Tag Archives: Costa Rica

We Got Engaged!!! (again)

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Well, it took some work, but we did it, we made it back to Jaco to find the exact spot where Shaun proposed. But Costa Rica certainly didn’t make it easy for us.

As you may have read by now, I suffered a little bit of a travel illness back in Montezuma. After 24 hours in bed, I woke up the next morning with an hour long speed boat ride ahead of me. Not exactly something that my queasy stomach was yearning for. That being said, I soldiered on.

white lips, and indication of health for sure

white lips, and indication of health for sure

This picture pretty much represents the worst of it. I think I looked, and felt so pitiful that this wee little perro came up and nuzzled up next to me for a snuggle. The high point of my low point.

After waiting on the curb for a while, we lugged our bags down to the beach, and hopped in our boat…Well, some of us hopped, some of us hobbled. And then, in a flash, we were off. I clung on for dear life, and just hoped that I wasn’t “that” girl. Thanks to sheer will power, some fresh air, and the gravol I took before boarding, we made it to Herrudia without incident. After a quick shuttle ride, we arrived at our hostel.

SO happy to be on the boat.

SO happy to be on the boat.

The day was not all that adventurous. After a long nap, I was determined to walk to theother end of Jaco to get a Mandarina, my first real source of sustinence in days. Shaun was very patient with me, and sat with me as I took breaks along the way. We finally made it, I managed half a Mandarina, before I tapped out, and reported, I needed to go back to the hostel stat, and in a cab. The rest of the evening involved the bed, and Shaun convincing me that chicken soup was a good idea. A very romantic start to our engagement celebration.

The next day I was feeling better, toast for breakfast and even managed a low impact workout. Shaun and I wandered into town to look around. It was amazing to see all the changes that had occurred in Jaco since our last visit three years ago. Everything is paved, there are huge condo’s everywhere, and a much higher police presence. We found ourselves noticing that they had road marking on the street, something that we take for granted back home, but a novelty here.

After wandering around town, and stopping for an ice cream, we headed back to the hostel for a little pool time. We had planned to go to the Caliches, the restaurant I mentioned in my Must Sees post. Their nachos are burned into our memory, and we were so looking forward to imbibing in them once again. When I was looking them up online I discovered, they are closed one day a week, Wednesday, the day we were there. *sigh*

We changed our plan, and decided to rock a happy hour the local beach bar, than find our “spot” to watch the sunset. Well, lets just say chips, and spicy salsa on a weak stomach, probably one of the worst ideas I’ve ever had. I thought I was done for, but I knew sunset was looming, and we only had one shot to get to our spot, and re-enact our moment. So, I sucked it up, and we had a very silent hike down the beach.

Now, this is fairly appropriate, as it truly does pay homage to our proposal moment. Shaun and I had decided to watch the sunset, but he made me walk the entire length of Jaco beach to do so. The longer we walked, the more I complained, and the grouchier I got. He kept telling me he wanted to watch the surf waves on the other end of the beach.

Our sunset

Our sunset

Despite my discomfort in my current moment, I couldn’t help by laugh at how similar our situation was becoming. In the end, we arrived, Shaun pulled up a log, and we sat down to watch the sunset.

It was surreal to be in the exact same spot, thousands of miles from home, where such a momentous occasion occurred; a moment that changed our lives forever. As the sun went down, we reminisced about the proposal, and how funny, and appropriate it was for us. Never in a million years did we think we would make it back to that spot, but, despite all the obstacles, we did, and now we have a new memory to go along with it.

Our proposal picture on the top, and our re-enactment on the bottom.

Our proposal picture on the top, and our re-enactment on the bottom.

Do you have, or have you heard, a good proposal story you want to share?

Pura Vida

Kate

Follow me on Twitter:@caketress

6 Tips to Survive a Travel Illness

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Well, I guess you aren’t really a traveller until you can write a post like this from experience. Unlike Shaun, who has faced travel illness before (including once on this trip already), I was a virgin. It doesn’t help matters, that I am an uber wimp when it comes to being sick.

