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We set around noon on monday with Montezuma being our final destination. a cab ride, a bus, a ferry, and two busses later we arrived. By then night had set in and we were trying to decide if it was safe to camp. The main dilema we had rested with the unpredictable rainy conditions. At the moment we arrived, the skies were clear as day but the winds made it clear that it could all change in an instant. After hiking around in the dark trying to find the campground, we grew weary and eventually settled in a hotel. conditions were lightly meager, but suitable for a ten dollar a night room nestled on the edge of the beach. Without further adieu, we retired for the evening.

The next morning was spent in a resturant called el sabano banano where we chose to eat in the jungle laden back porch area. Right in the middle of the deck, there was a good four foot wild iguana just soaking up some sun. The waiters thought nothing of it as i'm sure it was very normal business. Breakfast went smoothly with the exception of the jungle birds that have become very domesticated. There was a jar full of sugar packets that these birds just couldnt get their minds off of. Every few minutes or so, they would fly down and land on our table and inch closer to the sugar unless we waved them away with our water glasses. eventually then got the hint and beat it.

Bellies full, we set out into the jungle with hopes of finding a waterfall. Hours later after scurrying across clifsides, hopping rocks, and swinging from vines, we made it to a pretty sizeable fall. to our dismay however, we were unable to jump off of it because the angle just wasnt right. there were other rocks to jump off of, but nothing we did came close to the insane climbing and maneuvering of a tico who happened to be there as well. I dont know how this kid did it, but he pretty muched stuck to the side of these amazingly slippery rock faces and climbed a good thirty feet up as well. All slated with the grand finally of diving perfectly back into the water. My travel companion amy and i at this point climbed up another fall to which we found it was actually less slippery to climb directly up the flowing water fall than it was to climb up the mossy side.

The next day, after breakfast, we started to follow some surfers to see where they were headed and got sidetracked by a flowing ravine. We started hopping from rock to rock slowly up the ravine in hopes that it would lead us to another waterfall of salvation. about a mile and a half into the climb, we both looked at eachother, up towards the sky, and back at eachother. Little trickling rain drops were starting to fall from above. at this point in our hike, we were also at a standstill and lack of rocks to hop on. if we were to press on, it would require wading through some murky and slow moving water. Knowing we had a potentially dangerous trek back, we admitted defeat and turned around. On our way back, the rocks that we so carefully crawled over before were easilly hopped and gracefully balanced one by one by one. The only part that was particularly dicey was a section that was a little scary entering the ravine, but for me at least, terrifying when leaving. It involved shimmying along a cliffside and climbing higher as the ravine sunk lower. Rock holds were sparse and the earth on the side of the slope was very soft. on top of that, this little maneuver required us to climb onto an even higher rock with few to no holds. fortunatley, we both made it with no problems, just a lotta worry. after that, the rest of the way back was easy as pie and right as we set foot back on the beach, the heavens opened above and the heavy rain showered upon us. feeling very content with the day, we did little but eat and play music for its remainder.

This morning, we were up early. I said my goodbyes to Amy who had to head back into san jose because she is going back to the U.S. tomorrow. On my own again, i had some time to kill so i headed back into town and sat down for some breakfast. my host, a very charismatic and uppity nicaraguan ended up getting me to break out the guitar and play a few songs for the staff all before 9 in the morning. about an hour later, i was on one of two necessary busses to santa teresa, my new home for the next month. Along the way, i met two german guys who were traveling there as well. They found out I was from california and asked if i lived in san francisco. they then proceeded to say that they have met many californians and all are from san francisco. I told them no and started talking about how i have met more dutch people than any other nationality since i have been there. Sure enough, we soon boarded another bus and i sat next to this couple who was at the stop with us. we got to talking and when it finally came out to where they were from, they were from holland. They also laughed when i asked because they had heard my conversation with the german guys.

Once in santa teresa, I found room and board with the two german guys at a hostel called 'tranguillo backpackers hostel' and dropped off my backpack. From there, it was time to find work and a surf board. My job hunt was more of a detective game than anything else. Every place i would inquire and would get the response, "sorry, nothing here, but try that place"and then give me the name of another establishment. All in all, I could by next week potentially be working in one of two resturants, bartending in an israeli owned hotel, or doing the barista gig at a little air conditioned cafe called 'bakery'. Everything looks pretty cool. I figured a job is necessary because you can only surf so many hours in the day and it gets dark around five in the afternoon, so it will help pass the time. In california, when i was on my various employment persuits of the past year, whenever help was not needed, i would get a firm response of "no! we dont need anybody now." but costa rica and santa teresa in particular is very different. the people feel very bad and apologetic when they cant offer you work. i found i was the one assuring THEM that it was perfectly ok.

Tomorrow, bright and early, I am going to head out to the surf shop of a friend i have made here and he is going to outfit me with a big wide buoyant beginners surf board which i will be able to trade in for more advanced ones as i progress. All in all, this is truly one of the most beautiful places i have ever seen. i was told that it was rated the third best sunset in the world. to which i inquired how does that happen? is there a committee in charge of sunset ratings? nonetheless, the place is incredible. a very suitable home for the next month. Now i just need to get in shape so i can go climb some volcanoes!