Beach Bumming 
Montañita is the classic hippy hangout. The streets are lined with dreadlocked, “Castaway” bearded guys who weave jewelry, glue shells, or spank a bongo drum. A blend of incense and pot fills the nose; the marijuana leaf is the resident emblem. Bob Marley, the King of Reggae, plays in every bar, loudest during 2 for 1 happy hour. The hostels are all of rickety bamboo and dried palm leaves, with names like “The Funky Munky” and “Tiki Limbo.” Backpackers – who got sucked in by the tropical vibe and see no reason to leave – adorn the colorful hammocks. Extremely tanned locals with Polynesian tattoos and board shorts sagging below their cracks compete for the single blonde.
Julie and I were ready to relax on a quiet shore, not rebel against shoes and shampoo, and enter an indulgent cycle of partying and hangover-recovering. We moved on to Canoa, a spot highly recommended to us. We didn’t have a guidebook, so we didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into. If we left in the morning, we figured, we would be lounging on the sand of Canoa around lunch. As we lugged our bags from bus to bus, we were hoping to make it that same day. Vehicles intended for twenty people were stuffed with three times that. I found myself with a dog on my lap one minute, a breastfeeding baby the next. While Julie and I leaned out the window, we exchanged “This better be worth it.” looks.
It wasn’t until we stepped out of our beachside bungalow this morning that we could see it was indeed worth it. Canoa is a lot of beach with a touch of town, the tranquil opposite of Montañita. There are more stray dogs than tourists. Our hostel has pool and ping pong. If we had time to get sucked in, we would.
Now you know what fling by the seat of your pants Julie style is like. No worries though she does this all the time. I have refrained from sending comments until now beacuse I don’t know if you speak North Dakotan or not. It can be cornfusing at times. You may also get some Norwiegen at times but that would only be like uffda, or ja sure ja bet ja. Now that is confusing. Sounds like you have had the experience of a life time I hope Julie has been satisfactory to you and has helped you see the world from a differant point of view. That of course woule be the Montanan, or Hanen point of view. I can only hope that this will be of benefit to you in your life ahead. A trip around the world though is not complete with out adding North Dakota and Montana to your itinerary. Those however can be an experience all by themselves. We would hope to be able to me you some time. The door is always open for you at the Hanen’s in Bozeman.
May 18th, 2006 at 8:11 amHey Grandson,
This likely is the last greeting from Nonnie and Papa ere your arrival in Los Angeles. Your Mom and Dad and brother are not alone in their delighted anticipation of your return. We feel just as Dorothy did: “Oh Toto, there’s no place like home”!
That said, it also seems reasonable to anticipate some mixed emotions upon your return. It would not surprise us if your keen awareness of the life-changing experience you have had creates a unique challenge as you radically alter course (and clothes and haircuts!) and contemplate the life of a college frshman next Fall. Knowing good advice is in short supply these days (especially in our part of the world, alas), how fortunate to have received such wise words from your Dad on that score!
Enough. The best part of a homecoming are hugs. They can say even more than words. We won’t be there at the airport, but, Charlie, you will receive a pair or real fine bear hugs in absentia!
Love, Nonnie and Papa
May 17th, 2006 at 7:39 pm