Costa Rica Day 5 - Good Bye

This morning, after packing and a quick breakfast, we are making the 3 hour drive back to San Jose so we can head back home. It will be a long day of travel, and we will be home late at night, but we are looking forward to heading back and seeing our girls.  Costa Rica has been great, and I had a lot more fun than I even thought I would, but it is always great to head back home.

Costa Rica Day 4 - Last group stuff

This evening was the last sunset party and the last group dinner as the bulk of the people watched the super bowl, me included. You know I am on vacation, and with nothing else to do, when I actually sit down and watch part of a football game. This trip has been fun, and Lionel and I are glad we came, but we are also very ready to go back home to our girls, like everybody else. The girls called us a couple of times this evening, because they miss us a lot, and Bella was actually very sad and crying. So for them, and for us, I am glad tomorrow we are heading home.

Costa Rica Day 4 - El Avion

Today for lunch we went to "El Avion", a local restaurant that is literally built around an old airplane. It is very unique, so it was cool to watch. The restaurant is pretty much outdoors, and today was extremely hot, but with all the fans they had going it was actually very nice. 

Costa Rica Day 4 - Recovery morning run

Feb 7,

This morning I went out on a 3.5 mile recovery run. I am not sure I recovered much though, as both yesterday and today I ran down [and walked back up] a super hilly road. I think the road was so steep that it literally made me use muscles I didn't even know were there. So yep, I am quite sore today. During my run I did stop by to take a couple of pictures, including pictures of one of my favorite flowers. I love finding those when I travel to far away places.

Costa Rica Day 3 - Sunset party and dinner

Feb 6,

After the beach we had a "sunset party" at one of the rental houses, the one that had an unobstructed view of the sunset. Everybody hung out at the pool and watched the sunset, which I had never seen happen so quickly. It was beautiful. After that we had a sit down dinner at another one of the houses, prepared by a local chef. The food was very good, and while some people partied by the pool, others [Lionel and I included] had a relaxing evening.

Costa Rica Day 3 - La Playa

Feb 6,

Today we went to the beach, the happiest place on earth [after my own home] for me. It was super hot, but the beach was really nice. The women went on a banana ride, which was a lot of fun. I think the only other time I did it was back in college, so it had been a while. We fell a couple of times, which kind of sucked because then we had to get back on it. But at the same time it was very refreshing, and the water was very nice and clear. I also drank coconut water, and bought some souvenirs. I have never lived closed to the sea, except when I was a baby, but I really really really love the beach.

Costa Rica Day 3 - 5 mile morning run

Feb 6,

This morning, at 6:00 am, I went running outside. I wanted to go out before it got really hot, but I mostly wanted to go early before there were many cars. I ran around town, which is small, so I ran back and forth a few streets. Like any place in Mexico, this little town is full of contrasts: Small, poor homes, next to really big ones. This little town has things that remind me of the places in Mexico where either I or my parents lived. It makes me think of where my dad grew up, because of the warm weather and the way the houses are built. It reminds me of where my mom grew up, because of the way the town smelled. I can't describe it, but it is a very particular smell. And it reminds me of Mexico in general, because of some of the flowers, the cars, the markets, and just the general way of life.