Sharing New Experiences

Yesterday was our second day couch surfing. Marlon had to spend the day studying so while he was cramming we took care of a few errands in the city before leaving to Nicaragua. We headed back into San Jose to pay for my school, did laundry and went to the super Mercado (grocery store) to buy dinner for the family. We wanted to make them a dish that we figured they probably never had, had before. Searching up and down the aisles we came up with Cordon Blue: chicken fillets stuffed with ham, mozzarella cheese and spinach wrapped and covered in breadcrumbs then baked. We also made roasted tomato halves topped with garlic, breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese and rice cooked in chicken broth and spinach. The meal turned out great. They loved the presentation of the food, said it was delicious and were very grateful.

Today, our third day couch surfing, we took Marlon and his sister to the beach. Marlon suggested we go to Playa Hermosa, the closes beach with the best surf to San Jose. It was a two hour drive but well worth it since it has been cool, cloudy and rainy in San Jose and it was hot and sunny at the beach. Since the family does not have a car (they use public buses for transportation, common for Costa Ricans) Marlon and his sister do not get to go to the beach very often so this was a big deal to them. When we got to Hermosa beach there was barely anyone around. It was an open coastline of sapphire blue water and black sand beach back by a brilliant emerald green jungle. Beautiful and tranquil. Most of the day we went back and forth between swimming in the water and laying out on the beach. Ryan of course surfed most of the day.

Ryan teaching Marlon how to surf

After lunch and a few hours Ryan gave Marlon his first surf lesson. He did the typical show you on the sand how to paddle to catch a wave, jump up to your feet and take the surfer stance. Not surprisingly Ryan made it look easier than it is.

Marlon's ready to surf

Then it was out to the water where Ryan helped Marlon balance his weight on the board and paddled out to the waves. A couple tries, a couple crashes and a few dozen mouth-full’s of salt water. The surf lesson was over. Marlon did good for his first time.

Ryan & Marlon

Marlon catching a wave

After the surf lesson we packed up our stuff to go home, but no before a second first time lesson. Since Marlon’s family does not have a car Marlon and his sister never learned to drive, so Ryan and I decided to teach them. Hence, a second first time lesson. They were both hesitant and nervous but with huge smiles agreed and Marlon jumped in the driver seat first. Ryan had explain: step #1 use only one foot for both the gas and break, step #2 hold the break, put the car in gear, step #3 let off the break, push the gas slowly, step #4 dodge potholes, don’t hit people on the side of the road, pull over some and slow down when cars are coming the opposite direction……Marlon’s sister went next. She is short like me so Ryan had to move up the seat and tilt down the steering wheel. She did just as good as her brother expect once Ryan had to grab the steering wheel when she was coming around a corner and did not turn the wheel enough and we almost drove into a house. Besides that they both did great and had a blast!

Marlon's sister drivng Chiquimula

Marlon driving Chiquimula

Jokingly Ryan asked if either one of them wanted to drive home but they both wide-eyed said NO. By the time we got home we were all tired and exhausted from the day in the hot sun. Marlon’s mother made a typical Costa Rican dinner for us and we spent the rest of the night relaxing looking at pictures from Ryan and my trip so far.

written by

ryan & debbrial on November 20, 2009 from Jaco, Costa Rica

from the travel blog: Us Discovering the Latin Americas

Send a Compliment

comment on this...