About one ago, I said goodbye to my new friends and the turtles of Punta Banco. Leaving was bittersweet. I wasn’t ready to leave my small town, but I knew that my next destination to Manuel Antonio with my Dad and Step mom, Anne was going to be great.
Two days before I left Punta Banco, I started to get a fever and spent the night with a bowl next to my bed. As time went on, my queasy stomach persisted along with my high temperature. A few body aches and headaches jumped the train too. I was not in the condition to travel all day by bus but I had to. Thankfully my good friend from Punta Banco, Jose came with me because I would have never made it alone. After starting my journey to Manuel Antonio at 5am, taking five buses and three taxis, I made it to my hotel by 6pm.
The first bus I was on got stuck in the mud trying to pass two abandoned logging trucks. After all the locals and I all got off the bus for about 30 minutes waiting to see if this bus was going to make it, we did exactly what the truck drivers did, we abandoned our bus and hopped on the vacant one that was conveniently there to pick us up. Never have I seen anything like this before. We just left the bus stuck there in the middle of the road behind the trucks!
Once I was at the hotel, I was tired, cold and wet from the rain and my long day of not feeling well. I was so happy to take a hot shower, I almost began to cry. The hotel room is beautiful and pretty much opposite of what my living conditions were like in Punta Banco. Here I have a hot shower, a bed that doesn’t smell like mildew and I can flush the toilet paper down the toilet! But don’t get me wrong, I really did like Punta Banco.
It was so great to see my parents. There is just something about seeing loved ones when you haven’t seen anybody you know well after some time. We spent our first day just hanging around the pool, getting groceries and laundry done. All of my clothes had a strong pungent smell of mold and must. Never have I appreciated the washer and dryer so much in my life.
Since I was still feeling sick and getting worse, we went to doctor the next day. After my doctor visit and some blood work it was decided 100% that I have Dengue Fever! And to top it off, a chronic ear infection. Thank you Costa Rica! Well, I had Dengue Fever for about eight days and I survived to tell the story. Much of my past eight days were a blur, but I clearly remember the grape juice, soda water and bland crackers I was force fed all the while being hopped up on Tylex (Tylenol). As much as I wished my head didn’t pound and my stomach didn’t refusing everything, it’s was best week for this to happen, when my Dad and Anne are here to take care of me. It’s amazing how those things work out sometimes. I am really being protected down here if you know what I mean.
Today was my first day exploring past the pool and putting my toes in the powder sand beach. It feels so good to walk around again.
There are monkeys, sloths and iguanas all over the place here. We had one White Face monkey walk across our deck railing this morning about 10 feet from us.
Tomorrow morning I am taking a bus to Uvita to work at the eco-lodge. All I know is that it’s a rustic style lodge on the beach and it’s calling my name.
Until then, keep me in your prayers!
Hasta Luego,
Rachel
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Punta Banco continued...
I am beginning to feel like a local in Punta Banco. In the past three weeks, this place is starting to feel like home. I have met many great people here and have had many exciting adventures. Since it would take hours to explain everything I am experiencing, I will give a few highlights.
A few days ago, while in Pavones, I was waiting for a ride back to town and drinking a beer with friends. I ended up meeting a few locals who have shown me another side to this place. The next day I walked to their house to pass the afternoon and learned their story. All eight of them are originally from Florida and now live down here as missionaries. They are really great people with big hearts to serve the youth of Punta Banco and Pavones. It was a real blessing to meet these people. Some of them are going to take me out surfing tomorrow, another great adventure I´m sure.
Yesterday I woke up at 4:30 along with four other volunteers to head out for a fishing trip in the Gulfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf) off the shores of town. Our ponga (a small fishing boat) was a rickety, rusted, fiber glass boat who had seen better days but nevertheless, she was the best 30 foot boat around. The fishermen rolled the boat down to the ocean on big logs, then one guy carried a 180-pound motor down and our ship and we were ready to head off . All we needed was our Capitan, Dillan, who had one arm in a sling.
