January 8 – Travel Day and Arrival / Settling In
My Journey to Costa Rica (January 6) was about as smooth and easy as international travel can be. Cy brought me to the airport, helped me with my luggage and we wished each other the best next year.
There were no real hiccups in my day, my luggage arrived unscathed and my driver, Fernando, was there to meet me on the other side. He only spoke a little English, so this was my first opportunity to practice my Spanish. We had a 3-hour car ride together and I actually was impressed with the amount I was able to hold a conversation (at least an elementary level conversation that is). We made small talk about all the things I knew how to talk about, and he gave me some insider gossip about the local town. I was the last one to arrive at the Ranch for the night. It was already after dark, so I didn’t see anything on my way in and walked up with my luggage just in time to join the “Circle Time” before dinner. I linked hands with a couple of strangers and people took turns sharing anything that was on their hearts to share. We then sat down to the most delicious community dinner before I was taken to the room that would be my home for the duration of the timber frame course. The timing of the evening felt perfect and I was immediately struck with a feeling of gratitude for my new home and village.
What I Love at First Site
The Facilities
Everything on this property is so unique and beautifully crafted. The plaster / tile outdoor showers, the timber frame or bamboo buildings with wattle and daub walls,.. each building and structure marked with its own unique character and artistry, no two alike. I wish I had more pictures to share with you but I have been keeping my phone put away for the most part. If you are interested in some visuals (or to come take a course and visit ????) check out their website www.ranchomastatal.com or insty @ranchomastatal !! There is a classroom near my bunkhouse that serves the additional purpose of a yoga shala that I have been visiting early in the morning to practice either yoga or some simple ballet movements before my workday begins. There are also rivers, a swimming hole and a waterfall all within a hikes distance to visit at the end of the day to cool off and hangout. I am still working on finding my balance between study time and leisure / recreation time at the end of the days.
The Course
What I am learning so far in the timber frame course is so interesting and already has me inspired and thinking about future projects. I will save talking more in depth about this for now until I have a little better understanding. I am especially loving the hands on practice. I LOVE working with my hands and focusing on small details other people might find tedious. I am very new to this kind of work, but I am finding it remarkably satisfying. I saved the cut end of my first hand sawn timber to use a decoration when I move into the apprentice house later this month. I may even paint it at some point in my free time.
The PEOPLE
Whenever you venture this far off the beaten path, you end up finding people just as crazy and eccentric as you. Suddenly, I feel “normal” (lol). I had an instant crew of new friends to talk and get excited about all the things mere muggles may not understand or wish to hear about.
My Routine
I have started STRONG on setting up my new routine. Things will still get moved around on me a couple times before I am fully settled here, but I am off to a great start. I’ve gotten into a meditation and movement routine in the mornings, PT and hang-boarding in the evenings (shout out to my rock climbing friends for the best going away gift) and making plenty of time for studying and taking notes between classes and workshops.
The Meals
Everything I have eaten here so far has been absolutely delicious and much of it is grown / harvested from the jungle all around me. The heart of palm we ate last night was taken from a tree that had to be felled to build a house on the property. There is something about being so close to where your food is coming from that feels so wholesome and right.
Challenges
While for the most part, I am loving it here and excited for the year ahead, there have been a few challenges arising as well.
Internet
While I fully expected to have limited internet and cell access this year, I was surprised to find out that my particular phone just does not work here at all. Not on my international plan that works literally everywhere else I have ever traveled EVER, not on a local sim, nada. I had every intention of being mostly unplugged anyway, but the universe has decided I will be all the way unplugged.
Dental Floss
I was thinking ahead and bought a compostable, bamboo dental floss before I came here. This seems to be the one item that did not make it into my bag. Whoops!
Blisters from Crocs
It was highly recommended to bring crocs for this adventure as the core team has found them to be the most convenient shoe for the majority of the things we do here. However, this is my first time wearing crocs and my feet hate them. I am getting a lot of blisters on top of my feet. Hopefully my feet come around and toughen up before too long.
Surprise Emotions
I knew going into this year that I was going to be pushed to grow and evolve and that is already beginning. Even though this is exactly where I want to be, almost by instinct I “miss” the things I left to be here. I think part of me is clinging to what is known rather than it being a true desire to go back, but the feelings are coming up, whatever they are. My reminder to self is “I am exactly where I am meant to be, I am having the greatest day, I am so lucky to be living this life.”
Spanish
It is going to be harder than I expected to learn and practice Spanish here. For the most part, everyone I interact with on a daily basis also speaks English, so I will have to be very intentional in order to work on my Spanish.
Conclusion
Overall, I am so happy to be here. I am far from settled in, but I am falling in love with my new home and community and will update you soon!
~Love, B