16 Days in Costa Rica ~ Part 2

One of several long, dirt roads we traveled
A challenge, an adventure in faith.

There will always be the unknown.

There will always be the unprovable.

But faith confronts those frontiers with a thrilling leap.

Then life becomes vibrant with adventure!

Costa Rica ~ Part 2

Our flights from Columbia, SC to the Liberia airport in north Costa Rica went smoothly.  After renting our 4-wheel drive we headed down a nice two-lane highway for Playa Panama.  We missed our turn, thanks to me, the Map Whisperer, so it took us a bit longer than the twenty minutes the friendly car-rental Costa Rican had said. Note: car rentals are inexpensive, but the INSURANCE will kill you. We opted for everything since we were traveling in unfamiliar territory, but we opted not to have a GPS, thus the Map Whisperer was created (me).

Casa Conde Del Mar, Playa Panama
Costa Rica

I had the huge pool all to myself
most of the time.

After lunch, a long swim, and delicious dinner, it was around eleven o'clock that evening when I began the search for my mini-iPad.  Dumped everything out of my purse.  Nowhere to be found.  Mini-panic.  Called Delta.  Only recordings.  Sent email.  Concerned.  Prayed.  Helped.  

Beautiful beaches abound

Bright and early the next morning, after a yummy Costa Rican breakfast, we drove twenty minutes back to the airport (no wrong turns this time).  Rob was cool the whole time.  Delta greeted me with big smiles and handed me my 'lil i-Pad within ten minutes.  Whew! Yay!  Note: ALWAYS double check the pouch in the airplane seat in front of you.  I always do...except this time. 

Day 3 we headed inland for the rain forests of Monteverde.  Most of the roads were good.  Except one.  Turning off the main highway, we traveled on a two-lane road that led us through a small town.  My eyes were glued to the map when Rob turned left instead of staying on the safe-looking road.  When the pavement turned to dirt,  I softly said, "I'm pretty sure I told you the wrong way."  The Map Whisperer was willing to take the blame.  MW's translation: Please turn around.

"This is the right road," Rob stated like a professional tour guide.  Slowly, the road narrowed.  Suddenly there were mini-bolders sprinkled with pot holes as big as mini-ponds.  "Are you sure I didn't tell you the wrong way?" I asked.  Silence.  The map was of no help, so I threw it in the back seat and gripped the door handle.  I was determined to be the good wifey...quiet, calm, soothing, comforting, all the while wondering why there was no one else on this narrow, scary road.  Then behold!  We saw cows!

We were not alone after all on
the Rocky Road to Monteverde

A few miles later, a tour bus came rolling down the hill, heading straight for us.  Rob swerved to make way for Mr. Tour Bus Driver.  We might be on the right road after all, we were both thinking.  Then a few more miles up the road, a second tour bus came barreling around the corner.  Rob pulled over, stopped, and looked at me and said, "I was beginning to wonder about this road."  "Me too!" I announced, still shaking.  We laughed as he jerked the shift into gear, pressed a few magical buttons, and 4-wheeled off to Monteverde.

Clouds gathered overhead.  Thunder and lightning.  Then the rain fell.  Then I had to go pee...well, I needed to go to the toilette.  We drove through small villages, but no Costa Ricans in sight.  We passed a zip-line resort.  Closed.  "Can you hold it, or do you want me to pull over?" Rob asked.  "Pull over and do what!?!?" I answered.  "Then you'll have to hold it," Rob answered as he dodged another pot hole.  He was too focused on the muddy roads to sympathize with me.  Dang.

"Look!  Pull over!" I said as my eyes beheld a little mobile trailer that had a flashing sign in English, OPEN.  I ran in, pointed to the bana sign.  The sweet Costa Rican angel said, "Si."

We finally pulled into Monteverde at dusk. I wanted to kiss the ground, but stayed focused on the map that led us to the quaint, cozy boutique Hotel Los Jarnines.  "Yes, that is the main road to Monteverde," she replied when I asked about the bumpy road.

We were hungry so we found a small, romantic restaurant...just what Mr. 4-Wheel and the Map Whisperer needed after a long day on the Rocky Road to Monteverde.  Faith for the day and food for the evening never felt so good.

Loved this quaint restaurant

Delicious food, romantic atmosphere

Coffee plantation showed us how to
make coffee, sugar, and chocolate!

