Last night I slept next to the Pacific Ocean, well almost. Our condo sits atop a hill above the ocean. I opened the door and could hear the waves hitting the sand, intermittently a larger wave would cause a loud crash. I love the rhythm of the ocean. I find comfort in the order of the earth.
Today we awoke early, got into a van and headed to Liberia with 27 year old Jon. Way cute Tico who honked and waved at friends as we passed by. Today was a day of adventure- we would be tubing down the Colorado River, then zip-lining over the river and trees, next lunch, followed by horseback riding and concluding with a spa treatment. My mom was very impressive as she didn’t let anything get in the way of her fun. As we spun around in our tubes down rapids our “team” of young men kept us out of trouble. They would rescue us off rocks and help my mom around waterfalls that she didn’t want to attempt in her tube. I had to travel part way around the world to find dragonflies but I did in this Rincon Volcano National Park. A dragonfly with a blue body greeted us as we first started our river journey.
As I floated down on my tube, noticing the lava rock lined walls of the canyon, I kept thinking how my cancer journey has given me a greater appreciation for all that is lovely in life and an impatience or intolerance for all that is petty and inconsequential. What I loved about today was being out in nature, and the treatment of my mom by our guides. They walked by her side as we hiked to the first tower of the canopy tour making sure her vital signs checked out ok. They started affectionately calling her “Mama” and strapped her in front of them as they zipped from platform to platform.
The hardest section of our adventure came when Erin, Jen and I repelled down a rock wall. I didn’t properly consider how I would get back to our starting spot but upon reaching the bottom found myself looking at a 30 foot climbing wall. I like adventure but get very nervous when I have to support myself on a sheer cliff wall. It was the only way back so I just got tethered to my spotter above and started up. I didn’t dare look up or down but just kept going and after some nervous minutes, reached the top.
Best part of my day came when Andre asked if I wanted to do “Super Chico” on the last zip line. Here’s how it went down-I had to stand in front of Andre, bend over and support myself on my arms, put my legs around Andre’s waist (I know it sounds kinky-it wasn’t). Then let my arms go and put them out like I was flying. I was incredulous when he asked me to take my arms off the ground. But I did and we went sailing. My sisters said I looked like a green dragonfly as I came into the platform!
Janet (Mama), Erin, Joanie, Jen before canopy tour
Playa Flamingo- View from our condo
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