As anyone who knows me or follows my travels, you may know I have actualized a bit of my wanderlust over the last few months. Recently, I uprooted from the Osa Peninsula, an area I called home for the better part of 4 months, and set off for places unknown. I went to David, Panama, and met some really cool people. I carried on with these folks to a disappointing mountain jungle hostel. I carried on with a couple of these folks to Panama City. And then, I was on my own. My future was open and unknown except for one commitment I'd made - to return again to Costa Rica and be a volunteer for approximately 2 weeks at a detox retreat.
I had very little expectation for this retreat. I partially attended because I am poor, and for two weeks, my food and board would be covered in exchange for the work I'd perform. Mostly I attended because I had the feeling this would be phenomenal. In general, and for me.
It turns out, I was likely the last person by far to get hooked up with this retreat. Some people had been signed up for around a year. Others for many months. Me - I answered a local Costa Rican newsletter a couple weeks back, saw an ad for volunteers, and emailed my interest almost immediately. I had minimal understanding for what was to come.
I knew that two US ex-pats named Todd and Lynn had formed the company Costa Rica Jungle Retreats and were hosting their inaugural detox event. I knew there'd be natural foods and yoga practice and movies and a jungle location and potential hikes to river swim holes and a couple beach trips to Dominical and a couple other things. I did not know what my role would be. I did not know any of the people involved nor their reasons for attending. I did not know I would jump at a love at first sight opportunity faster than you can say, "I've got 4 moons in the 5th house. What what!"
Us volunteers arrived prior to the paying detox guests to learn and practice our roles and get everything ready. Dan and I came first. The following evening, the remainder of the volunteers. I found myself excited for the presence of females like I hadn't been in quite some time. Especially, for the presence of a female yogi. When I met The Yog, my excitement only grew. Furthermore, I sensed from the handshake intro where we made and sustained eye contact for a time, that she had a similar excitement. That was on the Wednesday prior to the beginning of the retreat.
The following day, we all worked to complete numerous preparations tasks. On Friday, we did a practice run of a full scheduled day. On Saturday, we worked out the kinks and made further preparations. On Sunday morning, we transported all the necessary goods to the hotel the clients would be staying at. On Sunday afternoon, the guests arrived.
On a parallel timeline, on Thursday morning, before I had left the breakfast table, I'd received a kiss on the top of the head from The Yog. Later that afternoon, prior to finishing a hike, we were speaking of potentially travelling together. Later that night, after all but she and I had gone off to bed, knowing her less than 30 hours, I opened up a conversation with this line, "Are we really going to fall in love?"
By Friday, we were in people's faces with little bits of pda. A kiss on the cheek here, a soft touch here, etc.
On Saturday morning, I wrote a love poem about the new object of my affection. I shared it with her later that evening on the Dominical beach, just prior to our first beach sunset together. I also made the decision this day, along with one other volunteer, Ben, to take part in the detox.
I had one main question with regards to the detox - would it truly provide health benefits, especially as it related to the detoxification and cleansing of some internal organs? I wasn't convinced I would be able to determine this through participation. I also figured the closest I would come to understanding the answer would be to participate.
The detox participants are on a strict diet for the one week they are here. The only food offered are vegetables and fruits. Sometimes whole. Sometimes blended. Occasionally cooked. There are a couple different types of teas provided in the AM and PM. There's wheatgrass. And there's filtered water. All other food and drink are put on hold for the time being.
There's an array of healthy and invigorating activities planned daily for people to occupy their time with. Between 2-3 yoga sessions were offered daily. There was Qi Gong. There was zumba. There were hiking trails. There was a pool and hot tub. There was a delicious moderate Costa Rican temperature that probably topped out at a sunny 85 degrees daily, then dropped down to 60 or so overnight. There were massages given by a professional masseuse. There were openings for 1:1 with a personal trainer. There were tranquil vistas to enjoy when relaxing. And then there were schedule openings set aside for a daily enema or a daily colonic appointment. The only time coffee was available was during the enema or colonic time period, but if you went this route, you would not be taking it orally.
