MATAPALO

THE BOOK

Paul, a retired computer consultant, is trying to “find himself” while taking a sabbatical on the beach in Matapalo, Costa Rica. Instead he finds himself involved in a life or death decision involving dangerous Colombian drug smugglers, a prostitute named Carmelita, and a struggle with his conscience.

Matapalo is the story of a man nearing retirement who is house sitting in Costa Rica and contemplating suicide. He had led a very exciting life of drugs, women and rock and roll before going to prison and losing everything . He became a computer consultant for the next 30 years. He found himself at the age of 65 with no family and little money. Meeting a prostitute in Jaco,  Paul sees a possible way out of his dilemma. He ends up in a dangerous town in Colombia with his life on the line. The book chronicles what brought him to this point in life and why he has taken such drastic steps. The book has an unusual and exciting ending. Full of romance, intrigue, and adventure. You will be hooked from the first two paragraphs.

Sample:    Chapter 1   Solano 

Sitting in his bungalow in the Mapara Crab Hotel, Paul gazed out the window at the Pacific Ocean. He was in Solano, Colombia, a beautiful little fishing village on the west coast. It was situated in a small bay enclosed by verdant tropical hills. It was a wonderful view, but the beauty was of very little comfort, considering his current situation. Paul's entire future was teetering in a balance of life or death – to be determined in the next few hours. He had knowingly put himself in this position, fully aware of the potential danger.

 The sun was setting soon. Paul, who had once been a professional photographer, had taken so many photos of sunsets over the years, that they were a blur in his mind. But still, he never tired of watching the beautiful orange, red, and yellow hues that seemed to explode over the sky when the conditions were right. Just two weeks earlier, Paul had been lying in a hammock at a private cottage on the beach at Matapalo, Costa Rica, contemplating suicide. Now, he had a plan that could be his way out. After all, what did he have to lose? If everything did work in his favor, then perhaps he could pull himself out of the deep depression that so recently made him consider taking his own life. On the other hand, if things did not work out, then he would be killed ... and save himself the trouble of suicide. 

As Paul watched a school of dolphins playing not too far offshore, he began thinking back on his life and what had happened to him. What had brought a former Boy Scout and classic All-American boy to be sitting in a hotel room in this dangerous, drug-infested port city on the coast of Colombia – awaiting his fate at the hands of a man he had met only hours before?

"If my 6th grade teacher could only see me now," he mused to himself. 

Paul was remembering the man, Mr. Simmons, who had helped him win the American Legion Award, given each year for the student with the best grades and leadership ability. The student who received this award had to be the one who best represented good character and citizenship ... somewhat laughable now, considering the circumstances he found himself in. Paul had been a Boy Scout, captain of the Junior Deputies, captain of the school patrol, and president of his 6th grade class. He was the American Legion winner by a landslide. The irony of that award somehow felt funny and very sad at the same time. It seemed so long ago, like a different lifetime ... a different person. 

Paul chuckled as he thought, "that's because it was a long time ago - 53 years to be exact. He had just turned 65 earlier that week and was realizing that he had become an old man seemingly overnight – without any acknowledgement or acceptance on his part. Like everyone, he hated getting old.

IMAGES

These are Images from places mentioned in the Story

Matapalo

Costa Rica

Solano

Colombia, S.A.

Beach Front

Matapalo Beach House

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