Love and faith

by Rafaella Gattás (Brazil)

I didn't expect to find Costa Rica

I traveled to Costa Rica in February 2018. I intended to stay in a suppose friend's house. Arriving in San Jose, Costa Rica's capital, I realized I would have to continue my trip alone, because the girl didn't want to host me there and until now I don't know the reason, but I think that's not very important. I had to sleep in the airport in the first night, once I arrived at midnight. I was terrified, because of my luggage, I didn't know what to do, but I slept holding my suitcases. It wasn't the best night ever, but I learned a lot with this experience. After that I was a little bit lost and I didn't know exactly what to do or where to stay, but I found out a very good hostel there and decided to stay in a shared room for the first time of time of my life. What an adventure! At the same time I didn't know exactly where to visit in Costa Rica and a friend told me to go to Manuel Antonio, a wonderful beach in Pacific coast, and stay in Selina Hostel, in his words, because I would have an unforgettable experience. And fortunately it was. I traveled alone in a bus to Manuel Antonio and ate empanadas for the first time as well. Finally I've met Manuel Antonio and Selina and I really can say it was fantastic, I really recommend. The parties there were really fun, the landscape was perfect, the weather was perfect and the nature just amazing. And what can I say about the food? Really good, but I little bit expensive. I didn't have enough money to stay 15 days eating in restaurants, so I decided to buy cheap food or skip some meals and it worked. After Manuel Antonio I decided to visit La Fortuna city and I met a volcano there. Another amazing adventure! In addition I've just met nice people there! The natives are so welcoming and the foreigners so kind. The main part of the story happened when I went to Puerto Viejo city. When I arrived there I decided to take a bus and meet a very beautiful beach over there. But a made a mistake and I just had money to go and didn't have to go back. So, I had to walk back around 12 km and I was wearing flip flops. Fortunately, it was one of the best experiences of my life. I've stayed more than 5 hours completely alone walking and meeting every beach in the way and they were just speechless. I could think about everything I wanted in my life during this time alone and I realized that I love traveling alone and I love my self company. Almost arriving at the hostel, I decided to go inside a private camping and there was a passage to the beach. When I arrived at the beach I just saw 2 totems in which was written love and faith. I could add self love indeed. I've there for a while just looking around and admiring the nature. I really can say Caribbean nature is outstanding and I was so happy being surrounded by this nature. It was like a dream came true. This life's suprise was the best thing that happened that year for sure, I couldn't imagine being more happy and I can't wait to have a similar experience again. After that I had to walk more a few minutes. I was starving, exhausted, I couldn't feel my legs and feet anymore, in the other hand, I was extremely happy.