Archive for January, 2008
So what is Guaro you ask? It’s a common myth that Costa Rica doesn’t have a national drink. In a nation of drinkers as prevalent as this one: of course there had to be a national drink, and what better then local moonshine dressed up in a respectable bottle and sold everywhere.
Costa Ricans love their booze as much as anyone; historically more then most. I tried to find some related statistics to share with you, but my research came up empty. I can tell you that I met many Costa Ricans or Ticos (as they like to be called), during my stay, and they all had the same thing to say when it came to alcohol. “Tico’s love to drink; love it.” Well, I guess that will have to do.
Many travelers and Tico’s won’t touch the stuff. Bollocks I say! I loved it. Here is how to enjoy it, and get Guaro-oed like we say at the Botella de Leche; the finest hostel in C.R. Straight up it tastes like a mild ouzo with a rubbing alcohol finish. For shots, definitely chill it and add some fresh squeezed limes to the shaker; refreshing and cheap. For cocktails, any juice will do; but a lemon lime juice is the best complement to this moonshine liquor. Like all moonshines, the effects on the body and mind are like a hot knife through butter; so take it easy at first. It also tends to linger longer in the system then most other boozes. I can tell you on many occasions in the morning while trying to get up early to make high tide; I was defiantly still Guaro-oed. Dizziness and wrenching headache had me climb right back into bed and try again tomorrow; both the surfing and Guaro. On my third night out in Tamarindo, we had a good group of travelers from the hostel hit the town together. The idea of doing some shots eventually surfaced; later reports indicating I was the culprit. So when we asked the bartender what the cheapest shots were; the bartender said with a knowing smile: “Guaro of course, it’s the national drink of Costa Rica”. Perfect. As first time Guaro drinkers, soon to be experts, we did them straight up; no ice or limes, in Dixie cups that were three quarters full. They were a thousand Colones each (two dollars), looking at the shear monstrosity of the shots in front of us; we thought it was a superb value and the next best thing to sliced bread. What ensued was shear drunken madness. I won’t attempt to describe it; partially because I don’t remember shit about it. I will tell you we did have a great night and Guaro became a short of local legend and tradition at the hostel. The night finished with Kalen and I, my new obliterated buddy, in a heated debate over the book The Power of Now. It almost ended badly until we both realized what belligerent fools we were when the sun started to rise. I got a funny facebook message a month later from Kalen that made me laugh my ass off. “I just wanted to inform you that I’m currently reading the Power of Now. hahaha, hope all is well dude, see ya again sometime soon!” Apparently on Guaro, Kalen was able to passionately debate the book without ever reading it. LOL Cheers buddy and Pura Vida forever. On Guaro the all knowing Wikipedia had this to say. “It is a clear liquor made from sugar cane, and therefore has a slightly sweeter taste than comparable liquors. Guaro is a popular alcoholic drink in Costa Rica, although in many places guaro can refer to almost any liquor. Guaro is made by a distillation process of sugarcane juices, resulting in an alcohol that is clear in color and has a slightly sweet flavor.Sometimes guaro is referred to as a “soft vodka” because it has a lower alcohol content than vodka. In Costa Rica, the government nationalized the manufacturing of Guaro in an effort to quell the clandestine production of liquor. The “Fabrica Nacional de Licores” (National Liquor Factory) was founded for this reason, and currently produces the only legal brand of Guaro, the Guaro Cacique. Some clandestine liquor production still occurs, but it is seen more as a tradition than a business because as it would be difficult to compete with the nationally produced guaro.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guaro_%28drink%29
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I remember sitting in my grade six classroom staring out the window dreaming of basketball, star wars, and my grade six crush. I looked around the classroom and wondered if any of the other kids were actually paying attention to what the teacher was saying. My wandering imagination has always been more fascinating to me then what most others had to teach. I would dream and fantasize constantly; paying little attention to the boring or mundane moments in life. Later on, I would learn this is the blessed curse of writers; a never ending imagination of possible wonders. I didn’t realize I wanted to be a writer till very late in life. The first piece of literature that broke open a little crack in the doorway was the poem Ulysses by Lord Alfred Tennyson. It was my grade twelve English class where I heard that inspiring piece for