Nice share TG. For me, the choice is abundantly clear; it's not worth risking. I mean, why risk all that for one lousy drink. It doesn't make any real sense to me. So why even go there. No one in their right mind would choose that lifestyle again knowing what the consequences could be, including ourselves. So why risk it? I'd rather just sit back, relax and enjoy my current surroundings -just like 'your vacation' environment in Costa Rica. That's what I call... having fun. The reality, though, is much different when you're actually there as opposed to being half a world away. So be on the lookout for any weary travelers, it just might be the reminder we all need.
-- Edited by Mr_David on Sunday 2nd of September 2012 01:56:34 AM
Soooooooo, to tag on to Tasha's great post, I wanted to tell a similar story from a different perspective. My job takes me to some really great places, and when I get there, I generally have nothing to do. This is the result of a job change I did reciently. (The old job was pretty fast and furious work, then staying in non inspiring hotels with little time between work sessions). My new job ends up putting me in a "vacation environment" much like Tasha described, where I am surrounded by others in my industry. Currently I am in an all inclusive resort on the beach in Costa Rica, and what I mean by that is "all you can drink". I love this resort for the beauty, but the few times I have been here, I see the alcohol fueled destruction. I am usually here about 24 hours, and it is all there. Drunken lust, drunken pity, drunken jealosy, spite, drama, anger, etc, etc.
In my case, which is different than Tasha's, I am not surrounded by my close family and friends, but I am surrounded by groups of unknown families and friends, and it reinforces my sobriety when I watch the interactions. I choose to stay away from the drama. I stay away from situations that would draw me towards the bar, and I go to the room and throw the doors wide open and drink in the sound and smell of the surf. THAT is my new normal. What is going on at the bar right now is the normal that I am glad that I have abandoned. I am looking forward to the simplicity of an honest nights sleep, honest dreams, a big healthy breakfast, a nap with the doors open, and then back on the road.......Thanks AA and HP (For me Jesus) for making life so normal!!!
Thanks again Tasha for your inspiring post below.
__________________
"You're in the right place. That's the door right there. Turn around."
I was just looking at a photo of an AA club in Limon CR, that I visited a few times in '92/'93 when I owned some beach front property nearby. Where are you Tom Guanacaste?
I was just looking at a photo of an AA club in Limon CR, that I visited a few times in '92/'93 when I owned some beach front property nearby. Where are you Tom Guanacaste?
Hey SPD
I am in Liberia, Costa Rica. Just had my unbelievable breakfast looking past the palms and listening to the surf. I took a quiet--I mean quiet, no cars, planes, mopeds etc and was overwhelmed by the quiet. I walked past the bar that looked like a wounded building. I am happy for my brothers and sisters that can walk in and get one drink and still enjoy the beauty of the place, and I am happy that I have a disease with such a simple cure!
Tom
__________________
"You're in the right place. That's the door right there. Turn around."
In the past 4 years I have gone places and done things that I wouldn't have imagined. For the last stages of my drinking (last 5 years of it or so), I didn't go anywhere cuz I was too sick. My drinking took me so far from "Normal."
It took hitting bottom and making some drastic changes (spiritual awakening) but I would not trade my life now for ANYTHING!
Enjoy the trip Tom! Feel good knowing that you will remember every bit of it!!
__________________
Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
