I choose... to live by choice, not by chance; to make changes, not excuses; to be motivated, not manipulated; to be useful, not used; to excel, not compete. I choose self-esteem, not self-pity. I choose to listen to my inner voice, not the random opinions of others. — Author Unknown

Another slow-paced lounging day, but in the afternoon there is a surprise with the return of Alix and Stephen, friends from California that I met several weeks ago. Their arrival comes as the slow season begins to take its toll, as there are fewer and fewer travelers around SJDS, and since much of the business is spawned by tourism, many of the owners are beginning to feel their oasis drying up. During their time away, Alix and Stephen who drove their Honda from California by the way, and made the trek as far south as Panama before turning around and beginning the long drive back up north to San Diego, the afternoon is spent poolside as they tell me about all that they have seen and experienced in the last two remaining countries that make up Central America. As the sun begins to fade over the northwest corner of the wall of the hostel, we have been lost in conversation with topics ranging from, the military strategy of Transformers, to our infamous nerd discussions about varying technologies, to the wildly random things that come across our minds, such as fanny packs; genius invention or sad and pathetic. In the absence of other guests, our laughter is carried throughout the courtyard and I am glad to be reunited with these great friends.