the first time. Incredibly, it was the first time that any piece of writing had any sort of affect on me. That moment inspired me to travel to Europe that summer for the first time; and that was simply the best decision I have ever made. I grew more in character that summer then I ever had before. I realized the world was a grand and vast place that I had yet to make my mark upon. As I traveled, my imagination seemed to stand still while I marveled at all Europe had to offer. Everything was so fresh and alive to me; I was seeing new things and different horizons. I took my first little step closer towards experiencing a few fleeting moments of enlightened that summer. I would return to Europe three years later to find my true self. I was in Corfu Greece sitting on a rock enjoying the splendor of the brilliant pink sunset. I made a list of everything I loved and hated about myself. I looked at it for a long time- and then threw it into the ocean. Then this absolutely overwhelming feeling of joy invaded my soul, and I wept with tears of joy for the first time in my life. I was happy to be who I was; and proud of the accomplishments that I had made. That cry was the best cry of my life: I was forever a changed man. Nothing could hold me back from returning to Europe that next summer. I needed to go back and sit on that very same rock to figure out what I want to do with my life. The question I put to myself was simple. If I could do anything at all, what would make me the happiest? The answer didn’t come to me at that moment sitting on my rock once again, but when I left Greece on a ferry ride to Italy; the answer came while gazing out at the never ending horizon and sunset before me. I was listening to Ben Harpers song ‘Give a man a home’ and I finally figure it out. I wanted to travel the entire world and write about my journey. That would make me the happiest man I could be. I knew that was the answer I was looking for more then I knew anything else on earth. I traveled up along the coast to arrive in Barcelona a couple of days later; there I received my first meeting with fate. I arrived in Barcelona very late at night and there wasn’t a bed to be found anywhere. I stored my backpack in a locker at the train station and headed to the beach to crash. I awoke miserably that morning, I searched everywhere for 5 hours to find a place to stay; the hot sun was pouring down on me and my heavy backpack was digging deeper and deeper into my shoulder. I had no luck at all. I was ready to give up and get back on the train, I decided to give it one more try and go back to a hostel that had put me on a waiting list. Finally, the hostel L’Auberge Palau had only one bed available; I quickly snatched it up. On my bed was a copy of The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho: a story about a sacred journey to Santiago Compostela in Northern Spain to become a new man and leave all the past behind. I decided it would become part of my journey and I traveled to that majestic place. In the cathedral of Saint James of Compostela; I felt the undeniable presence of god with me at the moment, and I knew that there was a higher source of power at work here on earth. When I returned home I quickly picked up a copy of Paulo Coelho’s famous book The Alchemist. I realized everything I would ever need to know about listening to my heart and chasing my dreams. I was the Shepard boy who loved to travel and was seeking his personal treasure by following his dreams. From that moment on, I dedicated my life to becoming a writer. It’s my greatest dream and personal legend. I had finally found what I was looking for; my destiny. Ulysses is still my favorite poem and The Alchemist my favorite book by my favorite writer. So there it is; the story behind my journey to become a travel writer. JMH P.S. If you’re an editor or publisher, then I probably want to write for you, so drop me a comment below.
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50 Cents said it best with “All the things they said you shouldn’t do: I did them.” Well, me to 50. I stood many times in the garden of forbidden fruit tasting each flavor: only then can you decide what fruits are right or wrong for you. I remember Kerouac boldly stating that the appeal to being a writer was having to live the biggest life possible. And that has always been the life for me, both for better and worse. This post contains a tale of drunken debauchery, if this doesn’t appeal to you, stop reading and click on another entry or category.
So after a 3 hour car ride to Seattle, a 5 hour flight to Houston, a 6 hour delay, another 3 ½ hours to Liberia, a 1 ½ hour shuttle ride to Tamarindo; I finally arrived exhausted and sweaty. Most travelers would rather relax and take it easy on a night like this, but I’m not most travelers. I went harder on my first night in Costa Rica then I have in years. Because this night was the start of an important celebration for me; it was the beginning of a new dream; the dream of Costa Rica.
