Issue #44: From Jazz Notes to Birth Notes: The Night the Stars Alined in Machuca Valley by Bradley Spence
By Bradley Spence
In the heart of Costa Rica's lush Muchuca Valley, where the Aguacate Mountains cradle the verdant landscape of San Mateo, an extraordinary event unfolded that would forever change the lives of two new residents, Kate and myself. It was an evening where the celestial and the terrestrial seemed to dance together in perfect harmony. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; this story is one of community, music, and the miracle of birth.
The invitation came from Matthew Human, the visionary behind Finca Vida Verde, part of the Tacotal Colectivo Ecovillage, at Alegría Village's monthly Feria Alegría. He was hosting "Jazz en la Jungle," featuring the Grammy-nominated Cyrille Aimée, herself a member of the Muchuca Valley. The concert was set for January 25th, a date that seemed out of reach for us, as Kate was due to give birth around January 17th. Yet, as the due date passed, a whimsical hope emerged - could Kate make it to the concert, and could our child be born under one of the rarest celestial alignments in a generation?
The planets in question - Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus, and Saturn - were aligning in the sky, an event not seen in such a configuration for decades. This wasn't just a concert; it was a cosmic ballet.
The evening at Finca Vida Verde was nothing short of magical. As we crossed the unique bamboo bridge leading to the venue, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. The sun set over the backdrop of the Machuca Valley mountains, creating a scene so picturesque it seemed almost unreal. We grabbed a Juanilama-infused Whiskey Sour and a virgin Piña Colada at the "no shoes" cocktail bar, settling into the ambiance of what was clearly more than just a local gathering.
The event's scale was surprising. Hundreds from around the valley and beyond had come, not just for the music but for the shared love of this unique place. Local vendors and food stalls fostered a communal spirit, where meals were shared, and stories exchanged among people from all walks of life.
The music began, and Wayne Tucker's trumpet filled the air with beautiful jazz, drawing our 3-year old niece and her friend Asher into a spontaneous dance, their joy palpable. Then came Tom Larsen's guitar, his voice adding layers of velvet warmth to the night. But the highlight was Cyrille Aimée, her performance a testament to why she's Grammy-nominated. Her voice, raw and passionate, resonated with everyone, including Kate, who at 41 weeks and 2 days, danced with the grace of someone unburdened by pregnancy.
As the main performance concluded around 9 pm, a sense of closure mixed with the excitement of the jam session that continued. Walking away, we heard a cover of "A Lovely Day" by Bill Withers, a song with deep personal significance for us - a song that played at our wedding, sung by Kate herself in a flash mob surprise. The song felt like a sign from the universe. I knew our daughter was coming.
Back at home by 10 pm, Kate's labor started. After a grueling yet beautiful 20-hour home birth, Isabela was born on January 26th at 6:18 pm, entering the world at 8lbs and 7oz in a valley where the stars had just aligned. The community's response was immediate and heartwarming; a "meal train" was organized, ensuring we could focus on our first-born child.
What makes the birth of our daughter in the Muchuca Valley so profoundly memorable is not just the backdrop of natural beauty or the rare celestial alignment. It's the community's ethos - a shared commitment to sustainability, love, and unity. Here in the Muchuca Valley, people from around the globe come together, bound by common values of nurturing the planet and each other, making Isabela's arrival not just a personal milestone but a communal celebration.
This event has elevated the Muchuca Valley on a different level, showcasing its capacity for cultural richness and communal support. The presence of international artists like Cyrille Aimée in such a setting underscores a growing trend towards blending art, nature, and community living. This integration is starting to flourish, with more events and activities that not only celebrate but also sustain the valley's unique environment and lifestyle.
As we look to the future, this night under the stars, where jazz notes transitioned into birth notes, symbolizes what's possible in Muchuca Valley. It's a beacon for those seeking a life where each day can be as special as the night the planets aligned, where every birth is celebrated by a community, and where music and life intertwine under the gaze of the cosmos. Here, in the Muchuca Valley, we're not just raising our daughter; we're part of a living, breathing testament to what community can truly mean.
If you want to support Finca Vida Verde which made the concert possible, you can show your support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/matthewhuman