Costa Rica trip

I had originally planned on relaxing at the beach the entire time, but that plan got shot completely.
I am definitely not complaining, I arguably had more fun in San Jose, CR, then I did in Jaco, CR.

Monday-Fly in from the Bahamas: Finally, I am out of the Atlantis- horrible service, I doubt I’ll be going back. I felt like I was being shaken down every time I went somewhere (that’s a story for another blog)

I got into the airport and AP had arranged for a driver to come pick me up. This was the first time in my life I had stepped off a plane to see someone holding a sign with my name on it. Unfortunately, the driver and I did not find each other until about 30 minutes of walking around, but it was cool none the less. I met up with my friend Jeff and we had a beer/reminisced for a bit and then I hit the sack, tired from all the traveling.

Tuesday-B-day party: Tuesday was a chill day, slept in, then I decided I was hungry. I was staying at my friends house who works for AP and his fridge had basically nothing in it so I ventured out into the world to find some food. I found a great chicken place, but there was one problem.. They did not speak English at all, nor did I speak Spanish. Eventually I just pointed to a picture of a chicken with tortillas and then paid what the price said. It was a funny sight, but I got fed and relaxed. Later that night we went out for another friends birthday to a few bars and then came back and played pool, which, after drinking can be interesting.

Wednesday: Time to get some business done, I went into the office and did some work, had some meetings, and a whole lot of hot chocolate (that’s right, I drink hot chocolate instead of coffee) Afterward we went bowling with a bunch of people, and then out to eat and drink at another bar. Then my friend and I took 2 women (one he had met a week ago, and her friend who she had told me she was going to introduce me to) to a club called Prive. There were actually 5 of us, as the friend who I was hanging out with came with a guy (friend). We had a great time, had a few more drinks, danced, and were about to leave when there was a 3 way huddle between the girls, and their friend that came along. The girl seemed upset, and her girlfriend was consoling her while this guy was talking to them, so my friend and I decided to just bounce and see them another time. It turned out that the guy was getting jealous (probably because of my sweet dance moves) and he had made the girl upset.

Thursday: Well I was supposed to be in Jaco (a beach town that I love, and coincidently my brother and his girlfriend were hiding out before facing reality back in Austin where they will be getting jobs shortly). Obviously I was not there yet, as I got back pretty late and tired from the office the night before. I heard a knocking at the door at 730am. Now, as most of you know poker players are not used to getting up at 730am. But for golf, I’ll make an exception. I had a great round with some friends (shot a 99) and then headed back for a nap, by the time I got up I had to make a decision to go to Jaco, or Palmares.

Palmares is a drinking festival that is held in Costa Rica for one week a year, and Thursday was the opening night. I decided to partake in this, as you only live once. Pura Vida! It was nuts, literally hundreds of thousands of people drinking on the streets/bars/tents they had set up. They also had some great authentic Costa Rican food. There was music, drinking, and friends, it was a great time.

 
 
Friday- Finally, I get to Jaco!: Low key night, eat dinner with my bro and his girlfriend at a great restaurant called El Hicaco. Its an amazing seafood place right on the ocean. I had lobster bisque, lobster tails, and a tenderloin.

Saturday- Surfing: My brother challenged me to a surfing contest on face book a month ago, and I take challenges seriously, so we surfed all day. The waves were enormous and it was tough to paddle out past the break. Literally when you thought you were past it, another huge wave would break. Eventually we made it past the breaks, and surfed for a good few hours. Then we showered up, had dinner at the same restaurant as the day before, and headed down into town for some drinks. We went to a great place called Los Amigos. I was tapped on the shoulder by Raquel,  a girl I had met last time I was in town and we talked for a bit and then headed out to a sushi place for more drinks.

Sunday: Poker day! It was tough to sit and play poker overlooking the ocean, but somebody’s got to do it.
 
 

I had some deep runs, but nothing major. Kendra, my brothers girlfriend, was very awesome and cooked us dinner and made sure we were comfortable as we played.

And Monday I traveled back and am here in Malibu, where its raining really hard.  Its supposed to be raining all week, which is okay as I have a busy week.

I am meeting with the Absolute Poker College Challenge finalists, who were flown to LA by AP, and are going to play a live final table to win their tuition to college. The final table is Thursday, and I am meeting with them (and probably trishelle) for dinner Wednesday night.  I wish this program was around when I was in college!

Hope you enjoyed this uncharitably long blog entry by me.

-Matt “The Vanilla Giant” Vengrin