It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship

In 2009, a few weeks before spring break, I wasn’t sure what to do with my kids.  I was going through a rough time, and wanted to get away with them, but had made no plans.  While talking to a friend who is also divorced and had her kids that week, she mentioned that she had a friend in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.  My friend is from Costa Rica, and the idea of going there with the kids (I had been for work a few times) was very appealing.  Additionally, Tamarindo is a surfing town, which made the idea even more desirable.  So, at the last minute, we put the trip together.  She spoke to her friend, we got the tickets, and off we went, 2 moms and 4 kids to Tamarindo!

We spent a wonderful week there.  My friend stayed with her friend (they had gone to high school together and had not seen each other in years).  My kids and I stayed half of the time in a little house that her friend rents out, and the other half at a little hotel across the street.  That week coincided with Holy Week, so Tamarindo was full, and more friends came to visit, they actually slept in tents in the back yard.

We took surfing lessons with the kids, went to a volcano, rode horses, went canopying, tubing, took mud baths, played in the sand, enjoyed the most amazing sunsets, saw monkeys every day, collected shells, met new people, made new friends….. It was a fantastic week, quality time with family, friends and nature.

In addition to the amazing memories, the best thing that came out of that trip was my friendship with my friend’s friend, Helen.  It’s strange because while we were there, we didn’t spend much time together.  There were so many people and she was very busy as she owns a restaurant and the town was packed.  But we stayed in touch (not frequently, though), mostly via Facebook.  She’s also divorced, has 2 kids (older than mine), likes to surf, run, bike and play tennis.  Months later, I decided I wanted to go back to Tamarindo, and she kindly offered I could stay with her.  So I planned my trip and took her up on the offer.  That was 4 trips ago, and today, I’m writing this at 35,000 feet above ground on my way to Tamarindo.

Funny enough, I haven’t seen the friend who introduced me to Helen in years.  It’s interesting how everything really happens for a reason.  Now, I have a dear friend, thanks to a spring break trip 4 years ago.

Tamarindo itself is not that special, it’s a surfing town, very touristy.  However, Helen, her hospitality, and her house make it an incredible place.  It’s a different way of life, it generates a very special feeling in me.  It brings my life into perspective, gets me thinking about what is truly important, it grounds me.  So it’s not about the place itself, it’s about the experience, what it means, what it stands for.  There are nicer beach towns in Central America, better surfing, easier and less expensive to get to, but Tamarindo is special for me.  One thing that does make Tamarindo (and Costa Rica in general) special to me, is the fact that they have “chontaduros” (Colombians know what I’m talking about) or “pejibayes” which is what they call them in CR.  “Chontaduros” are these fruits from a palm tree that I grew up eating (in Cali) and I’ve never seen them anywhere else aside from Cali and Costa Rica.  I think you’re just born liking them, it’s part of being from Cali.  Few people who I’ve made them try it actually like it.  They say “it’s like eating a raw potato.”  But I absolutely love them!  So as soon as I get there, I walk to the supermarket and buy a bag of “chontaduros,” which I eat during my stay.

The morning is the best part of the day.  For some reason, the coffee at Helen’s house tastes delicious.  It might have to do with the fact that it’s organic Costa Rican coffee of the highest quality, but also that we drink it in her back yard, under trees which are frequently full of monkeys making noises, chickens and roosters, 100 meters from the ocean.  We’re just talking, catching up, sharing our stories, our lives, which are so different, but, at the same time, have so much in common.  It’s strange how you find people that you click with, even if you don’t speak often, you just get each other. 

So those mornings just set the tone for the entire day.  Ohhh, I forgot to mention the rest of the breakfast….that’s one big incentive to go back.  Tortillas (made by some lady who brings them once a week), melted cheese (special cheese that only one guy sells and is not available all the time), zapote (a delicious fruit that I only eat there and it has to be the right season), the occasional fried sweet plantain (not every day, otherwise the surf board would not be able to withstand me) and avocado.  What a treat!!!!

When I go, I spend some time alone, as Helen is working.  I usually surf a bit, walk on the beach, just sit there, in front of the ocean, and contemplate some spectacular sunsets.  Ohhh….and I eat the best pineapple pie in the world at her restaurant!!!  We might also go for a run, play some tennis, visit friends in other beaches, and when possible, go surfing together.  Another special thing about Tamarindo is Helen’s dad, Papa Nogui.  He was the sweetest man, always happy to see me, happy that a friend came to visit his daughter.  He was the one making sure there were zapotes for me, and always telling me how pretty I looked.  Papa Nogui had been sick for a while, and two weeks ago he passed away.  So here I am, on a plane heading to Tamarindo, it’s going to be weird not seeing Papa Nogui in his room, but, at the same time, it’s going to be wonderful going back, to this special place. 

So spring break, 4 years ago, was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.  It’s strange how you find friends in random places, under unusual circumstances.  I have many friends who say they already have enough friends and are not really interested in making new ones.  I don’t share that perspective.  As we get older, we change, and we connect with different people, we value different qualities.  I’ve made great friends over the past few years, which I’m so grateful for!!!

So here I go again, to a home away from home, Tamarindo!  It’s therapy, it’s joy, it’s nature.  I can’t wait to get in the water with a surf board.  That feeling of excitement, fear, rush, intimidation….all at the same time.  So I’m thankful to Helen and her hospitality, for opening her home, for giving me that amazing cup of coffee, and for always being there and listening to my stories.  Friends make life better, and good friends are a treasure!