After Mal Pais, we came back to Montezuma for one day. We had planned a 12km hike in the morning to see a waterfall, and then had our sights set on the national park in the afternoon. It was going to be a full day, but I was pumped, and ready. So, you can imagine my dismay when I woke up in the middle of the night with all sorts of things wrong with my body.

The morale of the story is Shaun spent one very boring day in Montezuma, while I spent a very dismal day in a darkened hostel room with a leak in the ceiling. Low point Kate, low point.

Now that that moment in time is a distant memory, I feel I can give everyone a few tips that helped me survive my bought of illness.

Taken the morning after my 24 hours in bed. My expression pretty much sums up my thoughts on this travel day.

Taken the morning after my 24 hours in bed. My expression pretty much sums up my thoughts on this travel day.

6 Ways to Survive a Travel Illness

  1.  Get Comfortable: You’re likely going to be getting up close and personal with your bed for an extended period of time, so try and get as comfortable as possible. If this means requesting extra pillows or blankets then do it. This also might mean changing beds entirely, and getting a different room. If there was ever a time to spring for something a little out of your price range, this is it. There is no sense in both your body, and your bed being uncomfortable, you might as well fix the one you have control over.
  2. Temperature Control: I don’t know what I would have done without a/c during my illness, and it was just a fluke that we had it that day. If you are in the tropics, it makes a huge difference, as you can crank it during your hot spells, and turn it down during your cold spells. That being said, sometimes you are stuck with no other option. In that case, a big bowl of ice in front of your fan can help keep it cool. and never forget about the cold washcloth on the forehead trick. Makes you feel just like Mom is there.
  3. Hydrate: SO important. Water, Gatorade, Broth, Watermelon. Whatever kind of clear liquids you can get in you is a good thing. I used a clear water bottle so I could keep track of how much I was drinking.
  4. Find Entertainment: In a perfect world, you are in a hostel or hotel with WiFi in your room, and you have an endless supply of Netflix to keep the time that you are conscious occupied. We all know that the majority of the time, that is just not a reality. Reading is one option, but I found I didn’t want the lights on, and I found it hard to concentrate. My entertainment was podcasts. I have an endless array of comedy, storytelling, and interview related podcasts on my iPhone. I think I had them playing for 10 hours straight that day. My faves? Smodcast, This American Life, Nerdist, WTF, You Made it Weird, Stuff Mom Never Told You…just to name a few.
  5. Buddy System: If you are travelling with a partner, make sure they check in on you, and grab you supplies as needed. Travelling on your own? Don’t suffer in silence. If there is one thing I’ve learned, hostels are amazing places, and there is always someone who is will help. Avid travellers have all been there, so ask for help if you need it.
  6. Seek Medical Assistance: You can catch some funky ass things in tropical countries, none of which you want to take home with you. If you’ve caught something that feels out of your league or you’ve been sick for a while, go to Doctor. Chances are they are going to have a way easier time figuring out what’s wrong with you then if you take you tropical illness back home with you. That’s why you got your travel medical insurance right…right???

So there you have it. I’m happy to be writing this post from the other end of the tunnel, and hope I don’t have to take my advice again on this trip.

I certainly hope you are reading this post solely out of enjoyment of my blog, and not because you Googled “how to survive a travel illness”. If you did, poor button, you’ll make it! Tweet me, I’ll give you a virtual hug!

Any tips you want to share? What was your worst travel illness experience?

Pura Vida!

Kate

Follow me on Twitter: @caketress

5 Tips for Travelling with your Spouse

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Travelling Costa Rica when the man of my dreams is one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

That being said…

Staying sane, while travelling Costa Rica with the man of my dreams, is something else entirely.

Having been married a year, Shaun and I knew that transitioning from seeing each other after work and on weekends, to 24/7, would be an adjustment.

So, without further ado, here are 5 ways to travel long term with a spouse that help keep the trip fun, and the relationship strong.

