I'm finally back in the US of A after my 3 month trip to Costa Rica, and I have to say the whole experience was refreshing. It's so nice to step outside of your 'reality' and be able to look at it from an outsider's perspective. You learn to recognize what's important and what's not...what you can live with and what you can live without.
For three months, Adam and I lived in the tiny beach town of Santa Teresa on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. Just imagine dirt roads, surf shops, tiny grocery stores and lots of stray dogs...that was about it. Every day, we woke up early with the sun, went for a surf (yes! I can surf now), biked all over the peninsula, cooked meals in our bungalow, did lots of laundry by hand, played cards with friends and enjoyed the beautiful sunsets.
The first month was a bit of an adjustment. It was strange to be in a town and not know anyone. Locals assumed we were transient tourists and because we rented a house, we didn't get the opportunity to socialize with people like we would if we stayed at a hostel or hotel. It also rained a lot in September, so we spent lots of time on the porch reading and working on our Spanish.
It wasn't until October that things started to fall into place. We started to make friends with some of the locals who owned restaurants and shops, and we met a few other people who were visiting long-term. We became friends with a couple from London named Harry and Jen (who both quit their jobs in Environmental Law and Project Management to be able to travel). Then they introduced us to a professional poker player from Florida named Kevin. We quickly became the best of friends and spent lots of time together. Ironically, I inadvertently picked up a British accent in a Spanish-speaking country. :)
October flew by...we had a total of 5 groups of friends visit us, including Adam's parents. We went ziplining, hiked in the rainforest, took a fishing boat out into the ocean with one of the local fishermen and went to a wildlife refugee where I got to hold the baby howler monkeys. It's amazing to be that up close and personal to nature.
By the time November rolled around, I had traded in my beginner board (7'2") for a more advanced board (6'6"). Adam and I went surfing every day and tried to keep up with Harry and Jen (who surf regularly in England). Our trip flew by and by the time it was all said and done, I had very mixed emotions about leaving. It was bittersweet. On one hand I missed my family and friends (and embarrassingly enough, trips to Target)...but on the other hand, I had really grown to appreciate a simple and healthy way of life. I was getting so much sunshine, exercise, fresh food and amazing experiences.
Being in Costa Rica taught me to take life as it comes, to not let the daily stresses of life consume me, to realize that I don't need all the things that our consumer society teaches us to 'need' and to appreciate the people that God places in your path to help and encourage you (no matter where you are in the world). I am grateful to many of the kind-hearted people in Santa Teresa who helped us along the way.
Now that I am back, I have been looking for a new apartment in New York (since my previous lease ended and everything went into storage). I am hoping to finalize my living arrangements on my return from Atlanta for Thanksgiving. NYC is the complete opposite of laid-back Santa Teresa...but I will try my best to adjust, while still keeping the 'pura vida' mentality within. I am looking forward to being back in the city and starting things fresh.
So, keep me in your prayers (as I have lots of cold weather to adjust to in the next few weeks), and remember to keep things simple and stress-free this holiday season. And if you don't know how to do that, I'd recommend hopping a flight to Central America. You'll understand what I mean.
Happy Holidays! Miss and love you all!
Lauren
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