STRENGTH+Sole » Costa Rica

Pura Vida {Part II}

Rachel — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 18:46:59 +0000

The key to making it through a transition (work, love, whatever) is often a quick change of scenery. Which is why my Costa Rica trip couldn’t have come at a better time. Digging out my Eagle Creek backpack, in storage since a post-college graduation tour of Europe, felt empowering, energizing and a little terrifying. Hidden behind the heels and the handbags, there it was, just waiting for the right time and my right state of mind.

Here, 5 favorite things on the journey: some carried from home and others brand new, discovered along the way.

Celestial, symbolic hoops by Satya (c/o). Sun: vitality, leadership and life. Moon: nourishment and protection. With sundresses and mini skirts, a pretty and hopeful pairing.

Hammocks: the best place to take a nap…ever. These were waiting for us at our hotel, La Cascada, in the hippie beach town of Montezuma. Take me back now.

Bumble and bumble hair products: travel-sized versions of my frizz-free essentials, straight blowdry balm (apply a quarter-sized dollop pre-blowout) and Bb. texture hair (un)dressing creme (for just air drying). Without these, all I have to do is step off the plane and my hair goes wild!

Morning smoothies from The Greenhouse (aka: my “Shake Shack”). The embodiment of Costa Rican living: daily concoctions of fresh fruit, veggies and ginger blended beachside by a laid-back, luscious guy who never stops smiling. Pura vida!

And, these guys. From Korea to Canada, Finland to the Flatiron. Here’s to international love.

Pura Vida {Part I}

Rachel — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 01:06:55 +0000

I rang in 2014 on the beach in Costa Rica, covered in glitter, with Cacique cocktails and 16 new friends. We’d all come from different places, physically and in our lives. Three in business school at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and a couple from Finland who got engaged here in NYC on their way to meet us. A bunch from Canada down to the California coast, a native English woman, a native Bulgarian. Plus, our group leader, a small but mighty Costa Rican named Marcela, who inserts a high-pitched “Whaaaat?!” into nearly every sentence. It was a motley (and crazy!) crew.

Having always traveled as part of a couple or with girlfriends, this was an adventure for me before it even started. But, I decided to bust out my backpack (in storage since my post-college graduation trip to Europe in 2001) and take a chance. This trip was part of our tour company’s “YOLO” series and it’s true: you only live once.

Among my many outdoor adventures was canyoneering, a mix of waterfall rapelling and romping through the rain forest. Our largest waterfall was 220 feet.

You know that I’m afraid of heights!

And, then, there was our afternoon of surfing.

In case you’re wondering whether I stood up on the board when it was actually in the water, the answer is: not a chance. It was pretty challenging. But, I’m glad that I tried it.

During our last phone conversation before I left for the airport, I joked with my brother that I was going to Costa Rica in search of the meaning of life. And, while it may not have been a spiritual awakening in the deepest sense, it was an epic journey in that I feel a renewed sense of optimism. Some questions were answered and lots of others still remain, but, the most important one just may be: where to next?!

Fitness Forecast

Rachel — Sun, 03 Nov 2013 00:14:17 +0000

One of the most popular trends in travel right now is adventure travel. More and more, city dwellers (and their suburban counterparts) want to return from vacation feeling lighter (in spirit and in body).

This December, I’ll be toasting the new year in Costa Rica. It’s a destination that has been on my “to do” list forever and why not now?

The Costa Rican saying “Pura Vida” literally means “pure life,” but, it’s really closer to “plenty of life,” which is how I’ve read that Costa Ricans not only greet each other, but, live their lives: enjoying and being happy. It’s true that sometimes the way that you choose to feel is how you actually feel.

On my action-packed itinerary: white water rafting, waterfall rapelling, zip lining, surfing and soaking in the hot springs of La Fortuna (“fortune”).

Sounds like a week in the rainforest just might do this girl good.

Photo credit: puravidacr.tumblr.com