danielbaylis.ca

Dear friends and family,

It’s been a week of transitions. On Monday I said goodbye to my dear friends at Common Ground Relief. I had tears in my eyes as the plane took to the sky, and I looked west to see the sun sinking over the horizon. It was a sadness of certainty, knowing that the probability is slim of being in the same space at the same time with the same people. It was a confluence of inspiring, humorous and life-filled individuals that happens only once.

Be glad it happened, I continue to say to myself, as the emotions of parting continue.

My five-hour layover in Denver was spent doing errands such as mailing a letter, obtaining extra cash and Skyping my father. I also sat in one of the airport lounges and slowly sipped a glass of red wine, knowing that it would be the last sip of alcohol I’d take for a long time. You see, my month in Costa Rica is being spent on a raw, vegan farm, learning about an alternative dietary approach and how to live “off the grid.” I assumed early that certain things would be excluded from my diet: meat, cheese, eggs, anything cooked and, tragically, any alcohol. That glass of vino was delicious.

Another chap, Matt from Australia, who was also heading out to Veganland, joined me at the San Jose airport. The transition was smooth enough considering the multiple planes, buses and taxis that were involved during my nearly 24-hour ordeal. And at the end of the long bumpy approach, I arrived to a tropical paradise called La Joya Del Sol. Matt and I were greeted by caretaker/farmer/raw-vegan enthusiast, Eric Ravkin, and given a brief tour of the grounds that included the Rancho, the composting toilet system, the gardens and, finally, our tents. The natural beauty was immediately undeniable.

Since arriving on Tuesday, life at “La Joya Del Sol” has been varied; sometimes I feel like I’m in paradise, and sometimes I want to run screaming towards the first delicious creamy iced latte that I could wrap my caffeine-addicted paws around. During the week we’ve done a selection of tasks ranging from hauling rocks for riverbank reinforcement to repotting plants in the greenhouse. I find myself limited in energy, and I attribute this to a variety of elements: tropical heat, the exhaustion that comes with travel, caffeine withdraw and the caloric lightness of an entirely raw, plant-based diet. I’ve certainly had moments of doubting whether or not this is an experience that I need to have.

Eric is a curtly character full of wisdom and big ideas. His knowledge in mixing foods makes raw veganism a possibility, without him this would simply not be a realistic month-long endeavor. The food, although not always completely satiating, is consistently beautiful and I do feel like I am eating things that are cleansing my system. It’s good to have someone guiding me through this wheatgrass world, but if I had one request, I just wish the folks around here would laugh more at my jokes.

How on earth do I affirm myself if someone’s not laughing at me?

One of the week’s highlights was a yoga session that turned into a dilemma of nakedness. After a morning of tending to the plants in the greenhouse, Eric proposed going to his friend’s house for a free yoga class. I expressed my immediate interest, because my travel-weary muscles were pleading to be stretched… and because the price was right.

However, upon arriving, we saw a sign taped to the gate that read “No Yoga Today.” Bummer. But then Eric suggested we go to a nearby waterfall, a special natural attraction that has been rated as one of the top ten waterfalls in the world (source unspecified). Again, I had a hard time rejecting such an offer. We drove further down the road, and hiked the mile and a half down into a ravine, hearing the power of the cascade and feeling its mist before we could actually see the waterfall. And when we rounded a bend to see the full glory of the falls. It was indeed stunning.

I hadn’t known that swimming was going to be on the agenda, so naturally I had sported some yoga duds and left my bathing suit back in my tent. But, upon arrival, the water looked so refreshing. And when given the chance to swim in one of the world’s top waterfalls, one should never decline. I looked around to analyze my best approach for waterfall-lounging attire. There were other folks enjoying this natural splendor, including some children, and they were all wearing their swimsuits. I deemed the situation as “skinny dipping” inappropriate. When in a foreign country, I don’t want to assault the eyes of the locals with the whiteness of my arse. So I decided that sporting my underwear would be a great intermediate option. Yet this was not an easy decision, you see, as my morning’s choice of undies was, well, more “Valentine’s Day” than “Costa Rican-waterfall-rugged.”

I suppose there comes a time for each person to tackle one of life’s most difficult dilemmas: Am I prepared to show the world my red bikini-style manbriefs that I am currently wearing inside out?

In my case, this would become the historic day that I unleashed them.

I whipped off my shorts and marched hesitantly, yet eagerly, into the pool, hoping that my fellow waterfall waders would deem me as a kooky European, rather than a skinny perv who intentionally wears his tight underwear in public places. The others were also probably wondering why my red manbriefs were worn inside out. Well it’s because they are simply more comfortable with the seams on the exterior! I’ve been wearing my underwear inside out for years!

And you, my dear read, might question why such a masculine character such as myself might own red bikini-style man briefs. Well, I travel with a diverse undies artillery: relaxed boxers, sporty fitted boxers, and yes, tightie briefs. The skimpy underwear are perfect for travel; comfortable in the heat and occupying the least amount of space in my bag. And, like most people, I tend to buy my underwear in a colorful multi-pack. One of the colors just happened to be red. Ain’t no shame in it.

Besides, they clearly represent the true sex kitten that I am.

We stayed at the waterfall for a good hour. And, after initial trepidation, I quickly lost all concern about my fashion reality. I was swimming in one of the planet’s most beautiful locations, and I’d be damned if I let a little pair of red undies blush my experience.

So it’s been a week of transitions – leaving New Orleans and arriving in Costa Rica. Drastically changing my social, dietary and physical environments has been a challenge to say the least. But this is what the year holds for me – twelve adventures, twelve trials, twelve educational occasions, and yes, twelve opportunities to prance around in my red undies. And despite my weariness, I still feel prepared for the tasks.

Oh yeah, and thanks for laughing at my jokes.

You make me feel good.

xoxo

Daniel

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