Faye & I left work on early Friday to catch a bus to Santa Teresa. The trip from Santa Teresa is a long one - cab to the bus station, 2.5ish hour bus ride to Puntarenas, 1.5ish hour ferry ride, then another 2 hour bus ride. It didn't seem too bad though! I really enjoyed the ferry ride! The views are stunning.
Once we got to Santa Teresa, we found our hostel - Casa Zen! It was a cool little place located right near the beach. We grabbed dinner at the hostel. I had some casado, but after 7 weeks of pretending I like beans and rice, I think I have finally reached my limit. Casado is so rich, too - I don't think I have ever been able to finish a whole plate. Maybe 2 weeks premature, but I am retiring from casado. No más.
On Saturday, I had my amazing surfing lesson!! First thing in the morning! It was so much fun! Also, allow me to brag, but I did exceptionally well, for a total beginner. One of the instructors taught me the basics for about 10 minutes on the beach, and then we got right in the water with everyone else! No messing around. AND I was able to stand every single time! Even my first time on the board! :O It was really fun! Super hard though. I am so sore and very bruised. I had an accidental collision with another girl's board. This little girl (probably 9yo) was pushing her board out to sea in front of me. I thought we had enough space, but a HUGE swell came, knocking her & her board back to me. She was so small that she didn't have control over her board, so it came plummeting straight for my face. Thankfully, I dove under water as fast as I could, but as I dove my legs came up & her board rammed full force into my shin. I was convinced for a few moments that I had broken my tibia, but after swimming it off, it realized I was fine. Didn't stop me! I kept on surfing. I now just have a pretty sweet bruise where the board hit me. It also kind of hurts to walk, but not too bad. I'm actually bruised all over - ribs, hips, knees, (I think) my bottom. I think it is from aggressively hopping on my board. I also have board rash on the inside of my right thigh & above my left knee. I am wearing each bruise & rash with pride though - I earned them!
It was a blast. We ended up surfing for 2.5 hours! The lesson was only supposed to be 1.5 hours. The place I went was awesome - Del Soul Surf school! If any of you are ever in Santa Teresa, GO TO THIS PLACE!! The main instructor, Amit, is a former Israeli surfing champion & has been surfing for 33 years (since he was FIVE YEARS OLD). Super nice guy, too! He was so positive and kept telling me how awesome I was doing. The positive affirmation was great! Bragging again (what is humility?), but he told me that I was a natural - there was a nice family from Israel that was also taking lessons from Amit. They were on their fifth lesson, and I was doing almost the same stuff as them, after 2.5 hours on the board!!
In summary, dropping everything & moving to the beach to become a surfer is not out of the question. :)
Also, I definitely reached my zenith of coolness - driving in a jeep with the jungle to the left & the beach to the right, with 10 surfboards strapped to the roof of the car, jamming out to cool surfer music with a champion surfer after a seriously awesome surfing session. I will never be cooler.
Hang ten!
After my lesson, I walked this super awesome organic, vegetarian café + art studio. The building and furniture were all white - the only color in the place was the art, which was everywhere. They were playing super peaceful music, too. I ordered a cup of what was literally the best tea I have ever had in my life. I have no idea what it was, other than it was a green tea with ginger and turmeric and something else. It was AMAZING. I also had a delicious panini with lots of cheese and tomatoes. Now whenever someone asks me to go to my "happy place," I will be in Santa Teresa, having awesome tea after an awesome surfing lesson in the most blissful little beach + jungle café. It was PERFECT.
After my lovely meal & lesson, I went for a nice long walk on the beach (continuing the perfection). This beach was absolutely breathtaking. By far my favorite. And, it wasn't crowded OR LOUD. Every other beach I have been to has been a bumpin' party. Which is cool & all, but I like my beaches serene & peaceful. Without DJ Random Tico in the background dropping a beat.
!!!!! From a movie, I swear
There were tons of shells at the beach! It was so beautiful
I also had a good time climbing some rocks at the beach. It is a Brueggeman Fellow requirement to climb things - it's in the small print on the application.
Stunning
Faye & I ate lunch at this incredible little sandwich shop. I was so hungry from surfing that I had not problem wolfing down a prosciutto, feta cheese, and arugula sandwich. MMMMMMM. So good. After that, I just hung around. I sat on the beach for a couple of hours & just watched the waves. It was quiet & relaxing - more perfection. Faye & I tried to catch the sunset, but no such luck, as it was a little too cloudy. After attempting to watch the sunset, we went to a candlelit yoga class. Now, I always forget how much I don't like doing yoga until I am actually doing it. I can't touch my toes & my balance is terrible. Yes, a sign I should probably do more yoga, but it just makes it painful, too. :p Thankfully it was a tame class, but every time we went into downward-facing dog, my poor, inflexible body almost died. It was a nice way to stretch after the strenuous surfing lesson, though.
After yoga, Faye, a new friend named Ali, and I went across the street for some wine & EMPANADAS. I spent WAY too much money on food this weekend (oops). We ate dinner & then retreated to the hostel to play cards for a bit. Faye & I stayed up chatting until about midnight. Hindsight, probably wasn't the best idea - I had a 5:00 am wake-up to catch the bus back to San Jose. I wanted to get back early so I could have time tonight to relax, unpack, and go to mass. It was definitely a good decision. The trip went smoothly and I made it back to San Jose safely. I went to mass with the woman who owns my hostel (ahhhh, I got to ride in a car that wasn't a taxi!). After mass, I walked to the store and got a giant cinnamon roll and a nice creamy cappuccino. I've been trying to eat healthy, but today I just didn't care!! Cinnamon rolls forever!
In short, I had an amazing weekend. I would definitely say it has been one of my favorites - maybe tied with Arenal, or maybe the best. I can't decide because everything is so wonderful!!
Scary thing - I only have one more weekend left of Costa Rican travels!! :O I can't believe it. I'll be making plans later this week for that. Ah. Also hoping for a good week at my crazy job! T-minus 10 days at the office... :O
Where the heck did time go?!
amdg.
Wow!!! How did I forget to read this one!!! So cool!!! You really were so cool!!! Smooches!!!
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