An Outing of Sorts

dorky, inferma y hungover

taking abandoned beams out of the jungle

Yesterday I went to the forest with Coco, Dani, Walter and Alan to retrieve some abandoned posts.  it was up and down and across streams.  Really hard work for them.  I carried the water.

manly work!

My first cocoa tree! aka where chocolate comes from

Walters leg, took 4 months to heal, skin grafts etc. after being bit by the super deadly fer de lance snake.  he's lucky to have lived

walter and coco this morning.  walter's been sleeping in the hammock for the last couple days.  he lives in the forest in a  tree platform close to the abandoned beams.

coco and unk

Puma tracks!  Mama and baby! Baby tracks not shown

Camilion

Community?

This has been my home for the last 6 days.  My only complaint is the bugs.  I’m getting eaten alive by no-see-ums.  No amount of DEET or coconut oil will stop them from biting the ef out of me.  I look like I have chicken pox.  From the house I can watch the mangrove fill up when the tide comes in, see monkey and of course many many birds.  The bathroom has been remodeled since I’ve been here, which is nice.  I’m still looking for a different place to stay.  The owner of the house has been staying here too and another dude named Rasta.  It’s been interesting to say the least.   But everyone is very accommodating and respectful.  Coco does most of the cooking. 

coconut water! my favorite!

 On Sunday we had guests over and Coco’s friend Jackson, who’s a chef, came over and cooked for us.  The other two dudes weren’t here but we invited the director and a teacher from the English school over.  All in all a really fun entertaining day, full of learning survival skills and great photos.  

Yesterday I woke up sick, I had a fever all day.  Today a sore throat, but am feeling better.  The flu is going around here I hear.  Again, I can’t say how thankful I am for basically the kindness of strangers to let me into their life.  And to show me the real Costa Rica.  This might not be what I thought my trip would be like, but honestly, I think it’s better.  There has been some unpleasantness that’s for sure, but as Coco keeps saying “what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger”. 

coco cleaning the toilet & shower, before the remodel

Before I forget, the drinking water comes from town, as in purchasing it in a large container.  the rest of the water comes from the well.  I have to pull water from the well to flush the toilet, do the dishes and to shower.  the shower consists of a bucket or two of water and plastic bowl to dump in on myself.  Adventure!  :)

inside "platform" kitchen area

the well

Sean learning how to open a coconut without a machete

Jackson showing Carrie how to open an old coconut with back of machete. coco instructing sean

Shit talkin' and Street Walkin'

Tomorrow morning I'm headed back to Puerto Jimenez.  I'm excited and nervous.  William has been telling people that I cheated on him and some other crapola.  But I'm pretty sure everyone in town knows he's a womanizer and a few other things. 

I'll begin my work at the English school Monday.  I'll try to find a cheap little apartment over the weekend.  I think I found one but am hoping they will take a little less.  $225 in case you wondered, partially furnished, fridge, bed, table and chairs, stove and the much missed hot water! Well, by hot I mean lukewarm.

In the mean time I'm staying at my friend Coco's. He's going to cook for me.  :)  Ah, a real man. His "platform" is really onethe edge of the jungle and close to a nicer beach. I can't wait for you to see it! It's also about 15 feet from the mangrove.  No running water.  There's a well to pull water up from in a bucket.  and he cooks on a campfire.  I think the toilet is a composting one.  I'm afraid to use it. There's also no seat.  :)  I'm not sure how the "shower" works.  I think it entails dumping a bucket of water on my head.  haha  I must be crazy, because I'm actually excited about staying there! Adventure!  My dad would be proud. 

Anyway.

I splurged and am flying down.  1 hour flight vs. 9 hour bus ride. I hear it's a lovely view!

More in a few days!
xo!!!

Mae No!

Mae (pronounced my) = dude fyi. 

Petting a goat! haha

I had an amazingly fun weekend with some amazing people.  I am so fortunate to have met Jennifer, and I'm not just saying that because she might be reading this.  I might be sad and discouraged about love and relationships but I was able to laugh and have fun with her and her friends who are genuinely some of the most awesome people I've met in all the world. Thank the kitties for sure! Not many people get the opportunity to really live the lives of locals while traveling but I have been and feel truly thankful for that.

Saturday we drove to Volcan Poas but didn't get there in time, it closes at 3:30pm.  So yesterday we included another friend and the 4 of us made the journey again.  Lots of laughing, singing, Spanish and English lessons in the car.  It was good for my heart.  And my soul, if I have one.

Cris y Jenny

yep, we are pretty much models!

Cris, me, el Tigre, y Jenny

flower horns!

No, i'm not pg.  at least I dont think so! haha

Jenny couldn't keep her paws off the flora

Updater

I´m now in San Jose, but 3/4 of my things are being stored by the hotel.  The plan is to hit up Nicaragua with my new friend, Jeniffer, a few days then head back down south to figure out where to go and what to do.  She speaks perfect English and spanish.

I  have options which is good.  One option includes volunteering at the English school as much as i´d like.  I can prob get a cheap little apartment for between 150-250 furnished etc.  and I´ve had offers of a place to stay for free if I help with the food. All are very reasonable options. At least they seem so in my still in shock mind.  But if I knew the weather in Portland was really going to stay nice until October I´d consider returning sooner.  But the English teaching experience is a great opportunity.

My phone is offically shut off.  Sorry no photos!  I had a couple fun ones!

and i other childish news, william just deleted me as his facebook friend.  i should have posted mean stuff while he was in the jungle!  hahaha  ah, the life of being the better person sucks sometimes. 

Red Flags, White Flags and Freedom

I'm not actually sure what to say here.  I wanted to believe in love.  I tried.  I even thought I could ignore some red flags and put up with some behavior I wouldn't normally put up with.  But sadly on Monday I discovered that William is actually a lying, cheating, womanizer.  He's a damn good liar, I'll give him that much.   So I moved out before he got back from the jungle and waited for him to come home so I could tell him and maybe get the truth out of him.  But he continues down the path of lying about "I'm not a liar man to you".  But he is.  he also has tried to talk to me a couple times in town but I can't even look at him.  And said he wants to be my friend.  I told him I can't be friends with someone who lies to me. 

I haven't fully broke down and cried yet.  I guess I'm still trying to process the situation, and 24 hours of alcohol didn't help that.  To day will be sober and full of research and thinking about what to do next! 

I'm going to San Jose tomorrow to meet up with a girl I met here, and we are planning a few days in Nicaragua.   I am thinking of leaving a bunch of my crap here so I can travel lighter, and have more time to figure out what to do next without the extra physical burden!

So in my honor I request you play freebird as loud as possible and sing along!  :)

This y That.

 Today I ate this for lunch.  The cabbage came with mustard and ketchup on it.  interesting. 

I also took a long walk this morning, 8am is actually a little late to get started but after a dip in the ocean the long walk back wasn't too bad. and that cold shower actually felt great after the initial shock.  No hot water has been one of the hardest things to get use to.

This is my favorite tree in town.  so far.

walk on the beach in town

favorite tree on walk today

Beach about 3 mile walk from town.

cows and egrets in the shade

One of my favorite places in town. I love the colors and texture!

this is the beach in town 2 mins walk from the house