....and the rain came down

I´ve never been to Costa Rica during the rainy season before and now I know why. The rain stopped for five minutes my first morning in Puerto Viejo...long enough for Wendy, Leah and myself to have coffee on the beach. The beach is just a few steps out Wendy´s front door and they have coffee on their favorite log every day. By the time we headed back into the house, the rain began again and did not quit once during the entire rest of my stay. I´m not exaggerating when I tell you the clouds opened up and literally poured buckets of water on us! I was completely unprepared for the amount of water with which I was confronted. I had only one pair of sandals with me and the trek into town each day (about 3 km) became unbearable. I rolled my cargo pants and made a great effort to side step the extremely large puddles yet by the time we reached town each day, I was covered in mud and completely drenched. Umbrellas are almost useless; the rain falls down, sideways and then splashes back up so really, there's no point. It´s quite an experience and yet, life continues on for the locals and tourists alike. Just another day in paradise, you might say, with everyone watching the sky and hoping for a break. The surfers are in the water daily whether it rains or not and though I had hoped to do a little surfing while there, the rain definitely hindered me. I just couldn't bring myself to brave the waves and the rain, too.

Cafe Rojo has unlimited Sushi for $10 and, since Sushi is my favorite food, we had dinner there. Leah is the bartender so we ordered Piña Coladas and Saki with dinner. Needless to say, I was glad we took a cab home, though Leah gets to be the bartender at all future parties! That girl can mix a drink like nobody's business!

Tina owns the Jammin´Cafe in town just across from the beach and Wendy works there. Breakfast and lunch at Jammin´is not to be missed! Tina has a smoker she fills with jerk chicken and the smell alone is enough to draw every tourist in the tiny village. It´s next door to the dive shop (owned by Wendy´s next door neighbor) and if you happen to eat there, tell Tina you read about her Cafe on Debbie-the-flight-attendant´s travel blog! Tina (like Wendy) makes instant friends and once you meet her you'll be a friend for life.

After deciding to head back to San Jose early I made arrangements to get a bus ticket. I just made it on the last bus out of Puerto Viejo after learning the roads were about to be closed due to flooding. I had to beg, but I got a seat and I can't even begin to tell you how happy I was to be leaving! I love Wendy dearly, but watching Puerto Viejo fade in the distance made me really happy. I called Alex just before leaving to tell him I was heading into San Jose for a few days and to my surprise, he and Dean were waiting for me at the bus station! You know you're loved when friends are waiting to collect you in the rain. San Jose wasn't nearly as bad as Puerto Viejo but the weather was cool and there were light showers off and on until my last day when the sun finally broke through. It was nice to finally see the sun. I really don't mind being there during the rainy season, since I had never experienced it before. I've been to Costa Rica more times than I can count but I'm pretty sure the next visit will be planned around the weather!

My friends Analee and Doug were on the Atlanta to Salt Lake City flight. Imagine my surprise when I heard "Debbie Wallace!" and looked up to find them sitting across the aisle in my row! It was great to see them and Analee and I spent the flight catching up.

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