We headed out on the rolling turquoise waves with our essential supplies: fishing poles, bait, beer and snacks. The view was amazing, light fluffy clouds hovered over the green mountains at the sun was turning dawn into day.
I had never been on a fishing trip like this before but all my years of fishing for flounder with my dad paid off. Within the first 15 minutes, I caught my first 3-foot-long dorado! It was tough wresteling this guy in the boat but I eventually got my bright blue fish on board. It was quite an experience. Being the animal lover I am, a part of me wanted to toss him back in the ocean. We trolled around the gulf and passed time by singing songs and taking dips in the sea. Like always, I had to hang over the boat a few times to relieve myself. Some things just never change.
After 8 hours on the water we came back to shore with two dorados and enough fish meat for everyone back at the turtle station. We decided to have a few celebratory drinks and some of our fresh fish at a local bar on the water. We piled into the back of a truck bed and went on our way down the bumpy dirt road. The reggae music was good, the beer was cold and the seared fish was the best tasting fish I have ever had. Our short trip to the bar ended up lasting until sundown. It was a great day.
I have one more week here in Punta Banco, then I am off to Manuel Antonio. I will spend a week with my dad and stepmom, then work at an eco-lodge for 4 weeks.
Stay tuned!
A few days ago, while in Pavones, I was waiting for a ride back to town and drinking a beer with friends. I ended up meeting a few locals who have shown me another side to this place. The next day I walked to their house to pass the afternoon and learned their story. All eight of them are originally from Florida and now live down here as missionaries. They are really great people with big hearts to serve the youth of Punta Banco and Pavones. It was a real blessing to meet these people. Some of them are going to take me out surfing tomorrow, another great adventure I´m sure.
Yesterday I woke up at 4:30 along with four other volunteers to head out for a fishing trip in the Gulfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf) off the shores of town. Our ponga (a small fishing boat) was a rickety, rusted, fiber glass boat who had seen better days but nevertheless, she was the best 30 foot boat around. The fishermen rolled the boat down to the ocean on big logs, then one guy carried a 180-pound motor down and our ship and we were ready to head off . All we needed was our Capitan, Dillan, who had one arm in a sling.
We headed out on the rolling turquoise waves with our essential supplies: fishing poles, bait, beer and snacks. The view was amazing, light fluffy clouds hovered over the green mountains at the sun was turning dawn into day.
I had never been on a fishing trip like this before but all my years of fishing for flounder with my dad paid off. Within the first 15 minutes, I caught my first 3-foot-long dorado! It was tough wresteling this guy in the boat but I eventually got my bright blue fish on board. It was quite an experience. Being the animal lover I am, a part of me wanted to toss him back in the ocean. We trolled around the gulf and passed time by singing songs and taking dips in the sea. Like always, I had to hang over the boat a few times to relieve myself. Some things just never change.
After 8 hours on the water we came back to shore with two dorados and enough fish meat for everyone back at the turtle station. We decided to have a few celebratory drinks and some of our fresh fish at a local bar on the water. We piled into the back of a truck bed and went on our way down the bumpy dirt road. The reggae music was good, the beer was cold and the seared fish was the best tasting fish I have ever had. Our short trip to the bar ended up lasting until sundown. It was a great day.
I have one more week here in Punta Banco, then I am off to Manuel Antonio. I will spend a week with my dad and stepmom, then work at an eco-lodge for 4 weeks.
Stay tuned!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Saving the turtles
So I have been spending my last two weeks in a small pueblo along the Pacific Ocean called Punta Banco. It has been amazing. With a population of 200, it is no more that one main dirt road that you walk in about 15 minutes. The town just got its first private phones this year and maybe in the next few years there will be public phones and computers. It seems to be the tradition for many people to pass the evening watching the news at the mini super (small market) in town. Everyone knows everyone here.
