The Costa Rica Post

In a word: amazing.
The house and guest house sat atop a steep, windy hill in Playa Hermosa, Guanascaste. 270° Pacific Ocean and Papagayo Bay view. 90° of mountains and valleys. Our room in the guest house faced due east and we woke to clear sunny skies and temperatures in the high 80's low 90's. We also woke to the sounds of Roofie, the lizard who scuttled overhead and reminded me a great deal of Briggs when he scratches at my door for food.

The activities: thrilling.
Tuesday 12/30 - We arrive! But Ben's flight is late so Jon and I wait at the airport. We meet Ben's entourage, 12 people deep and 3+ dogs wide. Remember AIDS, Paco, and Safartza... Then we had Little Paco and Argos and the other big black dog. "And here's a picture of me looking at pictures from 5 minutes ago!"
Wed 12/31 - Welcome Carlos, the minibus driver! Tubing, ziplining, mud bath, and hot springs in Rincon de la Vieja National Park -- remember the giant white bulls? New Years Eve at the bar underneath the theater. Fireworks displays from around the city and Rich's house. A kiss at midnight.
Thurs 1/1 - A day at Playa Hermosa. Minor joins us to cook for the week! "Bull Fighting" (think rodeo) in Sardinal. Bumper cars for 500 colones--get those little kids--bang! The off to Coco and the Zi Lounge with its overpriced rum and cokes and over-zealous mosquitoes.
Friday 1/2 - Hermosa Heights pool and mini-golf. "It's in the snow!" I came in last as usual. Hydrocortizona Crema for our picazones. Booze Cruise to a private beach. The cave. The big dip. The big dinner. The big snooze.
Saturday 1/3 - Surfing in Tamarindo. I hit my head against Faz's board signaling the end of my 15 minute surfing career. Jon and I enjoy piña colada and mojitos at a restaurant on the beach. Late night Step Brothers viewing in a private movie theater with rocking, cup-holding seats from China.
Sunday 1/4 - Free day! The large group goes to Hermosa Heights and Jon and I hold down the fort. Minor has friends over and Jon and I dust off our Spanish skills.
Mon 1/5 - Snorkeling with blowfish, a yellow and black water snake, blue and yellow fish, and thousands of those black fish with orange around their eye. Another private beach. This one with thousands of little hermit crabs. One last night in Coco. Biggest order of sushi I've ever seen. Imperials at the Lizard Lounge. Old men and free drinks.
Tues 1/6 - Free day! Hooka and pool time. Icebergs straight ahead! A tour of Hermosa Heights. A gringoknapping? Nope, just a detour before a fancy dinner of... spaghetti.
Wed 1/7 - 6 AM, ride to the Liberia airport, fly back to snowy, gray Chicago.