Arrived

Here I sit in the middle of the market fray drinking freshly brewed coffee from Costa Rica. It tastes like earth and nuts and the sun, it lights up my body from within. It’s cloudy and slightly cooler today under the trees. On small tables locals and people that have moved here offer all sorts of fruit, vegetables, souvenirs and self crafted goods. It’s a place to linger a little longer and enjoy the busy, vibrant vibes. Shortly after a young men sits across from me. I’m somewhat quiet, kinda wanted to have this little moment for myself. But I think he’s interesting. He tells me he’s from San Jose and has moved here for his businesses. But something in his eyes is tired, he doesn’t look like a happy person. It is something that irritates me, here in the middle of paradise but he isn’t the first nor the last person I see with this look in their eyes. I drink my coffee faster than I wanted and say god bye rather quickly.

I keep strolling through the stands and buy fresh basil, baguette and kale. I want to cook for my friends before I leave in two days…

The color of the fruit seems like it’s been painted with a brush, every mango glows in dark and juicy red, orange and green color - even without the sunlight.

The lively conversations, loving gestures and smiling faces carry me through the crowds. Distance, covid and it’s fear seem far away. And the people they’re all so close, not just physically. The interpersonal distance seems smaller here than in other places I’ve been. This seems to be a place where people like to stay, not because there are no alternatives but because it has so much to offer that it hugs you with open arms. I could stay here for much longer and I’d really enjoy it.

Every time my departure moves closer I feel something pulling in my stomach. I think it’s my gut feeling (Bauchgefühl) telling me to stay to not yet leave this here behind.

In the evening where are invited to a dinner of the friend of the hostels volunteers. We drive over potholed streets with the jeep. The sky is dark and the air thick but it will not rain tonight. When we arrive at the house in the campo the Argentinian and his friends welcome us on the small terrace. Chairs of different forms and sizes have been arranged around the big table. The chicken has cooked for hours on the stove. Tito his red cat creeps greedily around our feet while we prepare the fresh fish.

We fill it with oranges and lemon, some garlic. Marinated with salt we fry it in the pan. They prepared fresh carrot salat and potatoes with paprika fresh from the oven. In moments like these I often realize food tastes so much better when shared with friends.

Tonight I feel like I’ve arrived and a warm feeling is spreading through my chest. I feel like I’m at the right place at the right time. And I don’t only mean that for this night but my whole time here in Sámara, the surfing, the music and it’s people.

I’ll be back.