Driftwood: Part V

As he stared out at the passing landscape, Nick remembered that he decided the night before to connect with people.  Therefore, he decided to get to know Emily’s parents a little better.  He moved to the aisle seat and swung his legs into the aisle.  Then he asked Emily’s father where they lived. 

“We’re from Chicago.”

“Really?  I am from Chicago.  What part?”

“Glen Ellyn.”

Astonished, Nick blurted out, “I’m from Gendale Heights.” 

So Nick began an extended conversation between with James and Ellie, Emily’s parents.  The boy’s name was Jimmy.  Nick, James, and Ellie all agreed it was a small world.  Who would have thought they would live in close proximity to each other.  Nick said, “Imagine, we had to go to Costa Rica to meet each other when we probably have passed each other at the store or something.” 

Nick considered asking for their phone number or email but decided against it.  He didn’t want to appear too eager.  He knew Gwen would have been suspicious of someone who wanted their contact information so soon.  Maybe on the return to the hotel, he thought. 

The road seemed to leave the hilly part of the country and entered a long, flat plain.  In the distance, Nick could see more hills but they were obscured by clouds.  There were some quaint looking towns near the foot of these hills.  As they neared one of the large hills, Josué began looking out at the hill and commented to everyone that it appeared the volcano would be obscured by clouds that day and mentioned that it often is covered in clouds. 

Nick could feel disappointment drain him.  He looked at the floor for a few seconds.  He couldn’t believe it.  He wanted so much to see the volcano even if there wasn’t actual lava flowing down the side of it.  Suddenly, he could hear Gwen say, “Ok Mr. Grumpy, stop being an idiot.”  Nick knew she was right.  He still had a lot for which to be grateful.  He was going to enjoy the hot springs and pools of the volcano.  He just met some nice and interesting people.  He decided to himself that he wanted to get to know the Spanish speaking people on the tour. 

He wondered what was different.  Normally, he wouldn’t be so bold to meet people.  Gwen was the people person.  He met people through Gwen.  He was the worker and his identity was tied to his work.  He considered that his boldness was probably due to the fact that he believed he would never see these people again.  Well, he couldn’t say that about the Fishers any more.  He wanted to see them again but doubted he would see the Costa Ricans again.  Still, there was something within Nick that made him want to be more bold.  Could it be Gwen telling him these were wonderful people and he would benefit from meeting them?  He certainly hoped. 

It was a whirlwind once they arrived at the Tabacón resort.  Josué gave last minute instructions and they met Emilio, a young man from the resort.  The Spanish speaking group decided to hike the volcano but Nick and the Fisher’s planned to enjoy the hot springs.  They were given green colored wrist bands and were told the bands gave them access to the thermal streams and pools on the resort as well and the man made pools and swim up bar.  It would also grant them access to the buffet later that day. 

Nick, James, and Jimmy went into the men’s dressing room, changed clothes and put their belongings into lockers.  Nick felt a little self conscious since he hadn’t exercised in over a year.  He glanced at himself in the mirror as he started toward the door.  He thought he looked like a whale. 

Outside, across from the dressing room was a waterfall.  People sat beneath the falls and let the water cascade on them.  Steam rose from the falls and the pool below.  Nick looked up above the trees in the background.  Clouds covered the volcano like a thick blanket, wherever it was.  Though he couldn’t make out actual words, he could hear people speaking with excited voices as they entered the pools and streams in the area.  He could see contented faces as they lowered their bodies into the warm water.  Nick was anxious to try it out himself.

He walked down a path to a pool.  There was a small waterfall into the pool and another one out of it.  Obviously manmade, Nick thought to himself.  He politely waited as a couple exited and then stepped into the water.  It was much warmer than he expected.  He put both feet in and stood there for a moment.  About this time he heard the squealing voices of young children.  It was Emily and Jimmy pulling their parents by the hand toward Nick.  Nick raised a hand and waved at them.  At this time, Jimmy let go of his mother’s hand and skipped and jumped up to Nick.  Emily was right behind him with James and Ellie two steps back.  James asked, “How’s the water?”

“Hot.”

“Really?”

“Oh yeah.  This will take minute to get used to.” 