My new buddy Sage and I decided to go to Babylon for our first night. I bought two local Imperial beers to begin with, but to my surprise, Sage didn’t drink; so I was double fisted from the very beginning. It was Reggae night at Babylon and the DJ was bumping out fresh beats as the crowd filled in. Babylon was an old dingy bar that had taken it’s beating over time; it had both an inside and outside part to it, with a stage and half pipe at the back. The crowd was half tico and half gringo, which suited me just fine. The Imperials went down like smooth water to dehydrated half dead desert beast. The excitement of it all had caution thrown to the wind within the first hour. Before long I was bopping my head to the sounds echoing from of the DJ booth.
I consider myself to be a seasoned traveler who always tries to maintain certain rules when abroad. I kept none of them this evening. Sage eventually left me to go back to the hostel; seeing my progressing inebriation, he tried to give me the proper directions home. I listened closely because I knew these details would be important later; but they were soon floating up in the wind with caution to keep them company. Having been a bartender throughout university, I always bond quickly with the barman standing two feet behind the service area, what I like to refer to as my comfort zone. So with all the excitement in my heart; I felt it was time to do some shots. With no one to drink with, I can always rely on the bartender as an accomplice. So it was Jagers to get it started right, and then another and another: I will stop there because you get the vibe of it.
It’s hard to pin point the exact moment in time when the buzz lifts you away from yourself; but it happened. I was the drunkest man in Tamarindo that night, and just maybe Costa Rica. Before long, and sooner then I could find a cute girl to rap drunken lyrics to, the lights came on and the night was finished. It was time to go home, if I could find home. I missed the pinnacle left turn that brings you back on the main drag. As I stumbled forward, I soon found myself no man’s land. It was dark and there was not a light to the guide the way. I was walking into to Tico turf without any clue or idea where the path was leading. Luckily, this realization hit me when a Tico rushed up to me trying to get me to taste some of his forbidden fruits. I knew at that moment, I was in the wrong place, at the wrong time, in the wrong state of mind. I tried to quickly wave him away without revealing my Gringo accent. My only hope was to retrace my steps and get back to Babylon in a hurry. I found the bar and decided to take a cab back to the hostel. The cabby, upon seeing my state of drunken despair and not being able to translate slurred gringo, didn’t know where I needed get to. Bottle of milk, I slurred over and over. La Botella de Leche was what I was actually trying to say, but all I could remember was the English translation. I knew that walk to the bar was only 15 minutes at most, so when the ride started to take awhile, I got concerned. Was I going to end up a statistic of what not to do on my very first night? We finally came to a lit intersection where there seemed to be some people gathering. I demanded he let me out of the cab; which he declined. I gave him the sternest look possible and yelled to be let out. Before the cab could come to a complete stop, I was half way out and rolling on the ground. The huge gash in my leg didn’t bother me at the time, but it would be a nuisance for the rest of the trip. I obviously got the attention of the crowd at the intersection. I explained to them what was going on and a Good Samaritan immediate told the cabby to take me where I was going; and quit messing around. He assured me the cabby would get me home, so I got back in the cab for another go at it. Two minutes and 12 American dollars later (any ride in Tamarindo is only 2 dollars), I was home sweet home. I was Bleeding and incoherent; but home none the less. Thankfully, I was not a statistic of what not to do.
When I awoke in the morning trying to piece together the night; I was a little ashamed at my behavior. Then I laughed it off as another learning experience while dressing my wounds. If I can impart anything from this experience it’s the following. Number 1#, get the business card of the place you’re staying at. A rule I learned the hard way roaming aimlessly around the street of Nice at 5 a.m. in the morning. Rule #2, always try to go out with a drunken buddy, to inebriated minds is better then one. Rule #3, wait until you know the lay of the land before going harder then you wanted at the night clubs or bars. Rule #4, when in doubt, look for and trust in the Good Samaritan, there everywhere and I consider myself to be one of them. Cheers and Pura Vida forever.
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The Alchemist is my all time favorite book; by my favorite writer Paulo Coelho. One of the best presents I have ever received, is a first edition signed copy of The Alchemist. This book is my heart and soul, and I try to share it with as many people as possible. If you haven’t read this book yet, pick up a copy today. It will teach you how to make best friends with your heart and realize your dreams. The following passages are my favorites. I hope you enjoy.