After two days of touring a coffee plantation and sightseeing, we drove the same road back down the mountain, but this time we knew it was the right road.  Note: Life Lesson: Even if our road is rocky, when we know we are on the right road, it makes all the difference.  

The sun was shining as we headed back to the Pacific coast.  I have to admit, the Map Whisperer did a great job for the remainder of the 16-day journey.  There were a few more dusty roads along the way, but the most fun was eating on the beach at Lola's Restaurant, where Rob met Miss Lola in person:

The dirt road to Lola's on the beach

Rob sneaking up on Lola!

As we drove down every highway I noticed small houses built right next to the roads; doors and windows open for any breeze to flow through the small hot rooms; covered porches lined with chairs, sofas, and tables for families to lounge.  Clothes hang in almost every  front yard.  House have high, rod-ironed, bob-wired fences surrounding their property to protect against theft.  I was impressed with how neat they keep their property.  Costa Ricans appreciate their belongings.  A good lesson for all of us.

The nationals are friendly, kind, and humble because they live "Pura Vida" ... the "Pure Life" ... a simple, pure, and happy life.  It is evident in their faces.  

Our journey continues next time in Part 3 ~ Faith, Food, and Friends.  Until then, I wish you Pura Vida!

Playing on Playa Pirates, Costa Rica

Stand at the crossroads and look...

ask where the good way is, and walk in it,

and you will find rest for your souls.

Jeremiah 6:16  NIV

www.sharonleaf.com

16 days in Costa Rica ~ Part 1

First 2 and last 2 days in Playa Panama, Costa Rica

Two roads diverged by the sea,

and I -- 

I took the one less traveled by,

and that has made all the difference.

Part 1

Trekking through Costa Rica for sixteen days 

in a small 4X Suzuki was Rob's idea, 

and I'm glad I decided to go along for the ride.  

Costa Rica was on Rob's Bucket List so 

he made the flight arrangements, 

found several boutique hotels online, 

rented the 4X, and the rest 

we made up along the way.

Part 1 

will give you some suggestions on 

what to pack to make your travels easier, 

whether you're traveling through Central America or 

the USA.

 I'm not a professional travel guide, but 

I've been around the block a few times...

...Russia, Siberia, Greece, Israel, Estonia, Sweden, 

to name a few.

Standing next to our rented 4X Subaru with my teal backpack and Rob's basic black

First, travel light.  

Rob told me while packing for our first trip to 

Russia and Estonia back in '91: 

"Take only what YOU can carry."  

As I slowly began removing items that I thought I needed, 

I later realized this was good advise for women 

who think they must bring several outfits per day, 

loads of make-up, skin and hair care, and  jewelry galore.  

As for me, I've learned to be a light traveler because 

I dislike having to come home and unpack.

Since this trip's destination was Costa Rica in the summer, here are a few suggestions.

Plane travel: White casual roll-up pants that 

I only wore on the plane (Old Navy); 

striped vintage t-shirt

 layered with a beige pullover (Free People) because 

planes are always cold; 

walking shoes (Sketchers Moving Foam) that I only wore on plane; 

watch, earrings, bracelet. That's it.

Backpack and purse (TJ Max)
Blue clothes carrier* fits perfectly in backpack.
Zipper carriers* for undies and cosmetics fit in backpack with ease.
Don't forget your journal!
*I bought mine at AAA on sale but you can find them at TJMaxx

Backpack: 

In my clothes carrier: 2 pairs of White Stag walking shorts, white and tan (Walmart for $7.98); 

2 vintage cotton striped tops (Loft); 

2 sleeveless tops (Belk); swimsuit (TJMaxx) and a 

cover-up (also used as a sundress). 

Shoes: walking sandals (Easy Spirit @ Belk); 

I lived in my blue flip-flops.

Cosmetic/accessory carrier: 3 oz. bottles of shampoo, moisturizers, lotions, wash cloth 

(some smaller hotels do not offer these items), 

razor, deodorant, etc. 

Undies carrier: 8 lower, 3 upper (sports bras), 

nightie.

It was Costa Rica's rainy season so 

I stuffed a roll-up rain jacket in it's little pouch 

but didn't use it--too hot!

