“AND the music keeps on playing on and on…”

These lands have a way of causing me to revisit this process I sometimes have of needing 2-3 days to feel fully arrived anywhere on my journeys. In the ebbs and flows, I'm at peace with it... some people never even arrive. I’ve written a lot more between now and my last entry, but haven't had the phone charge or wifi signal to post it. …this too I am totally at peace with. Ive been living rather than documenting this trip much more than ever, but with the end in sight, I'll be taking a few more photos to look back upon. I tire of these t-shirts and souvenirs, but reminiscing over photos is a priceless gold to me.

I’ll post more later; what is chronology anyway but another imposed construct of perceived order? For now, Pura Vida from the Caribbean 🤙

Manafest @ Rocking J's - Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

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the Journey of a healer

Four days deep into the journey, and finally BEGINNING to feel settled. It all immediately felt worth it, the two flights, a 20 minute journey on foot up the highway in the darkness of 2AM to kill time at a Denny's, a 25 minute Uber ride to the bus station, a 4 hour bus ride to a coastal mountain town for a pit stop at an eco hostel, a day of nausea and heaving, another 10 minute Uber ride to the bus station, a 2 hour bus ride and 7 minute walk.

It seemed like a burger, a brew, beach town view was all I needed to remind me why I love it here so much, why it is that I return. Day 3 begged to differ, given another day of physical weakness, inability to keep down food, and violent bile heaving (pardon the graphic specificity). Still, I mustered the energy to trek up to a local waterfall, prefaced by wading pools scattered about the rock beds full of locals and visitors alike, some brave souls climbing up to ride the waterfall down, or diving into the deepest of the pools from the side of the cliff. Somehow I felt well immediately after submerging myself in the waters and whilst reflecting atop a large boulder. Somehow, even in just initiating transit back to the hostel, I felt worse again.

Generally speaking, I am always looking on the bright side of things, always doing my best to derail worry. In my experiences, I have found worry to do more needless harm in times that could've gone perfectly fine. In the somewhat psychedelic lull of my malaise, I found myself amidst the thoughts,"Is this journey more uncomfortable than I remember? Is this journey more uncomfortable than I've been allowing myself to feel?" And suddenly, there I began to feel better, therein was my answer. I have been here like this before, of course, and that was the silliest part of it all. Last year the transitions of the journey were equally as taxing on my body. In the newness of it all, I had better surrendered to it. This year, I allowed myself to be so excited about the new adventures, look so forward to the reunions and the new iterations of land loved, that I forgot to give due credit and reverence to the journey, one none too easy, that delivers me to it all. The moment I embraced, became comfortable with my discomfort, a discomfort I was all too ready to deny, is the moment that I was rewarded with the ease of my existence, the truth of my true comfort once again.

More and more I am ready to give. Four days deep, finally feeling comfortable again, and the party hasn't even begun yet. 😎

Thank you Sibu Cafe for your hospitality, excellent not-just-for-the-jungle cuisine, and comfortable space

inaugural post: A Snowbird Pausing at an Oasis…

Sweaty after a literal uphill climb to our hostel with my entire pack for the journey -55 some pounds- and we're greeted with high vibes, some really welcoming staff, and ... what... a welcome drink? Something like a tropical sweet black tea complete with starfruit garnish. Pura Vida, mae. Life is so, so good.

At this very moment I'm en route to Uvita, Costa Rica, taking a pit stop in the beautiful Puntarenas Province containing Manuel Antonio National Park. This will be the second winter I've spent in Costa Rica and there's a multitude of reasons that bring me here. For one, anyone who's been to Costa Rica doesn't need me to explain what would guide me here even just once, and again. Even anyone who has never set foot in Costa Rica for themselves is aware of the energy, the feeling, the lush nature and kind people that come to mind when the locale is on topic.

In harmony with that, I've happened upon ways to share my passions for gainful employment, and so very gratefully so. And to be more specific? I'm here to contribute to the communities at Envision Festival and Manafest Festival, sharing goods and healing services.

With all the excitement behind one festival that I've already shared energy with in the past, and very fulfillingly so, and another that comes with high ratings and recommendation, it might seem a little overwhelming to focus on the experience, but my perspective is very clear.

I am most excited for two things on this journey: 1) the Sunsets. The sunsets on the Puntarenas coast at Uvita beach are to absolutely LIVE for. I get goosebumps just thinking about them; I am now. 2) In a potentially more, and yet also potentially less, tangible sense, I look forward to the community and the absolute vortex that inevitably configures when so many people come together for the same reasons, with the same or at least incredibly similar visions. It's a force that has sadly become so rare in these modern times. I sometimes imagine, if only we could all find common ground as a planet, and it's ironic that we don't already, just imagine the things that we could do?

Thank you Teva Hostel - Manuel Antonio, CR