September 23, 2000

I’ve written before about Majagual and the secluded paradise of the private cove and beach. Paul, the proprietor of the resort is an Aussie who sold everything to follow his dream on the beach here. However, selling everything apparently did not provide quite enough working capital. I operates on a shoestring and is a half a dozen stars short of a 5-star rating. What can you expect for seven dollars a night? Upscale camping would be a good description. These are not complaints, mind you, I love this place, in spite of the 10-mile bumpy dirt road to get here.

Paul has a small gang of local employees including his live-in girlfriend of a year and a half, Danni. The other employees are mostly young women who seem to come and go quickly. They are friendly and flirtatious including and especially Danni.

Paul shocked me when he asked if I wanted to take Danni with me to Costa Rica. How extraordinarily cordial of my host, I thought, to offer to share his woman with me! But no. It seems that Paul and Danni have grown weary of each other and Danni’s mother won’t take her back into the house so she (and he) are kinda stuck. Nonetheless, I still appreciated the gesture, even though I would become the one with the obligation.

Paul is in a bit of hurry to find a home for her because he is already in the process of replacing her with a younger prettier version. And things could be getting a little tense under the peaceful veranda on the beach. Things are never simple, even in paradise.

September 13, 2000

The Costa Ricans aren’t so bad after all. I’ve been treated very well by quite a few of them. The big difference between them and some of the other nationals is that they are not so immediately outgoing or interested in a travelling stranger like me. But once I’ve met them and they warm up a bit, they are quite gracious and lots of fun.

I stayed at the home of a new friend outside of the capital city of San Jose. He and his family were very hospitable in spite of the very recent death of his mother. Interestingly, I learned more about their Italian heritage than Costa Rican customs.

My friend and former CPA, Joel, joined me for two weeks. A veteran traveler and very familiar with Costa Rica. His knowledge and pronunciation of Spanish are abominable but he speaks it with such confidence and enthusiasm that he does quite well. He brought tax work with him to do while at the beach… sounds strange but he has an admirable work ethic, works hard then plays hard. Likes the nightlife in San Jose.

We met a group of gorgeous Colombian women partying on our first evening out. The sun was high in the sky before we made it back to the hotel. My plan to avoid Columbia is up for reconsideration!

There are lots of foreigners in Costa Rica. Lots of retirees from around the globe as well as Central and South Americans looking to better themselves financially. Costa Ricans blame all of their social and economic woes on the Nicaraguan immigrants moving in from the northern border.

September 7, 2000

“Why am I doing this?” I am asking the same question again from a reference point separated by 10 months and lots of experiences. I’m not the same person asking the question. My goals and dreams and expectation have shifted. My confidence has grown as a traveler, a photographer and a writer. Interestingly, and inspite of the purchase of new photo equipment, my emphasis seems to be shifting toward writing. But what do I what from my travels NOW?

The big question is still there. Why am I doing this? “Shut-Up and have a good time!,” a part of me says. A part of me listens.

I am still looking for something. So I’m gonna have a good time looking. And if I never find ‘it’, I hope I never stop looking.