PURA VIDA: DAY 14... WHAT A DAY!

By now you ALL know I went zip-lining at Selvadura Nature Park, in Monteverde.

I told myself I was going to do it, but when we came to the top of the first platform, I knew I couldn't go alone.  It WAS NOT a problem though. The staff there, all young, cute, male Ticos who could be my sons, or grandsons, were ever SO, SO WONDERFUL.

Eric, twenty-one years old, and a S-C-AM-P, took me along with him on the first one.  I got off and started CRYING!! WELL, AT LEAST I WAITED UNTIL I HAD TRIED ONE BEFORE the tears flowed! They move you right along from one zip line to the next. Very professional, but no dilly dallying here, folks. You only have time to kind of catch your breath when you hike some steep paths to other zip lines.  (This is a hiker talking!) All told there were seventeen.  I did TWO by myself, real short ones. Eric and I chatted in Spanish the whole time. I had to wait and go last in our group, with him.  He introduced me here and there as his "novia", his girlfriend, and I would say "abuelita", grandmother.  I did the "LOOK MA...NO HANDS" thing, I swear.  It was totally incredible. I looked down, all around, screamed and yelled, NOT out of fear, but out of SHEER EXHILARATION!

We then visited the wonderful Hummingbird Garden.  I was close enough with my finger to feel its' wing, and to feel the movement of air around the rapid beating of its' little wings.  It was a magical moment.

For the rest of the day I was on a natural high. We had a delicious, early supper at Soda Bonanza again, then settled ourselves in on the beautiful deck of CAMINO VERDE, to touch base with friends and family online, read and relax.  That was our intention... however...

I started chatting with two young men, who were fellow guests.  You know I talk to everyone!  I always find a language in which to communicate. Meet Omer and Mahmut, two Turkish men who live and work in Dubai.  They are flight attendants for United Emirates Airlines, on a hiking vacation through Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.  We had such a great time laughing, discussing politics and the world, sharing information about ourselves and drinking wine for three hours, that my natural high continued into a red wine high!  I was later asked by another Canadian guest there, Jen, if I had had a good time last night. :). These young men do their country of Turkey, and their parents, proud!
I shall always remember our three hours on that windy patio!

Day 15.... mañana.  It will be our last full day in Costa Rica.

Hermanita and I have discussed this.  We have had all these adventures, and survived, so WE are going to apply for the N-E-X-T season of "THE AMAZING RACE - CANADA!"