This has been an amazing day. It started as we prepared to move from Jaco to the next location, Manuel Antonio. Tonight we are ensconced in a very beautiful hotel which offers views from many of the rooms. It is constructed on a hillside and offers sweeting view of the Pacific Ocean. The grounds are lush and robust, even now frogs are singing to each other and the night air is finally cool and finally has less humidity.
This morning at around 10 we loaded and drove the hour and a half to this new location. I cannot begin to fully share the job and excitement of being with this highly diverse and accomodating group of individuals. They range from two twins in their teens who are amazing kids. They react well to their parents but each have their own sense of individuality. They are cute kids to sum it up. There are also highly successful business people and seem to enjoy a chance to relax and play, a chance they rarely seem to find time for. Of course there are the parents and they seem to be getting along well in spite of divorces and remarriages. We have these two sisters who are cousins of Melissa the bride. Heather has the most beautiful long hair and is a shy yet very caring person. Her sister is sitting right here as I type so I'll fill you in later with a more complete description. Enough to say she is a pretty amazing person and helps everyone around her enjoy life more. She always looks like she just came from the fashion show and the two huge suitcases holds the key, outfits for every situation! In fact the photos that are with this blog tonight were taken by Ashley. She was kind enough to share some of the hundreds of photos she has taken so you can see a bit of the wedding that we all took part in last night. Thank you Ashley!
This morning I had intended to lie low and try to do some work in the room. I knew the group was heading out on an excursion but I had no intention of going, after all Jason had specifically warned me to NOT do the zipline. Then I found myself looking into Roxanna's face and she basically told me I needed to do this. Well no one can really say NO to Roxanna and live. In a few minutes we found ourselves loaded on small vans flailing down the roads toward the mountain. I had very big reservations about the whole process.
They took away our personal possessions and then we proceeded to the mountain staging area. Once there they strapped us into harnesses that put pressure on special places, get the picture. Then we started to walk up a muddy path, that was when the rain started in ernest. It rained for the next two hours, slowly our clothes became totally saturated and we sloshed up to the beginning point. We were taught how to use our gloved hands as brakes and then we started. With rain stinging our faces we shot down the cable, then used our hands in gloves to slow for the next station. Being heavy made the trip more interesting but I began to enjoy it more and more as we moved from cable to cable. Finally we went down a cable that was 1500 feet long. At the last station we rapelled down to the ground. All of this was accomplished in the pouring rain. Everyone had a incredible time in spite of mud, rain, stress, shaky platforms and rain in the eyes at thirty miles an hour. Once we were through our entire group were wet through and through yet warm due to the temperature.
Once we arrived back at the hotel everyone headed for the showers and dry clothes. We all felt really good about doing the zip line and would probably do it again tomorrow if we could.
This evening we've had a very nice dinner with the friends we have come to enjoy and love. Now I'm sitting in the lobby which is where the wireless internet works writing to you.
Tomorrow afternoon I start my trip home but I'll never forget these wonderful people.
Love to all and keep caring for each other,
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