Buenos Tardes or Good Afternoon from Santa Teresa!!
I had originally written this before the group all arrived, but was unable to upload it in time, and in the meantime everyone has arrived safely. We've got a great looking group, and everyone got to San Jose yesterday, some early, some late, some tired, but all excited. We've all had a well earned rest, and are getting ready to head down to where our home will be for the next 6 weeks. So I thought I would give you all a bit of an update of what life is like in Santa T so that you can have a good understanding of what everyone can expect!
Life here runs at a very Central American pace….tranquillo! I have been here for the best part of a week now and I have to say I love it! The day usually starts at around 5:30 / 6 for me with a quick stroll down to the palm fringed beach for a surf check. I don’t know why I do this as it’s the same everyday…perfect! I think it just helps me wake up and limber up from the previous days surfing. A slightly quicker walk back, boardies on, wax my board, slap on the sunscreen and a good 2-hour session follows. If the waves aren’t up to much or the tide is wrong, I’ll grab my spear fishing kit and head off for a morning catching fish and lobster for dinner!
Breakfast I usually get at the Funky Monkey (our groups residence for the next 6 weeks). Rafi the chef lays out a king sized fruit plate and yogurt for me, washed down with a fresh coffee and I am ready for a solid day of work! Well I would be if that was needed, luckily I have had a relatively, how can I put it, Central American job so far!
The last week for me has been dotted with meetings with our various service providers, saying hello over freshly made smoothies, or checking out a new range of boards, that kind of monotonous day to day grind. Then just when I think life can’t possibly get any worse, the waves come up and I have to go for a surf! I hope I’m getting some sympathy…I feel I definitely deserve it!
I have been in close contact with George, who is our guy on the ground over here. He is the head instructor for surf lessons here and is a coach with years of experience behind him and a very nice life ahead of him. George spent a number of years working at the British Surfing Association as a coach and then photographer, with winters spent all over Costa Rica. He currently resides in Santa Teresa for 10 months of the year with his lovely wife Linia (who teaches us Yoga) and his two beautiful kids Malia and Leo, and spends the remainder of the time in-between Sweden and England.
We have a whole list of activities planned for our time out here so please check back to keep yourselves updated!
In the meantime wrap up warm and enjoy yourselves!!
Sam