Leaving Samara for Nosara today.  The rain keeps coming down intensely for 15 minutes at a time and then it will clear for a bit, so hoping for a dry pocket to put on my pack and find my way to the bus for the hour ride north. 
Lovely community of travelers and locals I've found here, so somewhat hard to leave.
However, Yoga training begins tomorrow evening.....Pura Vida indeed!
Lotsa love,
r

Its taken me a few days to get into a routine here(sorry for the delay, familia), but now I'm settled into my lil room at the hostel mariposa and am enjoying the town of Samara (despite a reported dengue outbreak that I've been very anxious about every time I get a mosquito bite(!) and the rats that frequent the walls when I'm trying to sleep!).  The people are friendly (not overly so I was pleased to find) and its a nice mix of Ticos, ex-pats, and visitors.  And picking mangos and papayas for breakfast is pretty sweet.
I went to an amazing yoga class this morning from an expat yoga teacher named Hawk (from Canada) and then to an empty beach for the afternoon where I body surfed.  Along the way, saw the howler monkeys up close-a family of 7 in a nearby tree, including two lil ones.  So cute! Starting to gear up for my training by going to sleep early and waking with the damn roosters at 5.  The beach is lovely at dawn....
Hope you all are well.   Miss you and wish you were here! 
Su risa

Arrived to the rolling green hills of Costa Rica lit under a lightening sky.  On the plane were hoards of young missionaries who were wondering if there would be running water in this country they were going to "help."  Turns out they were headed for the tiny town I was in when I was 15, Rio Frio.  Interesting coincidence.  I was hoping that they had brought more than just the word of God to those families.. 
After a night attempting sleep on a very squeaky top bunk, now I am sitting in the backpackers hostel waiting for the 5 hour bus ride to Samara.  While I've been waiting, I've met a woman from Quebec, a man from India, another from Alabama, and one just returning from Afghanistan.  So refreshing to meet all of these folks that are all seeking a little respite.  It looks like rain today, but its so warm and tropical feeling.   Off to catch the bus... Love to you all.

Dear Ones,

As I sit in the neighborhood coffee shop while my laundry is drying across the street, I feel so grateful to be supported by all of you, as I plan my upcoming adventure in Costa Rica.   Its been quite the year, and I feel so ready to renew and explore my inner landscape, once again.  And probably be more sore physically since I have in high school, when I was running 10 miles a day. 

I will be in San Jose for the first night, and then take a bus to Samara Costa Rica, on the pacific coast.  Its south of Nosara, where I will be for the yoga teacher training. 
Thought having a blog would be a good way to stay connected and record what lies ahead!
Please follow along and comment away:)

Lots of Love,

Risa