Paradise

I think Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in the Titanic said it best: “I figure life’s a gift and I do not intend on wasting it. You don’t know what hand you are going to get dealt next. You learn to take life as it comes at you…to make each day count.”

On Thursday I stayed in the most beautiful hotel called Casa del Sol. It is a yoga retreat. The only reason I was able to get a room there is because my buddy is a good friend of the owner and staff. When I arrived, I was welcomed with open arms. Within moments of being there I felt like I was part of a family. The friendly staff treated me as if they have known me for years. It was a very low-key day. Most people we recovering from the two-day celebration of New Years. I spent the day drinking cider at a beach bar as I watched hundreds of surfers take on some of the best surf in the world. The sunset acted as the most beautiful backdrop. I woke up early the next morning and inquired about the availability of a room for the day. Every room had been booked. I felt fortunate for the one night I did get to stay. I spent the morning walking around to all of the hotels and hostels in the area; everywhere was at full capacity because it is high season. One of the hostel owners told me I should try in town, but the accommodations would not be ideal and I probably would not sleep because of the noise. I knew this assessment to be all to true because of my experience my first night here. I had accepted the reality that I would probably spend my night sleeping on the beach, or if I were really lucky I would find a hammock somewhere to spend my night in. The hotel Casa del Sol was kind enough to hold on to the few bags that I have for me.

There was a Friday reservation dinner at Casa del Sol that I had signed up for on the previous day. During dinner I had overheard a gentleman tell a couple that he owned a hostel about 15 minutes outside of town. I asked him later in the evening if he had any rooms available. He told me that he had a private suite that goes for 35 a night but he would give it to me for 20. I thought to myself, “sure buddy, like I haven’t heard a scam like this a hundred times.” But I accepted his offer. As long as no one was barricading me in the room via, chicken wire, I was good. And it seemed better than sleeping on the beach. He offered to give myself and another couple a ride so we did not have to pay for a taxi. It’s amazing what a difference 15 minutes makes in a change of scenery. With in minutes we were deep in the jungle. I could not believe my eyes when we arrived at the hostel; it was nothing shy of paradise! The hostel looked like a cross between a resort on the Balinese island and a country ranch. The villas were huge and beautiful and there were wild horses just wondering around this little piece of heaven. My new friend showed me to my suite. He suggested I take a quick shower and requested I be ready in about 15 minutes. He was going to show us around town…it’s Friday night in Montanita!

We started off our night having shots of local rum at a small cantina. It did not take long for the streets to fill with people. Then the fire dancers started to comb the streets. The fire dancers looked like they where characters straight out of a Rob Zombie film. Everyone filed into the streets to dance around the fire dancers. The whole experience was mesmerizing and surreal. The streets slowly started to empty as everyone worked there way to the local dance club. We drank and danced to an interesting mix of American pop and salsa music. We ended the night by heading down to the beach for a bonfire party. It is now 5 am. The party is still going strong, but we have had enough excitement for one night. We decide to call it a night and return to the hostel. I had one of the most relaxing sleeps I have had in my life. I woke up to the sounds of the ocean’s waves breaking on the surf. These sounds brought me caution because the hostel is nowhere near the ocean; or at least not close enough to hear it. I opened the double doors to my villa. I captured one of those rare amazing moments; there were two horses splashing, playing and bathing one another in a small pound in front of my room. Spectacular! I cannot image too many other things I would like to wake up to.

Yesterday was an amazing gift! I cannot wait to see what today brings me.