Nurse on the Run

So…what do this:

And this:

And this:

…have in common?

Well, well, well…let’s just say, they all relate to my UPCOMING VACATION!!  That’s right…a week from Saturday, I will be jet-setting to COSTA RICA to attend surf camp!  If you remember my running buddy Paul from the Philly marathon, he actually attended surf camp earlier this year, and I thought to myself, “Oh, that would be fun!”  I actually had to request my summer vacation time off wayyyy back in December, so I randomly picked a week without any idea in mind what to do.  May rolled around and I still had yet to plan my vacation (or even decide where to go!), so after a little bit of research (and not too many other ideas for solo travel…), I decided that surf camp was in my near future.

Why surf camp?  I think the better question is…why not??  I’m 26, have no strings attached to anything, and can basically do what I want.  I think it will be awesome to learn how to surf, and Costa Rica sounds like an amazing place to do it!  I’ve heard great things about Costa Rica, and I can’t imagine a better week!  After doing a little bit of research into various surf camps, I decided to go with Pura Vida Adventures, which describes itself as a surf and yoga retreat for women.  The week I’m going actually happens to be coed, which I think will be just as fun (boys are nice?  haha).  I’m a little bit nervous about going on vacation by myself, but I just have to remember to be my happy, smiling self (she’s in here somewhere…) and all will be well.  The camp told me that a few other women are traveling by themselves, so at least a few others will be in the same boat!

So what will my day look like?  Let’s take a peek…

Morning

• Yoga
• Breakfast
• Surf Instruction

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Relaxation (scheduled massages, poolside, hammock, and/or siesta)
• Optional Sunset Surf Session

Evening

• Dinner (occasional outings to other restaurants)

Well, that looks fantastic!  Opportunities are also available for hiking, snorkeling, a canopy tour (!!!), biking, salsa dancing…sooooo much to do!  I’m excited and can’t wait to live it up in Costa Rica.  Here’s an excerpt from an interview with the founder of Pura Vida Adventures (full interview at Girl Get Strong):

GGS: Okay, Tierza, so spill – please tell us all about Pura Vida Adventures: what is Pura Vida all about, and what can women (and men) expect when they visit?

TD: Pura Vida Adventures is all about its namesake, the Costa Rican phrase which translated means “pure life.”

Coming to Pura Vida Adventures mean you live this phrase of enjoying each moment for exactly what it is—whether it be catching a perfectly warm wave as the sun goes down, enjoying a local meal with new friends, breathing deeply in an ocean-front morning yoga class, or simply sitting on the sand soaking in the sun’s rays.

I think Pura Vida is all about having the ultimate active vacation for people who want a combination of exhilaration, relaxation, empowerment and culture. You can expect that this vacation will challenge and inspire you all in one.  It’s hard to explain what to expect because each person experiences something different, but in general it has such a powerful impact on people lives that goes way beyond just learning how to surf. They learn how to live in that pure life.

Does that sound like something I need right now?? You bet!  I’m hoping to have an amazing time and come back with a refreshing outlook on life.  Not to mention a killer tan.    Eight days til COSTA RICA!!

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In an attempt to get myself ready for Costa Rica, I’d been going to yoga classes, but have been slacking a bit lately.  I tried to go on Thursday morning, but the yoga instructor was out sick and the only sub they had was a pilates instructor.  I’ve never done pilates before, but I figured I was there so I would give it a try.  While certain moves were definitely challenging, I’m not totally sold on the idea of pilates…I’d have to try it again some time.  Hopefully I’ll squeeze in some yoga before I leave for Costa Rica.