Capricious

67 - Costa Rica - A Caribbean Dream

"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."
- Neale Donald Walsch

High on the highway, jungle looming on both sides, speeding down the Caribbean coast. Deep trap thundering through the speakers, taking hits from the pipe, melting so comfortably into the ride. Friends drawn from drugs and alcohol, from hippie and free, stoner kids let loose on the old port. I open myself to the situation I'm in, deep crunches to my stomach and mind, but I don't care, I live with it, enjoy it. Reggae vibes staining red yellow green, this high life of the west, lucid daydreams tripping me all over the place, falling into a dreamy daze as the sun rains down.

Thinking out in my head, the phrase I'm about to say, waiting for alarm bells to blow, then if none go, and a suitable quiet arises, and the moment hasn't passed, it is told.

Far from home, where weirdness is easily explained and rarely held against you.

Still haunted by the ghost of always being the burden to bear, now having more faith in my abilities, and never shying away from failure, that adds to my character nonetheless.

This hippie world I've dropped into, mosaics and murals covering every inch of the floors and walls, tables and doors, random caricatures of decorations flood the scene, backpackers from all over the world, all here to discover their Caribbean crush. We live the beach life, soaking in the flame of the sun, drifting in and out of its sleepy dreamy embrace. By night we throw ourselves into oblivion, with all we know and all we don't, shots of tequila to warm us up inside, hits of marijuana to cool us down, nights sleeping in hammocks till the day rings again.

I wake from a temporary slumber, the night already begun, yet all around me sleep still. But so awake I am, too ready for the night, and so seeking glory I take to the road by myself, knowing there is something to be found, and finding more than bargained for. An adventure of intoxication with those I meet, as flames dance and swings twist, as if by prophecy, I fall into the orgy of the night. It's a different life I'm living here, why live it the same, why not become a different person, extracting parts of those I have come to admire? A beer, a smoke, a line of coke, brightening the night, leading to a spark where I hadn't thought there one to be found, enjoying moments with souls that do not match. My identity begins to exude such power, my mind speaks more and more so comfortably, so loving, so eager, so clear. A tranquil buzzing ride, an easy-peasy crime, dancing round the court, falling into the subject of an infatuation. A slow rush that ends so fast, my heart bursting ecstatically, finishing the night with a final high, walking home in the dark.

Not what once thought, baring such a hot body, the most provocative looking face, yet down to earth she rides with all so free. Together we throw ourselves into intoxication, attacking the bar, drowning in tequila, firing up joints. Honesty my shield, our relationships hers, friendly flirting all day and night. Sketching through a club of psychedelics, golden beaches or turquoise pools, we make of all what we will. And yet that expression in her face, something I would have easily fallen for in another life, I can but admire if not dream, with someone so fun and open and so very close to me.

Deep bass through the city at night, sounds thundering within the high. How all has come to this. Ever an unexpected moment, with an unexpected series of friendships. Perfect moments, that took a while. I do not regret my plans collapsed to this, whatever opportunity lost, I have gained so much. This is how I'll live forever.

Half the adventure is in the people you meet along the way, unique refreshing bursts of friendship, that arise so profoundly with the smallest effort, those that you will take this journey with wherever it may lead you. From all around the world, and all so very different, that's what I love. An adventure through cloud forests, driving down the Caribbean coast, nights lost in intoxication, working together to build something that will remain across time. In and out of my life they come and go, rarely time for goodbyes, yet we all chose this way, we all lived it, and we will never regret it.

My third solo journey. If Peru was the adventure, and Bali the fairy-tale, then Costa Rica has been but a dream.