I have a history of being somewhat dense and blinded to certain details, often because I look for the big picture and see from my perspective. I knew this retreat was labeled as a detox. I was drawn to the idea of potentially detoxifying my liver and kidneys, and having at least a week away from tobacco, especially cigarettes, which I'd picked back up a short time back. I figured the guests were likely there for the same detox reason, and perhaps they too, had a tobacco parallel, be it a: particular food, or coffee, or drinking, etc. It didn't even dawn on me until mid-week that weight loss was a primary reason for doing this diet, rather than a secondary side effect. Maybe that's because I began this at or near an ideal target weight and body type.
So what happened? Most all of the food was excellent. There was enough provided at properly allotted times that nobody needed to feel hungry. I rarely did. Almost everything was organic. And I had seemingly boundless energy. And even though I was getting less sleep than I've grown accustomed to getting, I rarely felt that late morning or afternoon dip in energy and wakefulness. There are many maybe's that can account for this last statement.
Maybe this was because and I was operating without coffee, which can bring one on a roller coaster of energy. Maybe this was because I was doing between 2-5 hours of yoga daily, as well as walking everywhere, and maybe also hiking, or swimming, or doing zumba, or boogie boarding. Maybe this was because the detox diet provides that certain something. Maybe this was because I had gone down the love road once again, a road where I don't want to miss out on anything. Maybe this was because I gave myself a break during this week when I did not do much writing. Maybe all this and more led me to operating near my ideal self.
The paying participants also all reported feeling well. Very well. Some reported lots of weight loss. And most showed loads of energy. The foods were enjoyed, as were the activities and surroundings. They also made their appreciation known through some very generous tips to the all-volunteer staff. Thanks guys!
In concrete terms, I think I lost about 2 pounds. Apparently it looks like I lost more. Not ingesting dairy and extra sugar daily will do that. Plus, there were those daily enemas. I came into this an enema believer. I leave the same. I also came into this with my own enema bladder - that's how I travel thew world!
It's worth noting that I had the greatest enema experience I've had in the 15 years I have practiced this activity. It was on day 3, which also meant my 3rd consecutive day of administering an enema. I began self-massaging my back during this process. And then more, and I mean much more, came out of me than I thought plausible on this day. I'm pretty sure I was able to release a blockage, somewhere in my backside. Lower back area. Potentially the kidneys were involved. Potentially I back myself up in my back, where I tend to feel pain on the somewhat regular. Perhaps none of the above is true other than it was my favorite enema experience ever.
I understand that enema discussions are not considered polite conversation. At this retreat, they were. Also, fuck polite, social normative conversations.
I am also now in what I consider to be the best physical health I have ever been in. I had come close on my own, and this diet combined with the activity pushed me over an edge I may not have crossed on my own. That will come in handy when I set forth with Ben in 2 weeks or so to hike up The tallest mountain in Costa Rica, Mt. Chiripo.
As for the love thing, all I know is what I know from experience - that I will remain in love for a long time to come. She, my babe, my dear, my yog, my lovely love, departed this morning, for a New York destination I was invited to call home, and declined. As the truck drove off with all the volunteers minus me, she waved and blew a kiss or two to me through the back window. It was then that I allowed myself to cry.
She and I both are smart enough to know that you need more than just romantic love, more than just love. And we're also smart enough to know that love is a special gift we offer to ourselves and a very few choice individuals in one lifetime. I am grateful to have offered her mine. And grateful that there are no take-back's when it comes to love. What remains to be seen is whether there is a part II in our story.