Purse: 

In case of emergency I carry my make-up case 

(only wore lipstick and eyeliner most of trip); 

med-case for my 3 prescriptions and vitamins; 

small butt pack with passport and money; 

small wallet; toothpaste/toothbrush; 

mini-iPad; iPhone; pen/journal.  

Bored yet?  

I'm almost finished.  

Breath mints, kleenex, sani-cloths, comb and hair clip.  

I'm leaving something out, but I can't remember what. 

Oh, yes...on day 8 we did our laundry at the Bula-Bula Hotel.

White sleeveless,
morning or evenings
Costa Rica

Blue striper wears morning or evening
(wore this hip hat once at
a coffee plantation in the rain forest 
Monteverde, Costa Rica

I wore these flip-flops everywhere.

  

A Necessity I forgot: 

anti-diahrea pills in the event that 

Montezuma's Revenge finds you. 

Rob went to a local pharmacia to get me some help.  

Day 13 found me in bed all day, and 

MR followed me home for a week, so pack the pills!

Part 2 will take you 

On the Road with Lady Traveler and her 

sidekick, Robinski (Rob's Russian nickname).  

Hold on because our journey could make you a little car sick.  Faith, Food and Friends will be the topic of Part 3.  After all, isn't that what traveling is all about?

Running on the hot sand at Playa Pirates, Costa Rica

Until next time, 

I wish you smooth sailing and 

oceans of blessings 

on your hot, summer days.

Put your hope in the Lord.

Travel steadily along His path.

Psalm 37:34 NLT

www.sharonleaf.com

WheReveR you tRavel, Relax!

Spring at Mid-day in our backyard

Walk on a rainbow trail; 

walk on a trail of song, 

and all about you will be beauty.  

There is a way out of every dark mist, over a rainbow trail.

Not much time to write today

due to preparing the house and garden for the 

Golden Hills Garden Club fiesta tomorrow night at 

Leaf's Lake House.  

Instead of dreading the 'spring cleaning', 

I decided to dig in, a little at a time.  

Now I can stand back and admire my clean cottage and 

lovely gardens.  

Rob has been a big help with my spring-cleaning-honey-do list.  

He just gets sweeter as the years go by.  

Well, we do have our moments but we still enjoy 'make-up s--'  (this blog is rated PG so not sure if I can spell out the word sex...

oh well, too late now).

Early morning spring 

TIP: 

After cleaning and gardening, 

remember to pour yourself a cup of coffee or sweet tea or wine, 

and travel down the path to your garden and 

appreciate God's creation.  

Relax and thank Him that you have working hands and feet

--even a bum knee--to accomplish your daily tasks.  

I've always dreamed of having a garden...to sip coffee...to read...

...to write...to dream.  

Mmm, so nice.

Now I must continue re-writing my manuscript 

Lady on the Run.  

Bye for now!

I set my rainbow in the cloud, 

and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between 

me and the earth.  

Genesis 9:13 NKJV

I wish you oceans of sunny spring days sprinkled with a few refreshing showers!

www.sharonleaf.com

Traveling through Time

Jacquie's 48th Birthday
Me, Jacquie, and Destinee (my granddaughter)

As we travel on life's way, we meet with angels everyday.

Our daughter turned forty-eight last week.  

When did my sweet little girl grow up to become this 

charming, beautiful woman?  

If we could only hold time in a bottle.  

If we could remember every moment.  

But life isn't that way.  

Where was I when I was forty-eight?  

On the WWII ship, MS Restoration, as a 

volunteer on the maiden voyage from Seattle, Washington, 

to Stockholm, Sweden, and 

ultimately sailing to the Black Sea to 

transport Russian Jews to Haifa, Israel.  

Wonderful memories.  

Glad I can remember.

in my little cabin on WWII ship MS Restoration 1994

I'm not feeling poetic today.  

Words are not coming smoothly.  

In fact, my mind is a bit cloudy from all of the 

different directions it is going 

... planning Rob's mother's 90th birthday ... 

... planning our Costa Rica holiday... 

... attending meetings for the opening of NewSpring Church-Lexington ... 

... making doctor's and dentist appointments ... 

... just your ordinary daily activities.  

I have mine.  You have yours.

In the midst of our daily routines, we must 

take time to sit, relax, reflect, meditate, and pray. 

That is where our peace flows from.  

The Lord is waiting for us to calm our minds and focus on Him, even for ten minutes.  

He enjoys our friendship. 

