Last night was the social event of the season in Monteverde.  So, I pull out my special sparkly dress, a Katharine Story design (from my Laguna Beach days), and my high-heeled black boots (I was wondering if I was going to have a chance to wear them in the jungle), and we hopped on down to Sophia’s Restaurant to celebrate the birthday and jewelery art exhibit of Marie-Chantal.  It appears as though I was not alone in pulling out my black party boots, because many other Monteverdians had the same idea.

Monteverde is an eclectic town that attracts artists, ecologists, nature lovers, Quakers, students and ex-Pats who want to raise their families in a place with cultural and biological diversity.  Because Monteverde was settled in the 50s by the Quakers, there is a strong presence of that culture here, along with a Friends school, a Quaker Meeting House (I have yet to go, but it’s on my list), and many local cheese and chocolate artisans.  The  Cloud Forest School (known locally in Spanish as the Centro de  Educación Creativa) is a private, non-profit, nondenominational  educational  and environmental organization that offers students a creative, bilingual education with focus on environmental education.

Last night was an opportunity to hang with the community and get to know them a bit better.  All of the students from Teacher Training made it out to celebrate and enjoy the time together outside of our Yoga practice.  I ran into Christina, who lives in the art gallery at the bottom of my road. Everyone says that she’s the best Spanish teacher in town.  I commit to studying with her for the next two weeks, and figure that by the new year, with 2 hours a day of serious practice, I should be able to do more than confidently order my meals and say “sorry” when I totally slaughter their native tongue.  I also planned jewelry making lessons with Marie-Chantal, and an evening with Janine, who I met at Rio Shanti a week ago.

Janine is a soul sister, who at one point lived in Charlotte.  I immediately loved her when we met. She was rockin out some awesome rain boots and dancing around the studio lobby to Amy Winehouse.  Every time I have seen her since then, she has been dancing.  Definitely, a kindred spirit.

Janine spots me from across the restaurant and comes over to make an observation.

“I saw your boots and I just want to take a deep breath!”

Nothing like two girls bonding over shoes.  The last time I saw Janine, she was talking about heading to Indonesia.  I ask her about her plans, and try to get a take on what she does on her travels.

“I travel around and speak to women about pleasure.  I have spoken with over 1500 women about the experience of the joy of living.”

A woman after my own heart.

“You should come up to my spot some time next week.”

Of course, I will.  By the end of the conversation, I have put my bid in to take over her house when she leaves Monteverde in January.

“It’s a perfect retreat for a writer.  It’s fully stocked with everything you would need.  It’s only a 20 minute walk from town, and at the same time, you feel completely hidden away from civilization if you want to be.”

The closest neighbors are the owners of Rio Shanti, and Mary, the 80-year-old Quaker who makes peanut butter.

I am in!

As I prepare to leave for the night, and scoop up my purchase of a double Kyanite ring (that matches my kyanite pendant from last year’s show…still hidden somewhere in my storage unit with my special jewelry), I run into Pedro.

Pedro is one of the owners of the Bel Mar Hotel, where I am leading a week of Teacher Training and Adventure Retreat in the summer.  The Bel Mar is a beautiful hotel, situated at the top of a hill, overlooking amazing sunsets and the Gulf of Nicoya and the Cloud Forest. I have had some of the best meals that I have experienced in Costa Rica at their restaurant.

“Please, come and enjoy the jacuzzi any time you want,” Pedro offers.

OK…I think I can make this home for a bit!

Advertisement