In closing, this retreat was a rousing success in many ways. And to Todd and Lynn - I speak for all the volunteers when I say that we have huge interest in returning to help out next year. I speak for 2 particular volunteers that may have reunited by then when I put in a request for the one private bedroom in your home for the duration of the retreat. So, I've got that potentially going on for me, which is nice.
see pics here. much love all. pura vida. https://picasaweb.google.com/111516698147473612703/TheIntoxicatingDetox?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKDxzaXHptSPyAE&feat=directlink
I had very little expectation for this retreat. I partially attended because I am poor, and for two weeks, my food and board would be covered in exchange for the work I'd perform. Mostly I attended because I had the feeling this would be phenomenal. In general, and for me.
It turns out, I was likely the last person by far to get hooked up with this retreat. Some people had been signed up for around a year. Others for many months. Me - I answered a local Costa Rican newsletter a couple weeks back, saw an ad for volunteers, and emailed my interest almost immediately. I had minimal understanding for what was to come.
I knew that two US ex-pats named Todd and Lynn had formed the company Costa Rica Jungle Retreats and were hosting their inaugural detox event. I knew there'd be natural foods and yoga practice and movies and a jungle location and potential hikes to river swim holes and a couple beach trips to Dominical and a couple other things. I did not know what my role would be. I did not know any of the people involved nor their reasons for attending. I did not know I would jump at a love at first sight opportunity faster than you can say, "I've got 4 moons in the 5th house. What what!"
Us volunteers arrived prior to the paying detox guests to learn and practice our roles and get everything ready. Dan and I came first. The following evening, the remainder of the volunteers. I found myself excited for the presence of females like I hadn't been in quite some time. Especially, for the presence of a female yogi. When I met The Yog, my excitement only grew. Furthermore, I sensed from the handshake intro where we made and sustained eye contact for a time, that she had a similar excitement. That was on the Wednesday prior to the beginning of the retreat.
The following day, we all worked to complete numerous preparations tasks. On Friday, we did a practice run of a full scheduled day. On Saturday, we worked out the kinks and made further preparations. On Sunday morning, we transported all the necessary goods to the hotel the clients would be staying at. On Sunday afternoon, the guests arrived.
On a parallel timeline, on Thursday morning, before I had left the breakfast table, I'd received a kiss on the top of the head from The Yog. Later that afternoon, prior to finishing a hike, we were speaking of potentially travelling together. Later that night, after all but she and I had gone off to bed, knowing her less than 30 hours, I opened up a conversation with this line, "Are we really going to fall in love?"
By Friday, we were in people's faces with little bits of pda. A kiss on the cheek here, a soft touch here, etc.
On Saturday morning, I wrote a love poem about the new object of my affection. I shared it with her later that evening on the Dominical beach, just prior to our first beach sunset together. I also made the decision this day, along with one other volunteer, Ben, to take part in the detox.
I had one main question with regards to the detox - would it truly provide health benefits, especially as it related to the detoxification and cleansing of some internal organs? I wasn't convinced I would be able to determine this through participation. I also figured the closest I would come to understanding the answer would be to participate.
The detox participants are on a strict diet for the one week they are here. The only food offered are vegetables and fruits. Sometimes whole. Sometimes blended. Occasionally cooked. There are a couple different types of teas provided in the AM and PM. There's wheatgrass. And there's filtered water. All other food and drink are put on hold for the time being.
There's an array of healthy and invigorating activities planned daily for people to occupy their time with. Between 2-3 yoga sessions were offered daily. There was Qi Gong. There was zumba. There were hiking trails. There was a pool and hot tub. There was a delicious moderate Costa Rican temperature that probably topped out at a sunny 85 degrees daily, then dropped down to 60 or so overnight. There were massages given by a professional masseuse. There were openings for 1:1 with a personal trainer. There were tranquil vistas to enjoy when relaxing. And then there were schedule openings set aside for a daily enema or a daily colonic appointment. The only time coffee was available was during the enema or colonic time period, but if you went this route, you would not be taking it orally.
