I am now in my lovely green house with tower windows that I can see even more amazing views than just ground level. Again, however, things are not as they were originally spelled out. Hmmmm, another sign. For now, I enjoy the lovely pool, unique statues, fruit trees, the gazillion hummingbirds and butterflies drawn to the gazillion tropical flowers. The low roar of the rain-fed river in back can, at times, be mesmerizing.
Continuing on the awesome side, nature here is wild to say to least! While it’s a repeat on butterflies, monkeys, iguanas, frogs, bugs and exotic birds, they present themselves daily in ever-changing ways to hold my fascination. One morning from Villa El Bosque I ran to Playa Tortuga. There I saw a “Christmas tree” full of bright red ornaments. Ok, they weren’t ornaments, the tree was full of scarlet macaws! I ran back to my room to get my camera to share it with you (round trip about 3 miles) but sadly, upon my return, they were gone.
The first morning at my green house I went on a fascinating new run. Pausing at one point to take in the views of amazing cloud forests above and rows of waves down in the ocean below, I heard the now familiar cries of toucans. Looking up there were at least 6 of them playing and giving me National Geographic views.
On a humorous note, there are random cows, horses and a goat along side of the road, in the middle of the road, and out in the fields just wandering. I don’t quite understand how the owners would find them if they wanted to. I met a couple horses on my run one morning. Later in the day I took a long walk in a totally different direction and saw them again. I thanked one of them for being one of my “guardian animals”. We had “a moment” as she enjoyed me petting her.
Something that I had been visualizing for years in my “ideal day” has been happening here. In California and Florida, I always woke up to an alarm clock as I wanted to start my day early to run or work out before the rest of life happened. Now, I don’t have an alarm clock as my cell phone doesn’t work. Here’s the part of the dream realized…..I wake up early naturally, fully rested with the sun pouring in the windows to the sound of the jungle birds! Hey, I got part of it down, I know I can manifest more!
As I lay in the warm sun by the sparkling pool one summer day here, the gentle breeze soothed me and I was mesmerized by the Royal Palm fronds swaying above. There was a new frond, a little lighter and brighter green sprouting out from the top. It was extending up but not fully unfurled. At that moment it struck me that I was like that new branch. While I am fully committed to my journey and enjoying life in a new way; I am not totally mature (oh yeah, we knew that!) in the sense that the Spa Retreat’s route is not fully known. Of course that is the case in all our lives. Even though we may make plans and have expectations of how things may go, there are often surprises on the road and events that make all those plans null and void.
Thanksgiving blessed me with, not only one, but two traditional dinner invitations. I chose the closer one even though I’d only know the family that invited me. It was interesting as it turned out to be a totally Christian crowd. Most of these people came here as “missionaries” and were all from various parts of the US. There were probably about 100…more if you count all the family dogs that were brought along. They were all sweet and welcomed me warmly.
Lisa, another kindred spirit I’d not met in person previously, kindly invited me to her place in Alajuela…La Garita to be exact. As I’d decided to make the most of my time here, this seemed like an inviting door. With my intermittent communication, I was able to set up a shuttle, which got cancelled and rescheduled. I never actually got confirmation that I was on it but felt I would be fine. So I arrive at the appointed location 20 minutes before the pickup time. This really was a lesson in trust as my monkey mind wanted to go off on it’s own as the minutes ticked by. Half hour later, I was gratefully on my way making the “4 hour trip” in a swift 5 hours 15 minutes with excellent views all along the way.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a Christmas tree stand with real trees…’tis the season! Lisa, her 6 dogs and I had lots of fun and enjoyed great conversation. Funny thing at Playa Manuel Antonio – there was this small waterway, 15, maybe 20 feet across. I took pictures as I thought it was extremely funny that people were paying for boats to take them this ridiculous short distance in shallow water. After I’d waded across it a total of 4 times, I told Lisa about this craziness. She couldn’t believed I’d walked through it as she informed me there where crocodiles in there! Oh well, hasn’t been the first time…I’d been in a similar situation for anyone who knows about my experience in Myakka Park, Florida. Lisa and I had a great time exploring and seeing the many, wondrous faces of Costa Rica in different areas. Lisa is definitely one of the angels on my way that reminded me I am in the perfect place at the perfect time!
Talk about signs. I went to the information center in the town nearby with my friends Patti and Wade with the intention of getting a mailbox along with other information. I did not tell them that I intended on doing that and they were there primarily to arrange an airplane ticket. I waited for them to do their business before me and they decided to get a mailbox too. Wouldn’t you know it, they got the last available mailbox which is why I still don’t have an address here.
Costa Rica provided me the opportunity to “re-group” from my situation in Panama. Curious how I landed in the area right near where my former husband Lee and I had purchased property about five years ago. I entertained the possibility that maybe I was re-routed to create something for the Spa Retreat here. With that in mind, I made various contacts and inquiries. However, after a month here, it was evident that my stay will not be long.
