Pura Vida Costa Rica

I signed up for a school in Costa Rica for a relaxing yoga and Spanish vacation. Contrary to intention, what I am doing to my body is anything but relaxing.

I can feel muscles that previously I never knew existed. I am somewhat sleep deprieved but the physical excertion is keeping me from socializing too late in the night. Being comatos and snoring at the table will probably not win me friends.

The surfing its self is super dificil. As bunny hill is to skiing I am at about 'Mount Pleasant' in surfing. Well maybe not that bad but still weak. I have a long board the size of a semi trailer and I feel part of the wicked arm muscle pain is from lugging it around. I can get up half the time (today almost all) but spend my time in the break water vs far out in sea.

To get out in the deep you need the high class skills such as diving, turtling, paddling, balancing on the board for more than 30 secs and complete lack of fear. I doubt I will ever get out there but I will give it my best go... try everything once right. Frankly though, surfing is simulated drowning with a weight attached to your ankle for the added pleasure of a slight concusion. My father thinks I need a life jacket but when I told the others this was recommend they laughed... apparently that is so "undude" ha ha

In the evenings I twist my aching body around in awkward positions and physically shake trying to maintain them while a wading pool of my own sweat gathers beneath me. Being sweaty just creates more of a challenge because you slip off that limb you are trying to grasp on to... OMMMMMMM ha ha I think not but it is an interesting challenge all the same.

Early in the morning is Spanish class which is great. I am in a beginner class despite my attempts at cheating my way up the ladder... so it is mostly needed review.. which is excellent and helps my damaged pride from the above. So morning class, hour break, surf for 2 hours, hour break, hour spanish talking lab, hour break then hour half yoga then exhaustion.

This morning I also woke up extra early for a croc tour before the regular regime and got to touch a 16 footer... whoop whoop check that box. Really, this trip has been a complete challenge all around not giving up on the physical stuff, working through the challenges of traveling alone... all in all in the moment I may be humbled but there is a satisfaction at the end of the day knowing you stretched your limits and conqured new feats. For example, today's waves were 'double over head' which means even the break was a crazy beating... but I sucked it up and did it. It helps that my instructor is so patient with me. He is also a very hot Argentinian so I entertain the idea of faking drowning... but as I have been told the story 'Never Cry Wolf'... and it may still really happen.. ha ha I control myself.

Hasta Luego
Pura Vida
Love and Miss you
xx