“I’m alive”, he said to the boy, as they ate a bunch of dates one night, with no fires and no moon. “When I’m eating, that’s all I think about. If I’m on the march, I just concentrate on marching. If I have to fight, it will be just a good day to die as any other. “Because I don’t live in either my past or my future. I’m only interested in the present. If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man. You’ll see that there is life in the desert, that there are stars in the heavens, and that tribesmen fight because they are part of the human race. Life will be a party for you, a grand festival, because life is the moment we’re living right now.” P.89 The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
“There, he could exchange his book for a thicker one, fill his wine bottle, shave, and have a haircut; he had to prepare himself for his meeting with the girl, and he didn’t want to think about the possibility that some other shepherd, with a larger flock of sheep, had arrived there before him and asked for her hand. It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting, he thought, as he looked again at the position of the sun, and hurried his pace. He had suddenly remembered that, in Tarifa, there was an old woman who interpreted dreams.” P.11 The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho “The boy didn’t know what a person’s ‘destiny’ was.
‘It’s what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their destiny is. At that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives. But, as time passes, a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible for them to realize their destiny… It’s a force that appears to be negative, but actually shows you how to realize your destiny. It prepares your spirit and you will, because there is one great truth on this planet: whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It’s your mission on earth.
‘Even when all you want to do is to travel? Or marry the daughter of a textile merchant?’
‘Yes, or even search for treasure. The Soul of the World is nourished by people’s happiness. And also by unhappiness, envy, and jealousy. To realize one’s destiny is a person’s only real obligation. All things are one. And, when you want something, all the universe conspires to helping you to achieve it’.” The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
At that moment, it seemed to him that time stood still, and the Soul of the World surged within him. When he looked intro her dark eyes, and saw that her lips were poised between a laugh and silence, he learned the most important part of the language that all the world spoke-the language that everyone on earth is capable of understanding in their heart. It was love. Something older then humanity, more ancient then the desert. Something that exerted the same force whenever two pairs of eyes met, as had theirs here at the well. She smiled, and that was certainly an omen-the omen he had been awaiting, without even knowing he was, for all his life. The omen he had sought to find with his sheep and in his books, in the crystals and in the silence of the desert.
It was the pure language of the World. It required no explanation, just as the universe need none as it travels through endless time. What the boy felt at that moment was that he was in the presence of the only women in his life, and that, with no need for words, she recognized the same thing. He was more certain of it than anything in the world… …And when two such people encounter each other, and their eyes meet, the past and the future become unimportant. There is only that moment, and the incredible certainty that everything under the sun has been written by one hand only. It is the hand that evokes love, and creates a twin soul for every person in the world. Without such love, one’s dreams would have on meaning. Maktub, thought the boy.”
P. 97 The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The boy reached through to the soul of the World, and saw that it was part of the soul of God. And he saw that the soul of God was his own soul. And that he, a boy, could perform miracles.” P.160 The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
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The most commonly used phrase in Costa Rica is Pura Vida. Everything in Costa Rica is Pura Vida! The simple translation is Pura Life; but the saying has a far more profound meaning to people of Costa Rica, and the travelers who fall in love with this majestic country.
The first time I was explained the meaning of Pura Vida, I was enjoying dinner with one of my new friends Sage at Bruno’s restaurant in Tamarindo. Sage lived in Costa Rica a couple months each year to teach surf lessons at Witch’s Rock Surf Camp; he spoke Spanish fluently and was familiar with the local customs and lingo. Sage, “Pura Vida was first explained to me like this”, ‘Only here for a short time, so spread some cheer; and then your gone’. This ungrammatically correct sentence immediately struck a chord in my heart. The bank tellers, the restaurant servers, street vendors will all greet you with this saying; as well as say good-bye. In my short stay, a month that flew by, I couldn’t hear or say this beautiful statement enough. I was simply a Pura Vida addict. Pure Life; how simple and wonderful of a statement to live by. The all knowing wikipedia has the following translation. Pura Vida (POO-rah VEE-dah), used by Costa Ricans since 1956, literally translated means “Pure Life.” Contextually, it means “Full of Life” “Purified