Back to Reality

As I sit here at my work computer, I can't help but to reminisce my time spent in Costa Rica... time that simply was not long enough. The last few days were complete bliss as they were spent on the beach eating and drinking all day... what more could a girl want? We also got to go zip-lining, a little mountain climbing,  white water tubing, and horse back riding, which I loved. I've been zip-lining a few times before so this time was a piece of cake... I even went a little crazy did it upside down a few times. Just writing about it is making wish I were back there living the dream.

Costa Rica is definitely a place I will visit again... I HAVE TO GO BACK! I feel like there's not many places one can fall in love with, but Costa Rica is one of them. I loved the culture and the spirit of the people there; their laid back attitude reminded me of home where the saying is "laissez les bons temps rouler", let the good times roll. That's probably why Costa Rica is one of the happiest places on Earth... because they have no worries, they run on tico time, and they always have beautiful scenery. I wouldn't mind living there, that's for sure!

The trip as a whole was definitely a once in a lifetime thing: I made friendships with people I would have otherwise never met, visited a country I've always dreamed of going, and learned new things about myself. The whole group kind of became a family during the 10 days we spent together. On the first day I probably only knew 3 people's names, and by the end of the trip I knew and loved every person there and was genuinely sad that I wouldn't be spending every day with them anymore. As sad as I was to leave the most beautiful country and my new friends, I was excited to go home to my family and Louisiana food. This was the longest I've ever been away from home with minimal communication to my family, and I would be lying if I said I didn't miss it. My 4 week trip to Africa in a few weeks will no doubt be challenging, but if it's anything like the experience in Costa Rica, it will be completely worth it!

I feel like I must be one of the luckiest people to have been given this opportunity and the means to take part in it. I will be forever grateful for Dr. Lanier, Gabby, and Fernando for becoming our mentors and "second parents" throughout this journey. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that without them, our time in Costa Rica would have been as fun and entertaining. As exhausted as I was during the last few days in San Jose, I am grateful that we had a packed schedule so that we were able to experience as much of Costa Rica as possible.

PURA VIDA!!!

My Costa Rica favorites:
Favorite food: pineapple
Favorite drink: caipirinha
Favorite song: Tacata
Favorite excursion: whitewater tubing