Back in the City- and Gone Again.

Much time has passed, I know.

So I am back in the city. Sticky and bustling San Jose, Costa Rica. Already I am itching to go back out to the country, to the beaches, to the jungle farm I worked on...

I have spent that last 12 days in the Osa Penisula. Prior, I was in Talamanca- working on an all women's owned Argo-Eco farm, and visiting National Parks, sustainable farms and communities, and animal refuges. There has been so much that has happened, its kind of crazy. At the farm I had no access to internet, and after 2 weeks without, I really didn't want to go back. I had a quick stop in the city again, and then took a plane to the Osa Peninsula.

The family I worked with has asked me to revisit, and I think I shall. I loved it there. Also, there is a reforestation project I would like to check out, and also a hotel where the owner has shut himself off from the city water supply, and is collecting all the water for the hotel by rain. Pretty amazing. Manzanillo is around the corner, where I could visit an expat and Costa Rican community/co-op and sustainable farm (hippish I know), but also a wave of the future, you will see.

I will do some yoga this afternoon, buy a ticket, and then be on my way. Its a 4 1/2 hour bus ride to the other end of the country. Not bad.

I come back home the last day of the month, the 29th, and will be staying in Grand Rapids until September 1st. I am really looking forward to the rest of Michigan summer. Clean beaches and friendly faces, mountain biking and hiking in the forest. Blueberries, blackberries, and fresh tomatoes from my own garden...

Though there are things I know I will really miss about living in this country. The lack of hyper-consumerism. The fact that "fast-food" means stopping at a local soda for beans, rice and bananas for about $2. That is priceless. I will miss the public transportation, diverse landscape and climate, the laid back attitude, and friendliness of the people here. I just realized last night, that I haven't bought anything since I have been here--besides two crafts from some locals in the Southern Region-- no clothes, no products, nothing. It feels great.

This country has been good to me, and good for me, and I know I am changed.

See you soon.

With Love,
Ashley