Cheers!

Cheers!

1-       Take Time For You: Go off, and do something separate from one another. Shaun, and I often find times to do our own things. For him it’s often surfing, or beach walks, for me it’s running, and coffee shop time. This is time to ourselves to help us recharge our batteries.

2-      Try not to be too Gross: This is a tough one. Close quarters, means close contact. Although Shaun, and I are married, and have gotten pretty darn comfortable with each other, we’ve already had some very “overshare” moments. Whether it’s up close and personal with your spouse’s food poisoning, or running out of toilet paper before our early morning shuttle leaves, situations will arise, and things won’t be pretty. So, control the things you can control. For example: closing the bathroom door, not clipping toenails in bed etc… Remember, this is your spouse, not your roomie.

3-      Is it you or is it me: Travel can mean lots of outside stressors, all of which can take a toll. Whenever I find myself annoyed with Shaun, I always take a moment to decide, “Is it him or is it me”. I know I’ve talked about “hanger” alot in the past, but being hungry totally creates a mythical angry beast in me, and often times it creeps up without me even realizing it. So, for myself, I always double check to make sure I’m actually annoyed, and not just needing some peanut butter. (95% of the time, peanut butter fixes it!)

4-      Talk it out: So you’re had your peanut butter, and you’re still frustrated, angry, sad, mad,upset, hurt? Time to talk it out. Travelling is no time for the silent treatment. Close quarters are actually really nice for this. Without the pressure of having to go to work, or school you actually have the time, and the space to really talk about what is going on, and work it out.

5-      Be a couple: Shaun and I try, and have regular date nights during our travels. Nights where we actually both shower, he’ll shave, I’ll put on some mascara, and ta-da we are fancy. Even though we are just going out for dinner, calling it “date night” makes it extra special. Find ways to still feel like a couple, and not just a rag-tag dirty backpacking duo.

So those are our five tips for travelling with a spouse. They’ve worked for us, hope they work you!

Have any tips you wan to share?

Pura Vida!

Kate

Follow me on Twitter: @caketress

Pura Vida

Kate

Follow me on Twitter: @caketress

Travel Workouts Weeks 4/5- 5 tips for beach running

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Well the holidays are finally over, and all things fitness, and food are back on track here at Hostels and Hot Rollers.

During my Christmas slump, I found myself relying on running as my go to fitness activity. It’s easy, requires no planning, and can be done anywhere.

Having been here for well over a month, I feel I have mastered the art of effective beach runs.. So, I thought I would share some tips for getting the most out of your vacation runs:

Hostels and Hot Rollers Top 5 Tips for Beach Running

Pre run smiles!

Pre run smiles!

1- Time of Day: Not sure if you are aware, but it is HOT here. Not only is running during the day uncomfortable, but it can be down right dangerous. Exerting yourself in the mid-day heat is simply a recipe for disaster, and although I see people doing it on occasion, I believe it should be avoided at all costs. Besides, mid-day is the time for vacation naps anyway.

If I am running a 10km, I set my alarm for 6am, and get out the door asap. The sun is up, and the air is cool. There are often very few people out, which makes it nice and relaxing. Plus, my workout is done super early, and I have the whole day to look forward to.

Some days I will break my workouts up into two parts. In the morning I will do a strength training circuit, and in the evening I will do a short 5 or 6km run. I try and get these runs done between 5 and 6. The air is cooler, but I can still get home before it’s dark. Careful on these runs though, bug spray is a must!

2- Sand: Running in sand adds great resistance, and can really up your calorie burn. That being said, sand is a really unstable surface to run on, and can easy lead to sprained ankles, or pulled muscles. Whenever we get to a new beach, I look for areas that have sand that is more compact, to make for easy running.

The perfect running tide...the sunset isn't so bad either ;)

The perfect running tide…the sunset isn’t so bad either 😉

3- Tides: There is nothing worse then planning a nice long beach run, only to discover the tide is up, and the beach is non-existent. Or even worse, the tide is up, so the beach is packed with tourists trying to take their sunset photos. To avoid being the photobomber of everyone’s photo, grab a tide guide and check out when the tide is out. Having more beach real estate will make your run much more enjoyable!

