July 2

Our zip lining tour was cancelled due to rain and lightning, but Juan Carlos worked his magic and booked us for first thing this morning. We were grateful as it gave us time to heal up even more.

It was still an early morning, so I quick grabbed my huge avocado and brought it to breakfast where I made avocado toast and then shared with all of our friends from the tour.

 

 And then we were off to the forest! It was a quick, but steep climb up to the zip lining area. As we were the first tour of the day, the forest was very quiet and peaceful.

 

We were really excited. Apparently Bella has a super tiny head and had to wear a baby helmet. She felt insecure about her tiny head. I had no idea she had an abnormally small head.

Zip lining was really Bella's request. She really, really wanted to do it. I am not super excited about roller coasters or extreme heights. I was pretty nervous. However Usha (correct spelling) and Pal had agreed to go. Usha is kind of a rock star. I was pretty inspired by her courage and tenacity. If she could do this, so could I!

And I did!

And so did Bella!

And it was AWESOME. There are just not even words for how fantastically beautiful it was.

I chose the zip line I wanted to take carefully. I learned that the canopy tour originated here in Costa Rica with scientist, Donald Perry. When I learned that I could ride the same lines (mostly, probably) he rode, I was down to try it.

We did not do science. Instead, we had as much fun as possible.

Not only did we zip line, we also repelled down a huge Ficus tree.

It was scary, but I really loved this too! The guys dropped me super fast and I did not even freak out.

Bella liked it too, but was a little freaked out!

Then we Tarzan jumped. Bella liked it so much more than I did. I hated it. But then they made us pose like super models. Which was weird, but you do what you are told after you jump off of a platform to your death.

This was really the only part of the tour that I was not sure I would do. I have been thinking about death a lot lately. I am in my mid 40's and people I know are dying.  People I know and love have died. Part of me felt like I needed to know what it felt like to jump off of a high ledge - to feel my heart and my life fall through me. 911 has sat with me these past 21 years; watching people jump out of windows to their death to avoid the flames; holding their skirts down. Thoughts like these haunt me even today. To choose between the flames and the jump. I just don't know what I would choose. I realize that jumping off a platform with a belt holding me and a huge swing is not at all the same thing. But I also think that part of living is facing our worst fears. Someday I will die. I don't know how, but I want to know that I can face it when I do.

We were having the best time ever.

We had to climb up the inside of the ficus tree, which was completely hollow to get back tot he zip lining platforms. I thought this was pretty neat. My life with Nic has given me the skills for this sort of adventure.

 

Both of us felt that this was maybe the best part of our trip. But how do you choose? We've had the best week ever, maybe.

Are you wondering about my amazing friend Usha? She was so determined to do the zip line, but her ankle hurt and she does not love hiking. Still Usha persevered. She is a bad ass. She did everything except the ficus tree - which was pretty intense. Pal, who did not want to zip line, followed her through the whole course to help her on the steps and make sure she was safe. I tell you, relationship goals!

Jeff left Carmen to eat a late breakfast and shower while he was gone. He reminded us multiple times that they were both happier this way.

Sharika and RG were there for it. RG probably needed multiple snacks.

Jenny was a bad ass. John acted like it was another day at the job. Their kid was alternately freaking out and wanting to go first and then trying to make uncomfortable conversation with Bella.

Ron had a great morning reading.

We were hungry after our adventure and headed into town. I had been itching to get out of the resort world and walk the paths of a normal street. Bella found some burritos we loved in St. Elena, so we trekked in.  I really appreciated slowing down and looking around. When you are in the bus the world flies by and you miss the little things you might notice on foot.

We saw a cute cat sun bathing.

I fell in love with this tiny house on the river.

We noticed that things here do not get wasted. One way or another.

Bella loves sloths.

My rash is still fucking weird.

And as we walked we gathered a collection of stray dogs who followed us all of the way to our hotel. Bella was sure we were taking this black one home. I was sure we were not.

And then we have our daily flower dump:

When we got back to the hotel we quickly packed up and jumped into the bus for our last day as a family. We passed out of Monteverde down toward the Pacific side. As we left Juan Carlos we all felt emotional.  The bus pulled away with Juan Carlos in it, all of us stood in the reception area confused and lost. We had no idea how to carry on. Then we boarded the weird shuttle bus.

In the meantime Gru (Bald Man), Jeff and John exchanged strong words over pina coladas. Apparently Gru has an issue with the police and military people. It was the wrong audience to communicate this to John and Jeff, who are both former military and LA PD.

Please know that this image and the characterization of Gru is only made better by my frantic knitting on any and all bus rides.  Ron noticed that I do knit with my eyes closed and I can knit while half asleep. It is generally not a great idea for my knitted project. If I were to donate my knitted scarf to Gru - which I would never do, the image would be complete. I thank Ron, RG and Sharika for this image.

Gru is losing the popularity contest. Add to this the conversation I had with his sweet wife - Gru is not my favorite. His wife, whose name I cannot spell or pronounce and I feel very badly about this, is the kindest, most wonderful woman who hates salt and loves ice cream, and also left her son in Thailand to marry Gru. Gru has 4 kids. It is unclear if he likes any of them. It is clear he is sad he had so many. Clearly Gru did not have sex ed with information about condoms because he was surprised by each and every one of his kids. Surprised and disappointed.  He spent a long time telling my good friend, Ron, about this and warning him about the perils of women and their uteruses. Information I don't think Ron actually needs.

We ended the night with a few drinks, a late walk on the beach, and some pizza - only a little of which landed on the floor.

Our new place does not have bed bugs that we have noticed and we are both so tired that we *almost* don't care.