That Lousy Experience

Like any experience in life, seems like there is always one of those moments where a disappointment provides you with perspective and self learning.

For me, that moment came upon my arrival in Quepos, Costa Rica. After a couple of weeks of pure magic, I felt like I got dropped off in a crappy beach suburb filled with unsavory and unfriendly people, in a run down town where I didn’t belong. 

Feeling like I made a huge mistake and wanting to get out of here, I ran to a nearby bus stop to go into Manuel Antonio hoping to find some of the magic I was missing. Instead, I ended up in a beach town full of tourist shops. I decided to try out the national park but that was closing 30 minutes after my arrival and was also closed the next day. Seemed like I picked the wrong town on the wrong day and instead of extending my stay, I tried to make plans for my next destination instead.

The problem was, I suddenly felt like leaving Costa Rica and exploring another country. I was really disappointed. I stopped for a bite to eat and ended up spending more than I wanted, but figured I deserved a decent meal.

Adding to my disappointment, to get out of this area, the transportation costs are astronomical.

This bad day just “happened” to occur right at the moment that my pre-scheduled plans run out. I, the gal that lives her life by planning everything, decided to change it up and live by the seat of my pants, deciding what to do at the last minute. What I felt like doing, though, was running away. While you may be enjoying my photos and journey, the fact is, I’m on a journey of self discovery, and it’s not easy. I have to track my expenses every day and pay attention to my budget. I’m mostly eating at the cheapest places I can, which means eating a lot of rice and beans, and one can only tolerate so much! I live out of a suitcase which, though I’ve added only a beach towel to, seems to expand every time I re-pack. I’m not sure of my destinations geographically, and I’m also uncertain of my own personal destination. So, a day like this makes the head spin with doubt and even be tempted to go back home and forget it. (Don’t worry, I’m not!) I am beginning to understand why so many people told me I’m brave to be taking this journey at all, and had to share that it’s not all roses.

Once I tapped in to all my doubts and fears, I told  myself to take this on as a life challenge that’s simply a part of my adventure.

The only thing I was certain of, besides feeling like I made a mistake, was that I had no idea about the geography, distances between cities, and the best ways to navigate them. After a small pity party, I realized that the best thing for me to do was to get the information I was missing. Unfortunately, no tourist office exists in the Manuel Antonio/Quepos area, so I took my chances at a shop that books tours. The owner proved quite helpful, and a few brochures and advice later, I had enough information to need a WiFi connection to do some research.

I decided to go to a coffee shop I had seen another couple specifically ask the bus driver for directions to. (I hoped it might be impressive, somehow.) It turned out to have a marvelous view. (The one in this photo.) And, it was laid back, so they let me hang out with just a cup of coffee, but then I met a lovely couple there from Victoria (second amazing couple from that area!) and had some juice and a second coffee. By the time I was done, I had booked a tent adventure in Corcovado, possible transportation there, and more accommodations in Playa Samara. I have no idea how things will work out, but I guess we will all find out shortly!

White-faced monkey just a few feet above my head

As with a person, I think a country has its good and its bad points. I decided I can’t completely change my opinion of a place based on one disappointment. And, in fact, that my disappointment was just a point of view, and I can shift that, too, by looking for the things I like that are right in front of me. That proved to be white-faced monkeys and a beautiful sunset!