Right away Ellie warned the children to be careful about getting into the pool but soon enough, Nick and the whole family were enjoying the water.  Ellie commented that she wanted to just float on top of the water and go to sleep.  James said he could feel tension melting away.  Nick agreed.  The bottom of the pool was covered with black rocks.  Lava rocks? Nick wondered.

The five of them spent the day together.  The kids repeatedly tried to sit on Nick’s lap.  Ellie in particular tried to prevent them from doing so until Nick plainly said he wanted the children to be free and comfortable around him.  They continued discussing their lives to each other and Nick finally broached the subject of Gwen’s death.  Though he thought the kids weren’t paying attention to their conversation, Emily started to cry.  When Ellie asked why she was crying, Emily remarked she was sad that her grandma died.  She went up to Nick and stretched out her arms to give him a hug.  Nick leaned down to her for a warm embrace. 

Later, Nick and the Fishers changed clothes in the dressing rooms and headed for the restaurant.  By this time, Nick felt quite hungry and was looking over the spread of food on the tables.  Ohhh it looked so good.  There was a table loaded with typical Costa Rican food and another with some American food.  There were also many types of drinks including fresh juices.  Nick loaded his plate with various items he wanted and got a glass of guanabana juice.  When he reloaded his plate, he got juice that was a mixture but mostly contained watermelon.  Perhaps he was dehydrated but he got 3 more glasses of this last juice. 

Since the tour group was back together for dinner, Nick made an effort to communicate with the Spanish speaking people and the driver.  Of course, he enlisted Josué’s help to do this.  As Josué interpreted, Nick said to them, “Hello, my name is Nick Sherman.  I am sorry I didn’t introduce myself earlier today.  Did you have fun today?”

They expressed their thanks for introducing himself.  They were Carlos and Selina Rincón.  They were traveling with their daughter, Aracely Jimenez.  Aracely learned some English when she was in school and introduced herself in English.  During the dinner, Nick learned a little more about life in Costa Rica.  The three of them lived near the coastal town of Limón.  Carlos owned a banana farm and also had various other fruit and nut trees.  Aracely was a teacher and was proud to talk about the emphasis Costa Rica has for education. 

During the conversation, Nick learned that Costa Rica has an illegal immigrant problem.  Aracely mentioned the number of Nicaraguan children in her school.  Seeking a better life, poor people from Nicaragua have been moving to Costa Rica.  Often, they aren’t educated and the fathers end up working as laborers and the mothers keep house for wealthier people.  Nick couldn’t believe what he was hearing.  If you changed the names of the countries, they could easily be talking about the problems the US has with their Mexican neighbor.

The ride home was relatively uneventful.  The children were tired and cried a little before falling asleep.  Nick chatted with Ellie and James and then excused himself by saying he wanted to nap a bit also.  Instead, he stared out the window and pondered the events of the day.  The whole day was full of new experiences.  He laughed to himself at meeting people in Costa Rica that live not five miles from his house.  He was genuinely happy that he made the effort to meet Carlos, Celina, and Aracely.  He didn’t get to speak as much with Alex, the driver but didn’t believe he could have squeezed any more time in for that. They were wonderful people and he could see Pura Vida in them. 

Since Nick was the first to be picked up that morning, he was last to be dropped off.  He said “adios” to Carlos, Celina, and Aracely.  He kissed the foreheads of the little ones as James and Ellie carried their youngsters down the aisle of the van at their stop.  Ellie handed Nick a small piece of paper and said, “This is our address, phone numbers, and emails.  We’d love to see you back home if that is ok with you.”

“I love the idea.  I will email you my contact information before I go back home.  Thank you for a lovely day.” 

Ellie smiled and exited the bus.  That left just Nick, Josué and Alex.  Nick moved up a row and sat just behind Josué.  He expressed his thanks for a wonderful day.  He also thanked Alex for careful driving through the winding roads and Josué translated this to the driver.  Alex smiled and nodded.  When they arrived at Nick’s hotel, he thanked them again and exited the bus.  Once both feet were on the ground, he turned and leaned into the door of the van and shouted, “Pura vida!”

Alex chuckled as he and Josué repeated, “Pura vida!”