4- Be Prepared for Critters: During my runs I’ve been howled at by monkeys, dive bombed by bats, chased by dogs, charged by iguanas and chaperoned by a very persistent horse. I certainly have had to develop a certain level of flexibility with my runs. Each one is a new adventure. I like to think that each one of these experiences made me run just a little big faster!

Me being a creeper on a beach front wedding.

Me being a creeper on a beach front wedding.

5-Bring Your Camera: I have yet to go on a beach run where I haven’t wanted to snap a photo of something. Whether it’s some crazy animal, a gorgeous sunset, or a beach side wedding, there is always some memory I want to document. It was a sad day when my iphone camera died, and I could no longer take a quick second to snap a pick. That being said, I have been known to run with my canon on my shorter evening runs. I just can’t resist a sunset photo!

Finally a bonus tip: Whether you are running morning, or night, on beach or on road, remember to HYDRATE. We’re not in Victoria anymore Toto, and running in hot whether can suck the life right out of you. I try and get a litre of water in me as soon as I’m done running, just to get myself back on my A game!

So there ya go! My top 5 tips for beach running. Remember, all you need is a good pair of shoes, and you are off! No excuses!

What are your beach run experiences?

Pura Vida!

Kate

Follow me on Twitter: @caketress

Our Favourite Places in Mal Pais, Costa Rica

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If you’ve ever looked into the areas of Mal Pais, and Santa Teresa, you may be thinking “Hey Kate, didn’t you already write this post here?”

Well yes, and no. Before Christmas, we spend 10 days in Santa Teresa, in a hostel that was about 5km from where we are now. As a result, we didn’t get a chance to explore the area of Mal Pais very much.

So, I thought I would write about a couple of our favourite places on this end of the strip, and with good reason too. There are some amazing local businesses here that I highly suggest you check out.

It's like the sun is making a spot light on the small store little store front. It's the one on the left.

It’s like the sun is making a spot light on the small store little store front. It’s the one on the left.

Bean & Bejuco- Natural Food Market & Artisan Trading Co– If you are a health food fanatic, as I am, Bean & Bejuco is the place to be. When I first walked into the little shop nestled amongst the clothing shops and restaurants in the Playa Carmen mall, I couldn’t believe my eyes, a real health food store! It even had that health food store smell that I love.

The previous health food stores I’d visited were mostly organic fruits and vegetables. Not this one! The store is a wonderful mix of both western health food store goodies like burts bees, and local Costa Rican food products like honey, and cacao. Need less to say I was in heaven.

So many amazing products to explore!

So many amazing products to explore!

On my first visit, my eyes scanned over all sorts of goodies like quinoa, and kimchi, until they finally landed on the prize of the day…natural peanut butter! For real! Nothing but peanuts!  Although I’ve found some that has come close in the past, this is the real stuff. And not only peanut butter, but almond, cashew, and other fabulous combinations

Can you hear the angelic music playing over this display?

Can you hear the angelic music playing over this display?

You better believe I bought a container, as this stuff is pure gold.

If you are in Mal Pais, and looking for some healthy treats, have specific food needs (raw, gluten-free, vegan etc) or just want to support an amazing local business, I would highly suggest checking out Bean & Bejuco.

Such a cool building

Such a cool building

Kasava Gourmet Fast Food: A great healthy dining option for anyone visiting the Mal Pais area.

The first thing that attracted me to this place was the building. It’s really attractive, and makes you want to check it out. The sign outside boasts healthy fast food, so I was intrigued.

I certainly wasn’t disapointed. They have a huge array of healthy made to order options, a salad bar, full coffee menu, plus the added bonus of a/c and free wifi. The service was great, the staff are really friendly, which is something that I find is hit or miss in this area.