Before I sat down at my iMac, 

I had so many great thoughts to share.  

Now I cannot remember them. 

Happens a lot lately.  

So I write what's on my mind at the moment.  

Take time for loved ones.  

Send a note.  Make a phone call.  

Take a short visit.  Plan a lunch date.  

Surely you can think of a kind gesture to make someone happy.  

I did.

Mary and Me
Morro Bay, California 2013
We haven't changed much!

Mary and Me
Half-marathon day 1982

The other day I picked up the phone and 

called my 90-year-old friend, Mary, who 

lives near Morro Bay, California.  

She was so happy to hear from me so that made MY day.  

We didn't talk long, just long enough to share our love. 

 I love traveling to see Mary.  

You see, she has been my mentor for years.  

We ran our first half-marathon together 30-some years ago 

when we both lived in southern California 

(I write about it in my upcoming book, Lady on the Run). 

 That's one great way to bond, wouldn't you say? 

Whether near or far, I see Mary's smile, hear her laughter.  

She loves the Lord, has a glass of evening wine, and has 

stayed active through the years.  

Mary still takes short hikes up the hill behind her house 

(with an escort now).  

She didn't know she was my mentor until I told her on the phone.  

I wanted her to know how much her life had influenced me.  

She was stunned and happy at the same time.

Today's Tip: 

Make someone happy today.  

Has someone influenced you?  

Have you told them yet? 

 Lets remember, it's not all about us. 

I sometimes need someone to remind me of this.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, 

for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.  Hebrews 13:2

Wherever you travel, you are in a battle

God protected the WWII ship and her crew
 from piracy as we sailed
the seven seas in 1994-95

Neither give place to the devil...

Ephesians 4:27

It doesn't take much to see that there are 

wars and rumors of wars all around us. 

 But do you ever stop to think that you are in your own

personal battle?  

It may feel like a cold war, 

but still the battle rages from within, and from without.  

This was brought to my attention this past Sunday.

Pastor Perry gave a powerful message, 

reminding us that we have an enemy, and his name is Satan,

 and his mission is to destroy us.  

He gave the modern day example from the movie, 

Captain Phillips, 

showing scenes from the movie as he spoke.  

It was riveting.  

(pour a cup of java and go to the website below; 

you will be reminded of the importance of being aware of your surroundings, both physically and spiritually.)

newspring.cc/watch/noothername/the-one 

(If you haven't seen Captain Phillips, you can Netflex it.) 

In a nutshell, wherever our walk of faith takes us, 

we are not to surrender--give any ground--to the enemy.  

The devil knows our weaknesses and lurks behind the scenes, waiting for the right moment to jump out and exploit us.  

When he finds an opening in our armor (Ephesians 6:11-18), 

he can weaken our effectiveness in what God has called us to do.  The Apostle Paul exhorts us to avoid giving Satan that opportunity (Ephesians 4:27).

As believers we have the possibility of making forward progress without ever having to lose any ground by putting on the whole armor of God.  Unfortunately, there were times in my journey when I laid my armor down and allowed the devil to have a field day with my life.  

In 1984, after being married for sixteen years, 

the process of my divorce put me in a numb state of mind.  

Instead of fighting the good fight, I placed my armor aside, 

so to speak.  

I went about my daily routine of working a full-time job, 

coming home to focus on my two children (ten and eighteen), giving special attention to my mother who had been 

recently diagnosed with MS, 

and to my father who was in the beginning stages of ParkinsinsDecease.  

Three years of ups and downs, 

I finally decided to pick up my armor and fight the good fight.  

Why did it take me so long? 

 I loved Jesus, and I still prayed, but 

I had been living my life according to Sharon.  

Not very smart.  And I was miserable.

So I began my path of saying no to wrong choices, 

wrong relationships.  

I started going to church again, praying more.  

Within a short time I met Rob, fell in love.  

Within a year we were married, and

 suddenly I felt that I was making up for the lost time

 the devil had stolen from me 

(for more details, you can email me OR buy my book, 

Lady and the Sea, a novel based on my true story.)  

A few tips:  

(1) Read Ephesians 6:10-18. 

(2) Keep your armor on.  

(3) Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  

Key word: resist! 

(4) and watch the video!  newspring.cc/watch/noothername/the-one

I wish you oceans of blessings while fighting for your life!