Tag: surfing

Posted on

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.
🙂

img_4377
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 🐚🌈💕🌟

Posted on

The Blind 🏄🏽 Surfer

It has been a week of epic proportions.

Actually, it’s only been 5 days since I landed in the land of Pura Vida but so much radness has already happened…(And my heart feels so full and happy)

I know I titled this The blind surfer… yep, you read right- The blind surfer.

I was fortunate enough to experience something pretty profound that will stay with me for a long time…

but I’ll get to that later… saving the best for last today—

So 2 days ago we woke up to a full moon. Yes. Woke up. To the full moon🌕🌟💫(dawn patrol.. wooot woot)

There is something particularly magical about walking barefoot-down a dirt road-to a jungle path- surfboard in hand- to the waves- to be the first and only people out in the water, all while the magnificent moon, who pulls the tides, and makes the waves, shines down on your with her radiant illuminating glow…
As she was setting in the west the suns warm vibrant fire was slowly beginning to creep into the opposite side of the sky.

Uh huh 😍😍
and this all happened before 5 am 💕🌊🌈☀️

So we caught some waves, were out of the water by 7am, and enjoyed some particularly special and extra delicious coffee made by Don Henry Gutierrez.

While sipping coffee we engaged in meaningful conversation, listened to music, and hung out on the front porch of the cabina, surrounded by all things green and lush and peaceful. Sharing moments like these are priceless and something I wouldn’t trade for all the riches in the world.

img_3939

 

Let me now tell you about the man who
Makes this delicious coffee. He lives in the hillside of Terrazu, Costa Rica. He is making a grass roots movement to take back the hills from American and multi-national corporations. These corporations have ripped up all the native coffee plants, planted foreign species, and as a result have completely killed the soil and land that for SO many years has produced rich, delicious coffee…
This amazing man, via Corazón de los Pargos, is teaming up with Surfrider foundation to sell ” Surfrider coffee” -coffee for clean oceans- for profit that will be used in the efforts to keep the oceans clean and better protect the earth that so graciously houses us. 🙏🏽🌎Keep an eye out for this coffee-☕️☕️☕️

As for the music we listened to. A bit deep and profound to describe with my simple words. This musician, a Somali refugee sing/raps powerful messages and funky melodic beats- telling stories  about struggle and pain, love and life, but ultimately, about staying positive and rising above. This musical, lyrical genius is K’naan. Look him up 🎤🎧🎼:)

Ha. And that was all before 8am. Some
pretty rad energy vibrations happening…

But let’s rewind a little bit.
I landed in San Jose, Costa Rica 🇨🇷 Wednesday am. Rented and car and drove 5 hours in the pouring rain- like can hardly see 20 feet infront of the car, Dont think it’s rained that much in San Diego the whole year rain-down a mountain side and across muddy pothole infected dirt roads to the Guanacaste province in the North Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

And so the adventure began.

But when you feel like you are “going home” it’s all worth it:) Not to mention all the roads and country side are lush, green, jungle love ❤️🌱🌴🌿💕 so the scenery certainly doesn’t hurt..It’s nothing like driving 5 hours in traffic amongst concrete buildings, concrete roads, and metal vehicles everywhere.

Guiones the town I will living in is pretty magical. I arrive at the Nosara beach hostel. The hostel is owned and managed by Ticos, it’s only 100 yards from the beach, and  rooms go for an amazing affordable price. It’s a traveling surfers gem. I am immediately met by familiar welcoming faces, the awesome guys who run Agua Tibia surf school. (The surf school is currently connected to the hostel and if you ever visit nosara/guiones they are 💯% my recommendation for board rentals and lessons- a really solid group of human beings 🏄🏽)
At this point in the day I’m feeling exhausted, but stoked to be here 🙂

The hostel this time of year is super mellow. Only me and one other guy:)
Sweet!!…Easing into a slower pace of this fantastically simple, delightful life

I Enjoy dinner and more amazing conversation, with Sergio, my friend who works nights at the hostel, and crash out early, eager for waves.

