Monkeys, chocolate, and waterfalls

Had a really great day today! Took a tour to the jaguar rescue center which was amazing. The center takes in and rehabilitates animals to help them get back into the wild. Howler monkeys, sloths and many other animals surround the place. We were actually able to go into the monkey cage and play with these amazing little animals! They are so cute and cuddly! Then we saw the sloths (they have both 2 and three toed sloths. Some were sleeping but a few were moving around the little area. I'd never seen a sloth move before so this was crazy interesting to see! Heres a photo of a three toed sloth sleeping!


After the sanctuary we learned a little bit if the indigenous culture. We learned how they make chocolate and cocoa butter. As we watched their demo they let us taste the cocoa seed,which is covered in a white edible goo that you suck off. (ok everyone get your heads out of the gutter!) The seed is used for the chocolate and butter so you don't want to eat it. I picked up some vanilla and coconut chocolate to share with my new roommates this week! Sorry court, not you... I think it would melt by the time I get home.
They also explained a little bit of their Bri Bri culture and taught us some of their language. This was all translated terribly poorly by an Italian volunteer named Fabio. Hah.

We had a great lunch with freshly blended pineapple juice... Soo yummy!!

Then went on a wee little hike to a beautiful waterfall. When we got back our driver had fresh pineapple and coconut.. Mm!

The tour was great and now I'm relaxing and getting ready to check out of here tomorrow and head to Samasati and meet my yoga teacher training group. I am not going to lie, I'm so nervous. No matter how many books and articles I've read, and how many times I've practiced yoga, I still don't feel ready. I am excited to learn and absorb as much as I can get out of this training.

What I DO know is that these next two weeks are going to be filled with growth, reflection and a new direction and for that I cannot wait.

Pura vida.

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So much traveling!

Was able to sleep through pretty much the entire flight to Phoenix, which was amazing. Woke up to the captain explaining that we were over the grand canal. So beautiful.




So after my layover in phoenix alongside a 5 hour plan eride beside a 4 year old boy I arrived. After you go through customs it is pure chaos, looking for the driver with your name on his sign. Finally found him and he had some other guy drive me to my hotel. Sketchy to say the least.

The hotel was buzzing with hippies, as they were flying out early morning to a conference best explained as "Using nature to inspire everyday/normal uses".

An early 7am, 5 hour shuttle took me to puerto viejo alongside two older couples from the states, and a fellow from London. Bill, the man from London, is a videographer who has come down to do up a documentary on sloths. The last documentary he made was in regards to pirate fishing off the coast of Africa...sounds like not too shabby of a life.

Now I have arrived in puerto viejo and am anticipating my chocolate facial (the chocolate is locally made) and massage.

Tomorrow I will be doing to an animal sanctuary, a chocolate factory, and a hike to a waterfall. Saturday I will continue on my journey to Samasati, where I will meet up with the rest of my group for yoga training the next day.

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Starbucks doesnt open till 5 am

After two hours of sleep this is going to be the longest 15 minutes ever...

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Location:Edmonton. Airport

Packed!

Luon, check
circle mesh, check
silveressence, check
yoga mat, check

packed, and ready to go! 

See you all in a month :)

It's happening

So early tomorrow morning I will be starting an adventure that has been in my mind for years... Yoga teacher training and an opportunity to surf in Costa Rica.  I've been thinking about doing a blog for a little while, to share my insights and my experiences for anyone interested in reading... So might as well start today!

I have only just begun packing, flight leaves in less than 24 hours and still so much to do!  Cripes!  So rather than doing a huge giant blog now, I will let it be, and begin while I'm on the beaches of Costa Rica, anticipating my training and soaking in my new life :)

See you soon