Before anyone gets too jealous, Oh !? It’s too late? Well don’t be too, too much because traveling has it’s own perils like sex tourists, undercut exchange rates, and if you stick to the coastal wet parts like the ocean, Augas Malas ( Bad Waters). We call them JellyFish. Yes, I encountered one of these treacherous, sneaky bastards in the beach break at the south end of Jaco. I didn’t even see him coming so there was no hope of avoiding it but, seeing them is not necessary to dis-enjoy the long lasting discomfort of their sting. In fact I am reveling in the nagging irritation as I write. Incidentally and extra lucky, I was the only one in my surf posse to get stung. That’s right, posse.

Also, incidentally, it seems I have been tasted by every other type of biting insect that lives in the low lands of Costa Rica.  If nothing else, it’s a compliment to my flavor I must admit.

Despite popular lore, treating a jellyfish sting does not require your buddy nor a juxtaposed sex tourist to pee on  it. However, it’s quite good for a laugh later around a table of beers while the victim realizes that it doesn’t help a thing.

According to my too little, too late research comprised of “googling it”, hot, hot water or something acidic, much more acidic than urine are supposed to neutralize the poison.

Unfortunately, since I was floating in the ocean miles away from my cabina (what they call shabby hotel rooms in Costa Rica) that had no heating capabilities and since there were no vinegar sales people on the beach that day, I just cursed a bit and proceeded to catch some waves.  Sorry potty mouths, cursing is not a cure either. Fu$#!