Monkeys

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open... Jawaharlal Nehru

Last night I stayed at a different hostel and stayed in a dorm room.  I wasn't quite sure how I would like this but it wasn't bad at all.  I was a little stuff up so I know I breathed snored but I slept pretty good.  I asked the three guys if I snored or woke them up but they said I was fine.  One guy just said he could tell I was sleeping well. 

The best part was I was able to have two warm showers and I met some new people.  We talked about New Years Eve so if everything works out I think I will be heading to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca tomorrow or Wednesday for New Years Eve.  

I enjoyed staying at a hostel where people sit around and get to know each other, you hear some amazing stories about their life and their travels.  I met one guy who has been traveling for one year yesterday (Dec. 28th) and said he has about 6 months to go.  He is travelling the world and is only 26.  I would love to be able to just pick up and travel for that long. I could but I would have to give up things in my life like school and my job in order to do so.  I think I will just keep to my plan to travel during my breaks.  

I met a few other people who I might be spending New Years with.  One guy is from Switzerland and one is from Vermont and a girl from North Carolina.  It has been great to meet them and hear the stories of their travels and lives. 

Today was a nice day, I went for a longer hike in the Cahuita National Park and saw some very interesting things along my way.  I almost jumped out of my pants when a gecko came very close to running across my foot.  I think I may have scared the people behind me when I screamed.  I also saw some weird looking snails and spiders as well as some white crabs which I thought were spiders.  They ran into a hole before I could take a picture but some English speaking guys who also saw then said they were crabs. 

I saw a sloth

which I almost missed.  I looked up and there he was just hanging out.  It was pretty cool to see this.  At one point he moved his arm and then just let it hang back down.  The life to just hang out in one spot for as long as you want. 

I encountered a few monkeys and had one follow me for a little whole.  

He kept looking at me as if he was intrigued in what I was doing, which was taking a picture and video of him.  I was very intrigued into how he was walking and going about his own busy as if we were not even there.  At one point he came right on the table I was sitting at but jumped away before I could get a picture of him.  I saw a few more little guys on my hike, it really was neat to see monkeys in the wild instead of at a zoo. I had to turn back because I had hit the point where the park was closed off due to the government doing some work on a road.  Their is a part along the path that is not a national park and the government runs it so they will close it off not letting people travel to the part that becomes part of the National park again. There is a park employee turning you away, if you were to go on you could be arrested.  There are police with large guys at the road preventing you from even trying to go past.  I didn't see this but it was what the park guys said I believe every word he said. 

On my travels back I saw some more neat creatures like snails that were a lot larger than what we see back home and they move a little faster as well.

 I also heard the howler of the Monkeys.  It is a pretty sound to hear.  I got some video of it which I posted on my Instagram and Facebook. 

After my hike I took some time to go for a swim in the Sea and relax listening to the waves.  

The days take a lot out of me with all the walking I do that I am in bed pretty early.  I am sure the hour time change has something to do with it as well, it will take some time to get used to everything but until then I am fine with the early bed times.  Being allergic to Costa Rica doesn't help either.  My allergy pills are not helping but I hope they start because I don't know how much longer I can take not being able to breathe.  I also had a scare with some local cuisine.  I am not sure what it was because I explained in Spanish and used a translator on my phone to list the things I couldn't eat but after only a few bites my tongue swelled and my airways started to close.  I didn't finish my meal of course and look my inhaler and tried to relax so I didn't make things worse.  I went to the local market and bought my own food so I will use the kitchens at the hostels to make my meals.  I am going to still try the local cuisine but not eat anything with garlic and hope that there has not been any cross contamination with tree fruit.    

That being said what I have saw and the sounds I hear during the day and at night on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica has been amazing and breathe taking, I can't wait to see what is in store for me when I get to the Pacific Coast.  My trip has only started and I am already in love with the peacefulness and how relaxed everything is.  I can see how people come here and never leave.  

Jessi :) 

Here are a few more pictures 

( I also used my GoPro but I can't post anything from it until I get home.)