Lost and Found

One of the things that gets me in a slight panic in a foreign country is being lost. It’s especially awful when I am convinced I know exactly where I am.

I enjoyed a visit to the Playa Flamingo in Costa Rica. I spent the day there reading, writing, and admiring the gorgeous sunset. Then I had to leave to catch my transportation back to my hotel. That’s where my problem started.

I hadn’t paid attention to which beach entrance I used earlier in the day. I just knew it was across from a restaurant. But there was no restaurant anymore. I walked back and forth on the beach, thinking I had a landmark but not finding it, and just getting worked up because I knew every way was the wrong way. (Hmm, kind of like the panic I had when I got smacked under the water at breaking point…wow I’m my own therapist now!)

Then, a miracle happened. I told myself I was not lost. I gathered myself together, and I remembered that I had taken photos earlier, like the one at the top of this post. And that’s when I remembered the blue cabana like structure behind me. There was only one blue one on the entire beach.

I felt like my own genius and applauded my resourcefulness. Then I found my way home.