hindsight of CR

In these next entries I would like to highlight a few of the most memorable times I've had hanging out with the ticos in Costa Rica. First of all, surfing. My life for 3 months consisted of surfing at least 3 days a week. I couldn't go more than 3 days in a row because I got beat up by the waves so much and I couldn't muster up the strenght to keep going, though I wholeheartedly wanted to. It is much harder than expected. I am a good snowboarder and learning to shred the gnar was so much easier than surfing. I got smashed only to catch a couple waves once in a while. But it was worth that fleeting moment of being up on the wave and feeling the propulsion of it pushing you through on top of the water, floating and becoming in a sense a part of the wave in one of the most magical settings on earth. We would paddle out past the break, bobbing up and down, looking back into the dense jungle coastline. It truly was a sublime experience, and when the sun set over the palms I nearly reached my nirvana. Sometimes just being out in the water was enough, waiting for the perfect wave or being pummeled by a giant rogue that crushed you with its merciless jaws. I never respected water so much as when I learned to surf. For me it was more dangerous than skating and snowboarding combined! there were several times where I came close to my end surfing, and I divinely had just enough breath to rise to the surf and gasp before another monster rolled by me. 

tranquil part

The surf report said 5 foot waves which weren't so bad. So we went out there to playa grande, a beautiful half hour barefoot hike on the beach and through the jungle past a freshwater creek to a giant beach break with no road access. We, as always started our day with a couple fresh coconuts kindly picked with a bamboo rod to energize and refresh us. After, my buddy Clif and I headed out to the water. We fought our way past the break and found an opening. There we just sat and rested until we could find a potential wave we beginners would thrash, but the breaks were just dumping and closing out behind us all at once. We knew it would be a tough day and pumped with electrolytes and testosterone we muscled through it. Finally we rested, and were ready to roll when a rogue monster came from the horizon. Man this thing seemed huge, and as soon as I saw it Clif and I looked and each other, with faces of fear and thrill. We were suddenly paddling with all of our might to get past this gaudy beast that seemed to shroud our bodies in darkness and just kept rising. Clif was about 10 meters ahead of me. As the mountain of water rose me up toward the heavens I thanked God I had made it past and rolled over this behemoth, but the rule is a set of 3. I looked back and saw the hydrological frankenstein dump all of its energy down, crashing with suprising sound and creating a fine mist where the reminder of a rainbow peaked through as if saying to me that there is beauty in death. My eyes fixed back on the horizon as I saw Clif's mouth mutter something indistinguishable, but I somehow knew it was an oh S**t! The next wave, even bigger, approached faster and this time my paddling was more uncontrolled and splashing. I rested for an instant as I rose past the peak of the wave and a brief moment of relief surged my blood, but suddenly the wave crashed and sucked me and my board back into a hole of oblivion. Clif had made it past the breaker but I was in the pooper. It was probably a 3 meter wave but felt like 6 to me. As I was being smashed into an angry froth my board shot up and I was pulled under into a tunnel of air. The wierdest thing is that I remember being in this tunnel of air and froth under water, floating, and unable to swim in it. I was then pulled under into darkness, and when you're stuck in the washing maching all you can do is curl up into a ball and wait  for it to clear and make your way to the surface. After the seemingly endless rag twisting, things cleared up and I felt the bubbles tickling my skin and the sound of froth rising to the surface. I rushed up and in my last moments of breath I made it to the surface, only to see another beast in its loom coming toward me. I don't know how, but by grace I was still attached to the board and proceeded to plunge twice more into the depths. This is when things get really dangerous for surfers, when there is little time between big waves. Time after time I was gasping for breath, and nothing but fear and occasional gasps for oxygen filled my lungs. After the third wave I swam toward shore, waiting for the smaller, shoreline waves to push me in. I came to shore and sat on a log with a fresh coconut we picked earlier. I just sat there in awe and did not attempt any movement. I was in a silent and spiritual trance as I thanked God for getting me through that experience. I could not move for a long time as I let the soothing sweet saltiness of the coconut juice trickle down my throat and thought of my near death experience. I felt alive and adrenaline was flooding my system, but everything seemed so peaceful as I became aware of the serene sounds of the tide, saltwater drips on my body and fresh sun baking my tan skin. I had barely made it. Somebody asked big wave rider Laird Hamilton once how long he could hold his breath and he replied, "just long enough". I felt the same way.

