The Flurry of Entering Nicaragua

It wasn't easy figuring out transportation options to the border as the best option was full for three weeks! Finally we decided to spend a bit more and save some time by booking a shuttle. The next morning as we climbed into the shuttle we struggled with disappointment as this was the first day in 10 the sun was actually shining. We wanted to zip line in Monteverde just not in the pouring rain, but now it was too late. When we left Panama we felt like we truly enjoyed and experienced the country. This time we felt let down by Costa Rica, the weather and high costs brought on by increasing tourism were frustrating. Nevertheless, we reminded ourselves of the good times and good people we had met, as well as the fact that Costa Rica is somewhere we can visit again someday. After a stop along the way to see some macaws, we renewed our excitement to move on and meet up with our Swiss friends, Michael and Michelle in Granada. 

The border on the Costa Rican side was smooth and simple, however entering Nicaragua we fumbled about for what seemed like an hour. With no signs posted as to where and who to pay and constantly trying to avoid the people coming up and trying to sell you customs papers which we knew were free left us a bit frazzled. Finally we paid our fees and found out where the bus stop was. Since there was no food around we bought a large cacao chocolate bar to share for lunch, sadly it was dried out but we nawed on it anyways. We thought the drivers were wild in the souther country's but so far, Nicaraguans take the cake. We sat back and laughed one time when our driver pulled out and passed two large semi trucks at the same time on a busy narrow two lane highway. Every 5 minutes we pulled over for more people to climb aboard through the front and back door, packing the narrow school bus walk way. At the same time others would crowd on yelling above the noise to sell their food products, jumping off at the next stop. Once we were finally released from the crowded noisy bus, we ate a quick bite and jumped in a taxi which took us to Granada. Travis and the driver got in an argument over the price which caused a spike in my heart rate and a dramatic spike in Travis's adrenaline/anger as for the first time on our trip we really felt like someone was trying to rip us off. In the end, Travis gave him what we thought was fair and we quickly ducked into our hostel. It was so wonderful to see our friends again. We enjoyed wandering around Granada's town square that night with them, then crashed hard after our busy day of travel. 

                        

   

La Fortuna and Monteverde with Canadians

The bus ride North to La Fortuna was long and held more than its fair share of sharp curves, as most of the mountain roads do. We happened to met a great couple from Prince George on the bus and enjoyed visiting with them as we went. When we arrived in La Fortuna we parted ways in the rain and headed out looking for a hostel. Not sure were to stay we ran into a fellow Calgarian named Ryan at the entrance of his hostel and could tell we would get along well, so we decided to stay there. With the cost being higher than we hoped we decided to brave the dorm life. The beds were very comfortable but it was an adjustment to sleep in the same room as 6 others again. Thankfully they were all good people and we enjoyed sharing travel stories with one another each night before falling sleep. Our first day was disheartening, our expectations for La Fortuna were high with Volcan Arenal on our doorstep and the promise of many fun activities all around. However, the realization that everything blew our backpackers budget hit hard. Travis consoled me with a gelato and a walk around the beautiful town square followed by an outdoor body weight workout in the rain before taking a dip in our cold hostel pool. With a smile on my face again, I was able to remember that just being in a place like this is an activity in itself. The next day Ryan joined us for a 7 km hike up hill, in the pouring rain, to a waterfall. It was awesome getting to know him and learning that he had been to my parents business before, it made the world seem so small! The waterfall was incredible, I had never seen one with such water volume and power before. We decided to strip down to our underwear and go in, it was cold, the bottom rocky and the strength of the current emense, I loved it! I realize more and more on this journey that I care less about my appearance and what others may think and more about enjoying the moment. The third day it also was overcast and rainy so we sadly never did see the Arenal volcano. 

Climbing into a shuttle we headed for Monteverde. Transferring to a shuttle boat to cross a lake we spotted our friends from Prince George! With neither of us having booked a place to stay we agreed to find somewhere together. Thankfully, the first place Travis had in mind had room for all of us. We met a couple from Quebec staying there as well and the 6 of us instantly hit it off. We decided to go see the hanging bridges and hummingbirds right away. The birds made us think about my Grandpa, he loved his hummingbirds. We took a video to show my Grandma when we go home, I know she will also appreciate how many there were buzzing around the nectar. Travis and I had a lot of fun together walking and running along the bridges in the rain, again it made me so grateful for this time together. We went for supper with our friends from Quebec and visited late with our Prince George friends, building very cool connections. However, in the morning both couples moved on and we stayed another day making plans for Nicaragua.

                              

                          

                            

  

San Jose Revisited for Protein Powder

Not everything, scratch that, many things in life don't turn out as we had planned. But even through the challenges of change, I am beginning to find joy in the goodness around me, more than ever before. We arrived in San Jose at a bus stop which ended up being a 45 minute walk away from our hostel. With daylight and a cool breeze on our side we decided to save a few colones and walk. Talking away as we walked, out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of a persons barefoot on the ground and jumped to the side. To our astonishment there were people curled up inside extremely narrow cardboard boxes all along the street with just their feet sticking out. It was difficult to swallow as we looked back and realized we had walked by others already without noticing. The next block we walked in silence. This short journey through the harsh reality of poverty served to solidify our decision to not take a taxi as we made our way across downtown to our hostel, Kaps Place. Even though our feet were sore under the weight of our packs, our hearts were filled with gratitude. When we arrived at our hostel the outside of the building was very unassuming but upon entering we discovered the cutest hostel yet where each day we could play ping pong and enjoy a delicious breakfast. 

