Love wins💕🙌🏽☮️

Today as I’m walking back from the waves, down a muddy road, mud squishing and squeezing between every single toe, to my absolute delight of course- I find my self surrounded by nature and being serenaded by guitar stumming, harmonica playing, gently singing travelers staying at the hostel. And I realize a smile is spreading across my face. I feel happy, at peace, and full of joy.

I am reminded that despite the State of the nation, the state of the world- that amongst the hate, and the fear- that there are lovely people on this planet. People experiencing life as the the beautiful gift that it is. People living with hope and faith that humanity will figure it out. I am reminded that although there are many things we can not control that we do in fact have control of ourselves and we have a choice of what kind of energy we put out into the world.🌟✨🌎✨💕

So, I put on some reggae music, take a shower and decide that it IS a beautiful day. I remember that love wins. I will continue to smile and spread love and kindness, raise the vibration of the environment around me, and spend my energy radiating positivity.

And then I hug as many people near me as I can.🤗🤗🤗🤗

Life in the jungle is simple. The majority of beings here are less caught up in collecting the material possessions that many people in cities around the globe chase their whole life. Most people around here are more interested in a quality of life not quantity of things. And it’s refreshing.

Not much has happened the last week or two. Lots of surfing, bicycle riding (got myself a sweet little bike- Ali got one too-twinsieees 👯🚲👯🚲), hammock laying and most importantly really fantastic, both light hearted and in depth, conversation. Speaking to people from all parts of the planet about all subjects of life is a really good way to gain perspective and stay humble.

Last Saturday I enjoyed delicious pizza from Il Basílico, a great place to go In Guiones on Saturday night, amazing music, super mellow vibes and 50% off pizza 🍕 super score. When traveling or living abroad eating at home and preparing all your meals is the cheapest and most realistic option for food, so dining out becomes quite the treat 🙂

I also very much love the emphasis of Community around here. It’s nice to be surrounded by humans who enjoy and thrive off of the mentality “it takes a village”.

Tuesday night is open mic night at Beach Dog cafe, great live music always finds a way to uplift… but the highlight of my week comes from the way I spend my Sunday….

Planting trees, road tripping, exploring and surfing. My morning started off with a beautiful beach walk home from a friends- sun was shining bright at 7 am, summer has “officially” started (say bye bye to lazy afternoon of magical tropical thunderstorm madness…it’s all blue skies and sunshine from here…) I grub on a banana, my most favorite on-the-go pre surf snack , AND, you can get a whole bag of these tasty fellows for a buck- soooo cheap, especially when everything in this town is insanely expensive…🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌 with all the banana consumption I might just turn into a monkey 🐒🐒🙊🙉🙈 but before that happens I head out to the sparkling blue sea for a surf. Waves are a bit small, but fun fun fun. As I get out of the water and back to the hostel my friends who run Costa Verdes, a reforestation project here in Guiones are out in the green house that is located here in the yard of the hostel. They are headed to plant a tree with a friend and his son and I get to tag along. Their project is incredible. And the obvious visible impact they have made on the beach habitat is mind blowing. They are humble hard working guys who are insanely passionate about tree’s and the environment and sustainable solutions to protect the earth:) anyways I grab a hat and some shades and hop in the truck to go spread some stoke via the trees.. 🌎✨❤️🌱 look at this! 2001-2016

I have worked with these guys before but I had no idea how  special, personal and profoundly touching planting a tree with this man and his son would be. All the trees planted get a name too, and the little boy decided to name his he tree of life…

The tree of life🌱☀️🌎🌳💙
This is where it all beings.
Beautiful moments where ideas manifest into change for the greater good.
We reap what we sow.
Wether it’s trees in the ground.
Or love in your soul.
Witnessing these 3 men teaching a small boy the importance of communion with Mother Nature was powerful.
🙂

Afterward the guys went for a surf and invited me to paddle out again.. I don’t have a board with me and and not wearing an appropriate surf bikini…but of course they have an extra board, so I say fuck it- my bottoms are surely going to be ripped off every duck dive, and for sure a boob sighting … (and not to disappoint they are ripped off-every.single.time, but i somehow managed to keep the ladies
Contained.) non the less, surfing with friends when you are 3 of the only people out is always a good time.
Post surf the guys then invite me on a mini afternoon adventure to visit a friend and super rad eco-lodge callled the Carao Project in Playa Camaronal- dripping wet and clotheless I agree… but who needs clothes? It’s the jungle 😋👙🌴☀️I’m just stoked to invited 🤗

On the way out of Guiones we stop and drink the coconut water  and inhale the meat of a few ice cold Pipa’s-Fresh coconuts, Fresh coconut water for only a dollar.. no need to buy it out of a box or can herre, this magical goodness comes straight from the source…
Then head down the road with tuto, Gera’s sweet little puppy cruising in the back of the truck …
Good music, good company, and tree spotting, oh what a happy time. We get to Samara, just about 10 minutes before Camaronal and we stop for snacks. The guys buy me one of these magical little ice cream goodies very similar to a 50\50 bar and it is the perfect treat for a hot afternoon between while sandwiched two dudes in a truck 😋🍦🙈

Then we pass Carrillo beach a beautiful bay perfect for families and picnics and finally we arrive at the property of rhe Carao Project, and ego lodge and restaurant that is nessled up against the edge of the camarónal refuge and designed with the most incredible tree platforms and tree house bungalós. They guy who designed and built this amazing place and his sister who run it are rad and the best hosts. We check out the property and the charge to the beach for a sunset surf. What a fun wave!! powerful, glassy, beautifully shaped beach break on a secluded beach (minus a few fisherman and a few Voulenteer’s guarding recently hatched turtles who charge to the water.) We are the only 4 people in the water and although a bit scared of the wave- it was quite a little magical surf moment of peace and fulfillment:) (despite still being in the same wet unfit for surfing bikini 🙄) Ugh, if you are a women who surfs you know the. Struggle….
We get out after dark, wanderback on an unlit jungle path and enjoy beers, conversation and an amazing home cooked dinnner poolside, jungle side under a moonlit sky. 🌙✨🌟 All still in this damn wet bikini… haha. Talk about being along for the ride. It doesn’t however take away from any of the happiness I am experiencing- it only ads to the adventure 🙂

I can’t quite articule the very special energy of this country, but I’m beyond in love with this life and beyond grateful for the people and experiences I continue to encounter. I truly believe with an open heart and open mind, a go with the flow positive attitude, and a smile the possibilities are life infinite.

Looking forward to seeing the super moon in a few days. And looking forward to seeing the resilience and power of human beings as we continue to rise up and rise in love and make this planet a better place to be.

With all the love in my heart.
Feeling ever so salty and sunkissed
-Katie 🐚🌈💕🌟