The beautiful patio in the background

The beautiful patio in the background

What really made this place stand out was their outdoor space in the back. I’m always looking for places that I can get a coffee, sit down, and relax for a little while, without feeling rushed. The outdoor space in Kasava is the perfect spot for a little Zen Kate time.

If you are looking for some healthy eats, or a relaxing coffee, this is the place to be!

All smiles at Papaya Lounge

All smiles at Papaya Lounge

Papaya Lounge: I had read about Papaya Lounge on trip advisor, and once I heard everyone raving about the view, I knew I wanted to visit it. It’s a little off the beaten path, but if you are looking for the best way to see Mal Pais at sunset, and are willing to got for a bit of a walk, it’s well worth it.

This doesn't even do it justice!

This doesn’t even do it justice!

Located about 2km from the main intersection, Papaya Lounge is perched at the highest part of the Moana Lodge property, so be prepared for a lot of stairs!The menu is mostly tapa style, and although we had planned on going just for a drink, we ended up sharing some pico de gallo, which wasn’t anything too exciting. In the end, this place is all about the view. Get there in time for sunset, and I promise it will be worth your while!

So there you have it, our fave picks during our stay here! It was actually hard to choose for this round, because there were so many great places.

If you are visiting the area, and want anymore recommendations, pop me an email, or come join our Facebook page.

Pura Vida!

Kate

Follow me on Twitter: @caketress

Mal Pais Surf Camp, Mal Pais, Costa Rica

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After two weeks of luxury, we were bracing ourselves to re-enter the life of hostelling. Luckily, our pick for this week couldn’t have been better for our transition.

P1010822

Mal Pais Surf Camp

Mal Pais Surf Camp is located, funny enough, in Mal Pais. It is about 500m left of the main intersection, on a huge property about a 5 min walk from the beach.

The surf camp is incredibly versatile, and can meet the needs of travellers of all budgets and walks of life. They offer apartments, cabinas with both shared, and ensuite bathrooms, open air, hostel-style ranchos, and camping. There is literally something for everyone!

Our little home this week

Our little home this week

Shaun, and I opted for the cabina, with ensuite bathroom. When we arrived we had an outdoor kitchen area with a fridge, and a sink. The property is so big, that it was a bit of a hike to the communal kitchen. Within two days, the owner had set us up with an industrial propane burner, and all the tools needed for a full kitchen. It is such a treat to have our own little house!

The restaurant/bar.

The restaurant/bar. Shaun loves that they are always playing surfing videos

A bonus of this place is their gorgeous pool, and delicious restaurant, a rarity for hostel life! Every night, Shaun and I have sat in the restaurant enjoying an Imperial, and Diet Coke, while chatting, using the Wifi, and watching surfing videos. It feels like we get to go out every night, without having to break the budget.

The entrance way, so gorgeous

The entrance way, so gorgeous

The atmosphere here is great. The diversity in their accommodation options, translates to a diversity in their clientele. There are families, couples, surfers, and hard core backpackers. Along with amazing food, the restaurant area also has a pool table, ping pong table, book exchange, and a never ending supply of interesting people to chat with. The camp runs on an honour system, so you can just head behind the bar to the cooler, grab your drinks, jot your name down, and your off. This system reinforces the positive atmosphere that this place emits.

Shaun has been really enjoying the surf. Although Mal Pais, and Santa Teresa are often thought of as the same place, there is about a 10km difference from where we were staying at Wave Trotter.

Our little kitchen area. Howler monkeys were going crazy when I took this!

Our little kitchen area. Howler monkeys were going crazy when I took this!

So Shaun had never had the chance to surf the waves on this side of the beach. Some days the waves have been better then others, but after his lengthy surfing hiatus in Playa Coco, I think he is just so happy to be back out there. The camp offers both surf board rentals, and surf lessons, for those who feel so inclined.