Another interesting thing that happened…..oh, I must back-track first. Since I was little in California, I had this thing about saying, “My Beach”, no matter which beach I was on….Malibu, Leo Carrillo, Zuma or wherever. It continued when I moved to Florida whether it was Nokomis, Casperson or Siesta were I played. But here, I went to Ballena Beach and almost as soon as I got there was startled by a voice in my head saying, “This is not my beach!” Huh? Where did that come from? It doesn’t really matter but I ask for signs to show me my way each day and that sure was a big one.
My journey has been one similar to what my parents used to do for us kids at Easter time. Then, for us to find hidden eggs or baskets, they would say warmer, warmer if we were going in the right direction and colder, colder....indicating we needed to go a new way if we wanted to find the prize. After a month in Costa Rica, I have been getting more colder, colders and they are coming more quickly now. Not a bad thing (now, as then, I’m still having fun) just a handy system giving me a heads up that I need to change direction in order to be getting closer to the Spa Retreat.
Another factor surrounds my computer and communication. Since Panama I have not been able to access reliable, uninterrupted, high enough speed internet to do the functions I require. Since part of my current “job” is to be making connections and doing research for my Spa Retreat, this is a big sign for me. The day I sent out my Phase 2 update, my server did something mysterious and decided not to accept incoming e-mails for a couple days. This was not encouraging since many people communicate with me right after I send out my news. If you were one of those folks that were told I had a permanent fatal error, I highly apologize for your trouble. If you please contact me again, I’m pretty sure we will find I never go down permanently!
My reliable laptop has been used to mostly sitting open on my desk for years. Since I have been somewhat of a gypsy as of the end of September, it got opened and closed numerous times a day and started to rebel. Starting with a little “catch” upon opening or closing, it worked its way to getting stuck in various positions. The frame separating from the rest of the top and the top moving away from the bottom probably weren’t the most comforting signs for me either. Heading back to Florida in January will enable me to get back on track technologically and follow up more efficiently on all the leads I have acquired for the Spa Retreat thus far. Thank you for your patience.
I must admit also that I am really looking forward to a bath since I haven’t had one since September LOL! Am dreaming of a hot one with lots of VS bubbles.
When my trusty computer started to add a little bit of drama to my life, who came to my rescue again? You guessed it! Jake and his crew at AXICOM! Jake made sure I got, all the way in Ojochal, Costa Rica, a temporary computer to tide me over. When I return to the states, they will assist me in getting a new set up complete with cloud computing capabilities (something I’m just learning about). If you are anywhere in the vicinity of Westlake Village, CA, I highly encourage you to find out about AXICOM’s educational opportunities at their office. Whether you are in their vicinity or not, Jake, Christa & their team can provide you with the highest state of the art level of service for you and your company’s computer and IT needs www.axicom.net.
I still hear Panama calling and am working on a new game plan to be there in a more peaceful manner than the first trip. In the meantime, I will be available again for Telephone Wellness Coaching starting in January. If this is something you feel may enhance your life, please contact me by e-mail asap so we can get a New You going in the New Year!
With my current eating habits being somewhat different than I’d previously been accustomed to, I feel confident I get all the nutrients my body desires with my Juice Plus. The chocolate and vanilla shakes make excellent meal replacements which I am also very grateful for. If you have kids, or just like to eat like one, there are gummy fruits and veggies. Give yourself or a loved one a holiday gift of enhanced health by signing up for yours today!
I’d also like you to consider another way we can mutually assist each other. Our lives are affected by what we feed our mind. Spiritual Cinema is a monthly movie (DVD) service which provides uplifting, thoughtful brain food. Give it a try today HERE.
If these musings have entertained, inspired, motivated or otherwise made a positive difference in your life, please consider making a contribution to keep them coming. PayPal is available on my Blogger Page.....
Abundant thanks to all who have generously donated already. My deep appreciation and powerful angels surround you every day!
Some pics are posted on Facebook. Only some as uploading pics is only as possible as current internet allow. To see them, please “friend me” on Facebook…just add Michelle H Coaching. Muchas gracias all for your enthusiastic support….financial, professional contributions, advise, research, energetic, e-mails, FB messages and all. Without you, I couldn’t have gotten this far. Happy, Healthy Holidays to You and Your Loved Ones!!
Blessings, Appreciation & Love ~
Michelle
I'm still learning technology and don't know how to get my Blogger comments in my e-mail notifications. Thank you to all who have read and commented. Haven't figured out how to reply individually either as I get messages that people haven't allowed their profiles to be public etc. Oh well, all in good time. Sending Love, Appreciation & Light! Michelle
ReplyDeleteThat sounds so lovely! You are such a free spirit. I get that craving a shower sensation. I lived on raw land for a couple of years and had to essentially steal water. Water was in such small supply that bathing kept staying low on priority. Still, all of that beauty you experienced makes it worth while.
ReplyDeleteHow delightful you had the opportunity to live on raw land Peter....even with the water challenge. It is an opportunity most folks have no clue about or even know what they are missing. Who knows, perhaps you will be invited back by Nature some day ;-)
DeleteThank you for your kind words and taking the time to "travel" with me!