I am working with a turtle conservation program called PRETOMA where we walk along the beach every night looking for nesting olive ridley turtles and green turtles. Once we find the turtles, we transport their eggs into a hatchery. Unfortuantely we have to compete with the poachers for the eggs which means we can´t save them all. Many Ticos (Costa Rican men) eat turtle eggs because they believe it increase fertility. What a great reason to kill the turtle populations...yeah right! It takes about 6 weeks for the turtles to hatch and once they break through the sand, we release them on the beach. I don´t think I have ever seen such a cute animal before that fits in the palm of my hand.
There are two other volunteers from England, a coordinator and a few locals that I work with and live in a house with, which we call the station. It has been a lot of fun getting to know these people as well as the people who live in Punta Banco.
When I am not working with the turtles, I am playing on a picture perfect beach, surfing, swimming in a river, relaxing in a hammock, playing with the little girls in the town and passing time with good people.
I am eating a lot of gallo pinto (black beans and rice), fish, coffee and cerveza (beer), the staples of most Tico´s diet. A great afternoon snack are the coconuts scattered on the beach, which I have learned how to open.
I can´t describe how beautiful this place is. Not only are the stretches of beach lined with palm trees, there are tropical forests, waterfalls, monkey in the backyard, macaws and toucans flying above and a simple relaxing way of life that you can´t find in the States.
Until next time,
Pura Vida
I am working with a turtle conservation program called PRETOMA where we walk along the beach every night looking for nesting olive ridley turtles and green turtles. Once we find the turtles, we transport their eggs into a hatchery. Unfortuantely we have to compete with the poachers for the eggs which means we can´t save them all. Many Ticos (Costa Rican men) eat turtle eggs because they believe it increase fertility. What a great reason to kill the turtle populations...yeah right! It takes about 6 weeks for the turtles to hatch and once they break through the sand, we release them on the beach. I don´t think I have ever seen such a cute animal before that fits in the palm of my hand.
There are two other volunteers from England, a coordinator and a few locals that I work with and live in a house with, which we call the station. It has been a lot of fun getting to know these people as well as the people who live in Punta Banco.
When I am not working with the turtles, I am playing on a picture perfect beach, surfing, swimming in a river, relaxing in a hammock, playing with the little girls in the town and passing time with good people.
I am eating a lot of gallo pinto (black beans and rice), fish, coffee and cerveza (beer), the staples of most Tico´s diet. A great afternoon snack are the coconuts scattered on the beach, which I have learned how to open.
I can´t describe how beautiful this place is. Not only are the stretches of beach lined with palm trees, there are tropical forests, waterfalls, monkey in the backyard, macaws and toucans flying above and a simple relaxing way of life that you can´t find in the States.
Until next time,
Pura Vida
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Chapter Two...Save the Turtles
The adventure with my mom is coming to an end. Our trip was so amazing, it's hard to describe it with words. From swimming in a pool at the base of a waterfall, watching monkeys from our river kayak to riding horses to the top of a mountain, all of our experiences were incredible.
We packed up and sadly left our little beach home in Samara this morning. We both knew this day would come, but honestly, I didn't think it was going to be so difficult. Ester and Miguel, our new Samara family said they hoped to see us next year as we boarded the "gringo" shuttle to San Jose. So I guess we have to go back next year!
Unfortunately the ride back to San Jose was like riding a fishingboat in the middle of a storm at sea. I am glad that my mom brought a plastic bag because I thought I could have used it at any moment.
San Jose is not the place you want to spend any of your vacation time. So as my mom heads home to the daily grind of life in the States, I will be boarding a bus headed eight hours south to a small village called Punta Banco. Here, I will live among 200 Costa Ricans for four weeks and help to save one of their iconic species the sea turtle.
This is where one chapter closes and a new one begins.
We packed up and sadly left our little beach home in Samara this morning. We both knew this day would come, but honestly, I didn't think it was going to be so difficult. Ester and Miguel, our new Samara family said they hoped to see us next year as we boarded the "gringo" shuttle to San Jose. So I guess we have to go back next year!
