more pics... http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/jcsalvo/tags/xmas+in+maine
Sunday, December 24, 2006
pura vida wedding
the wedding was unique, heartwarming and most memorable. b and i have been to several weddings with m&l, so we were well aware of matt’s propensity to cry at any and every wedding… but i’ve never seen tears like the ones he cried throughout their ceremony. lisa too – and almost everyone in attendance, tied to each other via the multi-colored ribbons stemming from a central pole stuck in the sand. they promised to travel the world together, always be each others big and little blinds (had to have at least one poker reference)… they had friends sing, parents speak, even sliced the top off a bottle of champagne. the sun set as we snapped pictures on the beach and wondered down the beach to the party.
the reception was full of surprises. danny and the team at luz de vida did a wonderful job – it was the perfect setting for the lineup only m&l could plan:
- gordon kent from the banana cafe & piana lounge in dc performed – his version of tupelo honey was breathtaking, and his “shake it” rocked.
- l&m choreographed their own first dance to brett dennon’s “she’s mine” - so charming it was ridiculous.
- after dark, we circled around some interesting looking guys playing bongos and drums – and then watched a woman maneuver up, down and around a long swath of fabric that hung down from the trees above – and then 2 women dancing while swinging chains with balls of fire – sparks flying and creating fiery trails of light, illuminating their faces as they jumped and wove their way around the crowd. It’s hard to do them justice with words. the pounding rythms and ecstatic shouts were purely tribal and exhilarating. under a sky of stars – amazing. pics are still on matt’s camera… i’ll post them when they’re back.
- fireworks exploded in the sky above the palm trees. it’s not a party until someone brings the fireworks.
- dj kramer had us all tribal dancing with his tunes. high energy late into the night – dancing barefoot in the sand – others in the pool. shorts, bathing suits – the crowd thinning a bit.
- hoopgirl, christabel, showed us all how a hula hoop should really be used. again – hard to do her justice with words. will post the pics when I get them.
- b and i crashed around 3:30am or so.. a couple hours short of the sunset goal
in costa rica, you hear a lot of “pura vida” and “mucho gusto” – it all comes down to celebrating and enjoying life. our friends m&l absolutely know how to do that, and invited us all to costa rica to do the same. we all long to have more of what we experienced there in our lives – all week we would chit chat about buying property there, starting a local restaurant or hotel – packing up and selling out…but realistically, we can’t give up our houses, suv’s, high salaries and modern lives for the dream. what would happen if we did? six months into it, would we start to lose sight of the perfect palm trees and crystal clear stars? would we no longer see the hummingbirds or the hermit crabs on the beach? if we lost power for 2 weeks because of a small storm, would we be able to deal? could we realistically be comfortable without local hospitals, shopping malls, movie theaters and reliable utilities? i commend all the mal pais transplants who took a chance to challenge themselves and find out. i doubt we go that far but i’m still happy to take a few weeks each year to discover places like mal pais.
a few final thoughts on costa rica…
nothing but goodness. connecting with friends I haven’t seen since college. alone time with B. the ocean so warm and clear, strong tide. full moon. bright stars. hungry black flies. pretty hummingbirds. playful iguanas. yummy plantains, beans, rice, Israeli treats. pilsen. pooltime & cannonballs. geckos. wicked beautiful sunsets ;)
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Adventures
Adventure 1: ATV trek to Montezuma w/hike to waterfall
I may not have mentioned that there were about 100 people in Mal Pais for M&L’s wedding. And since Matt recommended we use ATV’s to get around (because it’s a small area, the roads are awful, the mountains steep, and well – they’re really really fun), you can imagine how quickly the local rental guy ran out of options. But no worries – our local connection, Edgar, helped us out. Not sure what the total count was, but here are some pics of our crew getting ready for a little daytripping to Montezuma.
Bandanas: notice that the majority of us are wearing bandanas around our faces. that would be due to the mounds of dust that end up in your mouth, nose, eyes and any other part of you that is left exposed while riding.