on playa grande with ad

wax on wax off

Costa Rica's wild beauty sometimes seems domesticated due to the rushing threshold of tourism, but don't be mistaken, people die here every year. Just last year a young man's body was washed up in these waters after he was carried into the sea by a flash flood. People drown in Costa Rica every year. Add in rocks, coral, and riptides, and their are an unsurmountable amount of factors that could potentially turn you into a saltwater taffee.
 There were multiple times when I lost track of where I was and then all of the sudden I found myself in front of a wall of rocks and a riptide pulling me into it, and by way of the creator's purpose for me, a bit of luck, and built stamina, I made it out unscathed but with a new respect for life. I came to Costa Rica in part to learn how to surf, and I left bruised, battered, tormented by water and addicted to something I could never fathom why.

getting ready to take the plunge

rugged coastline

Costa rica mae!

4 days ago I reached the isthmus of ecofriendly Costa Rica. Although I haven´t seen much of the country, I see a whole new wave of tourism, in full force and more powerful than what I experienced while in Puerto Rico. The story here in Montezuma Costa rica is one of hammacks, midday siestas, hikes through the jungle and ubiquitous humidity, waterfalls, surf culture, and genuine people. There is less in the way of "real" culture here in Costa Rica, and it seems that most have forgotten the past and borrowed bits and pieces from others. In turn this is the makeup of their distinct culture. I love my job so far and it has been pretty easy provided that we haven´t been busy. It seems there are alot of expats here, so my experience is less cultural than western Puerto Rico. It is almost as if I was living in Rincón but even more rural. However, the nice thing is that my spanish has reached to a level that the ticos respond to me in spanish, so I don´t have a language battle duel like in boricua. It was very frustrating to try to speak in spanish to people and they still respond to me in English even when I insist they speak in spanish.
the reggae vibes here are incandescent, forming a vital part of the lifestyle here. As a result of mass tourism things are more expensive here, and I am looking forward to traveling to Nicaragua and eating a $2 lunch. I have been eating healthy and working out continuosly, and it is nice to be working again. I hope in the future to be able to see the rest of the real Costa Rica. It would be a shame to leave the country only seeing Montezuma and Santa Teresa.

at the beach in montezuma

the boys

I had to clean out the storage room!

with liseht our cleaning lady

my life of envy

foooking monkeys

my workout regimen

pura vida mae!

Although I am inserted in a pocket of utopia, the drawback of working here is that you don't have much time to travel! I still managed to get out twice, and I b-lined it for Nicaragua, for a new experience and budget travel like no other!
Somehow I found it hard to blog in Costa Rica, and I haven't written a single entry during my time here. I figured these next entries will be more of a reminiscent and wholesome summary of my experiences here, and also because my blog is titled as a PR experience, so I will not focus on Costa Rica. There are, however important things to mention and thrilling experiences to be shared.

My life in Costa Rica consisted of work and play. Work entailed waking up, serving breakfast for the guests, doing laundry, cleaning the common area, changing bed sheets, cooking for family dinners and sushi nights. I, as a manager also ordered supplies, managed the reservations, the workers, and made sure things ran smoothly and the hotel. Another amazing spectrum of my job included guiding the guests to the waterfalls, going surfing with them and giving them lessons, going out to party at night, and cooking with them. This made for a unique hostel/hotel experience because we really got to know the guests and were in constant contact with them. We were more like a temporary family, a home away from home for them than a simple place to stay. Much of this vibe is owed to Abbie, the owner of the hotel, who has manufactured and injected this influence into the establishment. It is also very personal and small, and there is a common dining area which gives the hotel a very social environment.
If I were a guest, it would be one of the best hostels I would have stayed at, but there is definitely room for improvement. We have only been open for a year, so there is still much learning to be had and a plethora of upgrades to do. I envision a hostel that has more room/diversity for guests, an enlarged common area, a tiki bar/restaurant, a pool, and maybe even a smoothie/ ice cream stand. The drawback is that this hotel is located a little far from town(2 minute walk is nothing to complain about, but people still do) so it would be nice if we could even create an environment where people could hang out at even if it's raining all day or if they don't want to walk into town. We would have all of the services there at hand and would therefore create and even more servicefull environment.

