The Levanter

My seventh day at Peace Retreat marked the closest I’ve come to feeling like someone I recognize in nearly six months, likely in part to a my first good night’s sleep.  The winds I’ve come to refer to as "The Levanter" died down last night, a good omen I attribute to the arrival of Kristen, our newest guest from D.C.

She’s the first guest to arrive, though two volunteers have left since I’ve come; Andre left a week ago, and Laura, who left Monday.  Before she left, Laura told me about a music festival, Envision, in Uvita later this month, where she and her boyfriend will meet.  She was directly headed to the southern point of the Nicoya Peninsula to Montezuma.  I must admit, she roused my curiosity (and my courage,) about a possible field trip to parts beyond my yoga haven.

From the night I first arrived I’ve been haunted by the wind.  On the plane here I finished reading “The Alchemist” by Paul Coelho.  References to the winds of change and transformation are made in the beginning as the protagonist Santiago embarks upon his journey seeking his Personal Legend, and in the final chapter as he turns himself into the wind in the deserts of Egypt, signifying his spiritual transformation.  "The Levanter" or "levante" is a strong easterly wind that blows in the Mediterranean and apparently here in Costa Rica because every night as I lay my head to sleep I am TERRORIZED by a blustering wind that blows relentlessly until sunrise.

Tonight, I hope my ear plugs will afford me some relief and a good night’s sleep.

La Vida Pura - Day 1

Here are some pictures.  I wish I was so encumbered by anxiety over missing phone messages.  Both Sprint and Google are failing me right now and I no longer have the energy to pursue the issues.   If Google wants to own my world, they could at least do it right.  No Google Voice on my phone is ruining my life rather than running it.  Also, I lost the Sprint  instructions to set my phone to International Roaming.  I don't know how I did that; they were in the pocket of my purse where I keep my phone. Why does everything have to be so complicated?  Even the Internet instructions don't make sense. Whatever.  This just turned into my first blog post.

Willie drove me to the store this morning in Santa Cruz.  I had a Desayuno Tico (breakfast) of fresh fruit, rice and beans, eggs and toast and the best coffee con leche I've had in a while.  So much for cutting out caffeine today. 

I bought fruit at the market, then Willie bought me a tamarindo drink at an open air stand.  It's like iced tea with sugar and lemon.  They harvest sugar cane here.  So much for giving up sugar today. My selfies suck.

The surf board sign points you in the right direction.  The sign at the entrance ensures you've arrived. 

  

  

Some of the cabinas; mine is #5.  The Courage flag is on my cabina, in case I forget what number I have.

I've met some of the other volunteers and participants, as well as Kevin and his wife Hali who own the beautiful Peace Retreat. The participants are in training from 5:45 am to 9:00 pm.  Yuck.  I'd rather adhere leeches to my own skin. Everyone seems very nice, but I just don't care.  I don't want to know them.  Not sure why; perhaps over the past six plus years I've been overly influenced to find people annoying.  I especially don't want to talk about who I "am," what I "do," nor talk about the relationships I some how use to define me.  I'm so disappointed with life. With love. With myself.  But all that really doesn't matter anyway, now does it?  I guess it never did.

Be Kind

Know God and

Hydrate,

Amy