Hi Friends,

We have been having a great time in Costa Rica.  We got in late last night at around 10 pm  Aafter a 45 minute drive (they moved the San Jose airport to Escazu but didn't change the name) and a 20 minute steep ascent up a mountain side we arrived at our destination, Villa la Mas.  In our mini-villa there is one wall of all windows.  Last night we say the lights of the city and in the morning we saw that we are surrounded by lush jungle and sweeping mountains.  It didn't rain this afternoon (which is usual for this time of year) but by 5:00 pm clouds were rolling in over the mountains like a smoke machine.  The clouds became so thick you could not see through them and then about 9:00 it started to rain torrentially.  The volume of a rain is so incredible. And the sound of it pounding on the villa is like a dull roar.

We are constantly reminded that we are in the natural world as we are surrounded by lush greenery, sounds of wildlife fill the air, food and flowers are bursting from the trees and bushes, we had 3 butterflies  in the room this morning. We removed a giant fly and a small beetle last night and lost a spider in the shower before I realized it was there. 

The feeling of this place can be summed up in a few comments we heard.  "Breakfast will be ready when we get up. Welcome to Costa Rica."  "We don't have names for the streets, only the mile markers.  Directions might be, "go the 2nd and then turn at the mango tree."  When asked why there was garbage in random places on the street our driver replied,  "People put the garbage out when it is full.  They don't pay attention to which day it gets picked up. I know the garbage is collected twice a week in my neighborhood but I don't know which days."

Needless to say this place is good therapy for the over achiever personality.  I am open to the healing power of just not worrying about anything for awhile.

I have my first appointment at the clinic tomorrow.  I will write with my account of this experience tomorrow.  I thank you all again for your support and faith in my ability to recover.  Much love to all.  I'll write again soon. 

Love, Nancy