Around me: the jungle, filled with sounds of birds and monkeys. In a distance: the Pacific Ocean sculpting an endless flow of perfect waves. This is it: paradise on earth. A 3 ½ month journey took us from San Francisco to Costa Rica, through Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua: over 4,000 miles driven. I wonder at the beauty and peace of this amazing land, and I love the laid-back kindness of its people. Here in the promise land, bathed in warmth and sunshine, surrounded by coconut trees, tucans and coatimundi… I am yearning for San Francisco!
I didn’t sleep last night. All I could think of was “The City”, as we locals like to call it. As if there was no other city that could compare… because in our hearts there isn’t. Running in the Golden Gate Park, feeling the caress of the brisk Ocean air, letting it cool my body down and fill my lungs with energy. Walking along the Embarcadero, vigorously inhaling scents from countless delicious foods at the Ferry Building. Practicing martial arts in Dolores Park surrounded by an eclectic crowd lunching, playing music, dancing, or simply laying on the grass. People. Amazing people. People from all over the world, speaking any language you can imagine. My spin instructor from the Middle-East exhorting us to focus on our “upward stroke” – then asking if we’re slacking or if we don’t understand his accent. The Russian virtuoso with an Australian hat who plays incredible interpretations of Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Lady Gaga hits on his accordion every night at “Katia’s Restaurant”. Thousands of stories already written, thousands more yet to be written.
They say home is where the heart is… and I left mine in San Francisco.
Like Santiago the shepherd, I traveled to a land far away to find out that my treasure is buried right where I started. Only something has changed during the journey: me.
Cedric, 10/27/11
wonderful 🙂