The only downfall is it is a bit of a hike to the grocery store, probably just over 1km. This is totally fine if you have an ATV/Bike/car, but as I’ve mentioned before, Shaun and I are walkers through, and through. We realized how spoiled we were at Wave Trotter having the store 200m away! On the other hand, it is only 500m from the main drag of town, so you have lots of restaurants, coffee shops, banks, and shops close by.

Other then that, this place gets top marks from us. Any place that I can be lulled to sleep by howler monkeys in the trees, and iguanas on the roof gets a high rating in my books! In fact, it might be one of the best places we’ve stayed so far! We’ve already talked about how great it would be to come back here years from now with family, and friends.

If you are looking for a place to stay in the Mal Pais area, we would highly suggest the Mal Pais Surf Camp!

Pura Vida!

Kate

Follow me on Twitter: @caketress

Easy Vacation Hair Styles

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With a name like Hostels and Hot Rollers, you can imagine I know a thing or two about hair.

If I’m given the opportunity to get glam I’m going with big hair, like June Carter Cash. When I’m at home, hair spray, blow dryers, and curlers are my friends.

Here… Things are a little different.

A big day for hair is day I manage to wash my hair. A glam day is a day I wash it with hot water!

Luckily braids work best when your hair is dirty. It’s like all the dirt, and sweat makes a natural gel (ew?). I thought I would share a couple of my go to looks that I’ve been rocking during our time here.

You don’t have to be on vacation to try these ladies, I wear these low maintenance looks back home as well!

The side twist

The side twist

The side twist: I have bangs. Bangs that have seen the light of day four times in the nearly seven weeks we’ve been here. Sweat, lack of hair dryer, and my intense cowlick mean most days I twist my bangs to the side, and pin them with two bobby pins. Here is how I do it

1- Separate the entire section you want to twist and brush the rest or your hair back.

Twisty strands over each other

Twisty strands over each other

2- Decide where you want your twist to start, and separate the hair in that area into two pieces. I usually start mine two inches above my ear.

3-Twist the strands across each other once, then gather some more hair into the front of your hair, and twist again.

bobby pin time

bobby pin time

4-Repeat the process until you’ve reached the other end of your head, and secure it with two criss-crossing bobby pins.

Once you’ve practiced this a couple times, you can do this in your sleep. It is my go-to hair style for both home, and travel.

Highlights always look better in a french braid

Highlights always look better in a french braid

French Braid: A surfer girl classic. This is a great way to keep your hair out of your face. It also creates a cushion of hair on your head for when your surfboard bonks you in the noggin (speaking from experience!) I love this look because you don’t have any parts showing. It’s the perfect way to avoid the dreaded hair part burn. Check out this tutorial for instructions!

Date Night look!

Date Night look!

The Side Braid: Date Night! On the odd occasion I wear my hair down, and want to do something a little fancier then the side twist, this is my go to. Essentially you are creating a side twist but instead of pinning the hair to the side of your head, pull the hair away from your head, split it into three sections, and braid the strands down to the end.

French braid to the side

French braid to the side

Once you’ve mastered these two techniques, the world is your oyster. Play around with different angles of braiding, braiding all the way to the bottom of your hair, or just doing the top, and pulling the rest into a bun.

And remember ladies, worst comes to worst…hats are your friend!

What other travel style/beauty tutorials do you want me to write about?

Pura Vida!

Kate

Follow me on Twitter: @caketress

From 9-5 to Backpacks and Coconuts- My Ever Evolving Philosphy

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Today’s post was inspired by the wise words of Christian over at Transforming Monday. I had the pleasure of guest posting on his blog today, and enjoyed sharing my experience so much, that I just had to share it with you all as well. I would highly suggest that everyone check out his website, there are some valuable lessons to be learned within.

Thank you to Christian for allowing me the opportunity to put my thoughts into words, and talk about my ever evolving philosophies on life.

Hi Everyone, I’m Kate, and I blog over at http://www.hostelsandhotrollers.com. I stumbled across Transforming Monday when Christian shared a post I’d written about The Tao of Pooh. I am thrilled to share my own life transformation with you, and how it pertains to the philosophies found within the book.


