We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware–beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one. – Author Unknown
Monday, September 17, 2012 (DAYS 197 – 199)
The morning affords my first gym session in months and within a matter of minutes I am drenched in sweat as I begin with a set of free weights. The refurbished warehouse that houses a spacious upstairs gym is not what you may be imagining as farm animals do not run rampant in the facility nor are empty milk containers filled with sand substitutes for weights, but this is almost a proper exercise facility. Thin gym mats cover a large portion of the floor surrounded by various size punching bags, and a series of exercise machines fill in the spaces in between. Marc continues his regiment of the Arnold Schwarzenegger body building routine, while I have chosen to maintain a more sensible method that doesn’t involve steroids, which I am almost positive are Flintstones vitamins, and erratic emotional behavior that floats from anger to crying like a schoolgirl. After comforting my English counterpart who is found curled up in the corner with eyes full of tears, I give him a good five fingers to the face and he’s returned back to the status of a normal human being. Prying the pink half pound bar bell from his tightly clenched fist, I offer to buy him a juice box on the return walk back to the hostel and soon the attention and laughter from the other patrons is a faded memory, but I am sure will return in his nightmares for his foolish behavior.
The morning affords my first gym session in months and within a matter of minutes I am drenched in sweat as I begin with a set of free weights. The refurbished warehouse that houses a spacious upstairs gym is not what you may be imagining as farm animals do not run rampant in the facility nor are empty milk containers filled with sand substitutes for weights, but this is almost a proper exercise facility. Thin gym mats cover a large portion of the floor surrounded by various size punching bags, and a series of exercise machines fill in the spaces in between. Marc continues his regiment of the Arnold Schwarzenegger body building routine, while I have chosen to maintain a more sensible method that doesn’t involve steroids, which I am almost positive are Flintstones vitamins, and erratic emotional behavior that floats from anger to crying like a schoolgirl. After comforting my English counterpart who is found curled up in the corner with eyes full of tears, I give him a good five fingers to the face and he’s returned back to the status of a normal human being. Prying the pink half pound bar bell from his tightly clenched fist, I offer to buy him a juice box on the return walk back to the hostel and soon the attention and laughter from the other patrons is a faded memory, but I am sure will return in his nightmares for his foolish behavior.
Throughout relative busy schedules, we have decided to spend an afternoon being tourists around SJDS, taking our cameras in hand we venture out to capture the place that we have called home for more than three months. Putting on the stereotypical Asian facade with multiple cameras hanging around my neck and a Disneyland t-shirt, the walk across central park is always full of life. Whether it is a group of elderly men sitting on benches discussing a variety of topics or school children setting up a makeshift soccer field on the stone courtyard, while this may not be the heart of the town it is a close second to the area that surrounds the mercado just a block away. Dragging our feet to a slow and lazy pace as the hot sun beats down on us, we make our way towards the beachfront. Stopping and taking in the rolling tide of the ocean and the perfectly blue skies overhead, I cannot think of a more pristine view. Life is interesting in all of the incredible blessings that I have been afforded both in my travels and the life previous to it, and the gratitude for appreciating these continued opportunities continues to build the character that is created within me daily.
Noticing how deserted the beach is during the quiet season, we decide to stroll along the shoreline before stopping at a pair of lounge chairs and grab a couple of cold drinks. Just before 2pm on a Tuesday, Marc turns to me mentions this is where we live as we gaze out over the Pacific. Chin chin mate. Pausing to think what others back home are doing at the beginning of another work week, I can’t help but relish in the freedom that I have chosen to live out in spite of the living conditions that may make others cringe, but this moment here and now easily offsets those comforts from back home. Sitting in the sun as beads of sweat are already rolling down my arms and chest the crashing waves and cool water are beginning to call my name. Unfortunately the yahoo sitting next to me is unprepared for a refreshing swim since he so unwisely chose to wear white shorts that when wet are more transparent than Chuck Norris’ homemade salad dressing. That doesn’t make sense? Well neither does wearing white shorts with white boxers to the beach.
Charging the ocean, I dive under the first oncoming wave as it breaks over me. It has been weeks since I’ve swam in the ocean, and I know what many of you are thinking. How could I live within a five-minute walk to the beach and prefer swimming in the pool that is steps outside my door from my room? Convenience and proximity, especially when I tend to juggle a schedule that keeps me relatively busy. Warding off the potential of a heat stroke, the afternoon swim has revived my energy and we continue our tour around SJDS with a visit to the butcher’s shop where we purchase a solid pound and a half of rib eye steak at the mere cost of C$114 ($4.95). Continuing on to the mercado to round out our dinner with fresh tomatoes, onion and avocado, the last item on the list is a package of pasta where we have enough food for two solid dinners that costs just over $3 each. When I’ve told friends how little I have spent in the last six months, this is one major factor in being able to eat very healthy at more than a fraction of the cost.
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