hindsight of PR

My last memories in Puerto Rico were so dear to me. I really enjoyed myself from all the nights going out, casino escapades, dancing that rivaled the calories burned working out, the beaches, the mountains, and the waterfalls! Most of all the people I met will never be forgotten. Puerto Rico is a very endearing place to me, it is jam packed with culture, has beautiful scenery, and beautiful people. I don't know what it is about Puerto Ricans but they appear so much younger than they are. Women of fourty years old appear to be twenty five, and the secret must be in the sun! The island of enchantment is not paradaisical, and is not without its hindrances( high unemployment, high crime rate, americanization seeping into the boricua culture, lack of public transportation) but I will miss this place beyond belief! Here I have some closing pictures of good times with great people, and in times of strife they will keep me holding on.

old San Juan's last stand

all I ever need! hand reel

with friends at sucia

out at las justas craziness

getting smashed by waves

business project

with shari for her birthday

out in tamboo!

salto curet jumper

the gringo exchange group

dinner party with my PR fam thanks so much!

beercasting, oh a breath of home

Inter party!

the hot springs

karaoke night!

tough boys with achiote war paint

jumping the docks

mayaguez's last stand!

model shot haha

out in maya

pigeon party

family night in PR

ziplining

playa sucia bootiful!

carrying out injured sacha in a hammock after a slip

playa sucia pyramid

victory coconut in vieques

ziplining in toro verde

Now it's time to start working and making some real $$, but don't think i'm renouncing my travel bug yet! Someone once told me it's the worst and most powerful addiction you can have, and he seems to be right. Hopefully I can find a job or create one that facilitates me being able to travel and pay off student debt at the same time. Reality has finally hit me, as bills pile up and I am forced to make something happen soon, but times of pressure are when I can utilize my creativity to produce amazing results and put out my best work. I just need to be motivated and develop a plan of attack. I may have to sacrifice for a bit but hey, that's life and not all of it can be ziplining and salsa dancing, I just have to have the right attitude towards my life and things should turn out alright. Lord please don't let me renounce my dreams, because they will give me a vision during trials and hand me motivation during lose long dark nights!

more thoughts

Wednesday, april 27,2011

Now that I realize I only have one month left in Puerto Rico before I move to Costa Rica for 3 months, I am starting to have regrets about moving, but I know If its anything like it is here, I will love it as well. I will miss all of the brilliant friends I have made along the way, and hope to keep in contact with everyone. Such is the life of a world traveler, as one must move on, the melancholic goodbyes are inevitable. One day I will settle down in a place for a more long-term stay but as for now I must move on and follow work. And what better of a place to be going to than costa rica and working at a hostel on the beach¿? I really shouldn´t be complaining. I hope, however, I will be able to make it back to PR soon because of the friendships I have made there and the people that have shown me such compassion and guidance.

its a mix drink sold in a caprisun pouch!

pr fritura

legendary yauco, one of the most colorful slums in the world along with la perla

miss carnaval

carnaval

in jobos getting beat up by waves

view of san german

I love the caribbean grunginess

beautiful grunge

where shark hunting took place

cactus in puerto rico?

sunset from the dorm

bananas outside the dorm

secret beach in guanica

fire clouds

from the mountains above san german

monte del estado maricao looking towards la parguera

andy

climbing cell phone towers

wal-marts machete

it worked a bit

homeboys at carnaval

waterfalls near maricao

san german my town

Up until now I have been to the carnival in ponce, coffee festival in yauco, whale festival in cabo rojo, las justas in ponce(the competition and the packed streets with concerts and cheep beer everywhere), maricao, gozolandia, salto curet, snorkeling, fishing, shark gazing, monkey searching, trailblazing, testing your strength with brick walls of water in jobos and cell phone tower climbing. I recently had a family bbq on the beach with puertoricans over semana santa(holy week), which was one of the things I was able to check off the list I recently made of things to do before I leave. Also on the list was mavi, a local fermented fruit drink that is rather tasty. other things on the list include-
-Arecibo observatory
-cueva la ventana/cuevas de camuy/ceremonial indigenous park
-SCUBA diving
-local baseball game on sunday, and eat burritos
-DJ at a bar
-ride a horse on the highway while talking on a cell phone
-beach party with a campfire
-and more hopefully...