For the past 10 years, I’ve worked a desk job. Pushing paper, managing people, staring at a computer. Those were my typical days. At 29, I realized I had squandered away a vital time of my life, living without passion, without purpose, without direction.
The life I am leading today is drastically different. I’m currently, sitting on the patio of a Costa Rican restaurant, listening to howler monkeys and watching salamanders climb the walls behind the bar.
It’s moments like this that I stop, and truly take inventory of where my life has taken me.
My husband, and I made the decision to take the leap three years ago. We had visted Costa Rica a couple times, and every time we had to leave would joke about how great it would be to stay. Then, one evening, we started talking seriously about making our dreams a reality. We both knew we needed a change, needed to shake our lives up.
Now, I know what many of you are thinking. “Well that must be nice, but I wouldn’t be able to do it because of (blank).” I know this, because that was how I felt. The prospect of letting go of a secure lifestyle is what had held me captive for over a decade. My husband and I had full-time jobs, a mortgage, a cat, a wedding to pay for. We had all the excuses we needed to just sit at home, and let our dream slide by.
But we wanted it, and we set our minds on making our dream a reality. Once we stopped focusing on excuses, and barriers, things began to rapidly move in the right direction. Opportunities began to present themselves that helped us move our dream forward. I was offered an amazing part-time job as a face-painter to earn extra money for the trip, my work environment changed drastically to make time off more flexible, a house sitter presented themselves that would look after the cat. Slowly, all of our barriers began to vanish. Then, one day, we were booking our tickets.
It’s because of this experience that the teaching within “The Tao of Pooh” speak to me. My greatest learning from this book, summarized in my own words, is as follows:
Don’t force it, don’t interfere, let things happen and they will work out on their own. It’s the simple mind that sees what is in front of them and follows the nature of things
When I stopped forcing myself into a lifestyle that wasn’t working for me, my dreams came true. Letting my life evolve naturally has led me to incredible adventures.
I hope my experience inspires you, and perhaps encourages you to look at your life, and see if there are situations that you are forcing yourself to stay in. What would happen if you just let go, and let your path present itself?
Thanks so much to Christian for giving me to opportunity to share my story with you all.
You can read my original post about the Tao of Pooh at:

https://hostelsandhotrollers.com/2013/12/14/have-you-found-the-tao-of-pooh/
Pura Vida!
Kate

 

The Power of a Smile

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Are you smiling right now? Probably not. I’m certainly not. My brows are furrowed, and I’m squinting at the screen.

So let’s take a moment, and do it. Smile. I’ll do it too.

Go ahead…It’s okay, I’ll wait…

Done? Feel better? Me too!

Every single day that I am here, I am in awe of the power of smiling, because every single day I find myself having to use my smile as a way of communicating.

Let’s be honest here, no matter how much Rosetta Stone I did before I left, and no matter how many times I look at our Spanish language book, my Spanish skills are pretty lacklustre. I find myself hyper aware of my body language on a daily basis.

We’ve all read those stats “93% of communication is through body language”, and I’ve never believed it more then I do now. Some of the most wonderful interactions I’ve had with people throughout this trip have been with no words at all.

Case in Point:

A few weeks ago, I took a bus to Liberia to meet my family at the airport. During the drive we drove into several remote towns, far away from the Coastal communities we had been staying in. We made one stop in a very small town, and parked outside a house, waiting for some riders.

I looked out my window, and saw a beautiful young Costa Rican girl. She was probably 6 years old, wearing pink shorts, and a white flowered top. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and she was gazing blankly up at the people on the bus. In an instant, I thought about what she must be thinking about this gigantic bus full of Gringo’s parked outside her little house. In that same instant, I caught her eye, and gave her a huge smile.

What happened next was so simple, yet will stay with me for the rest of my life. She smiled back. She smiled back in a way that lit up her whole face. One of the most beautiful, genuine smiles I’ve ever seen. I could literally feel my heart grow warm, and goose bumps grow on my skin. We communicated more in that moment, then we would have if we sat down and talked for an hour. Our interaction lasted less then 3 seconds before we drove away.

