Costa Rica

We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time...T. S. Eliot

One thing I learned about myself is if I want to sleep and have a shower I need to not care about my surrounding.  I wasn't sure where I was going to start my journey in Costa Rica so I had not booked anything ahead of time.  I decided last minute to go to Cahuita because I had hear good things.  

The 2 hour bus ride from the border was breath talking but also a little cool.  I actually find the weather to be a little chilly.  There are tie a in the day that it is very hot but at night I find it cool enough I could wear a sweater.  I actually like this weather.  

Once I got to Cahutia and walked around until I found a hostel.  It was not the nices place but the young guy running it actually cleaned the bathroom for me.  I didn't ask him to so this he just starting doing it and said in the best English he could "for you I clean again but for no one else".  It was a little broken but I thanked him.  

My first night I slept great and woke up refreshed even know I was not in the best place.  With my flip flops on (I did not walk around barefoot in this place) I braved the cold shower. It wasn't all that bad because the shower was long so I was able to stand outside the water and put my shampoo and body wash in before going back under the water.  I figure if I am going to be living in hostels for another four weeks I should get used to not having a nice place to sleep and a hot shower.  The hostel I am at tonight has a shower however I have to sleep in a dorm so there are two other people in my room.  I haven't met them yet but I am hoping to put earphones in and sleep well.  Tomorrow I have a private room but no hot water. 

My first day in Costa Rica I went to the water and sat around watching the ways and called it an early night because I didn't sleep much on the bus the night before. 

Today I did a lot of walking.  The national park of Cahuita is where white beach is so I walked it and went for a swim.  On my walk I saw a monkey, I have always wanted to see one in its surrounding and I did right in front of me.  It looked scary but I am sure it was just because we were in his home.  

After a nice swim and some relaxing on the beach I went to the other side of town to see black beach.  I decided to just keep walking as I saw a sign for the Tree if life sanctuary and thought it would be a nice thing to see.  I didn't realize the walk would take so long because the sign said 2km but what I didn't know is every sign along the way said 2km away so it ended up being over an hour walk and when I got there it was closed.  I am going to try to get there on Tuesday since it is not opened on Mondays, that is if I am still in town.   

Along my walk I saw a local soccer game going on so I stopped and watched it for a little whole.

 You can't actually sit on the field, the locals line up along a fence and in the middle of the road.  

I took some time to talk along black beach but I didn't go for a swim, I am going to do that tomorrow as I am a little tried today.  The waves really pull you back and make you work a lot.  I also drank some water which didn't taste every good.  I'm not a salt fan so drink salt water was not fun. 

I am starting to get a tan which is nice, hopefully I have a good one by the time I get home. 

Well not much exciting has happened so fare in my trip.  I have met a few people and might have some plans for New Years but will know better tomorrow or the next day.  

Hope everyone is enjoying back home!  I do not miss home yet but it's only been a week.  

jessi 

Some more pics