As my afternoon meditation, the rain has been a constant, peaceful presence almost all day. Just as I was writing this passage all power suddenly went down….everywhere. Pouring rain in Central America, a remote area, and all power goes down. It is almost impossible to convey that level of blackness and feeling of complete isolation if you have never experienced it.
I remember writing about this many years ago. Complete silence. Complete darkness. Rain on the metal roof like a band of steel rim drummers. That is meditation by immersion. It was a brief reminder that even here I have many comforts I am accustomed to such as electricity and internet. It was a brief glimpse of having none of these.
In my new kitchen I made tacos with huevos, avocados and nuts. The eggs stuck like plaster to the pan on the old 1950’s Atlas electric stovetop. Nonetheless, it felt great to prepare a delicious meal. I am enjoying listening to Mercedes Sosa in the background while I cook. Today’s diet: banana, apple, coffee, mango, 3 eggs, avocado, nuts.
There were 3 blackouts throughout the night over all of the area. It was a completely quiet and isolating experience. Shannon says these are quite normal during rainy season and she loves it. I must remember to buy candles before the next one.
I drift off into the rainy night listening to my Costa Rica Playlist.
Costa Rica Playlist:
- Paloma Negra by Chavela Vargas
- La Bruja -Son Jarocho Tradicional
- El Ultimo Trago by Chavela Vargas
- Adoro by Chavela Vargas
- El Conejo by Los Cojolites
- La Llorona by Lila Downs, Mariachi Juvenil de Tecalitian
- Gracias A La Vida by Mercedes Sosa
- Veinte Anos by Buena Vista Social Club
- Gracias a la Vida by Violeta Parra
- Quizas, Quizas, Quizas by Gaby Moreno
- Lagrimas Negras by Buena Vista Social Club
- Pernambuco by Luis Bonfa
- Samba de Orfeu by Breno Mello, Marpessa Dawn
Follow Kirk’s Adventure from the start
- The Start – Five years ago I was quietly living in a small 1100 square-foot home just outside my native hometown of Austin, Texas.
- Day 1 – My journey to Costa Rica, the Rich Coast, began at 4 AM on a crisp Sunday morning.
- Day 2 – Arrival into Costa Rica was quite smooth and seamless compared to my recent experiences in Japan where things are done to another level of precision and detail
- Day 3 – This morning I woke naturally at 5am as the light was already beginning to make its way through my window.
- Day 4 – There is a stretch of beach to
- Day 5 – Last night I drifted off to sleep while reading The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.
- Day 6 – I heard the morning songs of exotic birds I had never heard before
- Day 7 – I have been quickly reminded once again that one can starve in Costa Rica if one does not know the local routine
- Day 8 – I was abruptly awakened before 5:30 am to the sounds of what I can only imagine to be monkeys in the trees just above my house.
- Day 9 – I began my walk toward the mountain, noticing the blisters on my feet
- Day 10 – I was reading back through some of my old journals I packed with me from the last few years
- Day 11 – I have been fortunate to have glimpsed life and the world through a myriad of cultural perspectives
- Day 12 – Each morning seems to provide new and interesting sounds I have not heard before.
About the Author
Kirk Lee is a Writer, Meditation teacher and nomad currently living in Costa Rica. Kirk has been an explorer on the journey for over 25 years having traveled to 14 countries culminating in a year living in Kyoto, Japan. Kirk writes about travel through the lens of simplicity and kindness to be found in people and places of every culture. Explore Kirk’s travel journals at https://zenandink.substack.com/
