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| Santa Teresa, Costa Rica |
Have you ever been the last of your friends to see a popular
movie? They tell you how great it is and
it’s the funniest movie they’ve ever seen?
That happened to me with “There’s Something About Mary.” Had the film all hyped up in my head, finally
saw it and thought, “That’s it? What in
the actual f**k WAS that?”
My experience with Chica Surf Adventures… was NOTHING like that.
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| My first wave of the trip |
After reading about all the trip had to offer I had it so hyped up in
my head that I believed there was no way it was possibly going to be as amazing
as what I dreamed up in my mind.
Wrong. So very wrong. It was everything I dreamed of and more. And I KNOW that sounds ridiculously cheesy
and cliché but dammit I can feel my heart smiling even as I write this.
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| View from a zip lining platform |
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| Amanda and I - see what I mean about her smile? |
Surfing is a WORKOUT. Trust me,
I’m a doctor. Okay, not really. But I am a nutrition and fitness consultant. I consider myself a fairly
well-conditioned athlete - growing up as a gymnast and acrobat, now an avid
weight lifter and yogi, frequent hiker, occasional kayaker and biker, and
always looking for more ways to get out of the gym and play. Surfing in stronger currents was certainly a
fun new way to challenge myself and just the new workout I’ve been searching
for. The shoulder and back strength to paddle out, the chest and arm strength
to pop up, the leg and core strength to balance on the board. Hooray for a full body workout! And just when you think you can’t give any
more, you have an encouraging surf instructor (mine was Jonathan) right there
encouraging you, slapping you a high five, and helping you find the strength to
hop on for one more wave. After 2 hours
of that sort of workout, your whole body is taxed, your mind is clear, your
heart is happy, and your stomach is HUNGRY!
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| My instructor Jonathan and I. Muy guapo! |
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| Shrimp and coconut rice |
Which brings us to food.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh the food in Costa Rica was beyond amazing. The staff at the Funky Monkey Lodge never
failed to impress me. From the banana
pancakes over breakfast, to sushi night, to pizza night, to the vegetarian
lasagna, and of course let’s not forget about the pineapple flambé for dessert! I found all the produce to be much more
flavorful there than here in California, which says a lot because living in San
Diego we get fresh produce year round.
But the bananas were sweeter and not even remotely mealy, the avocados
had an absolutely indescribable creaminess to them. Every plate was full of color, a treat for
the eyes and the tongue.
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| Our patio - I napped in that hammock a lot! |
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| My soul sisters forever <3 |
I mentally prepared myself for the breath-taking views, the flavorful
food, the friendly locals, being serenaded to sleep by monkeys, the warm sun,
the gentle rain. What I did not prepare myself
for was the bonds formed with the other ladies on the trip. Coming from all walks of life, about a 15
year age span between all of us, different areas across the country as well as
Canada, from scientists to personal trainers.
Each of these ladies truly touched my heart and I will never be the same
because of them. I keep referring to
this trip as “the trip of a lifetime” but I know those words can’t possibly be
true since I’m already planning on making the journey again next year. Chica Surf Adventures made me feel like a
strong, capable, beautiful woman, ready to take on the world where ever the gentle
waves take me. Now THAT is the best
souvenir you could possibly hope for.
You can also check out Chica Surf Adventures on Facebook here
or on the web at www.chicasurfadventures.com
You can also check out Chica Surf Adventures on Facebook here
or on the web at www.chicasurfadventures.com