I’m going to remember that little girls face for the rest of my life. And am now more concious then ever of the power of a smile. Ever since then, I have made a point to smile at everyone that I see.

It is a powerful gift that we all have. I think that we should use it more often.

smile

Are you still smiling?? I am.

Pura Vida!

Kate

Follow me on Twitter: @caketress

Una Pipa Porfavor

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 Before I start today, I wanted to let everyone know that I had the opportunity to guest post over at “Diana’s Costa Rica Blog”. Diana, and I have so much in common, it’s pretty amazing. Check out my contribution at: http://dianascostaricablog.blogspot.com/…On with the show!

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So I know coconut water is a “thing” back home.

I have read all about it. You know, electrolytes, post-workout charge up, hot yoga beverage of choice, magical elixir etc…I get it, but I just can’t do it.

Any time that I’ve thought about jumping on the band wagon, I’ve bought a little tetra pack, taken a swig, and then thrown it out. To me, it tastes like garbage swamp water.

That is, until I discovered the magic that is fresh coconuts on the beaches of Costa Rica.

I feel like I have the process of buying a “pipa” down to an art form. Since it’s becoming pretty much a daily occurrence for me, I figured I would share it with you guys.

Mom and I enjoying some Pipa's on Tamarindo beach

Mom and I enjoying some Pipa’s on Tamarindo beach

In most towns you can find locals selling coconuts on the beach, but they are not all created equal. In Tamarindo for instance, most of the pipa sellers carry pre-shucked coconuts around in buckets of water. These coconuts are fine, but I find they don’t taste as fresh, and are often warm from being lugged around the beach all day.

To really get a delicious pipa experience, you want to look for a vendor who is selling the whole coconuts, the ones that still have their green outer shell on them. I’ve found the best ones are often sold out of the back of pick up trucks, and are kept in coolers of ice. If you find one of these, you are in business.

Carlo works his magic

Carlo works his magic

So, you have located a pipa truck…now what? Well, the magic words “Una pipa, porfavor” will get you what you need. Get your 500 colones ($1), ready, and watch the magic unfold.

In these photos Carlo, my favourite Pipa seller in Playa Coco, brandished a gigantic machete, and carefully lopped off the top of the coconut. He worked fast, and managed to make a small little hole in the top without losing a drop of the delicious coconut water inside. It is an impressive sight to watch.

delicioso!

delicioso!

Just like that you have some delicious coconut water to enjoy. It tastes so fresh, and crisp compared to what you buy back home. It’s the perfect perk up after a long afternoon in the sun. I always start by eating the little bit of coconut meat on the “lid” of the coconut, and then dive into the water.

So at this point, sit back, relax, and enjoy, but don’t go far! There is more fun to be had!

Lots of people will just throw the coconut out once they’ve finished the water, but if you are looking for a little snack, and some healthy fats, the coconut meat is a great snack.

The machete is wielded once again.

The machete is wielded once again.

Head back to your pipa vendor, and he/she will help you out!

First they cut one of the hard ends off. This will become the spoon. Then they give the centre of the coconut one big schwack with their machete. Using a baton, they continue to hit the blade until it breaks the coconut in half. It is a violent process, and an impressive feat.

Perfect afternoon snack!

Perfect afternoon snack!

Using the little spoon they created at the start, they scrape the meat loose from both sides of your coconut, and pour it all into one of the halves.

And just like that, you have a beautiful little treat for your afternoon!

Pipa’s are one of the many things I have found during my travels that feel like a treat, but still keep me healthy. And at $1 a pop, you just can’t go wrong! Just remember, they will always taste best when consumed while enjoying the view of the beach!

beach view!

beach view!

Do you like coconut water? Have you tried fresh coconut?

Pura Vida!

Kate

Follow me on Twitter: @caketress