mi historia de costa rica

in 2001, i came to Costa Rica for the first time. it was kinda nuts and amazing. there was lots of fútbol-watching w/ these peepz ...

it would take me 10 years to get back down here! ... my bff from childhood was studying in Heredia, and i joined her for X-Mas in 2011. we met in Guanacaste. 
(also kinda nuts and amazing.)

photo by: Harmony

shortly after returning to Brooklyn, i fell into a wicked depression. i wanted nothing more than to be in Costa Rica all the time. within two months of my return to NYC, i sold all my stuff, had an incredible farewell party ...   

... and found myself back in Guanacaste. i'd stay for 3 months at a time, visit NYC, and then come back down for another stretch of weeks or months ~ it was a bit haphazard at first. it was a very quiet time, tho. 

i was writing a lot, keeping to myself ...

a few highlights from this period included spending some alone-time en El Caribe Sur de CR, then hostessing Jenn on a visit.

Jenn

i was away all of last year working and playing in The States, but every day, Costa Rica was what i spoke of.

i am very very very blessed to know this homebase now.

i received a letter a few days ago from one my dearest friends who is in her 70's. Patsy writes, "Of course this is from afar, but I feel like you've grown so much, becoming more comfortable in your own skin as time goes on. You are lucky that at an early age, you questioned the voices in your head and from parents or friends who thought of advice 'best' for you. But you've continued to listen to what you have a passion for, what gives LIFE to your life, and what is a keen awareness for the here and now. Mary Oliver, poet, has a line that so fits you, something about staying where you are happy." 

and that's just it. in my 20's, i sought a sense of home. i was kinda obsessed even, with finding my place. some folks talk about home being in your heart or in your body, and i get that, but *place* is/was hugely important to me, and i've found it here in Costa Rica for a moment. 

i am home here ~ for now. 

photo by: Statia Grossman @ hot springs

Statia's recent visit was beyond wonderful.

photo by: Statia Grossman

bonding, by: Statia Grossman

... and this beautiful reminder, hand-written by Elena Brower, is the perfect ending to this article ... and a perfect gesture symbolic of sweet beginnings here in Costa Rica ... 

lovingly,

k *