life”, “This is living!”, “Going great!” It is used as a greeting, a farewell, and to express satisfaction. The phrase has become widely known in the USA and Europe. Some foreigners view the phrase as an expression of a leisurely lifestyle, of disregard for time and wanton friendliness. However, Costa Ricans use the phrase to express a philosophy of strong community, perseverance, good spirits, enjoying life slowly, celebrating good fortune, whether small or large. Origins of the word ‘Pura Vida’ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Costa_Rica I was curious to find out the exact origins of the word, and I googled upon this article about it’s origin by Tony Cousins. “Indeed, the most credible origin of the word is that it developed from the interaction between the surfing pioneers of the mid 1950’s and the local Costa Ricans (or Ticos) they encountered. Whatever it’s beginnings there is no doubting that it has become part of the vernacular and Costa Ricans claim it to belong to pachuco, a slang or common speech somewhat removed from Spanish and very particular to Ticos. Used as a greeting, a goodbye, sometimes as an agreement, this versatile phrase, often shortened to a brief pura, signifies something deeper to Costa Ricans. It embodies a philosophy in which communal ties are strong and close; difficulties are overcome with a resilient and happy spirit, where life is enjoyed leisurely and to the full, and where fortune of whatever size is heartily celebrated.” http://www.costaricaholiday.co.uk/News/Pura.htm If you have never been to Costa Rica, you may hear this statement, but you will never feel this statement: not until you’re relaxing on the beach watching the sunset and feeling content that everyone who walks by gives you the acknowledgement of a smile, nod, or a Pura Vida. That is one little thing that I will always miss about Costa Rica, and may never understand about North America, the simple hello’s from people passing by. We’re all here on this earth together as one human race. So please spread some Pura Vida and cheer before you’re gone and bring some joy to the lives of others. Even a simple hello can bring light to a gloomy soul. One love and Pura Vida forever…
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Here are my top ten rules and travel tips for anyone planning a trip to Costa Rica. I have listed them in order of importance. The tips are invaluable to you having a safe and fun time in this wonderful country. Please don’t let this scare or dissuade you from traveling to Costa Rica. If you follow these simple rules; I am sure you will have the time of your life and a safe trip.
(Rule #1) Never leave your bags inside you vehicle unattended, particularly at tourist spots. I would say the number one occurrence of theft in Costa Rica is caused by tourist leaving their bags and valuables in plain sight in their vehicles. You’re asking for trouble if you don’t follow this rule closely. While I was in Bagaces, I was fortunate enough to have a local tour guide who showed me around to all the best tourists’ spots like the Bagaces waterfalls. Two days earlier, a group of tourist who had just landed at the Liberia airport, stopped by there quickly to walk down and take a look at these beautiful waterfalls. They left their bags in the car while heading down; only to return to find their window broken at all their valuables stolen. Their wallets, passports, and everything else was taken on their second day in Costa Rica. Unfortunately, at most secluded spots like this one, there is no police presence and local thieves pray on these particular areas. Use the trunk if possible, or drop your bags off at the hotel or hostel if you’re before heading to this kind of location.
(Rule #2) The second most common occurrence of theft occurs while using the public bus system. Particularly when traveling to and from San Jose, groups of thieves will look for tourists on the bus and attempt to pick-pocket them while they’re loading or unloading their bags. Usually it will be a female who attempts to distract you and invade your personal space while the accomplice will attempt to pick-pocket you. They’re professionals and will be very unassuming and quick; so be on guard. You can prevent this by being aware, watching out for your friends, and not letting anyone invade your personal space. In addition, it is a good idea to keep your passports, money, and credit cards in a travel belt that you can put around your waist and tuck away; or the shoulder belts that you can hide under your shirt. I know these belts aren’t the most popular or stylish items; but even having one for your group to use when going from location to location is a good idea. The Interbus, which is mostly used by tourist, is the safest and best way to travel in Costa Rica for a little extra money. Usually, 30 to 40 bucks will get you anywhere you need to go. http://www.interbusonline.com (Rule # 3) Always keep a backup source of money, keep a bank card or credit card in a separate location. You should always have some sort of alternative means to get money if you’re the unfortunate victim of a theft. I always keep my most valuable cards and money with my passport in my travel belt. However, I also keep one bank card or credit card stashed away somewhere hidden in my bag along with a little petty cash. This way, if your wallet or purse gets snatched, you will have something to really on. Traveler checks are always a good idea as well; and be sure to keep the receipts in a separate location from the checks.
