Today was…AMAZING. I mean seriously the types of excursions
we are doing here..are incredible. Once in a lifetime. I never ever imagined that
me and my family would do what we did today.
We went canyoning/rappelling in the wet jungle. To get
there took a bus and then a big army jeep as there is no way a normal car could
make it up these dirt hill roads. Just getting there was an experience. Then one
by one the group each got their individual harnesses and ropes and then walked
up to the 165 foot waterfall. The we were asked to just trust in life and God
turn around, crouch sitting in the air and rappel 165 downwards in the jungle
on a waterfall with many rocks and trees along the way. Having no clue at all
how to do this. Only the pictures posted after the vacation will do this any type of justice.
From there there are 5 canyons to get down to with hikes
in between. One of the hikes included some pretty serious rock climbing up a
mountain. I never thought I would make it (but I did!)
There were waterfall canyons, Tarzan canyons, and zip
line type canyons. It was truly exhilarating and truly breathtaking. You have
never seen anything like this so far out from civilization and in the real
jungle with the beauty of nature. I felt so powerful and strong. And capable.
We all loved it and this was no touristy tour. This was true Costa Rica. It was
awesome.
And now the before story.. just as we were heading out on
the tour and getting our valuables locked up in the locker all hell broke loose.
Two out of three teens really really pissed me off and were so rude. And to
make matters worse their father (hubby too intimate for my anger right now)
asked me to calm down and took their
sides. It totally sucked and I totally lost it. There always has to be one incident
like this on a trip (a BFF recently threw her kid in a pool in Africa so see I am
not alone!:))) Anyways why chose this amazing adventure to piss me off-it is
once in a lifetime. Having three teens so close in age is usually a blast-but
other times? It is downright hard and disturbing. Today I really thought..”Who
the hell brought up these pathetic pigs with their dirty disrespectful mouths??”
(and realized it was me) and “how did I marry a man who puts up with this and
is so oblivious?” I felt really really really sorry for myself today .
So….for half of the excursion I completely ignored all of them. Their sorries, their hugs, their
kisses. Their stupid and fake I love you. I even ignored the good kid. One by
one I let them trek down 165 foot canyons and did not even wish them well or
farewell. Yup mother of the year right? I have never felt so alone or alienated.
But inside I still loved this excursion in my heart. Alone. And it was not easy
to ignore them while trekking. I didn’t let a single sound out of my mouth just
to prove my deep fury.
After the second rappel which was just INCREDIBLE as you actually
go straight through the actual waterfall; I just couldn’t help it anymore. I
was exploding with happiness. So I
let a little smile appear on my face and they forced me into a group hug. I
relented. Thank goodness as was so hard to stay mad and silent in such beauty.
Almost impossible not to turn to your loved one and say “OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
I am proud of this adventure that I planned for our
family. This second part of the trip is so far really outdoing my expectations
and the first part was exactly what we needed. A super combination of relaxation
, culture, nature and adventure. Seriously the dream trip I knew it would be.
Back to the volcanic thermal springs for sushi at the swim up bar
and fries. Hammocks for an hour of reading and the kids face timing back home.
Now sitting on the balcony as the rain pours down in buckets. Arenal is a wet
wet place-rains off and on all day with no warning and sun and clouds alternate
all day. We wake up to clouds as the
volcano is right out our window. It is very warm and humid but not hot at all.
Being wet is fine. Trekking down a canyon with only a rope is fine. Sun, rain, jungle.
Bring it on. This place has taught me a lot of lessons of nature and to welcome
whatever it gives you. I have especially enjoyed our almost outdoor shower with
skylights and beautiful plants.
Trust me…I have learnt that there is always a volcano ready to erupt. And when it does you really have
no choice but to deal with it. I am not even really frightened anymore.
Tomorrow is what I have looked forward to many moments of
my lifetime. White water rafting class 2-3 on balsa river (not even
beginner!!!). I am seriously pumped.
Bring the adventure on. Not much scares me anymore. Not much at
all.
PS- the only hard part of the day was when the crowds of
people were complaining about how tight and uncomfortable the harness was to
wear and Beauty said to us quietly “My brace is a thousand times tighter and
more uncomfortable”. It made me realize that of anything our family has gone
through in the last year or two-she has gone through the most and still is. She is the toughest cookie alive (as
seen today by being the first on each rappel). She is made of steel. This girl
is fully prepared and ready to take on life.
And of that..I am sure.
