The only thing that has interrupted my studying lately is Mother Nature.
Sloth in the garden
Chocolate shot at Caribean
Toucans playing in the garden
Puerto Viejo town beach
And the ocean
Pura Vida
More From Puerto Viejo
As I was jumping between rocks, holes and mud pools with my bike this morning, on my way from Yoga, a beautiful long Green Vine Snake...
It feels like being a visitor in your hometown.
But everything that once made it home is gone.
I walk the same streets as before; the legs know where to take me.
But the streets are empty.
I dwell in memories and confusion.
It’s old and yet it’s new.
Puntarenas
I’ve always said that you shouldn’t return to a place where you had a great time. Just enjoy the memory, because you can’t recreate the situation.
I know I am right.
I knew I was right before I came here.
Honestly?
I don’t know why, but I wasn’t looking for it
It’s the people around you who make the greatness.
They create the feeling
Pura Vida!
More From Puntarenas
Yesterday, Mariella got on her flight to Sweden. She stepped through the door of her apartment just a few hours ago. From door to door the trip is more than 24 hours. It is an exhausting journey, with a lot of flight changes and running to gates. It’s amazing though, that we have the possibility to travel across the world like that. Still, sometimes it makes me sad that parts of my heart belong here in Latin America, which is so far away from my family.
Four months ago, I was prepared to live alone in the Caribbean jungle: a big change from studying and having had friends around me most of the time the year before. Now, my work wouldn’t include many colleagues and thus I expected to have to make somewhat of an effort to find new hangouts and friends. But so, in January my lovely, lovingly, inspiring and all-through awesome sister decided to stay and live with me in Puerto Viejo.
Chocolate tasting
Latin America is in many ways more home to me than Sweden is, but it is difficult to have your loved ones far away across the Atlantic Ocean. Having Mariella here has felt like I have them all a little closer.
Turns out neither of us had to work very hard to make friends, even though (seemingly) we didn’t have a particular forum to interact within. All you have to do is smile and talk. And both of us have always been good at that: talk. However, I still claim it is easier here than in a culture like Sweden where you have to “warm-up” people to get to know them.
With Luis in San Jose
Potluck in PV
Anyway, she gives me energy just by being around and I miss her already! When I go to Sweden I’ll be super annoying and overstay my welcome on her couch. But it’s ok, because she knows that I’ll feed her.
Te amo hermanita
Right now, I am having coffee at my friend’s house in San Jose, trying to get some work done. Apparently, Obama is coming for a visit today. Roads are closed all over the capital. He is probably just popping by, but the public sector is taking the opportunity to have a day off. I’m rambling because my thoughts are a mess (and I’ve had too much coffee). I’m trying to figure out what to do the coming weeks.
Do you have any suggestions? :)
Pura Vida!
The other day, I was thinking about the word garden. “Of course you were”, Marc said.
In a garden in the Caribbean plants are growing just as they are in the rest of the jungle. Although some are planted and some are organized, to be able to get through, they all seem to grow wild. With the functional purpose that Mother Earth gave them. Medicinal food is just outside your window.
the landlord's garden
In Sweden, we cut the grass short and grow colourful flowers in different rows for beauty. And that is also the picture I get in my head when I think about the word trädgård (garden).
One word. Many perceptions.
What does a garden look like where you are?
at Banana Azul
Instead of giving you another floating Yoga post, I thought you might appreciate a brief explanation of what I actually do here. Surely, some of you must wonder if all I do is yoga.
Sirsasana
Service By Magie offers all kinds of content writing, editing and social media managing/marketing. And that is precisely what I am currently doing in the jungle, for a wellness center named Hidden Garden. The beauty of it all is that, in addition to my writing, I get to attend yoga classes, herbalism courses, take photos and network with likeminded around town.
post-yoga Fika at Caribbean with yogis Julie & Marc
I work a few hours a day: I write, have meetings, edit texts/photos etc. I also go to yoga every day and I meet amazing people from all over the world.
potluck at Cocles beach
Cocles beaach
My days have routines and look the same but are yet so different. On Tuesdays we go to Tasty Waves for live music and tacos and on Fridays we go across the street to dance to African Caribbean drumming. Saturday mornings, we visit the farmers’ market to buy local and organic food for the week and, if it’s sunny I might stop by the beach. However, most weekends I spend a few hours working as well. I don’t mind. I love my job, and the jungle.
(We also study by the pool)
This last Friday, I caught another bug and have been in bed since. No fever this time, but a troubling stomach and joint ache. That’s what to expect from the jungle life, I guess. Especially in a small place like Puerto Viejo, where people constantly come and go: bringing all kinds of diseases. “It’s like in a kindergarten”, my friend said.
Our house and patio
Mariella and I rent a small house with great location. After all the troubles we had, we finally found a place with walls and a roof! We even have a beautiful garden, with a little porch where we can sit and work, while watching the colorful frogs and the hummingbirds. The gardener, Jacinto from Nicaragua, takes good care of us and brings us fresh fruit almost every day.
Frogito
Despite the humidity and various social problems around, I meant what I said about hanging my hat here. The Caribbean is a lovely place and I hope you get to experience it one day.
View over Puerto & Cocles
Pura Vida
It’s early Sunday morning and I’m slowly pedalling my bike to the Shala for a 4 hours inversions practice with Ashtangi Mariela Cruz.
I slow down even more as I pass my favourite part of the path. The trees of the jungle are high on each side of the road and behind them you can glimpse the blue ocean. I always ponder about their greatness. Standing there, tall and proud, basking in greenness: completely rooted and reaching high towards the sky. Like the foundation of an asana: feet are grounded and all four corners are connected with the earth to stay balanced, and the spine straightened.
The foundation of posture and the basics of life: to keep balance in every storm.
Los árboles altos
Since I moved to Costa Rica I’ve met many strong, independent, inspiring and enthusiastic women. Mariela is one of them. Mother of 7 and a great teacher, how does she do it?! Committed to her practice, she talks about moving one step forward and two back. Determination. Love. Healing. I remember again. Ashtanga, my first true love. My guidance. Even after 4 hours of practice I’m not tired, but filled with energy and love.
During my travels within this loving country, I’ve also met many inspiring men. Men who acknowledge and cherish the feminine energy, who see the importance of Mother Earth and to keep both sides balanced. They understand love, and they understand the oneness. It is indeed inspiring and I am grateful for all the unexpected meetings I’ve come across here.
And I’m grateful for everybody who teaches me about love
For my journeys
For the people in my life
For life
For Yoga
Nicaragua:SJDS
The inversions connect you with the higher chakras, and allow you to see the world from a different angle. It requires courage and laughter. And then you know. Maybe falling isn’t too bad.
handstand practice
Pura Vida
Magdalena Chandrakaí Yoga Teacher & Curandera. Yoga, Healing, Shamanism, föreläsningar, yogakurser, Livscoaching, Personlig Vägledning, Personlig utveckling. Privat Yoga. Medveten Gravidyoga. Mama-Baby Yoga. Kvinnocirklar.
Sverige Costa Rica
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