So long… Fare well…

Saying goodbye, as I try not to do often, was very hard. I was able to say goodbye the landscape slowly, as we hiked down the mountain side on Tuesday. I could steadily ease myself into urbanity, from rural settings as well cruised along in the bus on Wednesday. I enjoyed each and every moment of the last night in San Jose with everyone, but there is always a point in which you find yourself hugging your good friend one last time. There is always that one point when watching your companions walk around the corner and out of your sight, wondering if you may ever meet again.

Wednesday night, we said our goodbyes. We sat down to dinner for the final time as a family, and we even got to celebrate two birthdays, Nate’s and Helenna’s. There were many tears, and just as many jokes and laughter.

The next morning brought more tears as five of us boarded the early shuttle to the airport, to catch our flights. I watched each one of these friends board their respective planes, and fly off, back into their normal lives.

Although I was excited to see my real family and friends again, I could not hold back the months of memories that I now held deep down as a part of my soul. Culture shock, they say is what gets you when you return back from a faraway place… and I will say that I have experienced this. But what I will most remember, forever about my time in Costa Rica, are the many people who came together as one family, in happiness and times of trial, and helped me to make the most of my time away from home.

Thank you to all who made this possible…

Brett, Ross, Nate, Rob, and Kevin – May your strengths, hearts for adventure and longings for a challenge take you to the ends of the earth, and guide you to better our world.

Tate, Erin, Tracy, Rose, Helenna, Hannah, Meghan, Amy, Laura and Melanie – May each of you in your loveliness and feminine beauty, follow your heart felt passions to send you forth, as explorers to redefine our world.

The CIEE staff and Monteverde community members – May your longing to teach, guide and care for students never end.

My family (left to right): Joshua (nephew), Albino (Dad), a niece, sister-in-law, Mauricio (brother), Ana (best tica mother in Costa Rica), not pictured- Davis (brother), Gloriana (sister), Yerlin (sister), Jeffrey (brother-in-law)

And just so everyone knows, this blog does not end here… I plan to continue my toe-ed shoe adventure elsewhere, and will keep you updated.