Our main reason for coming to San Jose was to meet up with our lovely friends Marcia and Fernando. However their family came down with a terrible flu and we were unable to get together. Through our understanding and disappointment, Travis and I still enjoyed a day out at the large mall. First we walked across downtown for an hour through the thickest crowds of people we have ever encountered with loud music blaring from the stores and the constant changing smells of food, garbage, sweat and waste until we found our bus. At first when we arrived at the fancy mall, as nice as CrossIron Mills in Alberta, we felt a sense of comfort and belonging. With Christmas decorations everywhere and English Christmas music playing we felt at home. But the longer we wandered around, the more we felt like we didn't belong there. Remembering the simple life we have been living, the people in boxes and now the stark contrast of the exuberant amounts of consumerism before our eyes, it made us not want the buy anything and suddenly we felt out of place. However, we did thoroughly enjoy a DQ blizzard and happily bought some protein powder from GNC to help supplement our rice filled diet. 

The bus ride home was slow, traffic was heavy as there was a marathon going through downtown. As I watched some people struggling mightily in their effort to run the race with terrible running form, I felt grateful for Travis' knowledge; knowing I have a coach for any event I pursue. Anyways, the bus had not moved for 10 minutes so we decided to join the locals and walk the rest of the way. Travis was in front of me as we rounded the front of the bus, he didn't realize the bus was in the middle of traffic. I watched as he stepped out and Instantly jumped back just before getting hit by a car. Both of our hearts were racing from the very close call for the next hour as we walked to Kaps Place and I thanked God for his protection. On our third day we spent more time researching and planning our next move north and visiting with other travellers which is always helpful. 

  

                     

Costa Rican Honeymoon and Rainymood

Confidently, we traveled to the Costa Rican boarder on the locals bus and crossed quickly without a problem. We thought about our nervousness during our first boarder crossing with a shuttle guide and how far we have come in our willingness to brave potential obsticals on our own. Not wanting to travel more than 4 hours we stopped at a small bus town and paid way too much for a not so nice motel room, but at least it had A/C. In the morning we crowded on the local bus again and headed up the Pacific coast to a small town called Uvita. The heat was stifling when we arrived, it must have been in the high 30s. Drowning in our own sweat under the weight of our packs, we walked 1 km uphill to the cabina we booked just out of town. When we finally reached our destination we were rewarded with a perfect oasis. This brand new little cabin was owned by a lovely Italian couple and was cozy as can be with the much needed A/C. Each morning they served us a cute breakfast and at night a romantic pasta supper by candle light where we could watch the fireflies dance in the grass around us. For three days we felt like we were on our honeymoon, it was wonderful! One day we walked 5 km to the national park beach where we played in the waves as we watched the tide go out until there was a sand bar we could walk across, a sand bridge to an island. From an aerial view this long stretch of sand strongly resembles a whale tail. After our day of walking in the heat we decided to hitchhike back and were picked up by a kind local couple. On our last day we met up with our friends from Switzerland, who we did the hike with at Lost and Found hostel in Panama. It was so great to see them again! In the heat (what else) we walked 1 km to a beautiful waterfall where we swam and played in its refreshingly cool waters. After a couple hours it was time for Travis and I to head to our next destination up the coast.

We arrived in Quepos hungry and in the pouring rain just before dark. Spotting a Subway we decided to splurge and order some familiar food and I downed a foot long pizza sub, it was delicious! Shortly after filling up, we found the hostel we had booked and this time we were met with disappointment. It wasn't very nice, bearable would be the best word to describe it.  We tried to leave only to discover that since we had booked 3 nights online they wouldn't give us our money back. The town was nothing special either but we found happiness in the familiar surroundings of a fantastic gym! We went each day and enjoyed a watered down protein shake after our workouts. Thankfully the bus ride to the beach at Manuel Antonio was short and cheap so we could go there each day as well. Even in the rain we happily playing frisbee with a guy from our hostel and jumping in the dark blue waves. After 3 days of making the best of a rather poor predicament, we climbed on another bus and headed for the big bad city of San Jose, pleased to be moving on.

 

Panama City Day 2 .... Boquete Week 2

After San Blas we were able to spend the day with our new friend Manuel in Panama City who we met  while staying in Bocas Del Toro. Manuel is an engineer from Tijuana Mexico but works in Panama City. He was kind enough to tour us around, showing us the monuments of the founders of the Panama Canal, as well as the historic remains of Panama Viejo, the city destroyed by Captain Morgan. Taking the extremely over crowded bus around the city was comical, as Travis stood taller and bigger than everyone on it. After supper we said asta luego and climbed on the overnight bus once again. Thankfully this time we were in the very front so the motion sickness did not rear its ugly head. Over the next six days we enjoyed the comforts of beautiful Boquete once again. Our days were spent going to the local gym, eating healthly food, researching Costa Rica and relishing in our clean clothes. On our last day we watched a parade celebrating Panamas independence from Spain. It consisted primarily of students in marching bands from all over Panama. When the Boquete students went by we knew the beat by heart, as we had been hearing them practice for a couple hours each day in the school yard across from our hostel. I will miss the sound of the drums and trumpets as we cross the boarder to Costa Rica. Oh yes, I also snuck in a little Black Friday, small town shopping, new gym shoes!