Warning Sticker: notice the 3rd item in says "never carry passengers". We noticed that on the last day when we were riding 3 of us on our ATV. Funny.
Montezuma: cute, tiny town. Couple of restaurants, couple of souvenir shops, place to sign up for other day trips (zip lining, scuba, snorkeling, etc…). Our posse rode the roughly 20 miles from Mal Pais to Montezuma one some fun, crazy roads. Through streams, giant potholes, steep inclines and dust dust dust… we rode on. Only one ATV flipped (no injuries!) but there were definitely some close calls. Once we got there we ate at Lucy’s (see Las Comidas below) – enjoyed some cervezas, rinsed off in the sea and enjoyed getting to know some of our new friends. After lunch we hiked up a stream to a waterfall for more swimming – diving was forbidden by Matt (good idea – no hospital in those parts). The ride back was even dustier with us taking up the rear instead of the lead… but the late afternoon sunlight streaming through the orchards and the heavy dust in the air was poetic… just gorgeous. I’d have taken pix but a) I was holding on with both hands, and b) doubtful my camera would have taken the dust so well.
Adventure 2: Zip-Line through Jungle
Shortly after M&L’s second trip to Costa Rica they showed me a video of them flying through the jungle at a pretty intense clip – I could see, hear and feel the excitement (and a little fear I might add) just from the 15-20 sec shaky digicam video recording. At that time, I’m pretty certain I had determined that I would always like to say I’d done a zip line (after all, I am fairly sporty and adventurous…), but I really, REALLY didn’t want to do it. ever.
When B and I got to Costa Rica, the subject of zip lining didn’t come up right away. When it did, it kind of passed and that felt ok. Then… it just happened. Not sure how, but M&L said they were heading over and did some of us want to join…so we hopped on the ATV and within 20 minutes, we were signing a waiver that included terms like injury, dismemberment and death. I won’t describe all the feelings I had going into it. Let’s just say that I recognized my fear, embraced it and let it propel me up a mountain, onto very high platforms among the tree-tops, and put all my trust into some 1 inch round cable, my harness and a cute guide named RRRRolando (that’s not how you spell it, but it’s more fun saying it that way).
There were 6 lines. One was a straight vertical repel down, during which I sang “In the Jungle” rather loudly – because – well, I was in the jungle, saw some monkeys and by that time was having a blast and completely high on flying across zip lines!
I saw the zip line, I jumped from the platform, I cruised over tree tops and through vines. I was fearless (well…), I conquered all 6 and for few moments, I was queen of the jungle. Hee hee. Did I mention I saw monkeys?
Adventure 3: Surfing Mal Pais
Sand, sun, surf. Mal Pais has it all – and the waves are most excellent. It’s not possible to kick some sand and not hit a surfer. So, the brave guests of M&L’s wedding extravaganza rented boards, hired instructors, paddled their hearts out and attempted to SURF. Except me. Damn. Maybe next time. BUT HEY - I ZIP LINED!!!!!
AND, I took some groovy shots of boards and surfers :D See?
Adventure 4: The flight to San Jose
This doesn’t quite fall in the same category as the above activities, but if it’s been a while since you’ve flown in a VERY small plane, let me just say that it’s possible to get a similar rush of fear and excitement. How is it different from any other flight you may ask? Let me tell you, mi amigo…
1) they ask your weight. some of our friends weighed too much and had to find alternative transportation.
2) your bag cannot exceed 25 pounds – the scale hangs off a chain link fence on the side of the airstrip
3) the airstrip is a field with a parking lot
4) the airstrip starts at the side of the road and ends at the ocean’s edge
5) we were 3 seats behind the pilot and we were in the last row
6) there is no aisle, emergency instructions, flight attendant, etc
there are a few other distinctions, but let me just say it’s a gorgeous and exciting way to travel. Try it some time. Sorry I have no pix!
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