What I learned during my 4-day Ayahuasca retreat

Feel free to bounce around: TL;DR Last week, I loaded up my motorcycle and strapped on my body armor and rode 4 hours into Corcovado, the densest rainforest in Costa Rica. There, I found a small church and spent 4 days there, taking plant medicine and reconnecting with God for the first time in overContinue reading “What I learned during my 4-day Ayahuasca retreat”

Rediscovering Balance on a jog through Bahía

Every morning I leave the house on foot at 6:30 AM to explore Bahía. There’s dozens of long dirt roads leading to nowhere, beach access points, and unmarked trails through the jungle. It’s kind of a thrill. Thrill aside, running is how I find balance. Not only does a 3-mile run balance out the factContinue reading “Rediscovering Balance on a jog through Bahía”

Reconnecting at Rancho Cielo Alto

Yesterday, Brigid took me out to dinner for my 34th birthday. The whole thing was hyped up because the restaurant itself—a place called Casa Cielo Alto—was, according to the Google listing “RESERVATION ONLY”. When Brigid went to make the reservation 3 months ago, the soonest available opening fell on my birthday weekend. To heighten everything,Continue reading “Reconnecting at Rancho Cielo Alto”

Following the Trail of Names Through Costa Rica

If you travel through Costa Rica, a list of the names of locations you pass along the way will invariably tell a story of indigenous culture, Spanish colonization, and the influence of the Catholic Church. Fly into San Jose I am in a surf town called Dominical, but my plane to Costa Rica landed inContinue reading “Following the Trail of Names Through Costa Rica”

2021 in review – analysis

. Why so serious? As always, I used my “best of 2021” list as a vehicle to travel back in time to revisit and catalogue the art and culture that helped me survive a difficult year. This is an important practice for several reasons. It’s also a moment to take measure of how much mediaContinue reading “2021 in review – analysis”

2021 in review – the list

This is my review of the music, movies, and podcasting/journalism that got me from January to December, which was no small feat. For the full analysis, check out this long-ass essay. Albums I discovered several albums that I enjoyed in the sauna, during boxing workouts, or hanging out around the house in Costa Rica: AContinue reading “2021 in review – the list”