I have a history of being somewhat dense and blinded to certain details, often because I look for the big picture and see from my perspective. I knew this retreat was labeled as a detox. I was drawn to the idea of potentially detoxifying my liver and kidneys, and having at least a week away from tobacco, especially cigarettes, which I'd picked back up a short time back. I figured the guests were likely there for the same detox reason, and perhaps they too, had a tobacco parallel, be it a: particular food, or coffee, or drinking, etc. It didn't even dawn on me until mid-week that weight loss was a primary reason for doing this diet, rather than a secondary side effect. Maybe that's because I began this at or near an ideal target weight and body type.
So what happened? Most all of the food was excellent. There was enough provided at properly allotted times that nobody needed to feel hungry. I rarely did. Almost everything was organic. And I had seemingly boundless energy. And even though I was getting less sleep than I've grown accustomed to getting, I rarely felt that late morning or afternoon dip in energy and wakefulness. There are many maybe's that can account for this last statement.
Maybe this was because and I was operating without coffee, which can bring one on a roller coaster of energy. Maybe this was because I was doing between 2-5 hours of yoga daily, as well as walking everywhere, and maybe also hiking, or swimming, or doing zumba, or boogie boarding. Maybe this was because the detox diet provides that certain something. Maybe this was because I had gone down the love road once again, a road where I don't want to miss out on anything. Maybe this was because I gave myself a break during this week when I did not do much writing. Maybe all this and more led me to operating near my ideal self.
The paying participants also all reported feeling well. Very well. Some reported lots of weight loss. And most showed loads of energy. The foods were enjoyed, as were the activities and surroundings. They also made their appreciation known through some very generous tips to the all-volunteer staff. Thanks guys!
In concrete terms, I think I lost about 2 pounds. Apparently it looks like I lost more. Not ingesting dairy and extra sugar daily will do that. Plus, there were those daily enemas. I came into this an enema believer. I leave the same. I also came into this with my own enema bladder - that's how I travel thew world!
It's worth noting that I had the greatest enema experience I've had in the 15 years I have practiced this activity. It was on day 3, which also meant my 3rd consecutive day of administering an enema. I began self-massaging my back during this process. And then more, and I mean much more, came out of me than I thought plausible on this day. I'm pretty sure I was able to release a blockage, somewhere in my backside. Lower back area. Potentially the kidneys were involved. Potentially I back myself up in my back, where I tend to feel pain on the somewhat regular. Perhaps none of the above is true other than it was my favorite enema experience ever.
I understand that enema discussions are not considered polite conversation. At this retreat, they were. Also, fuck polite, social normative conversations.
I am also now in what I consider to be the best physical health I have ever been in. I had come close on my own, and this diet combined with the activity pushed me over an edge I may not have crossed on my own. That will come in handy when I set forth with Ben in 2 weeks or so to hike up The tallest mountain in Costa Rica, Mt. Chiripo.
As for the love thing, all I know is what I know from experience - that I will remain in love for a long time to come. She, my babe, my dear, my yog, my lovely love, departed this morning, for a New York destination I was invited to call home, and declined. As the truck drove off with all the volunteers minus me, she waved and blew a kiss or two to me through the back window. It was then that I allowed myself to cry.
She and I both are smart enough to know that you need more than just romantic love, more than just love. And we're also smart enough to know that love is a special gift we offer to ourselves and a very few choice individuals in one lifetime. I am grateful to have offered her mine. And grateful that there are no take-back's when it comes to love. What remains to be seen is whether there is a part II in our story.
In closing, this retreat was a rousing success in many ways. And to Todd and Lynn - I speak for all the volunteers when I say that we have huge interest in returning to help out next year. I speak for 2 particular volunteers that may have reunited by then when I put in a request for the one private bedroom in your home for the duration of the retreat. So, I've got that potentially going on for me, which is nice.
see pics here. much love all. pura vida. https://picasaweb.google.com/111516698147473612703/TheIntoxicatingDetox?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKDxzaXHptSPyAE&feat=directlink
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