Discover this Hidden Vacation Gem - Before Everyone Else Does!

When I went in search of a good surf retreat this winter, I was surprised to find that Nicaragua kept coming up in conversation. I was told it's like the "new Costa Rica" -- a newly popular spot for yoga and surf retreat centers and home to beautiful beaches still unspoiled by tourism.  Having never been to Costa Rica I can't compare the two, but I can say that the week we spent in Nicaragua was possibly my favorite vacation ever.

I booked our stay at Soma Surf Resort based on the endless 5-star reviews on Trip Advisor.  We were not disappointed.  The small, friendly staff and ownership truly made us feel at home, and the fresh, local food was AMAZING, healthy and inexpensive.  (I don't know why I didn't take more pictures of the food!)

Our driver met us at the airport for the 2.5 hour drive to Soma.  We spent the last 45 minutes winding down dirt roads dotted with local farms, where "traffic" consisted mostly of cows, horses and dogs.  Soma is located in the hills with beautiful views of the surrounding farmland and nearby ocean.

Because we were visiting during the off season, the beaches were practically deserted every morning for our daily surf lessons.  It was great sharing the waves with our fellow guests at Soma, and even though the mojitos were the BEST (a handful of fresh mint goes into the blender for every glass,) we were in bed by 9:00 or 10:00 and up with the sunrise every day.

our friend sammi, soma resident...

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walking popoyo beach to magnific rock and exploring the tidepools...

rainbow popoyo beach

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magnific rock sunset happy hour...

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still a learner, but i'm making progress!

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no restaurants (and not many people) on this beach! but see that little straw roof?  there are a few hammocks, and a guy with a cooler over there if you need something to drink...

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The only way I could stand leaving this place was to promise myself I'd return!

I think I may have found the perfect spot for a core/yoga/surf retreat...

Who is coming with me on the next trip??  :)

New Elephant Journal Post: There I Was, Hyperventilating in a Wedding Dress...

wedding dress elephant journal

Hello friends, please check out my new post on Elephant Journal! In this post, I take a look back at some moments from my past that left me breathless...

Thanks for reading!

-Andrea

2013: Onward and Upward

sunrise

A while back, a friend of mine accidentally coined the term "sombering" when she mixed up the words "somber" and "sobering," mashing them together. I've loved this made-up word ever since and have had more than a few experiences where it seemed to fit.

One of the most "sombering" moments of my life was when I learned of the horrific violence visited upon the people of Newtown, Connecticut on December 14th. When faced with the spirit-crushing knowledge that we live in a world where such cruelty and violence exist, it is hard to know how we can go on. I grieve for those directly impacted by the tragedy and for the millions of people who, like me, were left with a feeling that a piece of their own hope and innocence is forever gone.

I have been quiet about this because I feel I have nothing to say that can ease our collective sadness. To avoid tormenting myself, I retreated from news stories and friends' status updates that only seemed to make me feel worse. I have allowed myself to feel the grief. There are no words that will speed us through it. No easy fix.

How long is it appropriate to mourn for people you never knew? For me, it feels like it will linger a long time, maybe forever. And in that grief it can seem trivial to go on with everyday things. To write blog posts about fitness, or food, or of all things, fun.

But I do know that even in the presence of grief, we will move on. We will each continue to shine our light into the world -- a world that I have to believe is filled with more light than darkness. I'm committed to offering up my light, and to leaving this place better than I found it. For me, I'll be doing so with a renewed commitment to seeing things in the scope of the larger community. We are all one.

So on this sombering note, I am back. Back to my blog, back to my calling, as a writer, as a teacher, as an entertainer, as a mother, as someone who cares deeply about humanity and is committed to contributing love, health, happiness and yes, even fun to this world.

New day. New year. New opportunities for love, healing, kindness, compassion, and creating a peaceful world. We move on, step by step, though we are still grieving, in the hope that we can only move up from here.

May the new year bring you peace.

Silent Night, Holy Night

silent night

There is within each one of us a potential for goodness beyond our imagining; for giving which seeks no reward; for listening without judgment; for loving unconditionally. ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

As Christmas and New Years approach, I plan to spend the rest of this year quietly.  I will reflect on how I can bring more of my best self to this world, and how I can encourage the same  in those around me.  I will unplug.  I will connect in person.  And I will hold my dear ones tight.

I wish you peace and love this holiday season, from the bottom of my heart, Andrea

[photo by mandajuice]