A Sabbatical from a Sabbatical?

I'm not someone who gets stressed out, but I am particular about the surroundings I'm in.  I don't have a lot of patience or tolerance for settling in something I don't like.  I push myself, and my therapist Grant reminds me I do have to pay attention to my limits. 

I recently found myself needing to escape from the city and get to the beach. As life felt crashing around me, I jumped in an Uber and rode 2.5hrs to Manual Antonio.  For those who are curious, the Uber was around $100.  It does not make sense to me, but life down here in CR is a bit different. People will make a buck any way they can.

I'd been to the MA area before, so this was more about getting to a familiar place that I enjoyed than going on a new adventure.  It was an opportunity to get away for a week and do some creative work and relax on the beach.  I rented a $350/week studio villa on Airbnb that is literally in the jungle with monkeys and other animals all around me. 

My days were fairly consistent...a morning of work starting around 5:30am...a few hours of midday napping and relaxing on the beach...an afternoon of work...and dinner in my studio by myself.  The time served me well as the creative writing flowed out of me and I soaked up the sun and surf.

It was a full moon week, and I guess this time of year the full moon brings the highest surf of the year.  The lifeguards were keeping people out of the waves and rip ties, and I admit the waves were even too big for me to body surf one day. I've never been in the ocean looking up at 10-12ft waves.

I found my daily beach spot in a mangrove that was about a 15min walk from my place.  I even indulged in massage on the beach. I mingled with the regulars on the beach (and contemplated becoming a regular myself!).

Alex came to MA a week later to inspect a hotel, and we enjoyed an evening in another beautiful property before making the drive back the next day to San Jose.

The week served as a reminder to replenish the soul. Even I need that from time to time in this tropical paradise.