Costa Rica~ Floating on a Cloud. Day 1:

Alright soooooo much I want to say & write about, but let’s be real….not going to happen. I arrive at Pura Vida Resort on Saturday at about 2pm. I was in love from the moment I walked in. After checking in and dropping my stuff at my room, I ran up to the dining area to get the lasts of the free lunch food still left (i had not eaten all day). OMG. I died. Not only was the food exceptional, it was totally healthy and right up my ally. I began with some delicious soup with veggies, some red potato concoction, and lots of veggies…my favorite veggies…zucchini, peppers, broccoli, etc. God it was good. And dinner only got better.

After fulfilling my stomach, I walked around the area and took a deep breath to actually accept where i was. I concluded, I found heaven. Literally. Everything was so alive and green and peaceful. So surreal. I felt alive with in hours of arriving. My own personal hut had a private balcony and over looked luscious green hills, city life, and immense fog. We are at a very high altitude, not your typical Costa Rican weather or climate. It’s actually rather chilly. They say we are at the same altitude of Bolder, Colorado…basically, i feel like we are parallel to the clouds, in some dreamy heaven.

While at lunch a group of very kind souls immediately invited me to sit with them, rather than having a whole table to myself. I was so happy. Within 5 minutes of talking them i knew instantly these were the kind of people I needed, wanted, and should be around. They accept with out judging, their open, and enlightened, most importantly, their happy. Turns out they were here from Naples, Florida, on  3 week Yoga retreat. Amazing. They invited me to join their yoga practice that night, and I did, despite the resort having their own yoga classes for guest. I felt special. More importantly, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to join this group of yogis and see what their yoga practice is all about.

I’m not going to get into my thoughts of yoga or yoga practices, but I can tell you, these people are some of the friendliest and nicest people I’ve ever met. It’s incredible that 2 days of being in Costa Rica I have met the happiest and open people. There is no judging, and if they are judging, its different. They judge you on the moment, after all they dont know you. And who cares? You may see them again, you may not. If there is anything I’ve learned about traveling, and thus far on my Costa Rican adventure, its the power of meeting new people, and even strangers. There is sooooo much you can learn from a quite conversion with someone you dont know. I love it. Imagine just chatting somewhere with a new soul you dont know, you have nothing to hide, neither do they. Furthermore, you know you probably wont see them again (unless you’re a guy trying to get it), so you’re both honest. You all have difference experiences and unknown pasts. It doesnt matter. You’re there in the moment, talking and being honest about one another about anything. It’s empowering & liberating to do. Just 2 days of being in Costa Rica, and I’ve already learned so much from the people I’ve met and learned so much about my self at the same time.

I ended my Saturday, first full day in Costa Rica, with a 2 hour Yoga class led by the Florida Yogis. It was great & completely different then any other class i’ve been to in the States. The music kept my concentration & allowed me to let go & the postures were both relaxing, challenging, & rewarding. My favorite thing of all was how the class began at 415pm….kinda light out, cloudy, but the sun still shined without rain. As we continued our practice and by time we ended at about 630pm, it was pitch dark. I had literally done yoga, meditated & relaxed while watching the fog sway, the clouds move & the sun go down. Pure Enlightenment. I actually felt like i was doing Yoga on a cloud. Picture a small tent with nice shiny wood floors set up below a giant tree outside in the fresh air. Then see the window with a view of the city & clouds drifting past while you reach your calm. That’s where I was. AAAMMAAZZZZING. I know most people reading probably thing I”m some spiritual freak; and i’m not. But this was empowering and so different than what I was use to. AAAHHH.

What was next? Food. I went to another healthy & vegetable loaded dinner with my new yoga friends & chowed down. The natural flavors made me eat more than i ever would have. Bliss. I then joined someone in the jacuzzi and ended my night with a quite chat in the spa overlooking the dark sky and bright city lights. So beautiful. Next, some reading & bed time. I’ve read more in 2 days than I have this entire year I think (not really but close) I’ve already finished 2 books & have grazed over a few others. God how nice & wonderful it is to literally do nothing, yet be busy, and finally be able to shut out the outside world & just enjoy ME, where I’m at, in this moment, the presence. I’ve already changed after my full day of being here, though it feels like I’ve been here longer. I know when I leave, I will be a whole new Kali, changed for the better….