Hola hola
Finally, after concluding our first two weeks of adventuring, I have time to update. So, far it has been very fun--a lot of great sightseeing, adventure activities, and getting hurt too. Let´s see, when I last left off, we had just left Tortuguero. I did mention the turtle tour, but did not let you know at the time that during the turtle tour (which involved walking two hours in the pitch dark on the beach with the exception of a few red light flashlight flashes to alarm us of large debris to dodge on the beach), I tripped with very little grace over a pile of logs and twisted my ankle. I cried with every step, and thought it might be best to turn back so not to cause further damage to a possibly fractured ankle. Yet, the tour guide let me in on the fact that the other people on the beach were signaling that they had found a turtle...so I made the decision to keep going, and we did.
The next day, a beautiful purply black bruise revealed itself on my ankle, and it was very painful to walk...probably I should see a doctor, but since I have no interest in visiting any here, I will wait...and anyways, after two weeks of walking with a bandage, it is feeling much better, though not perfect. Other injuries sustained in the group included mom rubbing the backs of her legs raw with the rubber rain boots during our hike in Tortuguero National Park, Garret further injuring his knee by tripping on the same turtle tour as me, and Jonah going overboard while rafting the Rio Pacuare. All in all, while these injuries have been somewhat discomforting, they are nothing compared to say my sister crashing her scooter in Honduras and obtaining road rash from head to toe. Still, here are a few helpful hints for when traveling in Costa Rica...
1) To avoid tripping, when walking in the dark and you see another tour group holding hands in a kindergarden choo-choo- train fashion, you would do well not to make fun of them and instead to follow suit. Holding hands is actually a good idea.
2) To avoid lacerations of the skin, blisters, etc. bring long socks--it seems absurd in such hot weather, but will likely come in handy.
3) When rafting, avoid trying to get that award winning photo of you waving the ore above your head right as you are approaching a class IV rapid.
4) Listen to the guides--actually the alarmed wide-eyed face response you will make when you experience the unexpected, will in fact be the face you make and/or you will witness that face on another near you and need to be prepared to act quickly and rationally to save that individual.
Needless to say, we got consciously scammed into buyying a forty dollar CD of pictures after rafting in order to savour the moments of Jonah´s experience as a "swimmer" as they called him. Still, with the exception or maybe including Jonah´s adventure, rafting the Rio Pacuare has so far been a top highlight of my trip.
Other travels we have made have been to Volcan Poas, Volcan Arenal and La Fortuna, Santa Elena and Monteverde, and Montezuma. I have to say that although La Fortuna is largely considered a tourist trap, it we welcomed such an experience after a week of very few luxuries. We went to Baldi Hot Springs for a day for example, which was largely a hot spring amusement park with possibly the most extreme waterslide you will ever encounter (YouTube Baldi Hot Springs waterslide and you will see what I mean--specifically the video of the guy finding paint from the slide in his hair afterwards) and 24 pools of varying temperatures from your typical swimming pool temperature to impossible to enter. In addition, we got a free show of extreme lightning and downpours during our delicious and much-needed five dollar buffet dinner in the open-air restaraunt.
Thus far the most beautiful place we have visited has thus far been the area surrounding Santa Elena and Monteverde. If you are ever planning to visit both La Fortuna and Santa Elena, I highly recommend splurging a little on the jeep-boat-jeep transfer option. You will see the most dreamlike countryside complete with the greenest rolling pastures and clearest creeks you have ever seen. It is completely indescribable. The temperature in Santa Elena is much like Asheville, and all around if I were to expat in Costa Rica, Santa Elena is where you will find me...the perfect mix of mountains, rivers, a small "city" center with both traditional and modern restaurants and a local creamery making its own cheeses and ice cream...sold!
Next, we headed to Montezuma, which to me was a little disappointing. Everyone everywhere seems to be "hyping" up the Montezuma area. Yea its nice, but honestly it seemed a little bit like a lesser version of Utila, Honduras. Utila, you still have my heart darling...clearer water, better markets, less tourist trap snorkel tours to terrible snorkeling (Tortuga Island Tour from Montezuma I just really cannot recommend), and better overall accessibility. Still, if you are a "gypster" as Jimi called them, you will probably be happy there.
I am sure I have left out many awesome details of the trip, but when I finially get photos uploaded (likely upon return to the U.S.) the trip will be more describable. Hasta luego...
