Good Morning from Costa Rica

Good Morning!

We arrived safely in Costa Rica on Tuesday afternoon. After arriving in the airport in Costa Rica we knew we were headed for an adventure. The adventure started with not renting the right kind of car. I booked a rental car through Expedia before we arrived. We got a great deal for renting a car for a month however I rented a 4 door sedan. We needed to rent a SUV. The roads leading to our rental house were treacherous. Large potholes the size of small children, uneven pavement, and lots and lots of gravel and dirt.

By the time we reached the house it was dark. This only made the ride even more unpredictable. However we arrived safely and all in a descent mood. The drive from the Liberia airport to the house was 5 hours. The distance is not that far but our average speed was approximately 20 miles per hour once the gravel dirt road began (which was roughly half the distance).

When we arrived at the house Ernesto greeted us with a warm Costa Rican smile. Ernesto showed us around the house and property giving us the run down and offering his service if we needed any help.

We were so exhausted by the time we arrived. Kris unloaded the car while the kids ran around the house claiming their rooms and complaining about the heat in the house. The house only has AC in one bedroom (which is the bedroom we all decided to sleep in the first night). However the heat is not as big of a problem as you might guess. The house has 4 huge windows that open completely which allows a nice breeze throughout the house. Each room is equipped with ceiling fans which also keeps the place surprisingly cool.

Kris and I have fallen in love with this simple cinder block house. The simplicity and efficiency of the house makes us wonder if we could replicate the same in San Diego on a piece of land somewhere. Actually I am ready to become a Costa Rican. Which comes as no surprise to some of you that know me best. I fall in love quickly with new places and envision a life in the places that inspires me most. I feel in love with San Diego the very same way.

The first day groceries were a priority. We traveled almost an hour to the town of Santa Teresa to purchase groceries. We spent the day trying to gain our barrings and learn the language. We decided to head back early as it gets dark here around 5:40pm. Given the conditions of the road and the lack of road signage we wanted to arrive safely back to the house with daylight to spare.

The following day we decided to spend at the beach. The water is too gorgeous to ignore. We lathered each other with sunscreen which proved not to be enough. We all burnt in various places. Boyd's face took a beating, Blythe's back fried in the sun looking for sea glass. Kris' head paid the price and my shoulders burned. We should be good after our initial burn but we will wait a day or two before returning to the beach.

Costa Rica is so peaceful. Its a throw back to the era before the chaos of modern technology and I love it. Its crazy how the kids constantly asked for our phones when we were in Florida because all their friends either have phones or I pads. Since we have arrived in Costa Rica they have yet to ask once. They play outside, create games, play with the random items that have been left on the property (wood, saw, rope). The hammocks and hammock swings have also proven a great play toy for the kids. Life is much slower here and requires a new level of patience. Internet is slower, it takes longer to get into town, I have no Instant Pot to help with cooking so the stove is my new best friend (which has been a wonderful thing given the fact that I do not have an oven in the RV).

I am looking forward to the month ahead and the time to spend with the my family and with my self. This place fills my mind with conversations of how to create a better life for myself and my family. I will use this time to reflect and appreciate all the wonderful gifts in my life and the hope for all that is to come.

Pura Vida!