Costa Rica. Land of pura vida.

And that it is. Not because of the landscape or the climate or the fact that there's not a single place where something isn't growing... I mean their fence posts turn into trees. But because the people understand what life and happiness and being a neighbor and friend is all about. They take South American hospitality, generosity, and kindness to a level I didn't think existed. From day one, people were helping in ways I wouldn't expect from a stranger. Sergio kept saying, 'this is normal- all ticos (Costa Ricans) are like that. By the end of the trip I believed him, but still didn't know how to receive it.

So I left my heart there. Actually maybe my heart never really left South America and I was finally back home (I know, it's Central America... but everything I love and miss about South America, and more, can be found in Costa Rica. Ok not everything...). The generosity, kindness, love of the people was familiar. The language made me so happy. The landscape. The way of life. I realized I needed at least three months to explore. I wondered why I had waited so long to return to Central/South America. 

The vacation was everything I needed and didn't even know I needed. So many personal, spiritual, growth lessons. So many beautiful moments. Time to relax. Time to face difficult stuff. Time to spend in my favorite places- at the beach and in the ocean and outside and at waterfalls and in the trees. Opportunities to explore and be adventurous. Opportunities to discover strengths I didn't know I had. Angel Heather. Spanish. Rain. Thunderstorms. Warmth. Sand and sun and salt. Yoga. Barefoot beach runs. Feeling lots and lots of love. Taking unfiltered pictures (not because they wouldn't be better filtered, but because they won't load the right way and can't be edited:)

Arrival at Arenal (the active volcano) in La Fortuna... yes this was the view from our B&B cabinas.

Ziplining! (canopy tour) The view from one of the towers

Quick hike to the beautiful La Fortuna waterfall, where we went swimming, and where I almost got carried down the rapids. Scary moment when I wasn't sure if I was more embarrassed my bathing suit was coming off or that I was about to go over the rapids.

 Pose time. I do best when I'm not looking at the camera... apparently.

Still the same day (we packed it in). Drive to a hike we never found. Ended up on some fire road (a la Puerto Rico trip... how do I always find the fire roads?). Decided to just park on the side of the road and explore just as it started raining. Ended up having a great walk and talk and....... ending up at THE LAKE! So we jumped in (after asking some locals if there were leaches or sharks, just in case). It was beautiful and glassy and misty and we had it all to ourselves (except the entourage of onlookers).

Leaving La Fortuna, headed to the beach. And there was a tiny traffic jam. 

After two beach towns that just didn't cut it, turning back at river crossings, long pot holed dirt roads, navigating by instinct and prayers, we finally ended up at Nosara. Unplanned, and totally worth it. This is the north end of Play Guiones. First morning I ran here, did some yoga, and played around in the tide pools.

Then I ran to the south end, which was my heaven. I had this perfect, calm beach all to myself. So I did what anyone would do in such a situation. 

Next day: repeat. Add meditation, nap, double dip, yoga, scripture study, and voice journal.

On the way to my piece of morning solitude and paradise.

Our room in Nosara. Quite the contrast to the one in Carrillo (but that one lasted a couple of hours before we decided it was time to move on). This was heaven sent. Amazing food, super chill staff, and obviously comfortable and beautiful accommodations. Yoga was right across the road. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect set up. Oh and the beach was about a 3 minute walk away.

Thank you Norbert for suggesting we head to San Juanillo, the little fishing village off the beaten path with a beautiful beach and DELICIOUS Soda. We may have taken a wrong turn or two on the way there and ended up at Playa Ostional via someone's driveway.

Isaraeli/Costa Rican. One of the best meals I have ever eaten. No exaggeration. 

 I can't just choose one. There was a thunderstorm later that day and the only place to be was on the beach. Getting drenched. Watching surfers. And the clouds. And walking in the water. It was perfect to see the sun set beyond the storm clouds.

One of the many routes we took screen shots of to try to find our way around without data (and thus without navigation). 

And the best part of the trip. This sweet family. We played barbies and talked with Andrea and ate her delicious tico cuisine. It was heaven.

Morning shot! It was a long night...