Yay!!
Soooo, super fun waves on Thursday 🌊🌈 and warm water!?!

Holy heaven. I proceed to spend the rest of the day napping, reading, hammocking, and enjoying life as it unfolds. It’s pretty powerful to be present in the moment. Zero anticipation, about where I’m going to go, or what I’m going to do, just throughly blissful about existing right here, right now….
and I’m not alone in this joy- I find a huge part of what draws me to Costa Rica and Guiones (or the beach towns here in general) is this mentality 🙂
Pura vida ☮️ Si. Life as it, with out adornment, is more than enough, in fact, it is complete…

Thursday night I found myself in a Tuk-Tuk, a normal occurrence in guiones, except my driver happens to be my friend and she has never actually driven one of these strange little vehicles before. The hysterics ensue, stalling out, stuck in first gear, catching air off potholes in the dark, haha- all while trying to hold on to beers, her cigarettes and her dog who chased us down the street as we left for the store.
Needless to say I was laughing so hard i cried…

Then Saturday arrives and I’m on the open road again… and that means this Cali girl gets to drive through 3 rivers and 1.5 hours on the most lovely, enchanted jungle dirt road up to playa negra…. daaaamn. No Rivers on the roads of north San Diego county that’s for sure. That means this adventure is equally scary and exciting. But i survived-Accompanied by some zeppelin, Tom petty, Trevor hall, pepper, katastro, passiflora, and many other rad road tripping jams!! A necessity for any road trip… I might say tho, blasting “over the hills and far away”, as a mob down a dirt road solo, and free, is a most exhilarating feeling. I highly suggest trying it at some point in your life if you have yet to do so.

So I make it to playa negra, more specifically, the soon to be community center/ bakery/cafe/coffee shop of Corazón de los Pargos, and I’m Stoked…
Such a rad project in the works, the guys here, who I’m beyond grateful and lucky to call my friends are incredible human beings. Their passion to work hard, to live a dream of creating a space where people gather, learn, eat, drink, create and commune in positive environment is humbling, inspiring and contagious.

And just wait.
The humbling inspiration continues…as the guys work, with focused effort of intentions to open Corazón de los pargos by November….

I get to surf 🌊🌊❤️❤️🙌🏽🙌🏽yeeewww

Playa negra is a pretty sweet wave. Being accustomed to paddling out in beach breaks like Oceanside Ca, and even more punishing Guiones, it was a delightful treat to paddle out and not even get my hair wet?!!! 😍😳 a girl could get spoiled surfing here…. anywho, here comes the good part

A blind man who surfs. While in the water, two friendly guys paddle up to me, and one man begins to explain that his friend in the red shirt is BLIND!! He wants to let all the people in the water know so when his friend is charging down the waves, be sure to get out of his way. It’s not like this guy is splashing around in knee high white wash- he is sitting in the line up, paddling into peaks, above a rocky reef, point break wave….
My mind is blown.
The interaction, between these two men, and the blind man and ocean, leave me speechless. Humbled. But, mostly inspired. The man lost sight midlife, but clearly refuses to live a life less satisfying. It’s beautiful, the communication between the man and his friends. Their words guide him into waves (decent size waves i may add) and his determination and dedication simply just to feel the waves, a spirit so full of a hunger for life, his refusal to quit, Is one of the most incredible things I have been fortunate enough to experience in my small time on this planet.

So ,next time you think you can’t.
Next time life feels overwhelming.
Next time you are rut and feeling low, discouraged, frustrated…

Remember this blind man who surfs…
And remind yourself you can:)
You are able:)
And that- sight, legs, food, all we have, are gifts. Allow a gratitude to manifest around all the blessing present in your life ✨

And as they like to say here in Costa Rica-
Gracias a Dios
Thank you god
(whoever God may be to you)
For this day and this breath and the love we get to experience.

Have a happy day sweet friends
Live with love, because love wins❤️
And so does life in a bikini 👙😘

Your salty and sunkissed gypsy mermaid
-Katie ☮️