The Journey

My journey to the Penisula de Osa began in cold and rainy Seattle. Three flights, 8 hours of layovers, 2 hours of sleep, 1 amazingly bumpy jeep ride, and less than 24 hours later I have landed myself in a place that turned out to be better than expected.

I arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica at 6am this morning without a clue as to how I was supposed to get through customs, baggage claim, find my way to the regional airport, get back through security, and get on my third and final flight south to Puerto Jiminez  (with an airline whose name I did not know) in an hour and a half. But I couldn’t worry about it from my seat on the airplane cause in that moment I could not do a single thing about it. I gave it up to the universe and figured I would deal with whatever came up, but I wasn’t going to waste my first moments in Costa Rica anxious about a flight that was for sure.

I got through customs and baggage claim quickly and wandered off to find my next departure gate. I realized quickly there were two separate regional airlines  and of course they were in opposite directions. I had a little laugh at that one. And not only were they separate airlines but one was a separate airport. I flipped a mental coin and went with the closest one, only to go to check in and get denied. I had a 50/50 chance so really my next guess couldn’t be wrong.

Luckily the other airport was a short walk down the road. I realized quickly everyone really wanted to give me a taxi to somewhere, they actually honk at you and say get in my taxi I take you anywhere. Luckily I do know “No gracias” but that is about as far as my Spanish goes, except for “uno mas cervesa por favor.” I have the necessities down.

Once I got to Sansa, check in and security were painless and I got to hop on a little 12 person plane to my first destination, Puerto Jiminez. I was met at the airport, and by that I mean the single landing strip that comes right out of the ocean and into the jungle by Nago my driver. I really got to connect with 12 year old me who has an obsession with Jurassic Park on this one with the whole single landing strip in the exotic jungle. It was amazing.

Nago, my driver who was taking me to Blue Osa via offroading safari jeep, knew little English, and I less Spanish. My worries about an awkward silent car ride dissipated when he saw how excited I was about everything and he would stop and point things out to me. Like cowboy, vaquero. As the ranches and farmland started to wane, jungle and coast line took it’s place. I could feel myself desperately wishing I was a sponge. I want to soak it all in, the language, the people, the culture, the smells, the pura vida.

The Destination

We were greeted at Blue Osa by Michael, who helped me get settled into my room. Which is simple and perfect in every way possible. It’s a single bed, covered by a net, a bedside table, a tall shelf, and a single bench. Once Michael showed me around it was time for brunch. Which consisted of gluten free banana flour pizza, corn onion lettuce salad, beans, and deviled eggs. When I saw the buffet of food laid out before me I realized I had not eaten since my two slices of bacon at 9am the day before. I joined a few new friends Sarah (who has a really awesome story that I hope she will let me tell), Vikki, and Leanna and enjoyed not only my first meal in a couple of days but my first delicious meal at Blue Osa. After brunch I checked out the daily regime board and realized how great life really is.

6-8 Morning silence

8-9:45 Morning yoga

10-11 Brunch

11-2 Free time

2-3 Snack

3-5 free

5-6 Yoga on the beach

6-6:30 Cocktails

6:30 Dinner

The Magic

The magic of Blue Osa can not be summed up in words or photos, it is only the experience that will truly unfold to you the enchantment. Surrounded by jungle, fresh organic gardens and fruit trees, the ocean as it’s backbone, and the sounds of the jungle as it’s song, Blue Osa is unlike any other place I have ever been.

After enjoying some brunch, and making a few new friends, I needed some time alone to decompress from traveling. The ocean had been calling my name since I arrived and it was time to return the call. The water is like a warm, creamy blanket, a new skin, perfectly salted to heal the soul.

I rinsed off and headed to the pool to relax, read my book, and maybe meet a few new people. Again the magic of Blue Osa brought to me a few amazing women who are living similar lives as me and are incredibly inspiring. Alex, the Slovakian graceful, professional  travel blogger, Laura, Blue Osa’s gardener who has this aura around her as the caretaker, Kat, the comedic, vivacious English world traveller who’s semi-permanent job is in Portugal,  and Valentina, the vibrant and charismatic, Italian yoga teacher.  After hanging with these girls for an afternoon, swimming in the ocean with them, and watching a little Sex and the City, I feel like the universe sent me some of my tribe. They are beautiful women living lives of adventure, travel, exploration, and self growth and I cannot wait to keep learning from them.

I went to sleep pretty early, 8 my time, 6 Seattle time to the sound of rain on my tin roof while a lightening and thunder storm raged outside. I awoke today to the sounds of howler monkies, rain, birds, and the constant hum of what sounds like crickets and cicadas. I went for a short walk on the beach and then enjoyed 2 hours of yoga, brunch, and am now sitting on the covered wifi deck in the garden. Today is my day to catch up on photos, blogging, and relaxation and tomorrow is my orientation for volunteering. My heart is alive and happy.