Pura Vida

I've been here in Costa Rica over a week now and I can see how some people would stay forever. It's so beautiful and I've already compiled a list of my favorite things: tropical fruit- papaya, mango, avocado- cheap, plus I love all the fruit vendors who think we're funny when we buy fruit and can't tell what it is or if it's ripe; the food in general - rice and beans with some kind of cooked veggies and fish; fruit smoothies of all kinds everywhere; the people- so nice; the pace of life- so laid back; the countryside- beautiful beaches, impossibly green rainforest, mountains; the sun- even though it's incredibly strong, as I am currently nursing a pretty bad sunburn over most of my body, it's nice to have it. I started in the capital, San Jose, for three nights. Unfortunately, most things were closed because it was the end of a national holiday week having to do with the Reyes Magos. It's a relatively ugly city but we had to start somewhere. Getting from the airport to the hostal was about the easiest transition I've ever had and everyone was very helpful in pointing out the way. The first near catastrophe was that I left my debit card in the ATM at the airport and some very nice tico ran after me to return it. Crisis averted: I'm an idiot. All was fine. Then I went to Quepos, on the Pacific coast, another ugly city but a point of access to the Manuel Antonio National Park. I saw monkeys, frogs, red-legged crabs, sloths (!), some weird large rodent thing, iguanas, raccoons.. It was beautiful. I spent two nights in Dominical, about 2 hours down a bumpy dirt road from Quepos. It's a surfing town and Emily and I met a lot of cool people. I haven't had a chance to try to surf yet due to the sunburn but I think we're heading back there tomorrow to try to take a lesson. At first I didn't want to spend the money and was a little afraid of drowning but everyone I met convinced me it was well worth it. I'm currently in Uvita ("little grape") at a pretty cool hostal. We'll try to go to the beach today and I'll try to remember to reapply every 10 minutes or so. I'm loving this country. The travelers are so cool, the ticos are so chill and pretty much everything else is excellent. In a few days Emily and I will brave the Corcovado National Park, which should be extremely funny. Then to the farm!

(it is the Pacific coast, anonymous)