Tanya's Blog

Memories of a trip I’ve never done — surfing in Costa Rica

TANYA ENBERG, Chic Savvy Travels

Timing may not be everything, though it certainly accounts for countless life decisions we make, directions we take and road maps we follow.

It doesn’t always work in our favour, this thing called timing. It can end relationships, friendships and, most definitely, travel plans.

For those with semi-regular states of wanderlust, the urge to hit the road in search of new experiences, travel plans thwarted by bad timing can feel similar to heartbreak.

When the dreamy possibility of travel and exploration presents itself to those burdened with wanderlust, it can be all-consuming, much like the rush of obsessive lust that goes hand-in-hand with a budding new romance.

When timing gets in the way, well, it’s crushing.

On one recent rainy day, I found myself in the midst of a rather manic cleaning frenzy. I dusted and swept, organized CDs, did rounds upon rounds of laundry and, finally, undertook a task two years in the waiting — paper shredding.

As the machine ate through piles of bills and invoices, a slip of paper caught my eye. On it was my handwriting and the words “Costa Rica surf camp,” along with a series of proposed dates.

The Costa Rica surf trip is one I’ve hoped to do for years. Finding my scribbly penmanship was strange timing, as a friend was, at that very moment, learning to ride waves in, yep, Costa Rica. The note burned me. I think I actually felt my heart drop. I was mourning the unrealized dream, and turning the colour of envy green thinking about my friend paddling out to try and catch a wave.

I don’t recall ever writing the surf-camp note, it was that long ago.

As it happens, this romanticized trip filled with surf and sand and cool citrusy beverages has been waiting on the sidelines, bumped by other plans, trumped by higher agendas and burdened by the simple fluke of bad timing.

I looked down at the red ink wondering whether it should be kept as a future trip-planning reminder, but the words felt heavy, weighed down by time. So, into the shredder it went, and in a couple of quick chomps, it was gone. The dream, however, is not. In fact, it may be riper in my mind than ever, but Costa Rica surfing must continue to wait.

It’s like two people skipping to different beats and the timing is all off. But one day I believe it will be just right and I will find myself trying to get up and getting knocked down by the sheer force of dizzying waves. That is, until I get the timing just right and ride one in straight to shore.

Date Added: August 12, 2011 | Comments (0)