Day 2 - Sun, Sand & Surf

Thanks to a 2 hour time difference and early sunrise, we were all able to wake up bright and early.  Breakfast was at 7, right across the road at Mono Azul (The Blue Monkey for you non-Spanish speakers like me).  It certainly lived up to it’s name as there were blue monkeys EVERYWHERE- paintings, signs, stuffed animals, etc.  We had a “typico” breakfast which consists of rice & beans, fruit, and scrambled eggs.  They also had pancakes and French toast.  It was DELICIOUS!  I am trying to convert everyone to the rice & beans and Lizano.  Thus far, I know that Mrs. Wooden and Nick are fans.  Two down, twenty to go…

We left the hotel with our backpacks packed for a morning at the beach.  We were fortunate enough to be staying close to Manuel Antonio National Park.  Chris and Mau opted out of the guided tour because there would be enough people around that we could stop were the other groups were and get all the information.  And it was well worth it!  I keep trying to tell this group they are so spoiled compared to the group from two years ago.  We spotted howler monkeys and white-faced capuchin monkeys not even 20 feet into the park, we saw squirrel monkeys up close and personal, and we saw at LEAST 6 sloths, some of which were only 15 feet or so off the ground.

After about a mile and a half, we reached the playa (beach, not slang for player).  It was BEAUTIFUL!  It was a gorgeous, white sand beach and since it is completely protected by the parks system, it is flawless.  It was this nice little cove with rocks on either side and the water was so clear.  No fish, no grass or seaweed, just beautiful blue water.  This location got even better once the monkeys started coming out of the trees.  About 10 white-faced capuchins hopped down and prowled around our bags looking for food.  Chris said he’s seen one unzip a backpack, take out a Snickers, then unwrap it and eat it in a tree.  He’s also seen one take a sandwich out, unwrap the aluminum foil, pick out the tomatoes(!), then finish the sandwich.  They are sneaky, so we took our pictures and tried to hold our ground without getting too close to them.  For the next hour and a half, we just enjoyed being in the water.  It was great to see how all of the students stuck together.

 Chris suggested checking out another beach just around the other side of the cove.  It was a short walk and the waves were awesome.  He taught us all how to body surf and it was rather entertaining.  Chris, Blake, and Sam even had a short football game with a coconut J

Although it was hard to leave, we knew there was more fun ahead.  We rinsed off and headed off to lunch at Mono Azul.  We packed our bags and got on the road to Bahia Ballena!  Mau made a stop to get us some ice cream sandwiches- the best some of the students ever had, so I’ve heard.  Everyone also got to pick up drinks, cookies, candy, and miscellaneous items they forgot at home.  When we got to the road for the house, we had to say goodbye to our friend Jorge L  The roads at this point are too narrow and too steep for his bus.

The Rustic Pathways base house for Surf and Service is an awesome compound.  We had to walk up a very steep hill, but, as always, the view from the top is INCREDIBLE.  We can see the tops of all the trees and the ocean on the horizon.  Rustic rents the house during the busy summer months.  Students are in and out of here every Tuesday.  We met Gerald, who has 5 years of experience with this program, Salvador, who is the house chef, and Racquel, who is the house manager and cleans and helps with meals.  We had just 15 minutes, then it was off to the beach!

We made the 20 minute walk to the beach for a surfing lesson from 3 – 5.  We met up with Tito and Diego, who work with a lot of the Rustic groups.  Tito explained all of the basics in just 15 minutes, then we took to the water!  We were split up into 3 groups, with Chris being our other instructor.  Jacob and Blake had prior surfing experience, so I was very nervous when I was placed in Blake’s group and he said he wanted to watch me fall L  We were also with Drew, Cam, Ali, and Lydea.  Now, I am a very competitive person, so normally I don’t like anything that I’m not good at.  But I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED surfing!  I don’t think that I’m alone on this.  We all swallowed our fair share of salt water, got some board rash, and fell off too many times to count.  However, there were so many more smiles and laughs than complaints.  I was impressed by Blake’s surfing, but I must say that Ali was my group MVP.  She took to surfing like a fish to water!  Diego was very proud.  Chris said that Jacob, Nate, Steph, and Alix all did very well.  Nate credits his success to snowboarding, but I think he’s just being humble.

After our lesson, Gerald and Salvador had water and fresh cut pineapple and mango for us.  So good!  We played volleyball on the beach and looked for small crabs and snails in the sand until the sun fell just over the horizon, only half an hour after our lesson was over.  The group made a happy, but tired, walk back to the house for dinner.

Now we are all sitting here talking, playing card games, and listening to music.  It’s such a mellow Tico lifestyle!  Everyone is in good spirits, used to cockroaches, and adjusting to the humidity.  These 20 students are truly a dream to work with!  I’m glad that everyone is having a great time.

Tomorrow we are going to a very small school in the village.  We will paint and teach the students some English.  In the afternoon, we will head back to the beach for some more surfing!  Pura vida!