Unfortunately the ride back to San Jose was like riding a fishingboat in the middle of a storm at sea. I am glad that my mom brought a plastic bag because I thought I could have used it at any moment.
San Jose is not the place you want to spend any of your vacation time. So as my mom heads home to the daily grind of life in the States, I will be boarding a bus headed eight hours south to a small village called Punta Banco. Here, I will live among 200 Costa Ricans for four weeks and help to save one of their iconic species the sea turtle.
This is where one chapter closes and a new one begins.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
First 5 days
So I am sorry that it has taken me this long to write but I was having technical difficulties.
Here is the low down so far...
My Mom and I flew into San Jose and stayed at a little hostel the first night. San Jose is a unsafe and dirty city so we were glad to get on a bus to La Fortuna the next morning. The public bus to La Fortuna took 5 hours and we were able to see a lot of the small villages along the way. It is so beautiful here, (and I thought Washington had a lot of green).
In La Fortuna we hiked down to La Catarata de Fortuna (the waterfall of La Fortuna) and swam in the aqua blue water. Later that day we hopped on board a tour bus and went hiking in the rainforest, saw lava crashing down the Arenal Volcano and went to a hot springs resort.
The following day (Sunday) we paddled kayaks down a river lined with tropical forest. We saw howler monkeys, lizards, bats, vultures and lots of birds. We were the only ones with our guide, Julio, so it felt like a private tour. We were told that there were crocodiles but never saw any, which was probably a good thing for my mom. It was definitely the best thing we have done so far.
This morning (Monday) we sadly left our new friends, Diego and Alonzo, who worked at our hostel. They were some of the nicest people I have ever met. Off we went to Playa Samara, a small beach town on the pacific side. It is what you would call a locals spot, we just may be the only tourists here.
Now that I have this blog figured out, I am going to write more often. Stay tuned for the next adventure.
As they say here in Costa Rica.... pura vida!
Here is the low down so far...
My Mom and I flew into San Jose and stayed at a little hostel the first night. San Jose is a unsafe and dirty city so we were glad to get on a bus to La Fortuna the next morning. The public bus to La Fortuna took 5 hours and we were able to see a lot of the small villages along the way. It is so beautiful here, (and I thought Washington had a lot of green).
In La Fortuna we hiked down to La Catarata de Fortuna (the waterfall of La Fortuna) and swam in the aqua blue water. Later that day we hopped on board a tour bus and went hiking in the rainforest, saw lava crashing down the Arenal Volcano and went to a hot springs resort.
The following day (Sunday) we paddled kayaks down a river lined with tropical forest. We saw howler monkeys, lizards, bats, vultures and lots of birds. We were the only ones with our guide, Julio, so it felt like a private tour. We were told that there were crocodiles but never saw any, which was probably a good thing for my mom. It was definitely the best thing we have done so far.
This morning (Monday) we sadly left our new friends, Diego and Alonzo, who worked at our hostel. They were some of the nicest people I have ever met. Off we went to Playa Samara, a small beach town on the pacific side. It is what you would call a locals spot, we just may be the only tourists here.
Now that I have this blog figured out, I am going to write more often. Stay tuned for the next adventure.
As they say here in Costa Rica.... pura vida!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
10 Days to Go!
So the adventure is about to begin. I am on my way to Costa Rica in only 10 days! I will be saving turtles, working at an ecolodge, and traveling. For most of the time I will be a solo backpacker but will travel with my Mom, Dad, Stepmom, boyfriend Kyle, Sarah and Jake (Kyle's sister and boyfriend) when they come to visit me. So far everything about this trip has worked out beautifully. I am so excited to see how my journey will unfold and the discoveries I will make. In the meantime, I will continue to be a regular customer at REI and a busy bee as I prepare my pack and say my goodbyes.
Keep me in your prayers.
As they say in Costa Rica, Pura Vida.
Keep me in your prayers.
As they say in Costa Rica, Pura Vida.
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