June 10, 2015

Naturally last night, the one night where I’d actually set the alarm, I was awoken to the heinous howls of a bird, or a monkey, or a  pack of gang  cats, ready to rumble.  Whatever it was, I was up.  There was also all-too-realistic dream I had, in which I was in a car in a mountain town, and I witnessed along with other motorists, a man on his horse first stumble then completely fall of a cliff.  My heart raced like it hadn’t in ages and again, I awoke, this time unable to fall back asleep – it had been that real. 

At the proper time, I got the kids up – as their alarm was set so quietly that it was more of a gentle suggestion than an actual alarm.  We went down for breakfast and the kids ate a bit – I did, too, then we headed off on our bicycles into town back to the smoothie place to our beautiful pregnant friend.  Her Italian husband and 5 year old boy were there too,  as we all enjoyed smoothies.  I headed next door and spoke to the PADI shop owner:  apparently the surf has been horrible for a while – so much rain that he has not been open very much, but he hoped to be opening that day and would find out how things looked.  My heart sunk.  Chances are we won’t be diving at all here, but hopefully Sunday and Monday.  Our friend told us she used to go snorkeling and it was like glass – so smooth so clear, so many vivid colors.  My timing, however, sucks.  Heading back towards our hotel, we stopped off at a place by the beach which had reefs and the kids went out while I sat with water and watched the water, the kids, the voluptuous woman sunning herself on the rocks, the handsome masseuse who offered to “rub me everywhere”…ummm, no thanks.  I’d explode.  We headed back for the next adventure – zip-lining amongst the canopy.  

They were there promptly at 1:15 to pick us up and after waiting for two young men who,  we learned later were from Argentina, we headed up, up, up into the skirts of the mountain.    Beautifully colored little shacks dotted the hillside, all with their “Claro” satellite dishes alert and prepared for the next television command.  We were in the back of a 4 wheel-drive pickup with a shaded structure mounted over the back, with benches and we held on for dear life as the driver raced up the pot-holed, unpaved road.  We finally reached the top and climbed out – mud everywhere as it had apparently been raining for the last 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on whom you spoke to.  Instructions were given, first in Spanish to the Argentinians, then English to us and the adventure began!  It was a great deal of fun – 13 platforms over beautiful scenery.  A great deal of fun with the men who worked the zip-lines – and I  remembered what it felt like to flirt.  Very fun, very exhausting and the kids had an absolute blast, which was my goal. 

Tired and muddy – we  (I) hobbled back to the room, where we (we – except Ethan) rinsed the mud off of our legs.    The plan was to first play ping-pong, then go swim, then go eat.  Ping pong was an interesting success.  I feel like my eyes no longer have the ability to focus on a small round object being hurled in my general direction by a small wound wooden paddle.  Still –I can beat the kids, which is terrific for my ego these days.

Unfortunately, the pool was full, so the kids decided to first eat, then as everyone else was eating, we (they) could swim.  We walked down a bit past the hotel, but a Columbian restaurant was closed, so with caution, and plans to head back quickly, we walked 200 yards to another eatery.  A sweet girl names Rebecca from New Hampshire had been living in Costa Rica for 2 years, ever since joining a mission and falling in love with the country.  The food was fairly good and I again made Ethan promise never to wear skinny jeans(an older man in his 40s sat behind us in skinny jeans).  Darkness soon fell, so we headed out and I made the kids walk back quickly to the hotel. I heard a horrific story about 2 tourists a couple of weeks ago and now the reason behind security and locked gates at night makes sense to me.  I may take risks at times, but I’m certainly not stupid.  Kids swam as I sat and wrote, sipping coffee as the thunder rolls.  My scuba dreams are deteriorating.

Pictures: A little restaurant in Puerto Viejo overlooking the beach; Kids exploring the reefs; Tribe in the truck, heading to zip-lining;  Victory with the crew!; My tribe; Tasty Wave - their favorite place to eat in Puerto Viejo