(Rule # 4) Get to know the flawed banking system in Costa Rica. In the major cities like Tamarindo, Jaco, and Liberia this won’t be a problem; but in the smaller tourist spots like Santa Theresa and Manuel Antonie, there is often only one ATM that will decline cards for no reason 40 to 50 percent of the time. Even if the ATM says you can use your card with the Plus system or whatever, for a reason that was never explained to me, it often doesn’t work. So if you’re heading to a smaller city, always take out money before you leave. With today’s modern banking, Traveler Checks have become less popular; but I would have been up shits creek without them on my trip. Two times, I was in towns that had inadequate ATM that wouldn’t work for me, as with many other travelers. It was so bad that the people behind you in line would ask you if it worked because this is such a common occurrence. In Santa Theresa, it was not uncommon to see backpackers in the local liquor stores asking people if they could purchase their booze on credit card and get cash back from the purchase because they had no other means of getting money.
(Rule #5) When you head to the beach leave your valuables safely put away at place you’re staying. In addition, if you head into the water; put your sandals and beach stuff next to someone who will watch it. You can ask almost anyone; preferably someone who looks like they’re on the same type of trip as you. Everyone that I asked was happy to do this for me and I didn’t lose a thing while at the beach. They will take whatever they can get, including your 10$ sandals, so be safe rather then sorry. If you’re a surfer, who is heading to remote locations; try burying or hiding your stuff somewhere on the beach out of view from people passing by. Furthermore, don’t leave or put down your camera or purse on the tables or bars. One girl that I met from Miami, got pretty hammered one night, and while fluttering around the bar kept leaving her purse and camera laying around. Twice I picked it up and gave it back to her; but she ended up losing it anyways. Before she had time to cancel the credit cards; the thief was able to charge over 190$ at the local gas station. I also witnessed a German lady have her pursed snatched from the back of the chair she hung it on. The assailant made a quick snatch and run to the beach and ended up getting away; keep your purse on your lap or tuck neatly underneath the table at all times.
(Rule #6) Get to know the Ocean by asking questions about the right locations for swimming and surfing. The rip currents and hidden rocks can end your vacation in a hurry; so ask for information before you dive in. Its always a good idea to follow the crowd when in doubt: if you don’t see anybody in the water at a certain location, then there is probably a reason for it.
(Rule # 7) Never disrespect the locals. It’s their view regardless of your situation, that we have everything and they have nothing. Treating locals poorly or without respect is asking for trouble. In addition, never get into a conflict with a local at the bar; they always stick together against the Gringos (which is you or any other traveler), regardless if they’re friends or not. They never fight fair and always use bottles, so don’t bother thinking about winning. They pride themselves on knowing this and have the winning record to prove it. If a situation does occur, my best advice is to say sorry and Pura Vida. Saying Pura Vida with compassion in your eyes may just save your life. Ultimately, the locals are very friendly and helpful people who are out for a good time as well. In my month stay in Costa Rica, I was out every night and only saw two fights. Both included ignorant Americans, bottles and victory going to the home team.
(Rule #8) Ask, ask, and ask; and always use your common sense. The people working at the hotels and restaurants are your best source of information. So just ask; ask what to do, and what not to do, this will help your trip will be a safe one. (Rule # 9) Avoid San Jose if possible, or spend the least amount of time there you can. San Jose is considered by the locals the shame of Costa Rica, and for good reasons. It’s the only place you will find robberies as apposed to petty theft. Land at Liberia Airport if possible, or get the hell out of San Jose as soon as you can. Port Limon is also a place you want to avoid. It’s the drug port of Costa Rica which is controlled by fierce gangs who even intimidate the local authorities by threatening their families. Even the locals don’t go out at night in Port Limon and you shouldn’t either. (Rule # 10) Make a local friend. They people of Costa Rica are a beautiful people; they consider themselves to be one of the friendliest and happiest people in the world. I believe this to be a very true statement. All the locals that I met were wonderful and very kind. I made many local friends who I knew would help me out of an unpleasant situation if necessary. Especially once you leave the big tourist cities where all of the crime happens, the locals are from small farming communities where helping others is a part of everyday life. I heard more stories of locals helping travelers here then any other third world country I can think of. From being lost to having a flat tire, the locals want to help you and show tourists their pleasant and charming nature, as well as the beauty of their country. These are precautionary rules and guide lines to follow while traveling to Costa Rica or any country in Central America. Please don’t let this discourage you from heading to Costa Rica: thousands of tourist and travelers head down there every year and have a safe and amazing trip. The chance of someting bad happening are very slim and if you follow these simple rules, I can almost give you a 100% guarantee you will not have any problems on your journey or vacation. Pura Vida and safe travels…
