 minute bumpy ride back to the hotel.  

Cokie drives us to the new rafting location - we are the first group of the season to be back rafting on the Sarrapiqui.  Since the rains have stopped, the other rivers are rather low and the Sarrapiqui has been clearing everyday.  The water is still the color of coffee with milk, but the floating debris have cleared and the rapids are better than those on the other rivers.  JoElla, Monique and I get in a raft together with the better looking guide.  Hey, you might as well enjoy the scenery while you can.  Monique, of course, is an experienced rafter.  I’m moderately experienced and JoElla is a novice.  Big day for JoElla!  Big day for all of us actually.  I am not accustomed to spending this much time with people, after all Wednesday is usually my free day.  Monique has been grabbing quiet time where she can, but with the three of us rooming next door to each other - it’s hard to do.  We proceed down the river, laughing and talking.  German, the guide, is speaking to Monique in Spanish and JoElla and I are chatting away inbetween paddling instructions.  At one point, we hit a big rapid, JoElla and I fell back in unison into the boat.  We laughed so hard, we couldn’t get up.  German stood over us and shouted “PICTURE!!!”.  Which just made us laugh more.  Finally, I started to get up and either Monique or the guide pulled me back down, telling me to stay there until we navigated the rapids.  Once up, Monique asked how we managed to fall backwards in perfect unison and I responded “We are both Forrest Yoga Instructors.  You practice in a room with Ana for 30 days and you would do everything in unison as well.”  JoElla and I laughed even harder.  Halfway through our rafting experience we pulled over and had fruit and cookies on the banks of the Sarrapiqui River.  We shared our experiences with our guests in the other raft and waved at passing rafters.  Apparently it was a busy day on the Sarrapiqui.  Post fruit, we returned to our raft where JoElla and I switched sides.  Since we are both yoga instructors we want to ensure balance.  Following commands, we navigate the river.  At some point we hit another rapid for which we were unprepared.  JoElla fell into the middle of the raft, landing with her hand on my knee.  I fall halfway out of the raft.  My helmet is grazing the rapids.  I’m doing a back bend over the side of the raft with my feet wedged into the floor - one foot in the foot hold and the other between the side of the raft and the bottom.  I open my eyes and notice the safety kayak racing towards me.  This causes an alarm to go off in my head, instantaneously I decide I’m not going in the water.  I push the handle of my paddle in the direction of JoElla, as we were taught in the safety lecture, nothing happens.  Since I don’t want to end up in the water, I pull myself up with my abdominal muscles.   As soon as I get up I say to JoElla “You’re supposed to grab my paddle and help me up.”  She said “I fell too.  I was holding onto your knee - why are you yelling at me?”  I didn’t realize I was yelling - we both look at each other and start laughing.  I look back at German - he has a very surprised look on his face.  I give him a look implying ‘What?‘ and he responds in very clear, slow English “You are VERY strong.”  I said “Yes.”,  thinking again of all that Forrest Yoga abdominal work and my morning abdominal practice.  More laughing and paddling and we survived the rafting without further incident.  At the take out location, we all help to carry the paddles, safety rope and water bottles.  A quick shower and change into dry clothes.  There was a photographer on the route and he shows us the DVD on a computer.  We are disappointed to learn that there aren’t any pictures of us falling.  All of the pictures show us laughing and having a great time.  JoElla purchased the DVD and loaded the pictures on my computer.  We pile back into the van, exhausted from our full day of excursions, looking forward to dinner.    

Upon returning to the hotel, JoElla and I each took some Arnica - just in case.  It was a very big day with lot’s of new adventures and we have no desire to relive it in our muscle memory tomorrow. 

Food, Fun and Friendship

Saturday, March 14 - Sabado 

After repeated attempts to visit with Jackeline for a manicure and pedicure - I finally have an appointment and a ride.  The manicure/pedicure with Jackeline, ride and time with Sherri is slated to take 10 hours!  Yep, 10 hours.  Oh, well - Jackeline is worth it and I miss spending time with Sherri.  I board the shuttle with the guests at 8:00 a.m., taking advantage of the free ride to Roberto’s at the entrance to the National Park.  As soon as I get off the shuttle, Sherri is waiting for me on the other side of the street.  I give her my usual greeting - a very loud “Sherri” with body language that indicates I am excited and pleased to see her.  She blushes, but is obviously thrilled, and gives me a huge a hug.  As I mentioned Sherri does not work at the hotel anymore and our visits have been limited.  We walk into Roberto’s - stopping to speak with David who runs Sarrapiqui Adventures - a rafting company Adrain tried to get Omega to use this season.  I explain to David the decision wasn’t mine.  This is something he already knew.  So there are no hard feelings and we have a pleasant conversation before heading into the restaurant for breakfast.

Sherri looks amazing.  She has gained weight and relaxed since leaving the hotel.  She’s going to school full time and speaks at a normal rate as opposed to the rapid rate of speech she had at the hotel.  We order breakfast and I settle on French toast as a treat since I’ve already eaten fruit at the hotel.  The French Toast arrives and it is unlike any French Toast I have ever seen.  I expected traditional French Toast.  Well, this is two pieces of white bread, with the crust cut off, covered with fruit.  Unbelievably sweet.  As I cut into it, I realize there is pineapple jelly and cheese inside.  Leave it to the Costa Ricans to make French Toast with excess sugar!  Sherri is also surprised, but she loves sweet things.  In an effort to be gracious, I cut in and start eating.  Since I’ve given up eggs and breakfast meat - my choices are limited.  I eat, knowing full well I will have a sugar crash in a couple of hours.  

After our sugar laden breakfast, we get into her car and drive to Pocora.  Once we arrive at her house, we hang out.  I crash around 11:30 a.m., but since we are just sitting there, it goes by unnoticed.  We take a walk to the local grocery store and I’m amazed at the different choices of fruit - some I have never seen before.  We pick up plantains for lunch as well as some interesting fruit and treats for me to try later at the hotel.  

Sherri makes me a lunch of patacones and fish.  I try to help with the preparations, as this is the first time I have the opportunity to make patacones.  She let’s me remove the peel from one of the plantains, but mostly I stand there and talk to Sherri while she cooks.  Then I eat and talk to Sherri while she continues to cook the rest of the patacones.   After lunch we walk to Jackelines for my manicure and pedicure.  I love seeing Jackeline.  We sit and talk - well they talk and I chime in occasionally, with Sherri serving as my translator.  I love being here.  Jackeline is so grateful for the quick drying top coat I brought down from the States.  She explains how she tried to save some for my manicure and pedicure.  All of her clients were asking for it, since it was so damp and rainy.  Jackeline paints my finger and toe nails in an intricate floral design.  Yes, every nail is hand painted.  She has the most beautiful straight and shinny hair.  I asked her how she manages to keep it that way.  She explains that she straightened it with a cream and shows me the shine product.  She offered to pick up the products and apply the cream to my hair, I readily agree.  We settle on the terms - I’ll come over as soon as she can get the product.  

Sherri and I drive back to Sueno Azul - 10 hours after leaving the hotel, I return having spent the day surrounded by friends with a full stomach, manicure, pedicure and the promise of straight hair.  I happily return to my room eager to greet my other friends, JoElla who spent the day at the hotel relaxing and Monique,  my co-facilitator for our upcoming workshop, who arrived while I was in Pocora.