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Only the fool compares the true beauty of a sunset or mountain top view. They must be admired individually without any attempt to compare or contrast. Just sit back, take a deep breath and suck it the entire splendor of the moment before you. For me, gazing upon sunsets is a truly wonderful experience. The soul of the universe reveals its grand and vast beauty in the sky as the sun sinks down below the horizon line: the sky changing with each moment before you in an escalading array of remarkable colors that grow more beautiful as time fades before you. I tried not to miss a single one during my stay in Costa Rica. To the true admirer, each is as spectacular as the next. You can feel the wonderful power of the sun that makes the seasons change; the flower bloom, and brings life to our planet. A captivating experience no writer could ever hope to transcend to his or her readers. Even those unknowing souls can peacefully enjoy a moment of enlightened clarity and soothing calm. It is a moment to enjoy alone, with friends or a lover: enlightenment seeping in ever more closely to the heart and mind. Before you are some pictures of the beauty I want to share with the world from my journey to a new distant land; each individually as beautiful as the one before it. I hope are able to enjoy; for I was able to marvel.
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Tags: , backpacking, blog, breathtaking, central america, costa rica, distant land, dream, enjoy, heart, I, marvel, marvelous, mind, now, peacefully, pictures, sky, soul of the universe, splendor, sun, sunset, sunsets, travel, Traveling, true beauty, wonderful
La Botella de Leche is an amazing 5 star hostel located in beautiful Tamarindo beach Costa Rica. From the funky cow décor to the bean bag common room; my initial impression was that this isn’t your average hostel filled with rules and regulations. This was a paradise for the free spirit; a special place where travelers from all over the world can make best friends over night and join a new family forever: a place where memories will never be lost and stories will go on being told forever. So what makes a 5 star hostel anyways? Well to start with, the staff is definitely one of the key components. From the first impression to the last, the staff lay down the foundation of what that hostels experience will be all about. LaBotella de Leche is run by a family from Argentina. The owner Mariana is a wonderful lady who will help you with all of your travel plans from booking shuttles to your next hostel. From the three cool brothers, the 4 dogs and 2 cats, to the little new born baby; the sense of family has a beautiful presence here. I was told by Wences one of the brothers, who is the best surf instructor in Tamarindo and runs La Botella de Leche Surf school, which I highly recommend and is located in front of The 70s Surf Shop on the main drag; the history behind La Botella. The mother Mariana said one day out of the blue “I want to open a hostel like they have in Europe here in Tamarindo”. Wences quickly replied that “a place where people share rooms will never work here in Costa Rica”. As the story goes, on the very first day they opened La Botella they filled every bed. As in most cases, mother always knows best. As for the name La Botella de Leche, which translates to The Bottle of Milk, a very different name for a hostel; I was told it was a recurring theme that would pop up everywhere and seemed fitting for her. My take on it is the following; when you see the old school bottles of milk, the first thing you inevitably think of is the family home; and that is exactly what La Botella is all about. A family home with an open door and a warm welcome: simply put, a very special place. LaBotella de Leche has become my second favorite hostel in the entire world: coming in second only to the legendary Pink Palace in Corfu Greece; and beating out L’auberge Palau in Barcelona, for my prior number 2 spot. If you’re lucky, when you travel you will find a place in a distant land that feels like home. A place that is hard to leave because the present moment in time feels so perfect. La Botella de Leche is just such a place and I was very fortunate to spend 2 long weeks there. I will definitely be adding more stories about the wonderful friends I made while staying there and the parties that took place; so stayed tuned for more upcoming tales from this one of a kind Hostel. The botella de Leche does take reservations, so if you would like the contact email; please leave me a comment and I will be sure to pass it along to you, or you can go to http://labotelladeleche.com/ for more information.
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Tags: , 5 star hostel, 70 surf shop, beaches, blog, central america, costa rica, dream, enlightenment, family home, favorite hostel, hostel, 
